Fourth month of pregnancy: changes in the body of the mother and fetus. Feelings of a woman in the fourth month of pregnancy, the size of the abdomen and development of the fetus, possible complications What is the size of the abdomen at 4 months of pregnancy

The fourth month opens the second trimester - the quietest and most comfortable period of pregnancy. By this time, the manifestations almost disappeared, the woman underwent an initial examination at the antenatal clinic, the recently formed placenta reliably protects the fetus from negative effects external environment... The unborn child has already formed all the organs, and the baby's life support system began to function.

Throughout fourth month pregnancy, the uterus increases very quickly in size. If by the beginning of the first week of this month it barely rises above the pubic joint, then by the end of the fourth month the bottom of the uterus approaches the level of the navel. Another significant change is the increase in blood volume by 30-40%. This increase in circulating blood volume puts more stress on the heart muscle. A healthy heart copes with it, and with pathology of cardiovascular activity, these changes can affect the work of the heart in a bad way.

An increase in the level of melanin in the blood affects the condition of the skin and hair - moles darken, age spots appear on the skin, the strip of skin between the navel and the pubic bone darkens, the skin of the perineum. These changes will disappear some time after childbirth. To somewhat reduce the intensity of the appearance of spots, you need to actively use sunscreen for faces.

The belly at 4 months of pregnancy may be completely absent, and most pregnant women still use conventional clothing. However, an increase in the volume of the waist is already noticeable, and in some women, the rounding of the abdomen. Since the uterus grows intensively, severe pain in the groin and lower abdomen may appear due to sprains. They pass as quickly as they appear.

Due to the increase in the total volume of fluid in the body, the woman feels. The volume of vaginal discharge also increases. The stress on the circulatory system causes a violation of the integrity of small vessels, bruises and nosebleeds. They may appear less often if the air is intensively humidified in the dwelling.

Due to frequent constipation, there may be prerequisites for - varicose veins of the rectum. Outside and inside the anus, venous nodules appear, which bleed when straining, become inflamed and swell.

A pleasant sensation for women who endure a second and subsequent pregnancies, and for slender, thin women, is the sensation of the first movements of the unborn child.

The placenta is a universal organ - it protects the fetus from pathogenic bacteria and viruses, synthesizes the necessary proteins and hormones, removes the waste products of the unborn child with venous blood, filters harmful substances, delivers oxygen and nutrients from the mother's body. Thanks to her, a woman manages to avoid accidents and not be afraid of termination of pregnancy due to the negative impact of the external environment.

The waste products of the child are urine, which the fetus excretes every 40-45 minutes into the amniotic fluid. The amniotic fluid is renewed every 2-3 hours, it is sterile, it has an unchanged chemical composition... Amniotic fluid protects the fetus from damage, stimulates the child's metabolism, and allows him to move freely. At 4 months of gestation, the fetus mimics breathing movements by drawing water into the lungs, training the respiratory system.

The weight of the fetus by the end of 4 months, and its growth increases from 12 to 20 cm.

The unborn child has already developed a swallowing and sucking reflex - from time to time he sucks on his finger. The arms are bent at the elbows, palms and fingers can fold into a fist, the fetus can grab the umbilical cord, touch its face. Despite the fact that the baby moves a lot and willingly in the uterine cavity, these gentle movements are not yet fully felt by the woman, it is easy to mistake them for sensations from intestinal motility.

A light and thin fluff appeared on the child's skin - lanugo. It covers the entire body of the fetus, and will disappear only after childbirth. The fluff helps to keep the original lubricant on the body, which protects the skin from the action of amniotic fluid. Eyebrows, hair, eyelashes are outlined on the head and face of the fetus. The formation of nails begins on the fingers.

The genitals of the child are in the process of formation, but its gender can already be determined. When conducting an ultrasound scan, it is still very difficult to distinguish a boy from a girl. In a male fetus, the prostate begins to develop, in future girls, the ovaries already contain eggs, and sank into the small pelvis from abdominal cavity.

The baby's ears gradually take their permanent place, rising from the side of the neck to where they should be. The formation of the inner ear has not yet been completed, but the baby is already reacting to loud noise. The sensitivity of the retina of the eye increased, and the fetus was able to raise and lower the eyelids.

The psychological state of a pregnant woman

Women who have their first pregnancy, in their fourth month, finally realize that expecting a baby can bring positive emotions. They begin to feel that they have an extremely important mission to fulfill, anxiously awaiting the first movements of the fetus. Those who already have children know that in the second trimester of pregnancy they will have the pleasure of joyful excitement during a kind of communication with an unborn child, from his first gentle, and then more and more tangible movements and movements.

