The Growth and Development of Your Baby

This is a period of tremendous growth for your baby. The internal organs are maturing. Your baby's fingernails have grown to the tips of the fingers. Fat is now being stored beneath your baby's skin. Your baby is also growing muscle and is getting stronger every day. The blood cells take over for the liver the job of producing blood. Your baby's gall bladder will become functional, producing bile that is necessary for digestion. Milk teeth will begin forming under your baby's gums. Body hair, including eyebrows and eyelashes, are starting to grow.

Your baby sleeps and wakes at regular intervals. You will find that your baby is much more active now. He or she turns from side to side and head over heels. Your baby may suck its thumb.

At the end of the fifth month, you baby will be about 10-12 inches long and will weigh about 1 pound.

What is Happening With You
Your health care provider will again check your weight, blood pressure, urine, fetal heartbeat, uterus size, fundal height, swelling in hands and feet, varicose veins and hemorrhoids, and any other symptoms you may be experiencing. Remember to bring your list of questions and concerns with you to your prenatal care appointments so that you can discuss them with your provider.

You may be experiencing any number of the following physical symptoms: fetal movement, increasing whitish vaginal discharge (leukorrhea), lower abdomen achiness (from stretching of the ligaments which support the uterus), constipation, heartburn, indigestion, flatulence, or bloating, occasional headaches, faintness, or dizziness, nasal congestion, nosebleeds, ear stuffiness, bleeding gums, hearty appetite, leg cramps, swelling, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, increased heart rate, backache, and/or changes in your skin pigmentation of your abdomen and face. Remember that you may not feel all of these symptoms.

Your emotions are probably calming down now and you are likely to have fewer mood swings. You may still feel irritable from time to time. Absentmindedness and forgetfulness may still continue.

What is Happening With Your Partner
Your partner is probably enjoying that you are feeling calmer and are having fewer mood swings! It is still important to communicate how you are both feeling. You may welcome it if your partner wants to "baby" and take care of you during your pregnancy or you may resent it. On the other hand, you may wish your partner was helping more around the house and "babying" you more. Tell your partner what you need and want from him.

Remember to sign up for pregnancy and childbirth classes that you can both attend.

Discomforts and Remedies
Visit the Common Discomforts section if you are experiencing any discomforts. You may or may not experience some of these discomforts and be sure to talk to your health care provider about them if you have any questions.

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