Week 23: Blushing and Growing

Your baby’s skin looks pinkish-red due to developing veins and arteries, though it’s still a bit loose as fat begins to form. Those tiny limbs are now strong enough to make their kicks and punches visible! Meanwhile, the placenta works hard to provide oxygen and nutrients.

Week 24: Building and Bonding

Baby is gaining weight from fat and growing muscles, organs, and bones. Her hearing sharpens, so familiar songs now may calm her later. Though hair, eyebrows, and lashes are still white, they’ll darken with pigment soon, marking another step in your little one’s growth.

Week 25: Reflexes and Fat

Startle reflexes begin this week—the baby might even jump at sudden sounds! Baby fat slowly replaces the wrinkled look, and if hair is present, its texture may already be visible. Your little one is steadily preparing for life outside the womb with every development.

Week 26: Eyes, Nails, and Practice

Eyelashes are growing in, ready for those first adorable blinks. Fingernails form too—be prepared for their sharpness at birth! Baby is practising swallowing amniotic fluid, which is crucial for healthy lung development while continuing to refine every tiny feature.

Week 27: Hearing and Hiccups

Though muffled by a protective waxy coating, your baby can hear your voice. Those odd belly movements? Likely hiccups as lungs mature. With muscle tone developing from constant kicks, rolls, and punches, your active gymnast is getting stronger by the day.
 

Organ development

At 6 months, your baby’s lungs are fully formed, and their unique fingerprints are set. They’re starting to respond to sounds outside the womb, while their eyelids begin to open. Blood cells, taste buds, and eyebrows are also developing, marking key milestones in their growth.

Physical features

At this stage, your baby’s face is becoming more defined, with the early development of eyelashes, eyebrows, and hair. Their skin is starting to appear less transparent, although it still has a wrinkled texture due to the lack of fat. However, this is changing quickly as they begin to build up fat stores.

Weight of the foetus

By the end of the sixth month, your baby is expected to weigh between 800 and 900 grams and is usually 7-12 inches long. You might find a baby weight calculator useful for tracking their growth as your pregnancy progresses.

Baby movement

This month, you’ll notice those delightful kicks and movements becoming more frequent! These stronger movements indicate that your baby’s muscles and nervous system are developing well, offering little reminders that they’re preparing for life outside the womb.

Obvious Baby Bump

Your baby bump is more prominent now, as your uterus grows outward. It’s a sign of your baby’s growth—embrace and flaunt this beautiful change!

Increased Weight

Expect to gain about 1–2kg weekly during this trimester, though everyone is different. Regular check-ins with your doctor ensure you’re on track.

Skin Alterations

Skin changes like darkened areolas or the linea nigra (a line from the navel to the pubic bone) are common. These changes are temporary and fade post-birth.

Stretch Marks

Your growing belly might bring stretch marks. Staying hydrated and use moisturizers to relieve the itchiness.

Braxton Hicks Contractions

You may feel mild, irregular contractions as your body preps for labour. These “practice contractions” are typically painless and nothing to worry about.

Foods to Eat:

• Fruits and Vegetables: Packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, they also provide fibre to support a healthy digestive system. Excellent sources of fibre include whole grains, oats, beans, lentils, broccoli, peas, and fresh fruits.
• Avocados: Rich in potassium and magnesium, avocados help maintain your body’s fluid balance, which is crucial as fluid levels increase during pregnancy.
• Vitamin C-rich Foods: These aid tissue repair and may reduce pregnancy-related gum bleeding. Good sources include citrus fruits, strawberries, bell peppers, cabbage, and sweet potatoes.
• Folic Acid-rich Foods: Include whole grains, sunflower seeds, squash, corn, sesame seeds, peanuts, almonds, okra, peas, grapes, and bananas.
• Hydration: Drinking at least 8 glasses of water daily is essential. For variety, try fresh juices or coconut water to stay hydrated.

Foods to Avoid:

• Raw Seafood: These may contain harmful levels of methylmercury and bacteria that can lead to food poisoning or other health issues.
• Undercooked Meat: Always cook meat thoroughly to avoid bacteria that can cause foodborne illnesses.
• High-Caffeine Drinks: Excessive caffeine can increase your baby’s heart rate and may affect brain development and their immune system.
• Fatty Foods: Unhealthy fats can cause blood sugar spikes and crashes, leaving you tired and uncomfortable. Over time, they may lead to long-term health issues.
• Spicy Foods: These can cause indigestion, heartburn, and general discomfort during pregnancy.

Safe Exercises to Do:

• Walking: A simple, low-impact way to stay fit without strain.
• Swimming: The water supports your body weight, which can relieve tension and make movement easier.
• Prenatal Yoga: Helps with flexibility and relaxation, while also preparing your body for labour.
• Pelvic Floor Exercises: Kegel exercises strengthen the pelvic muscles, which are essential for childbirth.

Exercises to Avoid:

• High-Impact Exercises: Avoid jumping or intense workouts.
• Heavy Weightlifting: Lifting heavy weights puts extra pressure on your back.
• Contact Sports: Sports like basketball or football increase the risk of injury.
• Exercises where you are on your back: Lying on your back can reduce blood flow to your baby, so avoid positions that require it.

• Blood Test

Blood tests check for anaemia at six months, ensuring your body has enough red blood cells to support your baby’s growth. They also screen for infections like HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis and assess your Rh factor to prevent complications.

• Ultrasound

An ultrasound between 22 - 26 weeks of pregnancy helps monitor your baby’s physical features and growth and checks the amniotic fluid levels. This is a standard procedure to ensure the baby's development is healthy.

• Glucose Screening

Your doctor may suggest a glucose screening test this month, especially if you're at risk for gestational diabetes due to factors like obesity, age, or a family history of diabetes. This test evaluates how well your body processes sugar. You will drink a glucose solution of a known concentration, and blood samples will be taken an hour later to check for potential gestational diabetes.

• Mental Health

Physical changes in month 6 of pregnancy become more noticeable and may impact your mood and hormonal fluctuations. Focus on self-care by staying connected with loved ones, staying active and nourished, and ensuring adequate rest. If you feel overwhelmed, consult a professional for the best advice.