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The fourth month of pregnancy
You're into the fourth month of your pregnancy. At this time, a lot of mums-to-be find that they’re getting bigger and rounder and it’s not unusual to hear them crying out: “Baby's kicking!”.
Number 1 priority: screening During the fourth month, you may also be offered a cervical length scan if you have had late miscarriages or premature births in the past. Your cervix should stay closed until just before the birth; this scan looks for signs of the cervix opening prematurely. If it is opening too soon, cervical stitching (cerclage) will be performed. Consult your doctor if you have any pain in your ligaments or burning/pain when you urinate, as these could signal complications.
Your baby’s development - During the fourth month, you’ll feel your baby move for the first time. This feels a bit like stomach pains, but don’t worry; you’ll learn to tell the difference! - Your baby’s body is covered in lanugo (a fine layer of downy hair) that will later disappear. The hair follicles and nails grow. Your baby’s head, which was previously bigger than the rest of the body, gets more in proportion. The cerebellum develops, the limbs gradually get longer and the hands are completely formed. - The amniotic fluid enters and leaves the baby's lungs, but the baby cannot breathe yet. - The sensory organs are still developing but are almost complete. Your baby is sensitive to touch and will sense your caress under the fine layer of your skin. The little mouth can make movements and taste develops. The auditory system is in place. Your baby becomes sensitive to light, but is still unable to see. - Your baby measures about 19cm in length and weighs between 200 and 250 grams. Practical steps to take - Take the tests mentioned above. At this stage (and only at the fourth month), it may be possible to find out your child’s gender. You can also choose to wait in suspense until the moment you give birth. - If you haven't yet confirmed where or in which hospital you want to give birth, do it now!
Your diet The advice is the same as for the previous months:
- Avoid taking medication.
- Eat lots of fibre and drink lots of water. The increased production of progesterone effectively slows down the passage of food through the intestines.
- It’s also advised to eat 80g of protein per day (half from vegetable sources and half from animal sources) because your baby will keep asking for more. From the third month onwards, your baby eats around 9g of it every week. - Provide your body and your baby with vitamins, minerals and nutrients.
- Vary what you eat and have four meals per day: breakfast, lunch, a snack and dinner. Avoid meals that are too heavy or spicy, and steer clear of fried food.
Finding out the sex Is it a boy or girl? The second scan (around the end of this month) is necessary to check the genital organs of the fetus. It’s also an emotionally charged time that can sometimes divide couples. Speak to each other and decide whether to wait for the birth or to find out the sex of your baby straight away. At this point, the fetus really becomes a human being, a little girl or boy. And if you do choose to find out the sex now, it will cut your list of baby names! |
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Parenting Editor 01/02/2008 17:33:00 | |||||||||||||||||||
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