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How you baby is growing
To continue with the fruit comparisons, your baby is now the size of a mango at around five or six inches long and seven ounces in weight.

Vernix Caseosa is now covering the whole body. This is a greasy white substance made from a mixture of lanugo, dead skin cells and oil and is vital to protect your baby from the effects of the amniotic fluid. Without it your baby's skin would have the prune-like appearance of a nine month bath! Some babies are born with vernix still on their skin, especially if they are premature.

In the brain, nerve cells that have the job of specialising for the sensory systems of taste, touch, smell, sight and hearing are forming complex connections. At this stage sensory development is accelerating and your baby will be aware of many sounds and also any stress that you may be feeling.

The arms and legs are now in the correct proportions, the kidneys continue producing urine and fine hair is growing on the scalp.

How your life's changing
From now on you will grow faster in the weeks to come. Your uterus has grown well into your abdomen - the top of it probably reaches your belly button. From now on it will grow at about a centimetre per week. You may also notice some aching in your lower abdomen. It's nothing to be alarmed about - it's just the stretching of your muscles and ligaments supporting your bump. 

Many pregnant women worry that they won't be able to cope with the pain of labour and childbirth. Some women consider an elective caesarean to avoid the problem completely, but this isn't necessarily a good idea as the risks with a caesarean delivery are much higher than with a normal delivery and there will still be pain involved, albeit after the birth. There are many effective forms of pain relief available in maternity units. You could try some of the self help relief first, including labouring in a birthing pool which can help women cope with the pain of labour without any drugs at all. The more you find out about what is available or what you can try, the more in control you will feel and the less worried you will be. 

Getting a good night's sleep when you're pregnant can be difficult, particularly if you have heartburn or indigestion. If that's the case then food will be the last thing on your mind, but some pregnant women wake up in the night with hunger pangs and have to have a midnight feast before they can get back to sleep. Another cause of disrupted nights may be your partner's elbow in your side because pregnancy can cause nasal congestion resulting in - yes, you guessed it - snoring. Follow our tips for a good night's sleep.

Pregnancy tip: soothe aching muscles
"Try gently massaging your ligaments or use a heat pad, hot water bottle or warmed facecloth. If the ache continues, if it's one-sided or if it's down your back, it's a good idea to get it checked by your doctor." - Anonymously share your tips below or you can discuss with others on maya voice.

Community
If you're still in your teens and want to get to know other young mums, visit our community on maya voice and talk about it being anonymous too!

Things to consider
Try and have as much bananas as possible. They're an excellent source of B vitamins, important for your baby's nervous system. Follow our easy tips for getting more fruit and vegetables into your diet. 

Read or sing to your baby now he can hear. It's a nice way for dad to get involved in the pregnancy too. 

Hammer out the details of your maternity leave with your boss. 


Why it's safer to eat thoroughly-cooked eggs when you're pregnant.