The fourth month of pregnancy is the beginning of visible changes

4th month of pregnancy You are entering the best time of your pregnancy. Most of the worries are over, because the influence of harmful factors is now not so dangerous. Toxicosis is also a thing of the past. Enjoy your position. You are now radiating energy. It is in this month that the uterus begins to grow rapidly in the abdominal cavity, so you can no longer hide your “belly” from others.

What does the belly look like in the fourth month of pregnancy?

You're entering your second trimester and wondering if your belly is noticeable this time around. Your body is actively changing, your waist is gradually dissolving, your tummy is slightly protruding, and your appearance is generally healthy and blooming. Husbands of expectant mothers often notice that their loved ones look incredibly attractive and sexy.

Belly in the fourth month of pregnancy

The belly is visible from the second trimester, but it can still be hidden with a certain style. However, do not panic if your belly “does not grow” - it all depends on the woman’s physique, the size and position of the fetus. An ultrasound will show that the baby is developing normally, and you will calm down: your baby is just miniature. Do not wear tight trousers, tights, corsets or any other tight items: this can injure the “belly”.

Due to the deposition of melanin, your freckles and moles may darken, and the skin of your face, abdomen, and mammary glands may become pigmented.

Baby five months pregnant

A child at this stage of pregnancy becomes more and more like a still miniature copy of a person: the formation of limbs is almost complete, now he can move his arms and legs, periodically puts his finger in his mouth and makes sucking movements, opens his eyes slightly and even knows how to frown.

The kidneys have already started working, the lungs are rapidly developing - by the end of the month they will begin to make their first episodic movements. The formation of the endocrine system is also completed; after the fifth month, most of its organs will independently synthesize hormones. Also, by the end of the month, the formation of the baby’s immune system is gradually completed: the tiny body is already able to produce the first substances necessary to fight viruses - interferon and immunoglobulin, however, while the baby’s defenses are still weak, rather, we are talking more about “passive” immunity.

The child’s brain grows and develops, and the vestibular apparatus is formed. At 5 months of pregnancy, the baby develops taste buds - from now on he can already distinguish tastes and separate, for example, sweet from sour. And thanks to the improvement of the hearing aid, the child even begins to hear and distinguish sounds. Already now, the formation of the rudiments of molar teeth under the rudiments of milk teeth is taking place.

The baby's heart works superbly, producing about 130-150 beats per minute. Now you can listen to the heart not only with a stethoscope, but also simply by applying an obstetric tube to the mother’s tummy.

The baby's skin gradually thickens, while it is still red and wrinkled, covered with a special lubricant secreted by the sebaceous glands and retained by the lanugo. Thanks to this lubricant, in the future it will be easier for the baby to pass through the birth canal, but for now, having bactericidal properties, it performs a protective function - it protects against the effects of amniotic fluid and the harmful effects of microorganisms.

At the end of the fifth month, the baby’s weight is 270-300 g, his height reaches 20-25 cm. His mother now feels the movements clearly: up to 4-8 times within an hour. Particular attention should be paid to the intensity of movements - too frequent may be a signal that the baby does not have enough oxygen; if movements are rare or poorly perceptible, you should immediately go to the doctor. By the way, by intensifying movements, the baby can also react to external stimuli, for example, a loud and sharp sound.

Signs of pregnancy at 4 months

• Attacks of nausea become less frequent and less intense.
• The uterus no longer puts as much pressure on the bladder, and you regulate the urge to urinate.
• The breasts continue to grow, but this process is not painful.
• I suffer from heartburn and increased gas formation.
• Weakness, lethargy, and drowsiness often occur.
• Your appetite improves and you want to try a variety of foods.
• Increasingly, thick white discharge is found on panties, and the pad has to be changed more times a day.
• The mood is still changeable.

There is also an unpleasant aspect of this month: due to deterioration of gastric motility, constipation may occur. Eating foods rich in plant fiber, water, and movement can help solve this problem.

