At six months into the pregnancy, your baby is essentially just bulking up. Everyone will notice your baby bump now, and no one would mistake it as you just having had you've just had a full meal. You're also getting heavier, and it's going to cause you some discomfort. Expect to be a bit less mobile than you'd hope.
Pregnancy symptoms and signs at 6 months
Say goodbye to feeling more like your pre-pregnant self. Make it an excuse to get some retail therapy, what with having fewer of your clothes that can accommodate your baby bump. Having a baby bump may feel new, but it's time to embrace those curves and approach managing pregnancy discomforts with a smile.
At six months, your second-trimester pregnancy symptoms will be piling up. Yes, there's more on top of heartburn, indigestion, frequent urination, constipation, bloatedness, backaches, and abdomen pains, and more.
What other parents are reading
Here are some of the new symptoms you may start to experience.
Itchy skin
Having itchy skin may be expected, since your skin, especially on your tummy, arms, and thighs (and anything that's growing bigger), is stretching. It comes with several skin changes during pregnancy, such as having stretch marks, discoloration spots, and darker skin in your armpits, neck, and the vertical line in your tummy.
If you're experiencing red, itchy palms, which can spread to the soles of your feet, alert your doctor. He may need to rule out a rare pregnancy complication called cholestasis.
Hemorrhoids
Also known as piles, hemorrhoids have the same appearance as varicose veins but are located in the anus area. It's caused by increased blood production, hormones, your growing uterus putting pressure on the veins around your anus, and constipation, which is another common pregnancy symptom. It may start during your sixth month and get worse as you near your due date.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWCarpal tunnel syndrome
You may feel pain and/or numbness in the hands and the arms due to fluid retention. The increasing fluids your body has been producing causes swollen ankles, feet, and hands. This, in turn, puts pressure on the nerves that run through your wrists, causing numbness, tingling, pain, or a dull ache in the fingers, hand, or wrist.
Increased bodily fluids can also cause increased vaginal discharge, vision problems, varicose veins, bleeding gums, stuffy nose, and nosebleeds.
Restless leg syndrome
Apart from leg cramps, you may experience restless leg syndrome (RLS). It gives you a tingling feeling like something is creeping and crawling on your feet and legs, usually with an urge to move your legs. It has been linked to genetics, higher pregnancy hormones, and your growing baby pressing down on some nerve endings.
Insomnia
Getting into a comfortable position that could help you fall asleep will take up your waking nights. It's going to get worse as you get near your due date. Pillows, doing light exercises during the day, limiting fluid intake before bedtime, and avoiding caffeine in the afternoon, can help.
What other parents are reading
Symphysis pubis dysfunction
On top of backaches and round ligament pain, you may experience Symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD), or pain in your pelvic joints due to misalignment. Blame it the hormone relaxin with prepares your body for childbirth. Doing Kegel exercises and pelvic tilts can help.
Clumsiness
Your growing baby bump is your body core shifting, plus the other physiological changes happening all at once. You may feel less in control of your movements than before. It's normal to feel a bit off, but try to be extra careful to avoid accidents.
CONTINUE READING BELOWwatch nowDizziness and shortness of breath
Take your time switching form sitting and standing up positions. Your growing uterus is putting pressure on your veins, restricting oxygen distribution, especially to your brain. It's also crowding your lungs, giving you less room to take in a full breath and making you short of breath.
Headaches
Headaches are quite common during pregnancy due to your fluctuating hormone levels. If you were prone to them before you got pregnant, chances are you'll also have them more often in this stage. Alert your doctor if the pain is too much to bear so he can prescribe medication.
Pregnancy brain
You may experience bouts of forgetfulness. Mommy brain is real, but it also means your mind is getting used to having a lot to think about now that you're so close to giving birth and having a baby to care for.
Baby's development at 6 months in the pregnancy
At the start of your sixth month, your baby is measuring nearly 12 inches long and weighing about 1.3 pounds. By the end of it, your baby will measure almost 14 and a half inches and weigh nearly two pounds.
Essentially, the little one in your tummy is bulking up, growing muscles, strengthening his bones, and accumulating baby fat. His organs are maturing, doing a lot of practice and fine-tuning to function independently after birth.
Your baby's brain tissue is developing with increases in brain activity, and his senses are firing. He can taste the food you eat through his amniotic fluid. He can open and close his eyes now, and he can hear your voice more clearly and distinguish it from others!
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWYour baby is also mastering his reflexes. If you get an ultrasound now, you may see him suck his thumb or grasping his umbilical cord. Don't worry, he isn't strong enough to his block oxygen and nutrient flow.
Your little one can now move a lot more inside your womb, and his kicks may already feel painful if he hits a major body organ. This is good. Start noting the times he's active or moving a lot (Cilck here for more ways to get him to move!).
What to do in your pregnancy's sixth month
In a month, you'll be entering the third trimester. Managing your pregnancy symptoms at six months can take too much effort. Still, remember that you can do something about them. This is the time to focus on the good things and enjoy being pregnant while preparing to give birth.
- Schedule your oral glucose test. In your sixth month, you should be getting your oral glucose test done. It measures your blood sugar levels and will help your doctor determine how much you're at risk for gestational diabetes.
- Focus being healthy. Steer clear of exposing yourself to anything that might make you sick. Listen to your body, and take it easy. Focus on eating healthy and getting enough exercise. Stay on top of your prenatal appointments and tests.
- Start preparing your hospital bags. Make sure all the documents you need for giving birth are already with you. Start preparing your hospital bags now. There should be three: one for the baby's essentials, one for you, and another for your partner.
- Know about preterm labor. Your baby may survive outside the womb at 24 weeks, but the aim is to reach full-term or at least 38 weeks. Preterm labor can happen almost any time — and fast. If you're having regular contractions, bleeding, or your water bag is leaking or had been broken — head to the hospital's emergency room as soon as you can.
- Relax, and have fun! Being 6 months pregnant makes it difficult to move with your growing baby bump. Still, it shouldn't take away the joy of nesting, decorating your baby's nursery, shopping for baby essentials or fixing your baby registry, and finalizing baby names.
What other parents are reading
