Your Pregnancy: The Sixth Month

THE SIXTH MONTH (Weeks 21-24)

As your baby continues to grow, your body does too. Getting used to your larger body can be difficult, but it won’t last for too much longer!

Your Baby

By the end of this month your baby is nearly fully formed. However, his organs are still developing and his lungs are not yet developed enough to breathe on his own. Your baby’s head is nearly proportional to his body and his face is fully developed, right down to the eyelids and eyebrows. Although your baby’s eyes are still fused shut, he can sense light and dark. Your baby’s skin is no longer translucent and he is starting to gain fat to help keep him warm. His muscles are getting stronger, which you might be noticing as he kicks and squirms. He is also producing white blood cells which will help him to fight diseases.  Your baby is now just over a foot long and weighs one to one and a half pounds.

Your Body

By now, backaches, leg, and foot cramps have probably become familiar, if unwelcome parts of your life. You may also have noticed that your ankles and feet are swelling – you might even go up a shoe size. Get used to your bigger feet, they are here to stay. Unlike your tummy, after your baby is born your feet won’t get smaller again. At least now you have a good reason to buy new shoes! By now you have probably also noticed that you are secreting a clear to yellowish fluid called leukorrhea from your vagina. Indigestion, heartburn and hemorrhoids are probably still common. On the upside, your uterus is moving upwards and not putting as much pressure on your bladder, so you probably aren’t having to use the bathroom as much. You may also start to feel Braxton Hicks contractions. These small contractions are helping your body prepare for labor.

What You Need to Know

You’ve probably gained 10-15 pounds by now. Remember to keep eating healthy, stay hydrated and take those prenatal supplements. If you are suffering from hemorrhoids, make sure to eat a diet rich in fiber to keep from becoming constipated.

By now, you’ve probably noticed stretch marks on your legs, breasts, and abdomen. These will fade after birth, but will probably not go away completely. Consider using a stretch mark cream to help them fade.

How is that nursery coming along? Have you found a car seat yet? As you get bigger, you may have less energy to get these things in order. Now is a great time to start checking things off your list. You will also want to prepare for baby by deciding…

• Will you breastfeed or bottle feed?
• Will you use cloth diapers or disposables?
• If you are having a boy, will you have him circumcised?

Read More About the Different Months in Pregnancy:

• First Month
• Second Month
• Third Month
• Fourth Month
• Fifth Month
• Sixth Month
• Seventh Month
• Eighth Month
• Ninth Month

>Back to Article Library