5 month of pregnancy

5 month of pregnancy – your future child already looks quite like a little man. It has grown significantly, squints its eyes, actively moves its arms and legs, clenches its fists, and all its organs are formed. They are growing and improving with every passing hour!

Several months remain until the fetus is fully developed. A pregnant woman should be careful, avoid diseases and not overexert herself. Following the doctor’s recommendations is important.

In the fifth month, it is difficult to conceal pregnancy. The abdomen has grown significantly as the uterus grows. Its dimensions are now that of a medium-sized watermelon. The bottom of the uterus is now above your belly button.

We recommend that you ventilate the rooms in your home regularly and go for walks in the fresh air every day. This way you will not allow hypoxia of the fetus.

Leave the high-heeled shoes in the wardrobe and spend less time in front of the computer. Be active, but also rest more often.

An enlarged belly may already be giving you problems during sleep – the search for a comfortable posture begins. It is advisable to sleep on your side.

The first fetal movements are felt in the 5th month of pregnancy

This month can fill you with great joy, as from now on you will feel the movements of your future child on a daily basis. As the pregnancy progresses, they will become more and more audible and sometimes painful.

Within half an hour, a five-month-old fetus makes 20 and even 60 “beats” on its mother’s abdomen.

The 5th month of pregnancy is distinguished by a great activity of the fetus – the child is playing, hitting his tummy with his feet, exploring the space around him. It can even cross its legs and lean back, doing a somersault. His little heart beats extremely fast, and his blood pressure rises. This intrauterine gymnastics has a positive effect on the development of the muscles of the fetus and also on its brain.

For your information, the first movements are usually felt between 18-22 weeks, but earlier is not excluded.

It has been proven that the movements of the fetus are influenced by the mental and physical state of the mother. The future child, long before it comes into the world, begins to feel, feel, rejoice and be distressed. This also affects its movements. The fifth month is a very important period, since it is then that the fetus becomes dependent on the mood of the pregnant woman.

He reacts to voices, music, experiences different emotions along with his mother. With the language of movements it communicates actively with the outside world, i.e. with its mother.

During this month of pregnancy, it is extremely dangerous for the child to suffer from oxygen deficiency. At such moments the character of his movements changes. They become more frequent or less frequent. The rhythm of the heart also changes.

To control moments of stress and tension, learn through breathing to regain your composure. Breathe fresh air and supply the body with nutrients to optimize blood supply to the brain.

From this month onwards, it should become your habit to monitor the frequency and nature of fetal movements. They are an important indicator of its state of health. You should perceive between 4-8 beats within an hour.

Fetal development in the 5th month of pregnancy

Now the respiratory system is actively formed. The bronchial tree is forming, the bronchi and lungs are developing and growing. The fetal heart is actively working at 130-150 beats per minute.

In the fifth month of pregnancy, the sebaceous glands are actively working. The body of the fetus is abundantly covered with primordial lubricant. It consists of secretions of sebaceous glands and epidermal scales and possesses bactericidal property. This lubricant protects the tender skin of the fetus against the effects of harmful microorganisms, amniotic fluid, against mechanical damage, and creates skin immunity.

In the middle of the second trimester, the development of the nervous and endocrine systems continues. Already practically all endocrine glands function – pituitary, pineal, thyroid, adrenal, gonads, etc.

The spleen, which plays an important role in the protective function of the body, is also included in the hematopoietic organs.

Henceforth, infectious diseases from which a pregnant woman is ill are no longer so dangerous for the fetus, since it already has its own immune system. The little man already produces immunoglobulin and interferon himself.

The brain continues to develop and improve. The vestibular apparatus is being formed.

At this stage of pregnancy, the fetus already has taste receptors. Now he already distinguishes tastes and can distinguish sweet from sour. The formation of the rudiments of the teeth begins below the rudiments of the milk baby teeth that are already present.

By the end of the 5th month of gestation, the fetus will weigh 350 grams and reach 26 cm in height.

Possible problems in the fifth month of pregnancy
The emotional state of the pregnant woman in the fifth month stabilizes. Breast girth continues to grow, and hormonal changes in her body can provoke skin pigmentation, even a feeling of dryness, itching, etc. The reason for this may be stretch marks. If you haven’t started actively taking care of your skin yet, it’s time to do so.

Hormones can also affect a woman’s eyesight. Its sharpness is likely to decrease, but do not be alarmed – this phenomenon is temporary.

In the fifth month, it is normal for vaginal currents to become more abundant. Some women even begin to feel so-called “training contractions”, also known as Braxton Hicks.

The uterus begins to slowly prepare for the upcoming birth. This type of contractions are short-lived and irregular, they do not provoke the characteristic pain low down in the abdomen.

If at this stage of pregnancy you feel pain in the lower back and low down in the abdomen, this may be a problem, consult a doctor immediately.

Other uncomfortable sensations characteristic of the middle of the second trimester are associated with bleeding gums, leg stiffness, ear and nose congestion, and also nosebleeds.

It is not excluded to encounter swelling on the legs.

Another unpleasant moment characteristic of the fifth month is heartburn and constipation. They are due to the increased size of the uterus.

Recommendations for nutrition in the fifth month of pregnancy

Among the main tasks facing a pregnant woman at this stage is to monitor the rate at which she gains weight. Per week, no more than 0.5 kg should be gained.

Food preferences, as before, should be towards fresh and natural products. Avoid convenience foods, hamburgers, smoked meats, canned foods, confectionery, etc.

Protein must be present on the table. Eat lean meat and fish regularly.

In the fifth month of pregnancy, the need for calcium increases – be sure to consume yogurt-dairy foods, milk and cottage cheese daily. The menu should be rich in vitamins and trace elements.

To avoid anemia, consume beef, liver, green apples, pomegranate, tomato juice, etc.

In the fight against heartburn can help you refuse fried, fatty, sour and spicy foods. Limiting sugary foods is a good idea as the risk of tooth and gum problems increases during this period.

Give preference to vitamin C-rich products and limit bakery products, they stimulate rapid weight gain.

Make sure you take enough fruit and vegetables daily – they are a source of fibre and support optimal stomach and bowel function.

Cabbage, legumes, onions and fried food will provoke excess gas formation.

Sex in the second trimester

And in the fifth month of pregnancy, a woman’s self-esteem improves. Therefore, as long as there are no contraindications, you can have sex with your partner.

Keep in mind that the abdomen has grown significantly, and this means that you need to carefully select the positions during intimate relations. Exclude those in which the abdomen is squeezed.

Intimate intimacy at this stage of pregnancy should exclude sudden movements and too deep penetration.

In the second trimester, some women notice that they get an organism faster.