Month4
How your baby has grown
Height: approx. 16 to 18cm/ Weight: 110g
- ① Your baby responds to external stimulation. Your baby’s brain develops to respond to external stimulation. Your baby may feel basic human emotions such as joy, discomfort, anxiety, impatience from such stimulation.
- ② The placenta is completed. The placenta and the umbilical cord are completed. They facilitate blood circulation so the baby can receive enough blood filled with nutrients from the mother’s body and discharge its wastes through the placenta. Your baby’s skin gets thicker and opaque to protect the organs. It is conspicuous that its genital organs have grown. Its movement in the amniotic fluid becomes vibrant; for example, it shakes it head or moves his hands and feet separately.
How your baby's body changes
The uterine fundus will rise to the area below the navel and your lower abdomen will expand greatly. The milk lines will further develop to enlarge the breasts. You will gain weight, but find no difficulty in moving. Your bowels or small intestine will be pressed up against the enlarging uterus, causing a feeling similar to indigestion and pain in your back or hips.
Health Checkpoint
Morning sickness, changes in hormones and frequent intake of carbohydrate will bring about deterioration in your oral health. Dental treatment is recommended between the 4th and 7th month into pregnancy. It is best to avoid such treatment during the first and third trimester. You must inform your dentist that you are pregnant.
What You Should Do
- ① Weight control
Try to avoid foods high in fat, sugar, and calories and cut down on salt and chemical seasonings. Some will eat small meals to prevent themselves from gaining weight too fast, but then, it will take much more to satisfy their hunger. Binging will make you gain even more weight and the stress that you are under will affect you adversely. If you are concerned about your growing appetite, have small, frequent meals. - ② Take iron and calcium.
Taking iron and calcium is important. If necessary, it is advised to take supplements. If iron deficiency is present, you will suffer anemia. Calcium is indispensable nutrition for your baby to form the bone structure. You might want to consider increasing the intake of milk and fish that can be eaten with the bones. - ③ Engage in light exercise on a regular basis.
It is okay to enjoy a brisk walk for 20 to 30 minutes. Taking a walk on a regular basis with a correct posture may facilitate your delivery. But if you sense any signs of a miscarriage, you should avoid exercising. If you feel a lump or pain in your abdomen when exercising, you need to stop and take a rest.