During the fourth month of pregnancy, if there are no deviations from the normal course, the woman visits her doctor once. The obstetrician-gynecologist will evaluate the results of previously passed tests, ultrasound data. If the results of the smear test for urogenital infections are unfavorable, during the fourth month, you should undergo treatment with antibacterial drugs. After a course of therapy, a control examination of a vaginal smear is prescribed.

At the end of the fourth month, your doctor may order tests related to screening for the second trimester of pregnancy. It is carried out from 15 to 20 weeks of the gestational period. This screening includes a blood test, or "triple test", and another ultrasound.

Analysis of the concentration in the blood of the hormone hCG, or chorionic gonadotorpine;

Analysis for? -Fetoprotein (AFP);

Analysis for unconjugated (free) estriol.

If the level of these markers deviates significantly from the norm, there is a high risk of having a child with congenital abnormalities:

Cranial hernia;

Splitting of the anterior abdominal wall of the fetus.

Risk factors:

The woman's age is over 35;

Radiation influence;

Harmful working conditions;

Side effects of drugs;

The presence of children with pathologies in the family;

History of habitual miscarriage.

The increased content of markers indicating a high risk of anomalies in the results of screening the first and second trimester is a reason for amniocentesis. This study is voluntary, it consists of puncture of the uterus under ultrasound guidance to collect amniotic fluid. This is an extremely informative analysis, which is performed only with significant indications for it. One procedure in 200 ends in spontaneous abortion.

According to the results of the study of amniotic fluid, it is determined:

Genotype and sex of the fetus;

The level of? -Fetoprotein, indicating malformations of the central nervous system;

Since nausea no longer accompanies meals, the pregnant woman's appetite increases. You should not mindlessly consume various dishes, because there is a danger of weight gain in excess of the permissible norm. If you count from the initial weight to pregnancy, at this time the increase should be no more than 2-2.5 kg.

The optimal diet is to eat often, but little by little, without overeating. Most of the diet is consumed in the morning, during lunch and breakfast. In the morning they mainly eat cereals, dairy products, at lunchtime - hearty meals, and for the evening it is better to leave easily digestible foods. For snacks, it is better to use fruits and vegetables instead of cookies and sandwiches.

The use of salty foods is limited, it is better to undersalt food in order to avoid edema. Smoked meats, fatty and fried foods, semi-finished products are prohibited. Sweets and baked goods can lead to weight gain.

Foods are very useful. containing protein - meat, fish, cottage cheese, cheese. Dairy products will not only replenish the calcium deficiency in the body, but will also help to improve digestion and bowel function. For the recommended use of beef, liver, apples, dried apricots. In practice, your doctor will recommend supplementing this diet with iron supplements.
Problems 4 months - the threat of miscarriage and constipation

Despite the fact that the threat of miscarriage is no longer as great as in the first trimester, it still exists. The main reason is cervical-cervical insufficiency. It occurs due to the weakness of the muscle bundle, which normally keeps the internal os of the cervix tightly compressed. The cervical pharynx does not hold the fetal bladder for the following reasons:
The diagnosis of "cervical-cervical insufficiency" threatens infection of the membranes and fetal death. It is placed on palpation, confirmed by ultrasound. Treatment is with a surgical suture on the cervix or a ring on the cervix. A woman with such a diagnosis is strongly discouraged from exerting herself and doing housework.

Primary placental insufficiency is another risk factor for maintaining pregnancy. In this condition, the fetus does not receive the required amount of oxygen and nutrients due to endocrine disorders, the action of an infection or due to a genetic factor that manifests its effect before the 16th week of pregnancy.

Symptoms of placental insufficiency are similar to those of a miscarriage:
Due to insufficient supply of nutrients to the fetus, it can develop congenital malformations. Diagnostics - study of the level of placenta hormones in urine, blood and amniotic fluid.

Placental insufficiency treatment:
- Methionine;
  
  Soothing herbal preparations.
Bleeding

The appearance of bloody discharge, accompanied by pain in the abdomen and in the lower back, is a very dangerous symptom, indicating that a spontaneous abortion has begun. The discharge is bright red and may contain blood clots. If these symptoms appear, you should immediately seek emergency help. If action is taken in a timely manner, miscarriage can be prevented.

Minor painless discharge that appeared after intimate relationships may be a sign of cervical erosion. This condition should be treated after childbirth.
Intimate relationship

The well-being of a pregnant woman at 4 months significantly improves, she becomes more active and energetic. If the doctor sees no contraindications for intimate relationships, you should not refrain from them.

