Your body is changing rapidly and now it's time to take care of your posture and dental health.
Week 17
Baby's length from crown to rump: 11-12cm.
Results from any amniocentesis tests are now due back. Because your heart is working 40% harder than before pregnancy, there's a lot of pressure on your small blood vessels which can cause bleeding gums and minor nose bleeds.
The main development your baby undergoes this week is the laying down of brown fat. This is the fat that will keep them warm in future.
Week 18 Baby's length from crown to rump: 12.5-14cm.
You'll be able to hear your baby’s heartbeat next time you go for a check up, and it's around now that you'll feel your baby's first movements. Unfortunately you may develop haemorrhoids, so eat high fibre foods to help prevent them.
Your baby can now hear. Most of all it can hear your heart beating and blood rushing through its umbilical cord, although sudden, loud noises outside can make it jump. Your baby's retinas have now become light sensitive, and it's generally an active little thing when it's awake: lying down, sitting cross legged, kicking, punching, sucking its thumb and even turning somersaults!
Week 19 Baby's length from crown to rump: 13-15cm.
This week you'll have a detailed ultrasound scan. The size of your bump will probably be affecting your posture and sleeping positions, so use pillows to support yourself.
Your baby has complete, sticking out little ears now, and its limbs will be of a proportionate size to each other.
Week 20 Baby's length from crown to rump: 14-16cm.
Arrange a dental appointment. Your body has changed drastically by now; your waistline will be a distant memory and it will look very obvious you're pregnant. Your growing uterus will put pressure on your lungs, stomach and bladder causing breathlessness, indigestion and the need to urinate more. Stretch marks may appear on your abdomen around now, and your belly button may pop into an 'outy'.
Your baby's skin is thickening and getting coated with a waxy substance called 'vernix'. This will stop the skin getting waterlogged by amniotic fluid.
Your body is changing rapidly and now it's time to take care of your posture and dental health
