What to expect when you are 6 months pregnant

Your baby’s continuing to grow 

• Baby’s hair is developing fast! If you could see it, you would not be able to tell baby’s hair colour as there’s no pigment yet.  Baby’s brain is growing rapidly and its thin, wrinkly translucent skin will become smoother in the third trimester.
• Your baby’s lungs are getting ready to breathe, producing branches and surfactant, a substance to help it breathe in the outside world. Plus, your baby practices inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid, movements that will later help it take its first whiff of air in the world. You may feel rhythmic movements which is your baby hiccupping.
• The nerves in your baby’s ears are developing and becoming more sensitive maybe even enabling it to differentiate between its parents voices. So talk to your baby. Tell them what you’re up to, what you see, what you hear, even what you feel.
• Your baby can now be measured from head to toe – previously, its legs were curled up against its torso, making it hard to measure.

Your body during the second trimester

• Mom is laughing – that’s great! Did you know that the baby is more and more aware of how you are feeling? Their perception is quite well developed in addition to all the other more obvious physical developments.
• Your abdomen is continuing to grow and you might start finding it difficult to fall asleep or suffer from insomnia. To sleep better, try sleeping on one side with a pillow under your tummy and one between your knees. As well, going to bed at regular times and napping during the day may help you to feel more rested.

Tips for you and baby

• As your baby bump gets bigger, there will be more strain on your back. It is important to sit and stand as straight as possible. You can practice this by trying to balance a book on your head. Try not to let your pelvis tip forward as you walk or stand. You can put a small cushion behind your back to support your upright posture if you are sitting for a long time.
• Are you feeling some heaviness in your legs? Are your ankles swollen? Here are some quick tips for relieving the problem:
  • Go for a walk – aim for 30 minutes a day. Walking helps the blood to circulate from your calves and carry fluid to other parts of your body
  • Elevate your feet – this seems like almost the opposite advice! Putting your feet up will help relieve pressure on your legs and ankles. Try sleeping with your legs elevated and on your left side to relieve the pressure of the baby lying on and compressing your larger blood vessels.
  • If however, you are concerned about swelling, or notice swelling in your face and/or your hands, see your doctor immediately. Some of these symptoms may indicate pre-eclampsia, a kind of high blood pressure common in pregnancy.
• Experiencing some reflux or heartburn? This is actually quite normal unfortunately. Here are some tips to help ease the symptoms:
  • Eat smaller meals more frequently and eat slowly.
  • Avoid greasy and spicy foods and carbonated beverages.
  • Try to wait at least an hour after you eat before lying down.  
  • Stay hydrated, especially between meals, and avoid iced or carbonated water.
  • Looking for more tips and advice? See Pregnancy and Dietary Considerations.