Possible contraindications:
In addition, for many women, under the influence of hormones, libido only increases, and positive emotional experiences will benefit them.

Video about the rules of behavior and features of the course of the fourth month, mandatory examinations:

Education: Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynecology was obtained at the Russian State Medical University of the Federal Agency for Healthcare and Social Development (2010). In 2013 completed postgraduate studies at N.N. N.I. Pirogova.

Fetus in the seventeenth week of pregnancy photo: babycenter.com

The most fertile period of pregnancy has come - the 2nd trimester. A third of the way has been covered. Behind the complexity of the first months: toxicosis, visiting doctors, taking tests. Anxiety and irritability are replaced by lightness and energy. It's time to breathe out and enjoy the position and new status. Pleasant changes await you.

4th month of pregnancy: signs

In the 2nd trimester, changes in the body future mother occur gradually, smoothly and do not greatly affect health. Symptoms of pregnancy at 4 months are mild and you may have experienced them in the previous months. Overall, this relatively calm period will leave a positive impression.

The placenta is fully ripe, and its work in ensuring the full and comfortable state of the baby is well established. In this regard, the volume of circulating blood in your body increases by an average of 40%. The heart starts to work harder. And if it is healthy, then such a load will not affect the general well-being.
Constipation is an unpleasant symptom of this period. Due to the size of the uterus and hormones, intestinal motility decreases, as a result of which this symptom occurs. If you do not pay attention to this, then hemorrhoids cannot be avoided, because the uterus will only grow. Therefore, it is better to take care of this now: drink more water, eat vegetables and fruits, walk and do gymnastics.
Unfortunately, many women develop warts at this stage (including intimate areas) that are alarming. These are condylomas. If they increase in size, you need to inform your doctor. Do not worry, they are removed without the risk of complications in your position.
Other skin changes include hyperpigmentation. Freckles may darken and birthmarks may grow. The strip from the navel to the pubis becomes more pronounced. Such changes are associated with the deposition of melanin, a substance that causes pigmentation. And the reason is in hormones, which are still engaged in restructuring within you. After giving birth, everything will return to its place.

To prevent pigmentation, use safe cosmetics with sunscreens. If you want to lighten existing spots, you can do this with masks based on lemon juice or fermented milk products.

Active growth of hair and nails will delight any woman. In addition, their condition will significantly improve, which even those around them will notice.
The mammary glands will continue to enlarge, especially the areola - the area that covers the nipples.

The fourth month of pregnancy usually brings more calmness and regularity to the life of the expectant mother. She is already accustomed to her new position, her body has adapted to the revolutionary changes characteristic of the past first trimester, the main dangers for the mother and the fetus are left behind.

It is not yet so hard to carry a child, a woman is active and full of energy. She enjoys her position and new status.

general information

The fourth month of pregnancy opens the second trimester, which is often called "golden", because the woman's condition still allows her to do whatever she likes, not to limit herself much in nutrition and physical activity, at the same time she is no longer so worried about the outcome of pregnancy, because the threat of miscarriage is significantly reduced after the end of the first trimester.

The fourth month includes 14, 15, 16, 17 weeks and partially covers several days from 18 weeks. Four full obstetric months - 16 weeks, but obstetric months differ from the calendar ones in that they have exactly 4 weeks, and in the calendar - a little more.

Thus, if we calculate pregnancy in obstetric months, then it lasts 10 months, and in calendar months - a little more than nine.

Baby development

The fetus has achieved great success: absolutely everything is formed in it. internal organs and the systems and they are all already working, except for the lungs. But the lungs do not mess around either - they begin to occasionally swell and contract - the baby "rehearses" breathing movements. This will allow his chest to expand on spontaneous breathing after birth. It will be interesting to know how the child feels on a weekly basis.

14 week

Imagine a ripe peach. This is the size of the child now. He grew up to 13-14 centimeters and put on weight up to 50 grams. With such a solid growth, the weight is too small. Therefore, the baby looks rather pitiful - a very thin, wrinkled and red baby, who lacks subcutaneous fatty tissue, does not in any way look like the images of cute dolls from posters about pregnancy and childbirth. But this is temporary.

The hairline on the head began to grow - there are children who already have a very impressive hairstyle under the length, but so far all the kids, without exception, are blond. There are still no pigments in the child's body that color the skin and hair. But your baby has already acquired its own identification mark - fingerprints. The pattern of skin on the fingertips is not repeated, your baby is already unique.

