Women’s Services
This week, your baby is as big as an banana.
The following information was reviewed by Dr. Chor, Michael
The basic structural development of the baby is nearly complete. The uterus of a baby girl will be fully formed and the testicles of a baby boy will be moving to the scrotum to grow.
The second trimester is often hailed as the best time for pregnant women to travel. The symptoms of discomfort that plague the first trimester have subsided, and women are generally feeling their best at this point in their pregnancy.
Baby's facial features, such as outer ears and eyes, develop and take shape, and hair and nails continue to grow. Regardless of vision, smell, hearing, touch, and taste, they gradually become developed and begin to respond to external stimuli.
Baby's facial features, such as outer ears and eyes, develop and take shape, and hair and nails continue to grow. Regardless of vision, smell, hearing, touch, and taste, they gradually become developed and begin to respond to external stimuli.
Vernix is a white, oily substance that protects babies' skin from drying out. It's normal for vernix to be present at birth, and it usually goes away on its own within the first week or so after baby is born.
The top of your uterus is now about the height of your belly button, and you've probably gained about 4-5kg. From now on, you can expect to gain an average of 0.2-0.45 kg per week.
Due to the enlarged uterus, you may feel that the center of gravity of your body has changed. When sitting, you may feel pressure on your back and it may affect your breathing. Pay more attention to posture and slow down your movements.
As your abdomen bulges in the second trimester, you should be careful with various sexual positions when having sex during pregnancy.
Round ligament pain is a sharp, brief cramping from the lower pelvis that you may experience due to increased tension in the muscles and ligaments around the uterus. This pain can also be caused by exercise.
As pregnancy progresses, the expectant mother's ureteral peristalsis (the movement of urine through the kidneys and bladder) slows down. This can cause urine to back up and lead to urinary tract infections (UTIs). According to statistics, one in every six women will experience a UTI during pregnancy. If a UTI is left untreated, it can develop into acute cystitis or acute pyelonephritis, which increases the risk of premature delivery. Therefore, mothers-to-be should drink plenty of water and urinate regularly to help prevent UTIs.
According to doctors, the best time to examine the fetus' structure is during the 18th to 22nd week of pregnancy. This is when they can check for things such as the development of the brain and heart, as well as other organs. Additionally, they can observe the level of amniotic fluid and look for any abnormalities or physical deformities. The examination usually takes no more than an hour.
By the 20th week of pregnancy, the weight of the stomach will have increased and the uterus will have enlarged, which can compress the lower limbs and affect blood return in the veins. This may cause problems such as constipation and varicose veins. It is recommended to:
At OT&P, we want to support you through every step of your pregnancy. Our team of obstetricians, midwives and physiotherapists can help you choose the right prenatal classes or physiotherapy to keep you and your baby healthy. Make an appointment today to learn more about how we can help you have a healthy pregnancy.
Here are some things that you can do to help keep you and your baby healthy during pregnancy:
By following these tips, you can help ensure a healthy pregnancy for you and your baby.
Whether you’re planning for an addition to your family or are already pregnant, OT&P’s Maternity Team is here to help.