How is the baby in the fifth month of pregnancy?
At the beginning of the fifth month of pregnancy, the baby’s length is about 20 cm, weighing around 240 grams. If it has already grown well, it will take a few more months to reach the measurements of a newborn. At this delicate moment of pregnancy, the baby moves a lot: there is ample space in the amniotic fluid. Its muscles, more coordinated, allow it to perform many movements, which are always more precise. When it’s not moving, your baby takes the opportunity to sleep. At this stage, it now alternates between deep sleep stages and light sleep stages. Its senses develop: it’s very sensitive to the sound vibrations around it, which can even disturb its sleep!
As for the organs, the baby continues to grow gradually. The lung alveoli begin to secrete surfactant (a substance essential for the maturation of its lungs), while the pancreas starts producing insulin. In the fifth month of pregnancy, your baby now perfectly masters reflex sucking. Day and night, it sucks its thumb like adults! Additionally, your baby is in a transitional state: nails, hair, and even eyelashes have begun to grow. At the end of the month, its average measurements reach 26 cm in length and 500 grams in weight.
Five months of pregnancy, from the mother’s side
Pregnant mothers often consider the fifth month of pregnancy their favorite: nausea and vomiting in the first three months are now behind them, and they feel good! However, new minor pregnancy ailments may start to appear. Poor blood circulation can make your legs feel heavy and cause tingling and vein dilation. Shortness of breath can make you tired with even the slightest effort, and hot flashes may bother you. Finally, make sure to apply sunscreen to your face every time you’re exposed to sunlight: from the fifth month onwards, pregnancy mask may appear. These pigmented spots, known as “chloasma,” can persist after childbirth and sometimes settle permanently.
What are the tests in the fifth month of pregnancy?
The fifth month is a crucial stage in the course of pregnancy. In fact, many tests will allow checking that the fetus is growing well and that the pregnancy is not causing any complications. The mandatory third visit before delivery with the midwife or obstetrician-gynecologist allows for the evaluation of your general health and the baby’s condition. Your doctor may prescribe a glucose test for you. In the analysis laboratory, you’ll need to drink a very sweet drink while fasting to detect possible gestational diabetes (diabetes that occurs only during pregnancy). In addition to urine and blood tests to be performed in the medical laboratory, it’s time for the second ultrasound scan for pregnancy. These alleged ultrasounds, as their name suggests, aim to carefully examine the baby’s organs and look for any abnormalities. If you wish, through this examination, you can know the sex with certainty. If you prefer to keep the surprise for the day of delivery, just tell the obstetrician-gynecologist.
How do you know if the baby is healthy in the fifth month of pregnancy?
At this stage, you can feel completely that your baby is moving. The movements reassure you and allow you to ensure its vitality. Also, as the baby grows, your doctor can now hear its heartbeat through a medical stethoscope placed on your belly. If you suddenly no longer feel your baby’s movements at all, it’s recommended to consult your doctor as soon as possible.
What are the risks in the fifth month of pregnancy?
During the fifth month of pregnancy, what obstetricians fear the most is the risk of premature birth. If the baby is born in the fifth month of pregnancy, unfortunately, the fetus will not be viable. Only from the twenty-eighth week of amenorrhea, i.e., 6 months of pregnancy, can the baby be considered premature. There is no need to panic, as these extremely premature births are very rare. To avoid them, doctors may advise some mothers who are in “high-risk” pregnancy situations to remain in bed. In case of painful and regular contractions at this stage of pregnancy, it is essential to go to the maternity ward for ultrasound examination and monitoring. Also, make sure to get as much rest as your body needs!