The optic nerve reaches the stage of development at which the baby no longer needs to be in constant darkness. The eyes, which continue to form, are already beginning to distinguish light from darkness. If you send a very bright light to the woman's tummy, then the baby will begin to squint and his movements will become more restless and active.

The brain begins to gradually establish control over the work of the organs and systems of a small organism. But it is too early to talk about fully coordinated movements. By the way, at the current time, the child has mastered a smile, but here it is so far unconscious, this is a reflex contraction of facial muscles.

15 week

Your treasure in the womb becomes smarter - at this time the first convolutions and grooves on the brain begin to appear. In this regard, new cells of the nervous system - neurons - begin to form at a breakneck speed. They interact and form the first neural connections.

The kid becomes more mobile. A thick lubricant covers his entire body, which protects the parchment-thin skin from the effects of amniotic fluid. The lubricant is fixed on the skin by a layer thin hair, devoid of pigmentation - lanugo. As the leather gets tighter, the lanugo will begin to fall out and the grease will disappear. By birth, she will remain only in deep skin folds.

The child has grown to 16 centimeters. Finally, the weight has shifted from its place - now it reaches almost 100 grams. The liver works, the work of the gallbladder and ducts begins. Bile, entering the intestines, stains the original feces (meconium) dark green or even black. This is how the baby will be emptied for several days after giving birth.

Boys get their own sex hormone this week. Testosterone begins to be synthesized. Girls do not have their own sex hormones yet - they grow well under the influence of mother's hormones.

16 week

It is believed that at this time, babies begin to dream. But physiologists are sure this is a delusion. Dreams will become available to babies a little later, when certain areas of the brain mature, but for now, small tremors of the eyeballs under tightly closed eyelids can only be regarded as the beginning of the work of the oculomotor muscles. Their formation has just finished. The eyelids themselves have acquired cilia. The frontal lobe of the brain is actively growing, so the forehead begins to protrude somewhat forward.

Your baby has grown up to 17 centimeters, and the weight gain was about 30-40 grams, now it weighs almost 130 grams.

All muscles have formed, but not all of them are functional yet. Facial mimic muscles are among the first to acquire the ability to move and contract, and the arsenal of different faces and grimaces expands.

The hearing aid goes to a new level - now the sounds of the high-frequency range are available to the crumbs. He hears the phone ringing, and already distinguishes his mother's voice from his father's.

The baby has a blood type and Rh factor, and his own hemoglobin appears at the current time. Ultrasound scanning can accurately determine the sex of the child.

17 week

The child has mastered what adults will diligently wean him from after birth - he spits and yawns. His appearance takes on individual characteristics. If the embryos are similar to each other, then at this stage obvious differences are outlined - the characteristic shape of the nose or high forehead, long eyelashes or thick eyebrows. The baby begins to acquire those external features that are bestowed on him by nature and the genome from his parents.

The baby has grown up to 20 centimeters, weighs more than 160 grams and now the weight will come more actively, because from this week subcutaneous fatty tissue begins to form in order to gradually rid the child of thinness.

The baby can make the first conscious movements - previously they were all involuntary. An instinctive skill that saves people's lives is formed - the instinct of self-preservation. If the child is now frightened by a loud sound, he will shrink and group.

Already now, multiparous can begin to feel the first movements of the baby. Primiparous ladies will have to wait a couple more weeks.

Well-being of the expectant mother

Life is getting better, and this is felt even by those who suffered from toxicosis, incredible in strength. The woman notices that she has become better looking (in most cases, this is exactly the case). Hair becomes shinier, nails stronger, skin color and condition improve. All this is done for the expectant mother by the hormone progesterone, which creates all the conditions for the successful bearing of offspring.

The state of health is facilitated in several ways at once. The psychological and emotional background is gradually starting to level out. Unstable reactions, raging emotions and tearfulness become a thing of the past with irritability, as the psyche adapts to new conditions. The growing uterus rises higher, it has already gone beyond the pelvis and is now in the abdominal cavity. Its size does not yet greatly constrain other internal organs, so there is no strong inconvenience, but relief is evident - the pressure on the bladder has decreased, frequent urination ceases to bother the expectant mother.

The breast grows by another half the size and is now a matter of special pride for a woman. The nipples may darken and may have small bumps called Montgomery bumps. The chest usually does not hurt at this time, there are only slight sensations of increased sensitivity in the nipple area. In multiparous, colostrum may begin to be secreted.

Progesterone does everything to make the child comfortable in the uterus - it stores glucose and fat in the female body in case of hunger, softens the uterine muscles, relieves tone. But he also has side effects - so, it is he (and not the growth of hair on the baby's head, as many think) that becomes the cause of frequent heartburn, increased gas formation and periodic disturbance of the intestines.

