You’re now well into your second trimester, and most of the unpleasant symptoms of early pregnancy should have gone away. Your bump is growing rapidly. At about this time, you will experience the magic of feeling your baby’s movement for the first time. At first you may not be sure – it’s just a light, fluttery feeling. Soon it develops into a healthy kick! This is the first real communication between you and the child who will soon become so important in your life.
You need to eat plenty of protein and drink lots of water to cater for your baby’s rapid growth. Some women feel full of energy at this time; others still feel tired. Listen to your body’s needs and go along with them. Try to get enough exercise and fresh air.
You are visibly pregnant by this time, and your baby is growing fast. His heart can now be heard with a stethoscope.
There’s still plenty of development going on inside there. At 17 weeks, the baby can hear noises from outside; in fact; his hearing is so good that he may be aware of noises above and below the frequency range of adult hearing. He will begin to definitely recognize and respond to your voice. His bones and muscles are developing, and he begins to generate bone marrow. He sucks his thumb, curls his fingers and toes, and sometimes gets hiccups! His skin is now covered with a waxy substance called vernix. This protects his skin in the watery environment where he lives. By the end of this month, he is probably 15 to 20cm in length and weighs about 300g. His gums already contain teeth.
You may be offered the chance to have another scan. You will be able to see the baby’s facial features clearly, and, if he (or she) is in a convenient position, you will be able to tell if it is a girl or a boy. Some health care providers will not tell you the sex of your baby, and in fact many parents opt not to know. In fact, it is possible for both you and the doctor to make a mistake, so even if you are told that it’s a boy, don’t rule out the possibility of a girl!
You’re probably still having a shopping spree, which is fun, if a little expensive! It’s probably a good time to review your budget. While you’re still feeling good, now is the best time to make yourself a checklist of all the things you need to do, have, and organize, and try to get as much done as possible. Book your antenatal classes, plan for baby care if you have to return to work after the birth, start organizing your home for the new baby. You may be too tired to do much later! And take time out to just enjoy the feeling of your new baby moving inside you, and experience the magic of carrying this new, living being in his secret and watery world.