Your baby now measures 16 inches long and will weigh a little over 2 1/2 to 3 pounds by the end of this month.
It's body is now covered with fine, soft hair called "lanugo"
It's fingerprints are set.
It will have definate periods of being asleep and awake.
It moves frequently with noticable kicking and stretching.
It practices thumb sucking.
It's brain and nervous system now mature rapidly.
It starts to store iron, and will continue untill it is time to be born.
If a boy, it's testicles will start to decend into the scrotum.
YOUR BODY
Your uterus is now moving up closer to your rib cage, and you may even feel the baby kicking against your them.
You can watch your abdomen move as the baby moves about inside.
Another person may be able to hear the heartbeat by putting an ear on your belly.
Your breasts may leak enough to have to wear padding in your bra.
You may notice some swelling of your feet, ankles, and hands by the end of the day, especially if it has been hot, or you have been on your feet a lot during the day.
Your weight may tend to increase faster than you had expected, since this is the time for rapid growth in your baby.
You may begin to tire more easily now a days.
You may feel a bit more akward moving around and you may even notice a bit of light-headedness as you get up from a lower position.
You may begin to become aware of a loostening in your pelvic bone as you walk.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
Get your prenatal check-up this month.
It is late to be starting prenatal classes, so you need to hurry up if you want to join one.
Eat lots of iron rich foods like liver, eggs, and meats.
Drink at least 6-8 glasses of water a day.(This also helps to reliev water retention.)
Practice breathing and relaxation exercises each day.
Tour the labor and delivery section of the hospital youplan to use for delivery.
Start thinking about items you will need the first 4 weeks at home- convenience foods, paper dishes, Diapers, sanitary napkins, formula,etc.
Plan some special time with your partner.
Take some extra time for yourself to do the things that you want to do.
If you work, discuss with your healthcare team how close to delivery you will want to work.