Increased fatigue is often referred to as signs of pregnancy at this period, but it does not compare with the half-asleep state in which the woman stayed during the first trimester.

A woman's taste preferences continue to change, her quirks appear. Some begin to eat salty, although they did not like such food before, others want to smell the rails in the subway, and still others demand that their husband urgently get them fresh strawberries in February. This is not due to whims, as many think. The woman actually needs what she asks for. For a long time, medicine has tried to explain this need by the fact that the child lacks something that is contained in the desired product. But recently this version was abandoned, leaving the reasons unexplained.

When walking or standing for a long time, the lower back hurts. But this does not mean that the pain is sharp. We are talking about a slight stretching in the lower abdomen and lower back - such sensations are caused by the onset of stretching of the ligaments that hold the uterus. It's okay, don't worry.

In a calm state, lying on their backs, women who give birth not for the first time, at the end of the third month, can already feel the first movements of the baby. The more active a woman is, the more she moves, the less chances of feeling the jolts of the crumbs so early. Usually, a woman feels the first stirring in the evening, before going to bed, when she is completely relaxed.

Stomach

The belly at 4 months of pregnancy can already be visually indicated. It will appear earlier in thin women. For obese ladies, the "interesting position" may be imperceptible even at a later date. The abdomen grows due to the exit of the uterus from the small pelvis and its gradual rise up. The tummy looks very neat, it is small, and at the same time there is no point in guessing whether there is a boy in it or a girl in the shape of the abdomen - this is already shown by ultrasound, besides folk method sex determination by the shape and size of the abdomen does not stand up to any sound criticism.

A fast-growing belly is characteristic of women with a narrow pelvis, as well as polyhydramnios and multiple pregnancies. The tummy will grow slowly in women with wide hips, oligohydramnios, attachment of the placenta along the back wall.

If a woman does not want others to reveal her secret, while you can not worry - the tummy is not too noticeable, at any moment you can say that you just got better, and they will still believe you. Do not squeeze the growing fetus with clothing with tight belts, tight-fitting clothing. It's time to start wearing looser models that don't put any pressure on your stomach. Moreover, it is impossible to tighten the stomach - it can be deadly for the crumbs.

Weight gain

It is imperative to monitor the weight gain from this period. It is optimal, of course, to do this from the very beginning of pregnancy, as a last resort, at least to know your initial weight before pregnancy. From 4 months, the placenta is actively growing and developing, and therefore the amount of blood in the body of the expectant mother sharply increases. This fact alone leads to an increase. In the first trimester, a woman could already gain several kilograms or could lose weight due to nausea, toxicosis and the inability to eat normally, but now she will only gain and nothing else.

It is important to control weight weekly at home, and once a month at a scheduled appointment with a doctor, report on your own measurements. This will help the doctor quickly notice a possible tendency to excess body weight, as well as earlier to suspect invisible and very dangerous internal edema that may appear in the expectant mother.

The following indicators can be considered the norm for weight gain for this month (depending on the woman's weight before pregnancy):

for very thin women, it is permissible to add 4.5 kilograms from the beginning of pregnancy to their original weight;
for women of normal physique without signs of excess weight - 3-3.5 kg;
for women who are overweight - no more than 2.5 kilograms.

If a woman gained 6 kilograms by the middle of the fourth month, this is a clear excess. It is imperative to discuss this situation with the doctor. Excess weight, which will be acquired now, can cause severe gestosis in the third trimester, complications of childbirth. It can cause fetal hypoxia, as well as hypertension in women.

Toxicosis

Symptoms of toxicosis by the beginning of 4 months recede in 80% of women who suffered from them at an early stage, and by the end of 4 months only one in 10 such women continues to experience unpleasant sensations, but they are noticeably easier for her than they were before. The woman's immunity adapted to the new endocrine conditions, he stopped fighting and fighting with the fetus, the child is no longer threatened with intrauterine death due to the inadequate response of the mother's immune system. The placenta began to work, and therefore the load on the woman's blood circulation and her metabolism changed. It is with this that the disappearance of toxicosis is associated.

If all this happened, enjoy your special position and status. If, nevertheless, there is nausea, there is an intolerance to odors, then try to follow these recommendations:

add more protein food to the diet (do not overdo it, 100 grams will be enough plus to the existing menu);
agree with the doctor on the possibility of taking salty food - salt helps to cope with nausea and its consequences, restores the salt balance, but do not forget about drinking plenty of fluids;
try not to eat in large portions, divide the diet into 6-7 meals, make each portion small so that it can be absorbed faster;
eat more vegetables and fruits;
keep a bottle of essential oil lemon - for a nausea attack, add a drop to your wrist and breathe in for about a minute.

