6 Months Pregnant: Baby Development, Symptoms, And Care Tips

If you are 6 months pregnant, you will be happy to know that you are in the final month of your second trimester, and only three months away from giving birth to your little one. By this month, your belly will appear protruded, and you will have a clear pregnancy radiance in your skin. Your little one also grows quickly during this time, and hence, you may notice some dramatic changes in your body.

In this post, we inform you about your baby’s development at six months of pregnancy, the symptoms that you may experience, potential pregnancy complications, and precautions that you should take during this month.

Your Baby’s Development At 6 Months Pregnant

The sixth month of pregnancy constitutes weeks 21-24. During this time, your baby will grow from the size of a carrot to as big as an ear of corn. Your baby will also attain distinct facial features by now. 

We have created a table to help you better understand your baby’s development at six months of pregnancy.

Your Baby’s Position And Movements In The 6th Month Of Pregnancy

During this month, there is more space inside the womb for your baby to move freely and attain various positions.

Regarding their movements, by this time, you will be able to feel your baby wiggle and roll inside. Your baby’s kicks will also be stronger and a sleeping pattern will be established.

Symptoms Experienced At 6 Months Pregnant

Due to your little one’s steady growth spurt, you may experience a number of pregnancy symptoms during this month. The most common ones include:

• Fatigue: Since your body is working more to nurture your baby, you may feel tired easily, though not as much as compared to the previous trimester.
• Constipation: The hormones produced in your body during pregnancy relax your intestinal muscles, causing the slow movement of food in the digestive tract. This may further lead to constipation.
• Nasal congestion: An increase in the production of oestrogen hormone results in the swelling of your nasal passage lining, causing congestion.
• Swollen ankles: The increased water retention in your body and the pressure put by the growing uterus on your veins restrict the backflow of blood, leading to edema or swollen ankles.
• Vaginal discharge: During this time, your cervix and vaginal walls soften, causing white vaginal discharge, which further prevents bacteria from travelling to your uterus through the vagina. 
• Backache: The growing uterus puts extra pressure on your lower back. Also, as your pregnancy progresses, the joint ligaments in your pelvic and lower back area stretch. Both these factors could lead to backache.
• Braxton Hicks contractions: Some women may also experience painless contractions during this month. It is totally normal and a way your body prepares for delivery.
• Bleeding gums: Hormonal changes and an increase in blood flow could cause swelling and bleeding gums during pregnancy.

Physical Changes At 6 Months Pregnant

The physical changes that you may experience during the sixth month of pregnancy include:

• Darkening of the linea nigra: due to hormonal changes and weight gain, the line that runs down from your belly button to the pubis may appear darker.
• Stretch marks: The growing uterus causes tiny tears in your skin tissues leading to stretch marks.
• Skin pigmentation: Hormonal changes during pregnancy can lead to skin pigmentation and cause dark spots near your neck, forehead, and cheeks.
• Breast changes: In addition to appearing enlarged, your breasts may also start leaking a yellowish liquid called colostrum, which is the first breast milk your little one will feed on after delivery.

Emotional Changes At 6 Months Pregnant

You may also experience certain emotional changes during the 6th month of pregnancy.

• Pregnancy brain: Due to hormonal changes, you may experience forgetfulness or have difficulty concentrating. Pregnancy brain is also referred to as momnesia. 
• Anxiety and mood swings: This may happen due to increased hormonal fluctuations. The best way to cope with pregnancy-related anxiety is by keeping yourself informed and discussing your concerns with your doctor.

Diet To Follow At 6 Months Pregnant

We have compiled a list of foods that you can safely add to your pregnancy diet.

• Consume plenty of vegetables, fortified cereal, milk, and bread as they are rich sources of calcium and help maintain your bone health during pregnancy.
• Add lentils, kidney beans, and citrus foods to your diet. These items are rich in folic acid and help in the development of your baby. 
• Consume fatty fish like salmon as they help enrich your vitamin D requirements and aid your baby’s brain development.
• You should also add vitamin C-rich foods like strawberries, tomatoes, and broccoli to your diet. They help boost your immunity and protect against infections. 
• Avoid all kinds of undercooked and raw foods, and limit the consumption of spicy and deep-fried foods as they can cause gas and heartburn.

What To Expect At Your 6th Month Prenatal Check-Up?

Do not miss your routine prenatal check-ups as they help monitor both your and your baby’s health and rule out pregnancy complications. During the visit, you will undergo the following tests.

Physical Examination

• Weight check
• Measurement of fundal height
• Blood pressure check

Other Tests:

• Glucose tolerance test: This test will detect your glucose level and check for gestational diabetes.
• Ultrasound: You will also have your monthly ultrasound scan to monitor your baby’s health and the functioning of their internal organs.

Precautions To Take At 6 Months Pregnant

Here are some precautionary methods that you should follow this month to maintain your overall health and well-being.

• Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water per day to keep yourself hydrated
• Limit your caffeine intake
• Keep stress at bay
• Avoid lifting heavy objects or weights
• Maintain oral hygiene
• Practice Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles
• Wear comfortable and breathable clothes and flat footwear

Conclusion

Your cute belittle baby bump will be quite noticeable when you are 6 months pregnant. As you gear up to enter the third trimester, you may notice subtle changes in your body, both emotional and physical. Take good care of yourself during this time, pamper yourself, and get plenty of rest to have a smooth and comfortable pregnancy.

Also, do not miss out on your prenatal appointments, as they are crucial to monitor both your and your baby’s health and help diagnose the risk of any pregnancy complications beforehand.

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Also Read:

Pregnancy week by week: Curious to know how your pregnancy progresses week by week? Tap this post to get all the details.

Baby’s heartbeat: When can you start listening to your baby’s heartbeat? Tap this post to know.

Cover Image Credit: Freepik.com