This is what your baby thinks
“I can tell you; at the moment I am working at a pace that even I find uncanny.
Every day something new grows. At the end of the month I will be a tiny little baby that is, to some extent, already perfectly equipped with everything that is typical for a human. Alright, of course, I still have to work on the proportions.
I get the impression, for you it’s a bit slower. You are tired today, aren’t you? And you can feel sick from time to time. It is best for you to rest wherever and whenever possible. You will see, in one or two months you will be in top form and in control of your moods again.”
What you cannot feel yet
Your baby is already moving its feet. The palate and lungs are developed by now. Teeth, nails and sex organs are starting to develop. At the end of the 12th week, the unborn child is about 7.5cm long and weighs about 14g. Now the first big medical check-up is due at which you can discuss important questions about the pregnancy with your physician.
Often, it makes sense to decide on antenatal classes, a maternity hospital and of course a midwife early on.
This is what your baby thinks
“Yippee! If you could watch me, you would surely be proud of me.
I can already do a lot of stunts. I kick with my legs (of course you cannot feel this yet), frown and already start twitching my lips. After all, my sucking reflex must be developed perfectly when I come out.
And how is your fitness? If you are still exercising, great! But don’t overdo it! Don’t forget, there are two of us. If you get out of breath or have palpitations, then I feel the same. If you are not sure, what and how much of it you can do, it is better to ask the doctor. But in spite of everything, the better you prepare your body for it, the easier you can carry me.”
First reflexes
Your baby can already suck its thumb and reaches for the umbilical cord. It can differentiate sweet and bitter substances in the amniotic fluid. If light is beamed onto the belly, it covers its eyes. It is approx. 15cm tall and almost completely developed. Perhaps you can now feel its movements.
In these weeks, your gynaecologist is potentially able to determine your baby’s gender already.
This is what your baby thinks
"You can see I am becoming increasingly more sensitive.
Recently for instance, when you stood in front of the lamp to show daddy how you are slowly getting round, I thought I was being interrogated. Full light, directly into my eyes! I turned around quickly. You adults are strange at times…
On the other hand, the things you have started to do daily lately are just delightful! The gentle pulling and massaging… I know you are not doing it for me but to prevent stretch marks. But I don’t care, what’s important is that you are stroking me.”
Music in the tummy
Your baby already reacts to music and can distinctly distinguish sounds. At the end of the 5th month it would already have a good chance to survive as a premature baby outside the womb. And that although your baby is just 20cm tall and only weighs about 240g in the 20th week.
Some women notice so-called practice contractions in these weeks. This should not unsettle you: These are not proper labour pains; your body is merely preparing for birth early.
This is what your baby thinks
“Hiccs!
I tell you, these hiccups can throw a baby about a bit in the womb. It’s not too bad though mummy and it will surely happen more often.
Other than that I am enjoying myself immensely in here at the moment. Especially because my hearing is working better every day. Sometimes I can even tell your voice from others when everyone is speaking at the same time. Oh, this is nice! You always sound best!”
Growth on the double
In this month, the baby’s weight doubles. Its eyes open and close and it starts to breath. It can notice stress and unrest more strongly than before. The baby also assumes the correct position now. The arms lie on the chest and the legs are pulled up.
Our tip: You should go to the dentist more often in pregnancy. At least twice is recommended.
This is what your baby thinks
“Oh please, mum!
It is commendable if you want to show your boss that he can still completely count on you. But what about me? And then, there is the unnecessary stress with your colleague… I found it as straining as you did! In future, please do not stress us like that anymore because now I pick up on all your feelings. Or did you not notice how angrily I was drumming against your abdominal wall so that you would calm down again?
My job is quite hard this month, too. I have to grow enormously and this only works if I get some rest. If something upsets you like that again, just let go and think about that what’s important: namely only about you and me. Then both of us will feel much better soon.”
Already weighing an entire kilogram
At 25 weeks your baby already weighs 1000g and is about 32cm tall. It moves rhythmically to music and reacts to stroking and massages of the abdominal wall. If it is boisterous or wants to communicate, it will kick your belly vehemently. Soon, you will be able to interpret the signals. Now it is time to register for antenatal classes.
This is what your baby thinks
„The amount of effort you are putting into my bedroom!
Of course I appreciate a cheerful atmosphere – but one thing I can tell you for certain right now: When I come out, I want to be with you first of all! As close as possible. So, it is best to look for something mobile for me. For instance, a bassinet, which will stand very close to your bed.
You have probably noticed already how I react to everything that happens outside. Please continue to make sure there is good music and stroke me lots. After all, only your abdominal wall separates us. And that not for long now!”
A small finished human!
If your baby was to be born now, it could survive relatively easily outside the womb. The skin already has a heat-regulating function. In a curled up position it is about 38cm long and weighs approx. 2- 2.5kg.
Around about the 29th week of pregnancy, pregnant women increasingly suffer from shortness of breath. Frequent breaks and a steady pace are now absolutely essential.
This is what your baby thinks
"I can tell you mum, it is getting very tight in here.
My previously comfortable home now feels like a wardrobe. Even though I am not even stretching myself properly. I don’t understand what you find so funny about it: “Look, her knee…” and “Great, this could be the foot!” I can hear you say out there. It’s not like I can’t take a joke but I don’t have any room left to break out into bursts of laughter.
Whatever you decide: To be honest, I am not bothered whether I am born in a water pool, on a birthing swing or at home. What’s important is that you feel great and that I pass down the birth canal well. Then you can take me into your arms straight away.”
Growing and waiting
Even your baby’s finger and toe nails are already completely developed by now. It is ready to meet the world. Towards the end of the month, it rotates and lies with its head in the pelvic cavity. It is not long now until birth. Time, to think about:
- Who would you like to have by your side during childbirth?
- Does the hospital have a so-called “rooming-in”, where the baby is allowed to stay in the mother’s room?
- Does one get support with breastfeeding, if it doesn’t work straight away?
Maternity leave starts In the 35th week of pregnancy. Working mothers have the possibility to be absent from work starting six weeks before the expected date of delivery.
This is what your baby thinks
"Is it true that you want to carry me in a sling at first, when I am there? Oh mummy, that’s great!
Then I could see lots of the world and would still be as close to you as I am now. Don’t let them persuade you otherwise. It is much better when I don’t always have to cry out for you. Besides, it is really good for my hip joints when I am sat in the sling. Yes, mum, this is how we’ll do it: At first we will stay together as often as possible.
As you can see, in thought I am already more on the outside than on the inside. The travel bug has bitten me. Even the doctor could tell. A cardiotocograph is most interesting. I am already really looking forward to seeing you both.”
This is what your baby thinks
“For some reason I felt the urge to turn around recently.
Just like that. And now I am on my head and can hardly get back. “Good, if it stays like this in the future”, I heard the doctor say. Is this normal for you out there? Do you waggle your feet about in the air all day, too? This is going to be fun when I am going for a walk with you!
Apart from that I am completely ready for the journey and I am counting the days. Of course, there is still a lot of work ahead of us. But don’t worry. It won’t last much longer than one day. This is what dad said, isn’t it? You best always think that with each contraction we are getting closer to the great moment when you can hold me in your arms for the first time. You will see, everything will be really easy if you take it on. And your midwife and the doctors at the hospital are also there… Have courage! A wonderful adventure awaits us!”