If all else fails (which is rare), see your doctor for help.

What is allowed and what is prohibited during this period?

Colds, flu and other diseases that can lie in wait anywhere are no longer as dangerous in the fourth month as in the first trimester. This is due to the full fulfillment of its duties by the placenta - it is an additional protective barrier between the child and the female body. But it's still better to take care of yourself.

If now you want to fly on a long-awaited vacation, you can safely go for it - the flight will not hurt, flying on an airplane during this period is not prohibited. Even if the airline representatives notice your situation, they will not ask for a medical certificate confirming the safety of your trip. If you are flying to the sea, try to avoid overheating and long exposure to the sun.

Sex is not prohibited, unless the doctor has a different opinion on this matter. A different opinion appears if there is a threat, problems with the cervix, placenta previa. In other cases, the spouses are free to do whatever - the stomach does not bother them yet. But already now it is worth avoiding positions in which the partner will put his weight on the woman's belly.

Prohibited and Dangerous:

smoke and take alcoholic beverages, psychotropic substances;
accept any medicines without the knowledge and approval of the doctor;
eating raw meat and drinking milk that has not been pasteurized;
lift weights and arrange for yourself difficult physical tests and loads;
wear tight clothes;
contact with chemicals;
wear high-heeled shoes (the center of gravity is already changing).

Remember that any self-medication is strictly prohibited. Menstruation cannot go on at 4 months, and therefore when bloody or smearing brown discharge appears, especially if the lower abdomen is pulling, the best that a woman can do is contact an ambulance. Bleeding is an urgent condition, and if timely provided medical care the child can still be saved. If there is a nosebleed, an "ambulance" is not needed. Just apply ice to the bridge of your nose. With pregnant women, after an increase in the amount of circulating blood, nosebleeds can be quite common.

At 4 months, you can start taking a course of psychological preparation for childbirth. This will be beneficial, because the knowledge gained during the preparation will help a woman to survive the third trimester more easily and to orient herself correctly at the moment when labor begins.

You are now in your fourth obstetric month - one of the most comfortable periods for carrying your baby. Toxicosis ceases to torment you, appetite appears, and you feel a surge of strength. You need to know what is happening to your body and your baby at 4 months of pregnancy. And we will try to help you understand this issue.

The 4th obstetric month of your pregnancy has begun. Your due date is calculated in obstetric months, which is exactly four weeks (28 days). Are you wondering: "4 months pregnant: how many weeks is it?" From a medical point of view, this is the period from the 13th to the 16th obstetric week.

4 weeks pregnant: what happens to the fetus?

Undoubtedly, you are wondering what your baby looks like at 4 months of pregnancy, how long it will take for him to move. The baby's body is not yet proportional: the arms are already proportional to the body, but the legs are still short. The size of the fetus at 4 months of pregnancy: height - 13 cm, weight - about 60-70 grams.

Your baby is already beginning to form the external genitalia. But it is not yet clear whether it is a girl or a boy.

Now the baby's nervous system is actively developing, his skin becomes sensitive. The child's facial features become noticeable. And even at such a short time, he is already smiling, frowning and frowning. Your baby is already quite developed - he sucks his finger, turns his head, stretches, yawns, squeezes his fingers into a fist and plays with his legs and arms. At the end of the fourth obstetric month, many expectant mothers already notice the movements of their baby. They may still be very weak, but in the future they will become more and more stronger.

During this period of intrauterine development, your child already begins to synthesize his hemoglobin, the pituitary gland and adrenal cortex are functioning more actively. The baby's body is becoming more and more independent.

What does the belly look like at 4 months of pregnancy

Is the belly growing and how much is it visible at 4 months of pregnancy? During this period, as a rule, external changes are not particularly noticeable. What the belly looks like at 4 months of pregnancy depends largely on your constitution. If this is your first pregnancy, then the belly does not protrude much (the uterus has just begun to go beyond the pelvis). With repeated pregnancies during this period, the abdomen is already quite noticeable, since the ligaments holding the uterus are already stretched. At this time, the belly does not hinder movements yet, and you feel quite comfortable.
The uterus begins to grow rapidly, the volume of amniotic fluid is about 300 ml. By this time, you could have already gained 5-7 kg (and this is normal). The uterus is now located between the navel and the pubic bone.