And the most important sign of pregnancy is the first kicks of your baby! This is felt when you are at peace, and gives indescribable emotions to future parents.

Signs of pregnancy at 4 months

Fetus in the fourth month

Good news! The placenta is fully formed, which means your baby is fully provided with food and oxygen, and is also protected from the penetration of harmful substances and viruses. You can breathe easy.

The child masters the first reflexes: sucking and swallowing. He can bend his arms at the elbows, grab something with his tiny fists and suck his thumb. The baby becomes very flexible and mobile, but the mother cannot yet feel his kicks. This event will occur towards the end of the month, and most likely at the beginning of the next. This month, the baby's skin is covered with fluff to perform a protective function. The growth of hair on the head, eyebrows, eyelashes and nails begins. The ears rise to their permanent place and can even respond to external noise and movement. Weight is 200 grams and height is about 20 cm.

You can also gain weight, preferably from 1 kg to 4 kg. The waist will be smoothed out, the belly will increase, but you can still use your “pre-pregnancy” wardrobe. The uterus grows, which means the ligaments are stretched. This can lead to pain in the lower abdomen. If you experience any other kind of pain, consult your doctor immediately.

The fourth month is the time for screening in the 2nd trimester, the ideal time is week 17. Extended ultrasound diagnostics and biochemical analysis are carried out, including the study of 3 hormones.

Fetus in the fourth month of pregnancy

Tips for moms

Due to the improvement in well-being in the 4th month of pregnancy, the mother can begin to resolve the accumulated household issues. Her tummy is still small - it does not cause discomfort and does not interfere with driving. However, do not forget about your situation and that under the influence of hormones you may be a little absent-minded and inattentive. If possible, entrust the driving to your spouse or prefer to walk instead of traveling by car.

At the 4th month of pregnancy, a woman’s tummy is still small and does not cause discomfort.

Experts do not prohibit mothers from dyeing their hair and nails, or performing other beauty care procedures, if the chemicals do not contain “aggressive” ammonia, solvents and other odorous chemicals. Choose cosmetics that contain safe ingredients and don’t stop yourself from being beautiful.

If there are few things left in a woman’s wardrobe that don’t hug her tummy, then it’s time to go shopping for expectant mothers. A pregnancy pillow won't hurt either - it will help relieve stress on your back and allow you to find a comfortable resting position.

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Nutrition

At the 4th month of pregnancy, the doctor may recommend taking a vitamin-mineral complex for pregnant women. Please note that some of its components can cause allergies, which are manifested by dry, itchy skin. In this case, you need to change the drug after consulting your doctor. The presence of iron in the diet is of particular importance during pregnancy. The richest sources of this nutrient are the liver and meat of cattle, leafy greens, and nuts. The daily iron requirement at this stage of gestation is 2–4 mg per day. If blood tests reveal anemia (low hemoglobin level), then the doctor will prescribe iron-containing medications, since the deficiency cannot be filled with food alone.

Particular attention should be paid to foods rich in iron

The calorie content of the diet should increase by only 300 kcal per day. This is enough to develop pregnancy and provide energy to the mother’s body. If you increase your calorie intake excessively, you cannot avoid problems with excess weight. Try to increase your consumption of protein foods, vegetables and fruits, and reduce the amount of carbohydrate foods on the menu.

Starting from 9–10 a.m., the production of digestive juices is activated, so the absence of a full breakfast in the stomach at this time can lead to so-called “hungry” gastritis (the stomach, as they say, “digests itself”). At the same time, it is better to start the day with foods rich in complex carbohydrates, which are slowly digested, do not lead to a rapid release of insulin and do not burden the pancreas, and proteins, that is, with hot porridge, yogurt, muesli with milk, omelet, etc.

