What’s happening inside:

Your baby’s head is quite large at this stage of development due to the underlying brain expansion. His vital organs such as muscles and nerves begin to function. In his brain, nerve cells connections are starting to develop, forming neural pathways. Elbows begin to grow and fingers start to develop. Your baby’s facial features are also starting to develop and will become more defined over the next few weeks. His ears and nose are starting to develop, and his eyes are getting larger and darker. You may even hear a fluttering heartbeat when you go for your next ultrasound scan!

Maternal Changes

It’s puberty all over again! You may start to feel sudden pangs of sadness for no reason or even be irritated over the smallest things. Sometimes, mixed feelings about being pregnant may start to creep in as well. This is largely attributed to the changing hormones in your body. Your current clothes may start to feel ‘smaller’ as your body shape is changing; larger breasts and an expanding waistline.

A Matter of Fact

According to one study, eating apples during pregnancy could reduce the risk of your child developing asthma. Research has also found that six-month-old whose mothers had consumed high amounts of fish during pregnancy scored better in mental development tests. However, do take note of the mercury content in the various types of fish before eating them in high amounts.

Tips for Daddy

Mood swings may be tough to handle but hang in there! You may get scolded at, for the smallest things, or for something you did not even do wrong. Give her more time off and she will realize she is in the wrong. Reassure her of all the good things she is doing and be there when she is scared and insecure. The most helpful thing you can do is not to argue back, even when she’s at her worst but to be there to encourage her and hold her when she needs it.

A quote for mummy-to-be

“Feeling fat for the last nine months, but the joy of becoming a mom lasts forever.” ~ Nikki Dalton

* * * * *

This is part of our New Age Parents Week By Week Pregnancy Guide! This article was first published in New Age Pregnancy.

With this guide, we hope it will help to give you some reassurance and shed some light on the changes you will come to experience for the next 40 weeks. Now, let the countdown begin.

Disclaimer: Please keep in mind the information provided in this guide is just an approximate gauge for your pregnancy. Each pregnancy is different and growth rates vary. If you have any doubts, do not hesitate to contact your gynaecologist.

* * * * *

If you find this article useful, do click Like and Share at the bottom of the post, thank you.

Like what you see here? Get parenting tips and stories straight to your inbox! Join our mailing list here.