Fourth month of pregnancy: what are the symptoms and characteristics?

The 4th month of pregnancy marks the beginning of the 2nd trimester.

Despite many physical changes taking place in this quarter, the 4th month represents a more peaceful phase compared to the 1st trimester of pregnancy.

The size, rhythm and exact moment of the belly growth varies from woman to woman, but it is usually from here that this happens.

The accelerated enlargement of the belly can cause stretch marks on the skin, since it is not always prepared to be stretched in this way.

One way to reduce or prevent stretch marks is to keep your skin hydrated. You should drink a lot of water during the day!

Contents

How many weeks are 4 months of gestation?

The 4th month of gestation marks the beginning of the 2nd trimester. It is equivalent to the weeks number 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 of the pregnancy:

It is in this month that several changes occur and, also, it is here that it becomes possible to find out what the baby’s sex is through ultrasound.

From the 16th week, with a little luck with the child’s position, it is possible to know if it is a boy or girl.

In this phase, the child’s first movements take place. She opens and closes her hands, moves her eyes and mouth, and in some cases she may even try to stretch inside the uterus, as it is still quite small and has all the space inside.

However, this does not last long.

From the 2nd trimester, the baby starts to grow very fast.

What are the symptoms of the fourth month of pregnancy?

In the 4th month of gestation, the nausea, so common during the beginning, decreases and you can feel some changes in your body, which are the signs that there is a baby growing inside you.

Among them are:

  • Weight gain;
  • Itchy skin on the belly and breasts;
  • Stretch marks;
  • Fast heartbeat;
  • Rapid breathing;
  • Hunger;
  • Indigestion.

Characteristics of the fourth month of gestation

One of the main characteristics of the 4th month of pregnancy is the growth of the belly, since the beginning of the 2nd trimester, is the time when the baby grows the most.

Because of the increase in it, it can be difficult to find a sleeping position.

Try to lie on your side to avoid the weight of the belly on yourself, as well as your weight on the child.

The growth of the belly leads to another characteristic that begins at this stage and lasts the entire pregnancy: constipation and a higher frequency of peeing.

This is because as the uterus grows, it compresses the intestine and the bladder.

In the intestine, it can hinder the passage of the fecal bolus, which causes a certain constipation.

In the bladder, when there is something that compresses it, its space is reduced and it is necessary to go to the bathroom more often.

Pimples and dizziness are also common this month. Hormones can cause pimples and the dizziness is due to the fact that the heart is racing, since it has to work for two people.

Feeling sick, tired and cramping

During the fourth month of pregnancy, nausea is reduced compared to the first trimester. They may still be present, but they will be more unusual.

In addition, in general, other symptoms such as cramping and intense tiredness tend to be reduced as well.

If you feel you are getting very sick, remember to see your doctor.

In the fourth month the baby moves?

Yea! This is another major milestone for this month. It is precisely in the 4th month of pregnancy that the baby begins to move.

In the 1st week he will open and close his hands, move his eyes and mouth, but as time goes on, the movements can evolve.

At this stage, the child is still very small and has a lot of space, so it is possible for him to stretch into the womb!

However, as the month and quarter pass, the child’s space starts to get smaller (in fact, it is the baby that gets bigger), and kicks can become more common.

Caresses in the belly!

At the end of the 4th month of pregnancy the baby can already feel caresses that are made in the belly, so be sure to do them! It is important to talk to your baby as well.

So, he gets used to his voice.

This reinforces the bonds between mother and child, who in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy begin to be able to perceive what happens around them, including the maternal touches, caresses and conversations.

Training of the respiratory and digestive systems

It is in the 4th month that the baby’s digestive and respiratory system training begins. The child’s lungs begin to fill with amniotic fluid and it is at this stage that the first hiccups appear.

As the baby is still too small, it will be difficult to notice the hiccups.

However, as the months go by and the child grows, it is easier to feel those little leaps inside while he learns to breathe.

It is also in the 4th month that the child begins to swallow the amniotic fluid to practice the use of the digestive system.

This liquid is treated by the intestine and becomes meconium, which is eliminated by the anus.

In this phase, the baby receives nutrition through the umbilical cord and does not really need to eat, but all this training is essential so that when the child is out of the mother’s body, she can survive.

My belly is small. There’s something wrong?

The belly tends to grow a lot during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy and the first signs of this appear at the beginning of the 4th month. However, the real acceleration starts to come only around the 5th month.

This rate of growth varies widely from pregnancy to pregnancy, so you don’t have to worry about your belly size.

You will see that soon your baby will be well grown! It is expected that in the 4th month it will reach 200 grams, in addition to the amniotic fluid, which adds more volume.

How big is the baby in the fourth month of pregnancy?

In the 5th month the baby must exceed 400 grams. So don’t worry if your tummy still doesn’t look too good. Soon it will start to grow!

Remember that if you are very concerned, or if any unexpected symptoms appear, you can go to the obstetrician to clear your doubts.

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