Week 19:
Hello Baby,
I can really start to imagine how big you are now. This week you are as big as a Mango!
I walked past the fruit section at my local grocer and they had a pile of lovely fresh mangos all piled up on each other. I just stared at this cute little pile and imagined you all curled up inside me. Every week I feel my tummy getting bigger and canโt even imagine what it will be like by 40 weeks!
One thing that has started to bother me a bit this week is hip pain. All the ligaments of my pelvis are becoming quite soft, so there is more laxity in the joints. Sleeping with a pillow between my knees to support my legs helps align my hip joint, so should help a lot.
I still feel a bit tired some days, but that is normal, as you are growing a lot every week. I just need to make sure I am eating regularly and drinking enough fluids. During my busy workday I do forget to look after those important points, so I have put a little sticker on my computer to remind me to drink water, do my posture check, and walk around a little.
My dear Mommy,
So this week, I am working on my five senses! Nerve cells for sense of taste, hearing, sight and smell are really developing fast now. I can suck properly now, and am learning to swallow the amniotic fluid.
Tips for Pregnancy:
- To help with hip and round ligament pain, be sure to do lots of walking and change your position if you sit at work a lot. Cat/cow stretches will relieve any tightness and stress in your lower back.
- Eating well during pregnancy is really important. Donโt only rely on your preggy vitamins to get you through. Incorporate nutrient-dense foods and snacks like boiled eggs, salmon, leafy veg/salad, nuts, yoghurt and oatmeal.
If your friend with twins is not sure about her diet, a good idea is to find a dietician that can guide her with some ideas.
Week 20:
Hello little Baby!
We are officially half way! 20 weeks! I am feeling and looking pregnant and loving it. Whilst we had our scan the other day, I could see you moving around so actively. I could not believe that I could not feel it. Well, this morning l leant over to put my slippers on and I could feel a little fluttering sensation in my tummy. Like porridge ploppingโฆbloop bloop. I waitedโฆ and then felt it some more. I realised it was you!! I can finally feel you moving and I now know what it feels like. (sorry did I squash you a bit? Ha ha). The sensation is much gentler and softer than I expected, and I thought it was just wind in my tummy all this week!
I am so excited to share this with Daddy, but I guess it will be a few weeks before you are big enough for him to feel. Right now you are only the size of a big banana so we will just waitโฆ
My energy levels are better this week (yay diet and exercise) and it has helped a lot with leg cramps and swelling too. All these are normal if they disappear, and I have no problems with blood pressure or glucose.
When I went for my check-up this week, our doctor measured my tummy for the first time. The top part of the womb (uterus) is called the fundus. So they measure from the fundus to the pubic bone. This should correlate to the number of weeks pregnant you are. So we were 20 cms. If there are any changes (up or down) this will alert the doctor to do a scan or other investigations to see what is going on with the growth. 20cms measures up to my belly button as well.
Weight gain is monitored closely now. My doctor weighs me every time I go, but not all gynaes do it that regularly. We are on track according to my normal BMI.
Hello my Mommy,
So excited that you can finally feel me moving. It all seems a lot more real now, hey?
Not much has changed since last week, but I am definitely looking more like a little baby, albeit a skinny one, ha ha.
Preggy tips:
- Get things done, whilst you still have energy.
- Do research for antenatal classes, pregnancy shoots and venues.
- Baby shower ideas (especially during Covid restrictions).
Our Diary of a Pregnancy series is written by Sr Des Meyer, a Perinatal Educator, in private practice, who is based in Durban North. Sr Des has been a Childbirth Educator and Well Baby Clinic sister since 1991. Her passion lies in educating new parents to enable them to achieve their goals as confident parents. “Knowledge is power and a good foundation for the exciting years ahead.”
