At this stage, your tummy looks round and you surely look beautifully pregnant. For all who are going to be mothers for the first time, planning things for your new baby can be a truly overwhelming experience. Relax and enjoy the journey.
Your physical changes this week
Your gums are now prone to gingivitis and bleeding. Brush twice a day and floss every night. If you feel the need for it, then consult your dentist.
Though you are tempted to eat biscuits, cakes and other such food but they will not satisfy your appetite and will make you feel hungry again in a short while. So, eat food like wholegrain bread, muffins, fruit, milk drinks, and good quality cereals etc. Avoid food with less nutrition value
Your baby's changes this week
- The baby’s nostrils open completely.
- An important substance, surfactant, is coating the alveoli of the baby's lungs, preparing the lungs to help the baby breathe independently at birth.
- Your baby will be lying in a breech position in your womb.
- You can listen to your baby's heartbeats during your ante-natal visit this week.
Breech position means that the baby lies with his or her bottom pointing down and the head positioned under your ribs. Or the baby may also be lying transverse; sideways or oblique; diagonally across the uterus. But till now, there is enough space in the uterus for your baby to move around and take his or her normal position.
On an average, the heartbeat of the baby is double the heart rate of the mother.
Hints of the week
Soft cheese, coleslaw, pate, unpasteurised milk, sliced cold meats, sushi and raw meat may contain listeria, so it is better to avoid these and eat wisely.
If you’re a toss and turner, sleeping in one position can be hard for you. Have a relaxing bath before bed and drink a fruit tea. These will help you feel rested.