BABY DEVELOPMENT
Ooh, what was that? Felt a movement that didn’t feel like his usual kicking? Your baby might have the hiccups. It can happen if he swallows too large a mouthful of amniotic fluid. You can feel this as well as hear it. Should you be worried? Not at all, this is how your baby trains his breathing movements.
This week the sexual organs of your baby finish forming. And he now sees very well and responds to sound stimuli. Low frequencies of certain music and the voice of his father are particularly well-received, and can trigger movements and increased heart rate, visible on ultrasound.
YOUR BODY
A few weeks ago, you greeted the first movements of your little darling with delight. Now your baby’s gymnastics can sometimes feel less than lovely: your uterus has now grown so much that when he pushes against your ribs with a violent movement, it can hurt. Some mums start to report aches and pains all over right about now. The increased blood flow loosens up your joints, ligaments and muscles (don’t worry, they’ll come back!).
NUTRITION
If you work, you 'll soon be on prenatal leave, if not already. Enjoy the change of pace! Rest as much as you can and gently begin to prepare for the arrival of your baby. This is a great time to refocus on what you are eating. Fruits and vegetables will give you the vitamin C you need to protect your cells and veins. It also improves iron absorption, which will help you to replenish your red blood cells.
TIPS
If your work requires you to sit all day in front of a computer, you’ve probably wondered more than once if it is safe for your little one’s development. The radiation from computer screens does not affect the foetus or the mother. Studies have clearly shown that there is no additional risk of miscarriage or any other problems during pregnancy due to screen time. Another item to cross off your stress list!
Related articles
Week 40
Time’s up! If he hasn’t already, your baby will arrive in the next few days. If he doesn’t come out voluntarily, your doctor might give him a little nudge. And then you will be a mother at last!
3 mins to read
Antenatal Care - When Should You See the Doctor
Early pregnancy symptoms can be misleading. There are many possible reasons for how you're feeling. If you think you're pregnant, take a home pregnancy test – or two.
5 mins to read
Week 39
2 mins to read
Week 38
Two more weeks! Yes, it’s true, you and your little one will soon be making each other’s acquaintance. Everything is pretty much in place. Read more about this week.
3 mins to read
Week 37
Your baby tends to keep his head down, arms crossed, and legs folded up on his chest as there’s not much room to move around. He’ll be very glad to get out and stretch!
3 mins to read
Week 36
From now until she makes her grand entrance, your baby will continue to put on about a half a pound per week, or around 220 g. She is already 47 cm long and weighs 2.7 kg!
3 mins to read
Week 35
In about a month, you’ll be holding that little bundle of joy in your arms. Until then, there’s still lots of polishing and refinement going on inside you. Read more about this week.
3 mins to read
Week 34
Things are slowing down a little in your belly now. That’s because everything is getting close to being cooked! Your baby is around 45 cm long and weighs 2.2 juicy kilos.
3 mins to read
Week 33
Six weeks. That’s about how long you’ve got left before you get to meet the little person growing inside you. Amazing, right? We think so. Read on to know more about this week.
3 mins to read
Week 32
Your baby is still developing as you head into the final lap but it’s mostly perfecting and polishing from here on out. He or she is getting ready to meet you!
3 mins to read
Week 31
As D-Day fast approaches, your little one is starting to turn upside down. What a clever baby! But you already knew that. Read more about this week.
3 mins to read
Week 29
As you inch your way towards the finish line – you will be giving birth in about ten weeks! – your baby is still growing by leaps and bounds, even opening her eyes this week.
3 mins to read
Week 28
Your little one is around 38 cm long from crown to toe and already weights about 1.2 kilos, a third of her birth weight. Her feet measure around 5½ cm – yes, they are tiny!
2 mins to read
Week 27
Your baby still has some growing to do but as of today, he’s big enough laying down to fit on your forearm between your hand and your elbow. Read more about this week.
2 mins to read
Week 26
A little ta-da moment for the final week of your second trimester – your baby will open her eyes for the first time around now! Read more about this week.
3 mins to read
Week 25
Two more weeks left of the second trimester. You are gearing up for the home stretch. Your baby’s sense of touch is starting to blossom. Read more about how to help feed it.
3 mins to read
Week 24
Can you feel the baby reacting to noises and your caresses yet? Towards the end of the second trimester is when that starts to happen, so be on the lookout. Read more about this week.
3 mins to read
Week 23
Your baby is now 29cm long from head to toe and weighs considerably over 550g. You have got around 16 more weeks to go! Read more about this week.
3 mins to read
Week 22
If you could look inside, you’d see your baby sucking her thumb, her sucking reflex practically perfected now. It’s nature’s way of getting her to breastfeed from birth.
3 mins to read
Related tools
Pregnancy Weekly Calendar
Enjoy this amazing journey to motherhood week by week on our pregnancy calendar. Find out what changes you can expect in your body or your emotions.
Ovulation Calendar
Want to get pregnant? Determine your most fertile period and increase your chances of getting pregnant with our ovulation calculator.
Baby Name Finder
Having trouble finding a name for your baby, or just can't seem to decide? Let our Baby Name Finder help you with suggestions.