Fifth month pregnancy

Your baby weighs about one pound and is about ten to twelve inches long. It is about the size of a regulation football. You are half way through pregnancy presently.

• The 5 month fetus now starts to gain a little weight because of the accumulated deposits of brown fat under her skin. This fat will help control her body temperature in the outside world.
• If you were not feeling her presence last month you will do so now because of her bulkiness.
• An ultrasound will show her clenched hands, which open and close freely. They also have their own unique fingerprints.

Your Body

As your baby is starting to move and react more, you will be experiencing some amazing sensations in your stomach. More than likely, you are no longer able to hide your pregnancy, as you gain your baby weight. Women can gain anywhere from five to ten pounds at this point as the lower abdomen begins to distend. A voracious appetite (a common symptom of pregnancy at this stage) may also be responsible for the weight gain. At your appointment with your physician, be sure to ask any questions or discuss any concerns you may be having about your pregnancy, like weird symptoms. Some common symptoms you may or may not be experiencing this month are constipation, bloating, leg cramps or swelling, vaginal discharge, clumsiness, rapid heartbeat and hemorrhoids. Some women also report feeling forgetful during this stage. You may wonder why your heartbeat has become rapid. Studies have shown that as a woman progresses in her pregnancy the heart sometimes works up to fifty percent harder in order to support the woman and her baby.