Once you are 14 wks along, you'll officially enter the 2nd Trimester of your pregnancy. Personally, I think this was one of the best times of pregnancy. Of course, it is all amazing, but I think during this time, I really felt the best. You get into the groove of being pregnant, for most women, nausea is pretty much gone. Your beautiful belly begins to show, and most amazing of all, you can hear your baby's heartbeat and feel his movements for the first time!
During your 4th month, believe it or not, your baby is practicing facial expressions and thereby exercising his facial muscles! His brain is sending out impulses for him to make these movements so that he can strengthen these muscles in preparation for all those beautiful smiles (and other less lovely facial expressions!) he'll share with you! He is beginning to develop taste buds. His circulatory system and urinary tract begin working during this time, and by the end of this month, your baby will be about the size of an avocado.
Because your baby is about ready to enter a 3 week growth spurt around the 5th month or so, your appetite will increase to help him along. Also during your 5th month, you might begin to feel the faint flutters of your baby moving around inside your womb! What a moment! And, of course, as your baby continues to grow, you'll feel these movements even more. You will also have the opportunity to hear his heartbeat around this time, and doing so will become a regular part of your prenatal visits - a total treat! As the baby continues to develop, his placenta is acting as his gut, lungs, immune system, liver and skin! This amazing organ continues to provide him with everything he needs, while he works on the very important task of growing bigger and bigger!
As your uterus grows through your second and third trimesters to accommodate your growing baby, it is now important to lie on your side, preferably your left, when you lay down. Should you lie flat on your back, your uterus has the potential to compress a major vein, called "The Inferior Vena Cava". This is an important vein that gets blood from the lower half of your body back to your heart. Lying on your side prevents compression, and improves blood flow. And both you and your baby need you to maintain good blood flow!
Your 6th month brings a more active baby. He can turn head over heals and kick. He also will have periods of waking and periods of sleeping. Your baby weighs near 2lbs and can measure up to 13-14in from his head to his heels! Your baby's size is finally showing on your outside as well! You can visibly see that you are pregnant now, and your skin may even begin to itch as it grows to accommodate your growing belly! You may also feel a rhythmic movement every now and then. That’s your baby and he has the hiccups!
