Fifth Month Pregnancy - 5 months pregnant

In short: The fifth month covers weeks 18–21. The baby reaches 15–22 cm and 200–360 grams, hearing and sight develop, and movements become clear to the mother. She may have dizziness, heartburn, poor sleep and swollen ankles. Small frequent meals, sleeping on the side rather than the back, iron-rich foods and regular exercise are advised.

• 5 months pregnant (Weeks 18-21)

18 Weeks Pregnancy

• Your baby is now 15-16cm long, and weighs around 200gm.
• The baby is moving all around your uterus, and you may feel these movements.
• The ears are finally at their final position.
• The nerves are developing a protective sheath called myelin, which continues to develop throughout childhood and adolescence.
• The brain starts to process sounds that the ears are sending to it and the retinas are acquiring increased sensitive to light.
• The genitalia are obvious by this week. Between 18 and 21 weeks every woman should have a detailed fetal anomaly scan to check your baby’s organs, growth and the position of the placenta.
• You may experience an increase in your appetite so be careful about what you eat. - If your weight was normal before pregnancy, a healthy total gain is about 11.5 to 16kg, which in the second trimester means around 0.5kg a week (about 5 to 6kg over the trimester). Women who were overweight should gain less; ask your doctor for your own target.
• If you experience heartburn, try small frequent meals, avoid eating late at night and raise the head of your bed; avoid peppermint, which can make heartburn worse. If it continues, ask your doctor about a safe antacid.
• Do not stand up quickly because you may feel dizzy as your blood pressure will be lowered.
• The best position for sleep is at your side, because if you lie on your back, your uterus may press on your major blood vessels, and restrict venous return to the heart, so put a pillow behind you, or under one leg, (between legs).

19 Weeks Pregnancy

• Your baby is 17-18cm long, and 250gm in weight.
• Vernix caseosa is covering the body which is made from lanugo, dead skin cells, and oil all are important to protect your baby from the effect of amniotic fluid.
• The hair is now growing on the scalp.
• Milanocytes will be developing in the skin, and it will also provide color after birth.
• You may experience a few stabbing pains in your sides, which are caused by stretching ligaments that support your uterus, but if these pains become more persistent or severe, consult your doctor.
• Skin changes occur due to extra estrogen, you may notice red palms, and chloasma nipples are darker.
• You may feel a little breathless, which is usually normal. But if breathlessness comes on suddenly, is severe, or comes with chest pain, a fast heartbeat or coughing blood, go to the emergency room immediately.
• Mild blurring of vision can happen because of fluid changes in the eye, and dry eyes are common. However, if you have sudden blurred vision, flashing lights, a severe headache, pain under the ribs or sudden swelling of the face and hands, contact your doctor or go to the emergency room the same day, as these can be signs of pre-eclampsia.

20 Weeks Pregnancy

• Your baby is 19-20cm long, and 310gm in weight.

• Permanent second teeth are forming behind the milk teeth.
• Your baby is busy in meconium formation which is a harmless mixture of amniotic fluid, digestive secretions, and dead skin cells; all of these accumulate in the baby’s bowels, and is excreted in the first nappy.
• Your uterus now is at the level of your umbilicus.
• Try to eat iron rich foods, like red meat, prunes, green leafy vegetables, and soya products because it is necessary for red blood cell formation.
• Avoid using cleaning products because it may contain harmful chemicals.

21 Weeks Pregnancy

• Your baby is 21-22cm long, and 360gm in weight.
• If you have a girl, her vagina will start to form.
• You may remain awake all through the night because of your moving baby.
• You may experience varicose veins, swollen ankles, and so exercise regularly and elevate your legs and feet and wear maternity stockings which will relieve you

Contact your doctor promptly if the swelling appears suddenly, affects your face or hands, or if one calf becomes painful, red or swollen..

• You may notice acne is increased, because oil production is increased in pregnancy, so use oil free makeup. Never use isotretinoin (Roaccutane) or retinoid creams, and avoid tetracycline antibiotics; ask your doctor about safe options such as azelaic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
• Book to have antenatal massage to relieve stress.

Dr Najeeb Layyous F.R.C.O.G

Consultant Obstetrician, Gynecologist and Infertility Specialist

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