Month 5
Month 5
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What's Happening to Me?So many changes are happening to you. Emotionally you may be feeling more attached to your unborn child as you feel more movements of the baby. And because the baby's heartbeat can easily be heard with a fetoscope, it all seems more real. A yellowish or whitish fluid called colostrum, the forerunner to breast milk, may begin to seep from your nipples. The areola (area around your nipples) becomes larger and darker, and skin glands may surface in the form of small bumps. Because the baby's body is beginning to store iron, you may need to supplement your iron intake. Make sure you discuss this with your physician. Even your eyes, especially your pupils, change due to hormonal changes. You may experience some irregularity as a result of pressure being put on the lower bowel by the enlarging uterus. Varicose veins, which are enlarged, visible blood vessels of the legs, often appear or may become a concern. (See Stork Report, Month 3, for details.) Get plenty of liquids-a minimum of seven to eight eight-ounce glasses a day. You need more liquids because the body is increasing its blood volume. In order for you to produce more blood, you need more liquids. Caffeinated tea, coffee, and sodas are not the ideal choices, since they can cause you to lose fluid in urination. |
NEWSLETTER Table of Contents Baby's Development It's Time To Register For Family Education Mommy's Notes Looking Good Skin and Hair Care Are You Covered? Parenthood Dividing the Chores Do You Know Infant/Child CPR? |
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Don't worry too much about your sodium intake unless otherwise advised by your doctor. Salt your food to taste, without overdoing it. Sodium will help you retain fluid and provide sodium essential to your baby's development.
As you gain weight, it is not unusual to feel a bit wobbly. Hormones cause the ligaments and cartilage in the pelvis to relax and the bones of the pelvis to spread. This relaxation will make it easier for the baby to move through the pelvis during labor and delivery. If your hips feel wobbly, you may want to take it easy for a while and watch your step. When you are sleeping or resting, you may be bothered by leg cramps. Leg cramps occur more frequently later in pregnancy because your enlarged uterus is slowing down the flow of blood back from your legs. The cramps can also be caused by fatigue or not enough calcium in your diet. A slow, gentle leg stretch before going to bed may help. Be sure to stretch through the heel, pointing your toes toward your nose. If you are having problems with leg cramps, let your physician know. You may notice blotches of dark skin around you eyes and nose. This is called chloasma or the mask of pregnancy. Chloasma is caused by increased level of the hormone estrogen and, possibly, too much sun. It will most likely disappear after the birth of your baby. Many women start wearing maternity clothes now because the existing wardrobe no longer fits comfortably. |
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Baby's Development |
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| By the fifth month, your baby has developed a routine of his or her own. He or she has found a favorite position and has settled into a regular schedule of sleeping, turning, and moving. Your baby sleeps and wakes up like a newborn. When baby is awake, he or she moves about like an astronaut in a space capsule-floating from side to side, and often upside down. As you probably know, the fetus is doing lots of kicking and turning. You may feel as though you are carrying an entire soccer team! |
Your baby is now swallowing amniotic fluid, and the kidneys are beginning to produce fairly large amounts of very diluted urine. Scalp hair is appearing, and the baby's body is beginning to store iron.
Your baby weighs approximately ten to twelve ounces and is ten to twelve inches long, almost doubling in size from the previous month. The baby now equals the placenta in weight. |
It's Time to Register for Family Education! |
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As a member of our Beginnings family you are entitled to a discount on all VHH family education programs. We want you to be as comfortable and as confident as possible throughout the birth experience, so BEGINNINGS offers a variety of classes.
From the moment you learn you are pregnant, there is a lot you want to know. "What can I expect during labor and delivery?" "How should I care for my new baby?" If you and your birth partner have not attended BEGINNINGS: An Introduction to Childbirth, sign up for this free class for a discussion regarding baby's development, nutrition, changes in your body, fatherhood, and relaxation techniques. Many couples follow this class with the Parenting Series. The Parenting Series discusses characteristics of the newborn, meeting the needs of the newborn, and adjustments to parenthood. The Lamaze Childbirth Preparation Series promotes comfort during childbirth through relaxation and breathing exercise. |
Other prenatal classes offered by BEGINNINGS Family Education include a Breast-Feeding Workshop, an Infant Care Workshop demonstrating practical skills, Infant/Child CPR, and a Big Kids and Babies class to help siblings adjust to the idea of becoming older brothers or sisters.
