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Baby:
Your baby is about the size of a goldfish.
Though baby’s brain has been forming furiously these past months, the development of the head is now slowing down, giving her body a chance to catch up with that large noggin.
Meanwhile, eyelids will fully cover the eyes, and they won’t open again until around Week 27. The soles of baby’s feet, which have until now been facing each other, are slowly straightening out, with the legs facing downward.
Twenty tiny tooth buds are now in her gums, and her digestive muscles are starting to function.
Baby is moving around a lot by now, though it’s still too early to feel those little kicks. But pretty soon you’ll get to hear her little heart when you go for a checkup at your practitioner’s office.
If it sounds like it’s racing, no worries – baby’s heart beats twice as fast as yours, at about 150 beats per minute. Ultrasound pictures taken this week may reveal both the baby’s profile and hands.
Mom:
It’s not always easy to slow down, even when you’re pregnant. Our day-to-day lives tend to be jam-packed, and worrying can become a way of being.
One great way to counteract this in your life is by meditating daily. Whatever form it takes – whether it be focusing on breathing, concentrating on a mantra or praying – this would be a great time to start up (or restart) a meditation practice.
If you can find 15 minutes a day to set aside for meditation, the rewards will be remarkable. You’ll find yourself feeling calmer, more focused and more able to handle what life throws at you. Plus it’s a great way to bond with your baby – just visualize all that good, clean breath going all the way to your uterus, and you’ll both be meditating together!
You may be feeling like 15 minutes is about as long as you can sit still these days, what with your constant trips to the bathroom. It’s all thanks to your uterus, which started growing early in the pregnancy and is now pressing pretty intensely on your bladder. Some women even think they have a urinary tract infection because of their constant need to pee. (If you do suspect this, it’s a good idea to mention it to your doctor, who will likely test for a UTI, which is more common during pregnancy.)
Fret not – in the next couple of weeks, your uterus will come up out of the pelvis, giving you some relief. In the interim, however, you may be feeling bloated and constipated (another joy of pregnancy!).
But even this is a positive for your baby, as the reduced speed of digestion means that nutrients are more thoroughly absorbed by the body. Your bloatedness and constipation may not be fun for you, but they’re actually helping to nourish your baby!