The age of 5 months is often referred to as the most comfortable period of pregnancy. Because, at this gestational age, morning sickness and other early pregnancy symptoms have subsided or disappeared. However, the challenge is to do activity with a big belly it's enough big.
Entering the age of 5 months of pregnancy, the fetus will be more active in moving, especially at night, so that the movement of the fetus will be felt more often. At the end of the 5th month, pregnant women may begin to memorize and get used to the activities and sleep patterns of the fetus.
Fetal Growth During 5 Months Pregnant
At 5 months of gestation or entering the 21st week, the fetus has resembled a baby ready to be born, but in a very small size. Generally, the weight of the fetus at this age ranges from 360-600 grams with a length of approximately 26-30 cm.
The following is the development of the fetus at 5 months pregnant from the 21st to the 24th week in more detail:
1. 21 weeks pregnant
At 21 weeks of gestation, the fetus is heavier than the placenta. The fetus also undergoes a number of other developments, such as:
- The body begins to grow fine hairs called lanugo which functions to maintain body temperature and protect the skin of the fetus. Lanugo will usually disappear before the baby is born.
- The eyelids have finished forming.
- Digestive organs mature.
- The fetus begins to practice breathing to prepare for life outside the womb.
2. 22 weeks pregnant
At 22 weeks of gestation, the fetus has grown to 27.8 cm and weighs 360 grams. It is about the size of a coconut. In this week, the fetus also undergoes a number of other developments, namely:
- The fetus can hear the pregnant mother's voice more clearly.
- The movement is getting louder.
- The fetus has begun to swallow amniotic fluid as a sign that its digestion has begun to be used.
- Eyes have started to form, but the underside is not yet pigmented.
- The body is proportionate, but still thinner than a newborn.
3. 23 weeks pregnant
When you are 5 months pregnant, at the age of 23 weeks, the fetus already has a length of about 28.9 cm and weighs approximately 501 grams. At 23 this week, fetal development includes:
- His brain is developing.
- The baby's hearing ability is getting better, he may already be able to hear some loud noises from the outside world such as the sound of a car horn.
- Fetal nipples begin to form.
- The face of the fetus is fully formed.
4. 24 weeks pregnant
At 24 weeks, the fetus already weighs about 600 grams and is 30 cm long. The development and growth experienced by the fetus at this time include:
- The fetus already has some fat, although the skin is still very thin and weak.
- His brain is developing very fast.
- Fetal fingerprints are being formed.
- The lungs expand and form the respiratory branches.
Despite the risk of defects, babies born prematurely at or after 24 weeks of age have a chance to live because the development of the lungs and vital organs is more mature, although not yet perfect.
Body Changes That Occur During 5 Months Pregnant
At 5 months pregnant, pregnant women may gain 5.5–7 kilograms from their pre-pregnancy weight. After that, pregnant women's weight gain will range from 200-250 grams per week.
Some of the symptoms or body changes that pregnant women will feel during 5 months pregnant include:
- Stomach grows faster
- Often feel hungry
- Breasts feel full
- Swollen foot
- Leg cramps or stiffness
- Heartburn
- Linea nigra (the black line running down the belly) appears
- Stretch marks looks clearer
In addition, at the age of 5 months pregnant, pregnant women may also experience false contractions or also known as Braxton-Hicks. This condition is usually characterized by a feeling of tightness in the abdomen and sometimes accompanied by pain.
Braxton-Hicks contractions are generally felt in the afternoon or at night, especially if you have had a fairly active day before, with a duration of 30 seconds to 2 minutes. These false contractions usually go away when you change positions or after urinating.
Some pregnant women can also experience increased vaginal discharge. This is considered normal as long as there is no bleeding, the discharge is colorless, odorless, and does not cause itching and pain.
Some Things to Check When 5 Months Pregnant
In addition to carrying out general examinations, such as checking blood pressure, body temperature, weight of the mother and fetus, pregnant women also need to be examined if they experience certain conditions.
For example, pregnant women feel unusual vaginal discharge, such as clear water that flows suddenly, odorless, and in large volumes or bleeding.
Water that flows from the vagina in large volumes can be amniotic fluid. This needs to be watched out for because the rupture of the membranes can occur suddenly. Meanwhile, excessive bleeding can be a sign of miscarriage.
Excessive itching during pregnancy also needs to be checked. The reason, although rare, this can be a symptom of certain diseases, such as liver disorders obstetric cholestasis.
When pregnant for 5 months, pregnant women are also advised to have an examination fetal fibronectin (fFN). fFN is a protein found in the amniotic sac and fetal membranes that can be used as a reference whether there is a risk of premature birth or not.
If your doctor is concerned about the risk of preterm labor, this test may be recommended at 22 weeks of pregnancy. Especially if during these 5 months pregnant, pregnant women often experience symptoms such as abdominal cramps and changes in vaginal fluids.
Things to Pay Attention to When 5 Months Pregnant
Although 5 months pregnant is the most comfortable gestational age for some pregnant women, there are still many things that need to be considered in order to maintain the health of pregnant women and their fetuses. These include:
- Eating healthy foods with balanced nutrition (at 5 months pregnant, pregnant women may need an additional calorie intake of 300 calories per day)
- Consume enough fluids to avoid swelling in certain body parts
- Avoid consumption of soft drinks, coffee, and tea, because the risk of making the body dehydrated
- Get used to eating smaller portions and more often, to avoid heartburn
- Doing sports that are safe for pregnant women, such as swimming and yoga
- Using lotion so that the skin does not dry out and helps reduce itching due to stretch marks
- Get enough rest, to avoid the risk of dry and sensitive eyes, which often occurs in pregnant women
- Listening to music, especially classical music (besides being good for the fetus, this can keep you healthy) mood pregnant)
5 months pregnant is indeed considered the most comfortable, but pregnant women must still pay attention to all the changes that occur. If at this time pregnant women experience danger signs of pregnancy, such as bleeding, unbearable cramps, fever, pain when urinating, and severe vomiting, immediately consult a doctor.