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When you are 4 months pregnant or around 17-20 weeks, in general, you begin to feel fetal movements. The shape of the fetus's face also looks clearer and can be seen in the results of the 4-dimensional ultrasound.
If in the 3rd month of pregnancy you can still wear some loose, ordinary clothes, at this time you will most likely need to wear pregnant clothes and pants. In this 4th month, the fetus will get bigger with a face that is increasingly formed clearly.
How is Fetus Growth?
At 4 months pregnant, your fetus will be approximately 5 inches (13 cm) in size and weigh around 140 grams. The headshell which is composed of cartilage begins to harden. The spinal cord begins to be enveloped by a protective layer called myelin. Meanwhile, sweat glands also begin to develop throughout his body. The umbilical cord, which is a channel for food sources, will also strengthen and expand.
17 weeks pregnant
- The body of the fetus will enlarge following the head so that its form becomes more proportional.
- His face looks more like a human with the growth of eyebrows and eyelashes.
- Even though her eyelids were closed, her eyeballs could move. His mouth began to open and close.
- Fingers and fingerprints begin to form. His hands began to clench.
- The fetus can respond to sounds from the outside, such as the sound of music. Although you may not always be able to feel fetal movements.
- His body does not store much fat so it looks wrinkled.
18 weeks pregnant
- The blood vessels have appeared on the surface of the skin.
- His ears began to look shaped, though not yet perfect.
- At this age, the sex of the fetus can be identified.
- Starting from this week until the 20th week, the mother begins to feel more clearly the fetal movements.
19 weeks pregnant
- The fetus can swallow amniotic fluid and its kidneys can produce urine.
- The hair on the head starts to grow.
- Nerves to smell, feel, see, hear and touch begin to form in the brain.
20 weeks pregnant
- The body of the fetus begins to be protected by a layer of fat called vernix caseosa. This layer protects the skin of the fetus for a long time in the amniotic fluid.
- Your fetus will swallow more. His body will absorb water in the amniotic fluid and flow into the large intestine.
- At week 20, the fetus is approximately 10.2 inches (26 cm) in size and weighs 300 grams.
Read also: 1 Month Pregnancy: Hormone Change and Morning Sickness
What are the changes that occur in your body?
During 4 months of pregnant or 17-20 weeks, pregnant women can feel fetal movements. The stomach that continues to expand makes the organs of the body such as the intestines shift position and the body needs to adjust its posture.
As the effect of the womb expands, some areas of the skin of the abdomen will experience stretching and hyperpigmentation so that there may be a black line on the bottom of your stomach. Normal hair loss in pregnancy begins to subside, so the hair looks thicker like before.
Other problems that may be felt during pregnancy for 4 months are lack of sleep, fatigue, and headaches. If the headache is very severe, you should immediately consult yourself because it can be a symptom of certain diseases.
What do you need to check?
In addition to general conditions such as blood pressure, body temperature, and maternal/fetal body weight, there is also disease monitoring. If there is a history of hereditary disease, during 4 months of pregnancy, you can take a special examination to detect abnormalities in the fetus.
If you have an allergic condition, it is likely that during this pregnancy the condition will be more pronounced. Although relatively normal, you can see a doctor if allergies are too disturbing. The doctor will make sure the medicines you consume are safe for the fetus.
What do you need to pay attention to?
The following are things that can be done and need to be avoided during 4 months of pregnancy or 17-20 weeks:
- An enlarged uterus is likely to make your body balance disturbed. So if previously used to wearing high heels, now is the time to prefer to wear flat shoes.
- Difficulty sleeping in pregnant women is a condition that is common in this period. Use an extra pillow on the side of the body to support the stomach. The best position is to sleep sideways so that the blood vessels are not depressed by the weight of the uterus. Lying on your back can make you dizzy because of the limited blood flow to the heart.
- Make sure you eat healthy foods that meet your body's iron requirements so the fetus can form red blood cells. Iron is commonly found in poultry, fish, lean red meat, and spinach. At this time, it is likely that you will feel the pain that is often felt in the thighs or legs, called sciatic nerve pain.
- Keep doing sports that are safe for pregnant women.
- Be aware of certain symptoms such as bleeding that can be a sign of a serious condition. Excessive itching can also be a symptom of liver disorders, namely obstetric cholestasis.
After you begin to feel fetal movements during 4 months of pregnancy, the fetus will be more clear as a baby for 5 months pregnant. From the fetal movement which was only limited to a smooth kick will turn into a stronger feeling. The good news, pregnancy symptoms such as nausea and frequent urination will subside so that it can be a period that is most enjoyed by pregnant women.
Read also: 5 Month Pregnancy: The Period Often Considered Most Comfortable