4 month pregnancy sensations

By the 4th month of pregnancy, the symptoms and sensations of the first trimester practically disappear or occur only occasionally. Your appetite and well-being have already noticeably improved due to the absence of nausea. But symptoms such as:

dizziness;
slight pain in the lower abdomen due to stretching and thickening of the ligaments of the uterus;
headache;
bleeding from the nose;
profuse white vaginal discharge;
sensations of slight suffocation;
involuntary discharge of urine, etc.

All of these symptoms are caused by hormonal changes in your body and are acceptable and normal.

If you begin to notice swelling of the arms and legs, an increase in blood pressure and deterioration of health, you must consult a doctor.

A sharp weight gain in combination with severe swelling may indicate kidney problems. Therefore, during this period it is very important to diagnose the existing pathologies in a timely manner and cure them. At this time, pyelonephritis may occur, which is caused by the influence of the hormone progesterone.

It is also important to monitor changes in the color of urine and discharge. If your urine often has pink color or cloudy, inform your doctor. You also need to urgently consult a gynecologist if you find brown or bloody discharge from the vagina.

4 months of bearing a baby is a period of relative calm and well-being. All stress factors associated with the appearance of a child in the family and early toxicosis have long passed. However, the difficulties of delivery and carrying a child who has reached large sizes far ahead. During this period, you can enjoy life and do everything possible to protect yourself and your baby from possible complications.

4 months is how many weeks of pregnancy?

The fourth month of pregnancy is 16 obstetric weeks, or approximately 18 calendar weeks. The difference is due to the fact that in the obstetric month there are always four weeks of 7 days (28 days in total). Such a calculation was introduced for the convenience of planning the timing of pregnancy and childbirth. The beginning of this period is 13 weeks, and the end is 16.

Changes that occur in a woman's body

Already in the fourth month of pregnancy, the female body is undergoing colossal transformations. They relate to both external factors, such as changes in the shape, color and size of the abdomen, and the restructuring of the functional activity of almost all organs.

External changes

From 13 to 16 weeks, those around and the pregnant woman herself may notice the following changes:

Breast augmentation by 1-2 sizes. This process is caused by hyperplasia of the glandular tissue of the mammary gland under the influence of estrogens and the intensive growth of the vessels that feed it.
Enlargement of the areolae of the nipples by 3 times.
Weight gain. Until the end of 4 months, the weight gain is insignificant. It is only 1 - 3 kg. This trend is explained by the fact that the active growth of the fetus and the organs that feed it begins from the 5th month.
Increased skin pigmentation. Areas of hyperpigmentation appear on the face, neck, and perineum. The formation of a "pregnancy line" on the abdomen is characteristic. The appearance of brown spots on the skin is due to the increased production and accumulation of melanin.
Signs varicose veins veins. Usually, such symptoms disappear after childbirth, and in the presence of an illness before pregnancy, it becomes more severe. Small spider veins appear on the skin of the legs, usually the legs, and bluish veins appear through the skin.
The belly looks more voluminous than in the photo taken before pregnancy. You can forget about the "bad" times. The uterus is located 11-12 centimeters above the bosom, so it can be clearly visualized.
The beginning of fetal movements.
The ability to listen to the fetal heartbeat. By the end of 4 months of pregnancy, it is already possible to observe the baby's cardiac activity.

Internal feelings of a woman

In the body of the expectant mother, many new processes take place for her, so the sensations also change. The following symptoms may be observed:

A slight increase in temperature in the early stages, which worsens the general condition. By the beginning of the 2nd trimester, the temperature curve returns to normal.
Problems with gums and teeth begin. Thinning of the enamel is observed against the background of a deficiency of trace elements and the likelihood of caries formation increases. The gums begin to bleed actively (due to the lack of iron and vitamin C), therefore, preventive rinsing is recommended oral cavity anti-inflammatory solutions.
Dizziness and fainting. Any violation of the daily routine can lead to similar conditions. You need to get enough sleep, eat more fruits and vegetables, and walk more often in the fresh air.
Against the background of changes in the intensity of blood flow in the gastrointestinal tract, dyspeptic disorders often occur. For example, heartburn.

Is there toxicosis?

As a rule, by the end of the 1st trimester of pregnancy (13 weeks), the signs of early toxicosis have already disappeared. However, in some cases, vomiting and nausea do not stop and linger for longer periods. Toxicosis causes a lot of problems. Not only the subjective attitude of a woman to pregnancy is changing, but also the state of the body as a whole against the background of a constant lack of all the necessary substances.