After 2 hours, a second breakfast is already needed from products that also contain complex carbohydrates and fiber, with the addition of a small portion (about 80–100 g) of a low-fat protein product - this is buckwheat or oatmeal, a salad of fresh vegetables in combination with fish or lean meat in boiled, stewed or baked, cottage cheese with dried fruits and honey. This is necessary because a woman’s body must accumulate enough energy to last throughout the day.

But the peak activity of the digestive system of a pregnant woman occurs at 13-15 hours of the day. It is at this time that you need to have a full lunch.

It is recommended to have dinner no later than 2–2.5 hours before bedtime, so that the body does not waste energy digesting food at night, but has time to calmly prepare for rest.

Natalya Batsukova Nutritionist, Minsk

https://www.9months.ru/pitanie/5689/8-sovetov-po-pitaniyu-vo-vremya-beremennosti

If constipation occurs, organize the correct drinking regime - drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day. Medicinal laxatives can be replaced with foods rich in coarse fiber - prunes, beets, bran. Move more to naturally stimulate your metabolism.

Physical activity

If in the pre-pregnancy period you regularly exercised, then now you can resume exercise, but reduce your usual load. Expectant mothers are prohibited from intense strength and aerobic exercises, but yoga, swimming, and fitball will benefit them. Their main principle is the smoothness of movements and the absence of excessive fatigue after exercise. Avoid shaking - horse riding, running, cycling are not recommended. You will also have to give up baths, saunas, and solariums - excessive heat exposure can negatively affect pregnancy and even lead to miscarriage.

Sex

There is no need to limit intimate life in the 4th month if the pregnancy proceeds without complications. Many women note the emergence of new sensations during sex. This is due to hormonal changes and an increase in libido due to a rush of blood to the genitals. Contraindications to sex are the threat of miscarriage, isthmic-cervical insufficiency, partial placental abruption and other pathologies. If the doctor does not prohibit you from having sex, then choose a comfortable position without putting pressure on your stomach and try to avoid sudden movements during intercourse.

Pregnancy is not a reason to refuse sex if there are no contraindications to it

As a rule, the fear of harming the baby during sex during a normal pregnancy is unfounded. The baby is reliably protected in the womb by amniotic fluid and the walls of the uterus. The entrance to the uterine cavity (cervix) is closed by a thick mucus plug, which prevents the penetration of various pathogenic agents to the fetus.

Larisa Travnikova Obstetrician-gynecologist, maternity hospital No. 8, Moscow

https://www.9months.ru/prostosex/3784/seks-pri-beremennosti

Sex early in the second trimester

We have come to a sensitive topic. Is it possible to have sex in the fourth month? At this time, a woman radiates happiness and health, her health is better, and a mystery hides in her eyes - after all, she has become a container of a miracle. Of course, her partner seems to fall in love again, discovering his beloved from a new side. The imprint is left by forced abstinence in the early stages.

Doctors not only do not prohibit sexual intercourse during this period, but even encourage their regularity - sex will improve blood circulation in the pelvis. Naturally, movements should be careful, soft, and it is better to abandon experiments in poses in favor of the good old classics.

Abortion in the fourth month of pregnancy

Pregnancy is not always rosy. Termination of pregnancy is vitally necessary, because neither the mother nor the fetus will survive the birth. Among the medical prerequisites for abortion are the following:

• complex pathologies of the child;
• fetal freezing;
• developmental disabilities;
• threat to the mother's life;
• somatic or mental illness of the mother.

The decision whether to have an abortion in the second trimester is made by the woman herself, based on the doctor’s recommendations. Four months is too late for an abortion, but abortion is still possible - surgically.

Preventive manipulations

This is already the sixth month of pregnancy and before it begins, a second scheduled ultrasound should be done to make sure the baby is developing properly. The doctor can already measure the location and size of the placenta, as well as the circumference of the fetus’s head and chest, and its height. As a preventative measure, it is recommended to visit the dental office regularly. Attend a mother-to-be school.

