FACTS:
All the baby’s organs are perfectly formed miniatures and the features are more discernible. It has eyebrows, a small amount of hair on its head and its heartbeat can be heard by ultrasound. Your baby can now drink the amniotic fluid and pass its own urine. Measuring about 8-9cm in length, it would still fit within the palm of your hand.
Your uterus is now the size of a large grapefruit and during pregnancy it will increase 20 times in weight. Although you may feel less tired than you were initially, you may continue to experience digestive problems due to your hormones slackening the sphincter at the entrance of your stomach. Regurgitated food and acid can rise up causing heartburn.
A brown line called the linea nigra, may begin to appear down the centre of your abdomen. Caused by the Melanocyte-stimulating hormone, it will fade after the baby is born. Your nipples and the surrounding areola (region around the nipple) will also darken in colour.
TIPS:
Morning sickness is likely to have disappeared by now though this is not always the case. Some women experience nausea throughout most of the pregnancy.
Start drinking raspberry leaf tea daily, a traditional remedy valued for centuries to help prepare a woman’s uterine muscles for childbirth.
Time to get a new bra? Your breasts are likely to increase to four times their size during pregnancy.
Listen to your body. If you are really worried call your doctor, no matter how trivial your concern may seem.