Baby's Development for month 6

Mothers's Development

Things to do

Tips

Baby's Development for month 6 of pregnancy

• Length - 11.8 inches or 300 mm long
• Weight - about 590 gram
• Your baby starts to blink and his eyebrows and eyelashes are present.
• He puts on weight in muscle, bone mass and growing organs and tissues as his body begins to fill out.
• Length - 12 inches or 305 mm long
• Weight - about 700 gram
• Her brain is growing rapidly, and her body is well-proportioned with her body.
• The structures of the spine begin to form. The blood vessels of the lungs are developing and the nostrils begin to open.
• The baby's first meconium stool has been formed in the large intestine and will be excreted in the days following the birth.
• Length - 12.5 inches or 317 mm long
• Weight - about 900 gram
• Your baby's brain is still growing and brain wave activity occurs for her visual and auditory systems. Your baby may now be aware of lightness and darkness.
• Length - 13.5 inches or 342 mm long
• Weight - about 907 gram
• Your baby may be active at this time, because it is still relatively small and has plenty or room to move around. This will change over the next few weeks.
• She is beginning to look like a new born baby. Her face is like a baby's face and her skin is wrinkled from her watery surroundings. Her retinas also begin to form.

Mothers Development for month 6 of pregnancy

• You may begin getting stretch marks, but they will fade after the baby is born.
• You may be able to determine the babies sleep/wake cycles, by his activity or lack of it.
• You should call your GP/Gynae if you have any of the following
  • Contractions or cramps, more than 5 in one hour
  • Bright red blood discharge from your vagina
  • Swelling of the face or hands
  • Pain during urination
  • Sharp or prolonged pain in your stomach
  • Accute vomitting
  • A gush of clear watery fluid from your vagina
  • Intensive pelvic pressure
• You may gain between a half and one pound per week from now on. This may seem like a lot of weight considering the average birth weight of a full term baby, but not all of the weight goes on the baby - the placenta, increased volume of blood, muscles, breasts and amniotic fluid all increase your overall weight.
• It may be time to start getting some of the practical work done, before the final trimester. You should decide where the baby will sleep and do any preparations which have to be done - decorating etc.. You may not feel like doing it later on.
• You should inform your employer of your intention to take maternity leave and for how long. Contact the Maternity benefit section, to find out about your maternity entitlements.
• Your uterus is about the size of a soccer ball and may place pressure on your lower back and legs.
• The surfactant which has been produced and which now covers the inner lining of the lungs allows them to expand normally during breathing
• You may find it difficult to find a comfortable position in bed. Try propping up your bump, legs etc. withe xtra pillows
• Dental problems are common during pregnancy, due to the increase in certain hormone levels. Now might be a good time to visit the dentist, because the hormone levels will peak in a few weeks time. Be sure to tell him that you are pregnant - even if it is obvious!
• You are now in your third trimester. You will probably increase your weight gain per week from now on.
• You should be doing you pelvic exercises. These exercises will help the muscles used during labour
• You could be suffering from a shortness of breath, due to the fact that your uterus is close to your rib cage and your lungs may not be able to expand as much as usual.
• Have you registered for a childbirth class, if not ist's not too late!

Things To Do in month 6

• You must inform your employer in writing of your intention to take maternity leave six weeks before your leave starts. Now would be a good time to do that. You can check out the family medical & leave acts
   
• Decide on whether you are going to breastfeed or bottle feed your baby. Talk it over with other mothers and you health nurse/doctor.

Tips

• If you have 4 or more Braxton Hicks contractions in an hour contact your doctor.
   
• Take rest when you need it and try lying on your left side when resting.
   
• Your partner is also probably anxious. Share your feelings about becoming a parent and how it will affect your life.
   
• Attend childbirth and parenting classes together to get ready for your new baby. Allow your partner to feel the baby moving and kicking inside of you

If you want to have some fun, find out what your baby might look like or predict their eye color.

Month 5 of pregnancy

Month 7 of pregnancy

Pregnancy Calendar - pregnancy calendar home page