When you go into labor, you want to be confident your birth partner will be there. The BEGINNINGS Baby Beeper Program helps make that possible. A long-range beeper can be issued to you and your birth partner in your third trimester which can be used to communicate when you go into labor. Register for your personal family education classes. All classes and workshops are designed to keep you informed of what to expect every step of the way. Call the BEGINNINGS line at (818) 952-2272 today for a free, personalized family education consultation. Once you have all the information, consult with your birth partner. |
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Looking Good |
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Most pregnant women's skin improves, and the legendary bloom appears as more blood flows under the skin, making them feel well and attractive. Pregnancy hormones have a natural tranquilizing effect. Exercise and a healthy diet, as discussed in past issues of Stork Report, coupled with an awareness of the physical changes that occur during pregnancy, will contribute to your happiness and positive self-image. Taking care of your clothes, makeup and personal hygiene can also boost morale.
If you look good, you feel good. You don't have to wear shapeless sacks during pregnancy. Adapt some pieces from your existing wardrobe for the first few months and then…go shopping! Take advantage of your BEGINNINGS Baby Club merchant discounts. When you are pregnant, you eat more to increase blood circulation, and vaginal secretions also increase. Therefore, it is advisable to bathe or shower daily and wear clothing which makes you comfortable. This may mean lighter clothes, even in cooler weather. Clothes should be loose fitting and simple. Avoid those that are restrictive at the waist, thighs, or crotch. Remember, your breasts will increase in size, so choose clothing that isn't constrained at the bodice. Darker colors will disguise your shape, and a pronounced shoulder line or interest at the neckline will draw attention to your face versus your tummy. But don't try to disguise your pregnant shape too much. Show it off. A pregnant woman is beautiful. Follow these tips to enhance your wardrobe:
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Skin and Hair Care |
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There is good reason for the healthy glow pregnant women possess. The high level of hormones in your blood have a direct effect on your skin, plumping it out, retaining moisture, and giving your face a velvety appearance. The rosy glow is enhanced because there is more blood circulating around your body.
You may find that your skin itches more in pregnancy, particularly over your distended stomach. Rub moisturizer into |
the skin. The oil itself may not make the difference, but the massage will stimulate your blood vessels and ease the irritation. Some women notice a difference in their hair during pregnancy. It is a good idea to have a hairstyle that is easy to care for. This will be one less thing to worry about once the baby has arrived. Wash your hair as often as you like, but if you notice a change in your hair, modify your shampoo to accommodate it. |
Are you covered? |
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Taking care of the physical and emotional aspects of childbirth is very important, but it is only part of being prepared. You also want to be familiar with your insurance coverage. Financial preparedness can make the difference between having peace of mind and money worries. Use the list below to assist you in gathering the information you will need from your insurance company.
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Parenthood |
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You and your partner might experience sources of alienation stemming from the way you divide the responsibilities of parenting and housekeeping. Your family roles are destined to change. But the challenge will come when they change dramatically from what you expect them to.
Most couples today approach life as a partnership. But having babies tends to throw people into arrangements different from what they had hoped. These silent, unplanned shifts in roles can make both parents unhappy. If that happens, you'll need to actively, consciously, and jointly work out a division of the nitty-gritty tasks of family life to distribute the stresses and rewards of parenthood. |
Below is a list that you and your partner may want to read and discuss together. Find out what each of you expects. Talk about your shared and individual expectations and arrive at some conclusions that each of you can live with comfortably. Going into parenthood with a fresh eye to what needs to be accomplished, who will do what, and knowing that your lives will never be the same is sure to lessen the confusion and potential guilt associated with added responsibilities.
Ask yourselves, "What is the ideal arrangement for us?" "Who will do most of the actual work and why?" "How satisfied am I with the answers?" And be flexible. The arrangements you make today may not be the most workable ones three, six, or even 12 months from now. |
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Do you know infant/child CPR? |
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While we hope you'll never need it, the safety lessons taught in this class can equip you to prevent or handle an emergency situation should it arise.
This three-hour class is designed for parents or expectant parents, grandparents, baby-sitters, or anyone else who deals with infants and/or children on a regular basis. The class provides specialized CPR skills, including infant and child resuscitation and choking-recovery maneuvers. Information on electrical safety, water safety, poison prevention, and general household hazards is also presented. To find out more about the class or to register, call the BEGINNINGS line at (818) 952-2272. |