Your baby will weigh about 1 1/2 pounds and be about 12 inches long by the end of this month.
It's skin is covered by a white cheesy secretion(Vernix Caseosa) that protects it's skin as it moves in the amniotic sac.
It's heartbeat is now easily heard with the fetoscope(special stethoscope)
Movements of it's arms and legs are easier to be felt now.
Some hair may be present on its head.
it's eyelids are still closed.
It's skin is wrinkled and red but slowly being filled out with fat.
It's fingernails and toenails continue to grow.
YOUR BODY
You will continue to gain about 3/4 of a pound a week now, or about 3-4 pounds a month.
Your baby will move around a lot now, and you will start to notice patterns of quiet and activity.
The top of your uterus can be felt at the navel or just above.
Your breasts continue to grow larger; they may get softer and the veins will start to show.
Colostrum may also begin to start leaking from your breasts.(DO NOT EXPRESS THIS MILK! IT CONTAINS SPECIAL ANTIBODIES, NUTRIENTS, AND FATS THAT ARE PASSED ON THROUGH BREASTFEEDING.)
Constipation may become more troublesome and may continue through the end of pregnancy.
Your hair may begin to feel thicker and oilier.
Since you are half through the 2nd trimester, you feel great(usually) people are beginning to tell you how well you look-you have the "bloom of pregnancy"
You may have some feelings from time to time of not being able to cope with pregnancy, this can happen almost anytime.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
Continue your prenatal check-ups.
Find out about classes for expectant couples in your area and make plans to enroll in time to learn about breathing and relaxation exercises.
Continue your well balanced diet, and stay away from caffeine, smoking, and unprescribed medications.
Keep up your exercising and remember to do kegel and pelvic rock exercises also each day.
Be careful to remember your vitamins and iron every day.
Take time to purchase some well suppotive maternity bras.
Take some time each day to just lay on your side.(left is better for circulation to the baby.
Continue to talk to your partner about both of your feelings about this pregnancy, and the impending parenthood.