By the second trimester, the symptoms of early pregnancy will lessen or even disappear, and your body will feel more comfortable. At the same time, the uterus is not too big and will not press on the stomach, which will increase appetite. The basal metabolism of pregnant women increases, and the uterus, breasts, and placenta develop rapidly and require an appropriate amount of protein. The fetus begins to form bones, teeth, facial features, and limbs, while the brain begins to form and develop.
Below, Bell Parenting Network will introduce to you the physical changes of expectant mothers in the 5th month of pregnancy:
First week of fifth month of pregnancy (17 weeks)
In the 17th week of pregnancy, as the mother\’s abdomen continues to grow, other organs in the body also undergo certain displacements as the uterus and fetus develop. Expectant mothers can feel their uterus 3.85 cm below the belly button.
The lower abdomen is protruding. Now, you have gained at least 4 pounds, and some pregnant mothers have even gained 10 pounds. Because your uterus has grown so large in such a short period of time, you may occasionally feel severe abdominal pain due to the stretching of the abdominal ligaments, and some people may experience back pain due to this. Because the ligaments are softer than before, you have to be \”careful\” when sitting up or picking up things.
Starting this week, your body\’s center of gravity will change as your uterus grows. Maybe you will find this change a bit uncomfortable because it makes moving around a bit inconvenient. Therefore, comfortable and casual attire and soft-soled flats will suit you better.
Second week of fifth month of pregnancy (18 weeks)
At 18 weeks of pregnancy, expectant mothers can feel the uterus about 2.5cm below the belly button. The expectant mother gained about 4.5-6 kilograms in weight. The body\’s center of gravity shifts forward, making it difficult to move.
The appetite of pregnant mothers during this period is surprisingly good, and they never feel full no matter how much they eat. Here, we must pay attention to the scientific arrangement of the diet, and the intake of nutrients must be comprehensive. However, overeating will not only increase the difficulty of childbirth, but also increase the physical load of pregnant women, making them prone to symptoms such as high blood pressure and diabetes. So pay attention to scientific and balanced nutrition.
Most pregnant mothers will suffer from hemorrhoids. There will be some pain in the legs, tailbone, and other muscles. When you are sitting or lying down, getting up too quickly can make you feel a little dizzy. Some pregnant mothers will experience symptoms such as nasal congestion, nasal congestion, and epistaxis. If the epistaxis is severe, you should consider the possibility of gestational hypertension.
The third week of the fifth month of pregnancy (19 weeks)
During the 19th week of pregnancy, the fundus of the uterus will rise by 1 cm per week. Every day I could clearly feel that the fetus was constantly moving, and at night I couldn\’t even sleep because he or she was tossing and turning.
The burden on expectant mothers is getting heavier and heavier, and physical activities are not very convenient. Located about 1.8 cm below the belly button, pregnant mothers can easily reach the uterus. Mom\’s weight has increased by 3.6 to 6.3 kg. The placenta is about 170 grams, the amniotic fluid is about 320 grams, the uterus is about 320 grams, and the breasts are about 180 grams each.
At this time, you may experience edema, increased blood pressure, and rapid heartbeat, but the fetus may not necessarily act immediately. This is because although the outside world can affect the fetus in the uterine cavity, the fetal central nervous system itself will inhibit the fetal movement.
5th month of pregnancy, 4th week (20 weeks)
Nowadays, expectant mothers’ bellies are getting bigger and bigger, their weight increases rapidly, they get tired easily, and sometimes they suffer from back pain. Occasional leg cramps while sleeping. Edema of the legs, dorsum of the feet, and medial and lateral ankles is particularly common. Edema increases in the afternoon and evening and decreases in the morning. Because the uterus squeezes the gastrointestinal tract and affects gastrointestinal emptying, expectant mothers may often feel full and constipated.
The top of the uterus has now reached the level of the belly button, and the expectant mother may gain 4.5 kilograms. From now on, expect to gain an average of about 0.45 kg per week. If you were underweight before pregnancy, you may need to gain weight; if you were overweight before pregnancy, you may need to lose weight.