Pregnancy is an exciting time in a woman’s life. Her body changes every day, and the new life growing inside her slowly shows its presence. In addition to the morning sickness, weight gain or the baby bump, the fifth month of pregnancy brings about many more changes. Read on to find out the various changes you may experience and can expect to happen in your fifth month of pregnancy.
The fifth month of pregnancy is a part of the second trimester. Weeks 18 to 20 will be the fifth month. You must have undergone one or two ultrasound scans by now. An early scan to confirm pregnancy and rule out ectopic pregnancy, followed by an NT scan to check for chromosomal disorders in the baby.
An anomaly scan is taken in the second trimester between weeks 18 and 21. The baby is bigger and stronger, and most mothers start feeling the baby’s movements. The baby’s limbs and organs will be well visible on an ultrasound scan now.
The fifth month in pregnancy brings about many changes for both the mother and the baby. Till last month, you may not have felt anything, and life might have proceeded as usual. Once you enter your fifth month, the changes will be very evident. You will notice changes in your body, moods, baby, etc.
Some common changes the expecting mother experiences during the fifth month of pregnancy are –
● Baby Bump – The baby bump is growing as the baby grows. You may start showing and wearing pants, which might get challenging. If you love your pants, now will be the best time to consider elasticated or maternity pants.
● Hunger – Your baby is growing and requires more calories. You will feel hungrier than usual, and this is nothing to worry about. Now is not the time to control your food intake to avoid gaining too much pregnancy weight. Eat nutritious foods to support the baby’s development and prevent unnecessary weight gain.
● Tiredness – You will also feel more tired than usual. Your body is working a lot more to meet the demands of pregnancy. You may want to nap on and off during the day. Some women may want to sleep longer hours during the night, while some may find falling asleep a bit challenging. While some women may experience fatigue, others may feel more energetic than they did in their first trimester.
● Skin – Stretch marks will start appearing as the belly expands. Keeping the area well moisturised can help minimise the stretch marks and reduce itchiness. Some women may have the “pregnancy glow” as growth hormones start increasing in the body. Some women may experience dull skin or pregnancy acne due to the hormonal changes.
● Back Pain – As the baby’s weight increases in the front, the load on your back also increases. You may experience frequent backaches, especially if you sit or stand for too long or travel long distances. Regular movement and pregnancy-safe stretches can help ease this pain.
● Balance – Your centre of gravity will shift as the bump grows and the baby gains weight. You need to be careful not just on the stairs but also on flat surfaces. If you trip or lose your balance, you may not be able to manage it like before.
● Movements – You will start feeling your baby’s movements. It might begin like a small butterfly flutters and slowly get stronger. You may feel kicks or nudges, and they are bound to get stronger as the baby grows.
● Heartburn – Heartburn is one of the unfavourable changes in the fifth month of pregnancy. You may want to eat more and indulge in cravings, but your digestive system can become slower, making it difficult to digest food, which can result in indigestion or heartburn.
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As you enter pregnancy fifth month, the fetus will go through the following changes –
● Growth – The baby’s growth will accelerate this month. Hands and legs develop and grow in size. The bones also get stronger and harder.
● Active – As the limbs grow, the baby will become more active and move the limbs frequently. You may start feeling flutters, which can intensify over the next few weeks.
● Sensory Development – The baby’s sense organs are developing, and the sense of smell, taste and touch are developing. Despite being inside the womb, babies can respond to bright lights or loud noises around the mother.
● Movement – The baby now has a lot of space to move around. Babies can roll around, kick or punch inside the womb, but you may not feel most of it yet. The baby’s position will constantly change during the second trimester.
When you enter the fifth month of your pregnancy, apart from the physical changes, you can expect the following as well –
Also known as the 20-week scan, the anomaly scan is an important ultrasound scan in pregnancy that gives a detailed look at the baby’s anatomy, organs, overall development and growth. The scan will also assess the amniotic fluid levels and the position of the placenta to ensure there are no complications.
Apart from monitoring the baby’s movement in the ultrasound scan, your gynaecologist will check the movements at every prenatal check-up. A handheld Doppler device can help doctors check the baby’s heartbeat and movement.
A routine blood test helps identify gestational diabetes, hypertension and blood type. A blood test will also help detect infections, deficiencies and other health issues.
You may also get your influenza and Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis) vaccine around the 20th week. If you have missed any important vaccines when growing up, the doctor might administer those vaccines too. Vaccinations help prevent infections in both the mother and the baby. It is important to get all the necessary vaccines for a safe pregnancy.
Your morning sickness must have subsided by now. Many women suffer from nausea and morning sickness throughout their pregnancy. However, if you are vomiting too much or unable to eat and losing weight instead of gaining, you must consult your doctor without any delay.
Throughout your pregnancy, you will experience physical and emotional changes. Most of these changes are temporary and vary from pregnancy to pregnancy. If you are worried about certain changes or events, it is advisable to have a detailed discussion with your doctor rather than trying to fix them yourself. Remember, pregnancy is not the time to experiment.
Ensure you take all your prenatal vitamins, attend all prenatal check-ups, scans and blood tests. Follow a healthy diet, stay active and limit consumption of sugary and fatty foods. Reduce physically exhausting activities, refrain from activities that can hurt you or the baby and walk carefully, as your centre of gravity will be changing.
As pregnancy progresses into the fifth month, vaginal discharge can increase in quantity and be thin, milky white or clear in appearance. This is a common phenomenon known as leukorrhea, and it is nothing to worry about. If the discharge is foul-smelling or discoloured, it could indicate an infection, and you should get it checked immediately.
Common symptoms at 20 weeks of pregnancy include a growing baby bump, increased appetite, fatigue, and body aches. Many women experience back pain, nasal congestion and digestive issues like heartburn during this time. The pregnancy glow, shiny hair, no hair fall and stronger nails are also familiar at 20 weeks.
Yes, a baby starts kicking much earlier, but the mother may start feeling it in her fifth month. The kicks will be very feeble and feel like flutters. Some women may not feel them for another few weeks. These kicks will also get stronger as the baby grows in size and gains more strength.