Discharge at 4 months

Normally, the 4th month of pregnancy should be accompanied by clear or whitish discharge. Brown discharge from the genital tract may indicate the presence of bleeding (abruption and placenta previa). The appearance of discharge with a yellowish or greenish color indicates the development of an inflammatory process.

Medical examinations

In the normal course of pregnancy, a meeting with a doctor at this time should take place only once. When visiting a specialist, the following will be carried out:

Ultrasound procedure. An ultrasound scan is performed to assess the development of the baby, determine the number of children and their gender. Usually at 4 months, severe defects of the central nervous, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems are already visible.
Doppler ultrasonography - determination of the state of the uteroplacental blood flow. It allows you to evaluate various disorders in the "mother-placenta-fetus" system and timely diagnose such abnormalities as intrauterine fetal hypoxia, fetal growth and development retardation, as well as any pathologies of attachment and position of the placenta.
Determination of the level of a-fetoprotein. The norm for this period is from 15 kU / l to 16 kU / l. The level of the hormone increases with multiple pregnancies, malformations of the nervous system of the fetus (spina bifida, absence of the brain), the presence of Down syndrome, Klinefelter's syndrome and fetal growth retardation.
UAC. Allows you to identify or exclude the presence of anemia, infectious and inflammatory processes, and also to characterize the action of the immune system in relation to the fetus.
OAM. With this method, an idea of the general condition of the kidneys and urinary tract is obtained. Allows to exclude pregnancy pyelonephritis, which often begins to develop at this time.
Determination of body weight. The procedure is needed to assess weight gain.
Blood pressure measurement is used for the timely diagnosis of the most serious complication of pregnancy - preeclampsia.

Changes in the daily routine

Features of the daily regimen for a pregnant woman who is 4 months pregnant can be represented as follows:

frequent walks in the fresh air: in parks, forests;
regular ventilation of the premises (at least 2-3 times a day);
ensuring adequate sleep - 8 - 10 hours a day;
providing time for daytime rest and, if possible, sleep.

Nutrition and drinking regime

A woman should receive a maximum of vitamins, micro- and macroelements, minerals, valuable nutrients that are extremely necessary for a child growing in the womb. Deficiency of any of the listed components can lead to various diseases of the fetus.

For the 4th month, a pregnant woman gains 1.5 - 2 kg in weight, the calorie content of food should be increased. The first 2 meals should be as nutritious as possible, lunch and afternoon tea should be medium-calorie, and dinner and snack before bed should be dietary. The volume of consumed liquid should not exceed 2 - 2.5 liters. If you follow the drinking regimen, complications such as edema of pregnant women and preeclampsia will not threaten in the future, and kidney function will not be impaired.

It is recommended to eat as many fresh vegetables and fruits as possible. Instead of frying, give preference to stews or steaming (in a double boiler or multicooker). The diet should have the required amount of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iodine, vitamin C and group B.

To prevent anemia, it is advisable to eat more foods that are rich in iron (dried apricots, beef, pomegranate, pork liver). Improve the digestion of porridge, vegetable and butter, whole grain bread.

Physical exercise

It is recommended to do exercises for the muscles of the back, legs, abs and to increase functional activity. Workouts should be done no more than 2-3 times a week for 30 to 45 minutes. The following exercises may be suggested:

25 - 30 squats;
alternation of deep inhalation and exhalation 3 times in a row in the supine position;
raising and lowering legs alternately 20 - 25 times;
alternating throwing out of the right and left legs in the supine position;
in a position on all fours - retraction of the abdomen.

A good result for strengthening immunity, increasing endurance, improving general condition was shown by such sports activities as swimming, yoga, water aerobics. It is recommended that you devote about 60 minutes of time to these activities at least four times a week.

Intimate life

If the pregnancy proceeds without complications, sex is not prohibited. If during the examination contraindications were identified, sexual activity should be abandoned:

the threat of termination of pregnancy;
multiple pregnancy;
infectious and inflammatory diseases of the reproductive and urinary systems.

Many expectant mothers are thinking about which method of contraception to choose. It should be remembered that during pregnancy you need to use barrier methods of contraception (male or female condom, vaginal rings). These methods serve as a reliable means of prevention various diseases, including sexually transmitted infections, which can cause irreparable harm to the health of the fetus.

Possible complications

By the end of the fourth month, the laying of all organs and systems of the fetus has been completed, therefore, the "critical" periods are already behind. Any complications from the fetus are echoes of the early stages of pregnancy. In the 2nd trimester, you should undergo all the necessary examinations in order to identify complications such as fetal hypoxia and placental abruption in time.