What To Expect
- Growing bump
- Abdominal discomfort
- Indigestion
Your Baby This Week
Your baby this week is the size of a small alarm clock.
by Tracey Quinn
Dear Diary
I'm actually sick of the sound of my own voice at this stage but I STILL have this sinus infection and it's a bit of a pain. I feel so grateful to be pregnant and otherwise healthy, but this has totally wiped me. We are going to the canaries next week (last holiday for eighteen years I swear) and I want to enjoy it.
I'd like to have conversations that don't revolve around how blocked my nose is. Speaking of which, so many people recommended this sinus wash and it is quite possibly the most disgusting experience of my life. To be fair, I was warned that it would be, but this is no joke. You essentially pour something up your nose without it going down your throat. It then must come out the other nostril to clean it out. Yes, it's as vile as it sounds. It does work though. Between that and trying to steam my nose over a bowl of warm water and VapoRub I've been living my most attractive life this week. My husband took this photograph of me the other day and it honestly makes me laugh out loud!
Since we got back from Disney Land last week I've been struggling with little man's behaviour. I know it's the fact that he's just had five days of being totally spoiled coupled with being sick himself so it's a bit reassuring in that sense. It's been difficult to deal with though. I think he's a bit like me in the sense that he takes a bit of time to adjust to change.
I'm starting to get quite tired this week which is probably bang on schedule.
It makes me wonder how things will be when the baby comes along in just four months' time. Having a baby brother or sister is going to be such a huge adjustment for us all but I really don't want to rock his little world too much when he's already had so much change over the last few months. Moving into our new house was such a hugely positive thing for us all but it took time for him to settle. Change is something we all have to get used to though because things will change in so many ways very shortly. I was saying to my husband this week that I've no idea how I would manage if I was as sick as I have been this week and had to care for a small baby at the same time. You just manage, though don't you? I know it will all click but the anxiety regarding all the impending change definitely affects me some days. My son is almost five so he's at that age where he's self-sufficient in so many ways, so I get little pockets of time to get things done throughout the day. Bring on the change though because it's for the most amazing reason.
I'm starting to get quite tired this week which is probably bang on schedule. I remember the end of the second trimester felt the exact same when I was pregnant five years ago. The initial burst of energy is replaced by that wave of tiredness once again. I can't complain though because in a few days we'll be sitting by the pool in the canaries. I'm really looking forward to some relaxation and the opportunity to wear loads of stretchy dresses and sandals! I've never been on holiday with a baby bump and I'm really excited to get some cute photographs. Sure, isn't it the little things?
A Partner’s Perspective
6 months down, 3 to go! Time is disappearing so fast. My partner is really starting to feel the weight of the baby. I'm trying to support her as much as I can, which is hard as she still wants to do everything as if she was not pregnant. She is taking things a little easier though, so that's a relief.
I am starting to appreciate more of what women go through in pregnancy. I'm not sure I could endure everything they have to go through in bringing this new precious life into the world.
Hospital bag & travel routes to the hospital are all sorted.
Our Midwife’s Advice
Amazingly, your baby may now respond to outside sounds. So if a door slams or you drop something and it makes a 'bang”, you might feel your little baby jump! So make sure you talk to your little one and get your partner to chat away to your bump too. It's a lovely way to feel connected and ensures that when your baby arrives, it will recognise the sound of the voices of its parents and loved ones.
An important concern for mums is weight gain in pregnancy. It is totally normal and necessary to gain weight to support your bump and your baby. But like Tracey, if you work hard to keep on top of your weight outside of pregnancy it can be very tough to see your body change.
So what's normal? If you have a normal BMI to start with, anything from 20-35 pounds or 10-16kg is normal. Remember you have another human, plus double the amount of fluid you normally have in your body, plus a placenta all contributing towards that weight.
However, what's actually important is that you are eating a healthy, well-balanced diet, keeping active and avoiding highly processed foods and sugars. That is much more essential than watching the scales.
So, don't weigh yourself unless you are worried that you have lost weight or have unrepentantly gained several extra stones! Focus on your amazing body and how it is able to grow and change to accommodate a little person.
Our Wellness Tip of the Week
Make sure that you're getting lots of folic acid and calcium. Foods such as spinach, oranges, broccoli, and kidney beans are rich in folic acid. Milk and yoghurt have plenty of calcium.