Halfway there! You’re in month five, which is between 17 and 20 weeks. You’re starting to show, and your uterus is the size of a cantaloupe. By now you’ve gained at least eight to ten pounds. If you’re carrying twins or multiples, you’ve gained even more.
Mom’s Changes – Month 5 of Pregnancy
If you’re nearing the end of your pregnancy, you may begin to feel your baby’s movements. This is called “quickening,” and it usually occurs in the fifth month. Most women feel quickening between 16 weeks and 22 weeks. Your baby’s first movements may feel like butterflies in your stomach, or gas bubbles. First-time mothers may confuse gas with quickening, but the further along you are, the easier it will be to distinguish your baby’s flips and flops from indigestion and gas.
Now that you’re five months along, all of the morning sickness should have disappeared. You’ll probably notice that your appetite has increased, and you might even have some strong food cravings. Just make sure to continue eating a healthy and balanced diet.
As your baby grows, you may start to feel some discomfort in your abdomen. This is called “round ligament pain.” Round ligaments are what support your uterus, and as it expands, they end up hitting nerve centers around the uterus. This can lead to pain and discomfort.
Other pregnancy symptoms you may experience in month five of pregnancy include water retention, swelling, constipation, dizziness, heartburn, leg cramps, and backaches. These symptoms can be frustrating and may make it difficult to get through your day. However, try to remember that they are all temporary and will eventually go away. In the meantime, there are some things you can do to help alleviate them. For example, drinking plenty of water can help with water retention and swelling. And stretching or massaging your legs can help with leg cramps.
Fetal Development – Pregnancy Month 5
During month five of pregnancy, your baby’s skin begins to change. Fat starts to form underneath the skin, making it less transparent. Blood vessels can still be seen, but they will become increasingly hidden as more fat builds up.
By the fifth month, your baby’s circulatory and urinary systems are working, and their eyebrows and eyelashes are growing. In addition, your baby can yawn, stretch, and make funny faces. Taste buds are starting to develop, and your baby can distinguish between sweet and bitter tastes. Your developing baby is also spending a lot of time hiccuping in the womb.
Your baby is growing rapidly! By the end of month five, he or she will measure between 10 inches long from crown to rump and weigh almost a pound. continue to grow and gain weight rapidly as your pregnancy week by week continues.
