The fifth month of pregnancy is generally when most women see their bodies growing. Their breasts would develop, and the baby bump becomes more evident, especially if it is your first pregnancy. You would start experiencing many things that you just have read in a book or heard from friends and family.
Now that you are in the mid of your second trimester, you might start feeling a little comfortable. We connected with Dr Jyoti Bhaskar, Additional Director, Obstetrics And Gynecology, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Patparganj, New Delhi, to learn about the diet and exercise plans.
Growth Of Mother And Baby In The Fifth Month Of Pregnancy
The doctor said that in this month, the baby is about the size of a pear. “Between 17 to 20 weeks, the foetus grows quickly,” she added. Hence, many changes start taking place in the baby’s body. The eyes start to move from side to side, knees, elbows, and knuckles can bend, fingerprints start forming, and nails begin appearing.
In the fifth month of pregnancy, an expecting woman would witness her diet getting better than in the first trimester. You would feel a little more active and love to cradle your baby bump.
You might also experience a few blotches or dark patches on your skin. When you enter the 18th week, your baby can hear you. The doctor suggested that at this stage, you can start talking to your baby or listen to music so that the baby can start responding by making movements. At this stage, the baby’s weight is around 200 gm.
In the 19th week, the baby’s weight increases to 400 gm. They start developing muscles, and mothers can feel the movement of the baby. The doctor said that there is no definite number of movements that a woman feels. But you might witness most of them after you have eaten or while you are resting at night. These movements would feel like a flicker or flutter. The fat will start developing under the baby’s skin, and they start putting on more weight.
Dr Bhaskar said that around this time, science believes that babies start to swallow a bit of amniotic fluid, which helps them to develop a sense of taste depending on what the mother eats.
In the 20th week, the baby’s skin is covered by a greasy material called vernix. The movements grow a little stronger, and an expecting woman can perceive them better.
Tests And Scans In Fifth Month Of Pregnancy
Dr Bhaskar said that most doctors conduct anomaly scans, one of the crucial ultrasounds are carried out between 19 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. The experts look at each and every part of the baby, from fingers and toes to heart and liver.
They ensure that there are no defects detected in the foetus. The scan can take an hour or an entire day to study, depending on the position of the baby. Around this time, the expecting woman receives the tetanus shot if it was not administered in the first trimester.
Other tests include haemoglobin, glucose, and routine tests. Dr Bhaskar added that many women have diabetes. Therefore, the tests are done between 17 to 20 weeks to understand the risk factors. The doctor again looks at the report in the 24th week.
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Diet Routine In The Fifth Month Of Pregnancy
The doctor said since you and your baby start putting on weight, it is crucial to take care of your diet.
- Your meals should be rich in carbohydrates and protein.
- You should try to increase the number of chapatis you are eating with dal.
- You should eat seasonal fruits
Exercise Routine In The Fifth Month Of Pregnancy
Dr Bhaskar said that many expecting women start feeling active around the fifth month of pregnancy.
- You should include walking in your everyday routine.
- You can also indulge in light exercises like yoga (Fertility Yoga) and swimming. “Yoga must be done under the guidance with low-level exertion about 30 minutes a day, 3-5 times a week,” the expert added.
- You should avoid sudden jerking movements because your ligament tends to relax around this time, and it can cause injuries.
- Dr Bhaskar advised you to enjoy this phase with your partner and save these moments in your memory.
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