Pregnancy is the most wonderful time in the life of every woman. Try to enjoy it to the fullest. Try to have fun while preparing to meet your baby, focusing all your energy on the tiny life that is developing inside you. A fairly large number of pregnant women become depressed, if you are one of them, then talk to your doctor. Try to be in a happy mood, as this will have a good effect not only on your condition, but also on the health and emotional background of your baby!

Recommendations for the fourth month

During this period, a woman is recommended to walk more and breathe fresh air. If your health allows, you can solve the accumulated household chores. They say that pregnant women should not dye their hair. Here, everyone decides for themselves, but if the stress of disliking your reflection haunts you, then you need to find a way out. For example, at the planning stage, dye your hair natural or ask your doctor’s opinion about highlighting.

Recommendations for the fourth month of pregnancy

If you continue to suffer from toxicosis, try the following:

• Consume at least 100 g of protein per day;
• Do not exclude salt from your diet;
• Drink pure water and sugar-free juices, avoiding soda, caffeine, and brightly colored drinks;
• Avoid processed, fried, fatty and overly sweet foods;
• Choose whole cow's milk;
• Do not reduce your consumption of fruits and berries.

The prohibitions remain the same:

• smoking, alcohol, coffee, energy drinks;
• raw meat and fish;
• seafood, including sushi;
• homemade milk;
• workout;
• taking medications without the doctor’s knowledge;
• wearing tight underwear and clothing;
• solarium, x-rays, laser exposure;
• contact with toxic substances.

Analyzes and examinations

If the pregnancy is progressing normally, then the mother comes to the antenatal clinic 1-2 times a month. The night before the visit, she brings urine samples to the laboratory. This analysis is necessary to control the functioning of the excretory system and timely detection of inflammatory processes. If necessary, the doctor prescribes other tests. At a scheduled appointment, the gynecologist performs the following manipulations:

• measures blood pressure;
• weighs the patient;
• measures the abdominal circumference, the height of the uterine fundus;
• evaluates the results of tests and examinations.

During the 4th month of pregnancy, a woman should visit a gynecologist 1-2 times.
If sexually transmitted infections were detected in the first trimester, the doctor can now prescribe treatment. If necessary, visit your dentist to get your teeth treated. The organs and systems of the fetus are already formed, and the risk of negative effects of drugs on the baby is significantly reduced. During this period, it is permissible to take antibacterial drugs, anesthetics and other medications, but only as prescribed by a doctor. At the appointment, you can also ask the gynecologist any questions regarding nutrition, taking medications, and your well-being.

Second screening

During the entire gestation period, three screenings are carried out - extensive examinations, including blood tests and ultrasound. The purpose of these activities is to identify the risk of serious fetal development disorders, chromosomal abnormalities, Down syndrome and other genetic diseases in the baby. To do this, blood tests are taken for:

• alpha fetoprotein (AFP);
• human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG);
• unconjugated estriol (NE).

If the results of the first screening, which is carried out at 10–13 weeks, do not reveal an increased risk of developmental anomalies, then blood tests are usually not prescribed in the second trimester. If tests or ultrasound show any deviations from the norm, then the examination will be repeated. The second screening occurs at 16–20 weeks of pregnancy, that is, it can be scheduled at the end of the fourth month. An ultrasound is mandatory for the second screening, which allows assessing the physiological development of the fetus and identifying possible threats to pregnancy.

The second ultrasound is performed at the end of the fourth month of pregnancy

If the screening results reveal an increased risk of having a child with developmental anomalies, then, at the woman’s request, an amniocentesis procedure can be performed (from the 16th week). Under ultrasound guidance, a needle is inserted through the woman's abdominal wall and amniotic fluid is sampled. The study allows you to more accurately determine the presence of genetic diseases. In this case, there is a small risk of miscarriage due to a violation of the integrity of the membranes. Amniocentesis is performed only with the woman's consent and is not mandatory.

Table: indicators of the norm for the second pregnancy screening