5 Months Pregnant: Symptoms, Baby Development, And Diet Tips

If you are 5 months (week 20 to 24) pregnant, you are in the second trimester of your pregnancy. Your baby’s growth spurts begin, and the pregnancy tummy becomes noticeable, signaling that it’s time for a wardrobe refresh. Morning sickness is no longer a factor because the hunger impulses have taken control during this month.

Read this post to know more about how your 5th-month pregnancy alters your body, how your baby develops, and what measures you should take in the fifth month of pregnancy.

What Symptoms Do You Experience In The Fifth Month Of Pregnancy?

Some common 5th-month pregnancy symptoms you may experience include nausea, heartburn, constipation, and breast changes.

The causes for these symptoms to appear have been explained with several other symptoms like (1, 2):

• Weight gain: It must be as per the BMI (3).

• Gravity changes: The center of gravity of your body changes with the growing baby bump, which can make you feel imbalanced at times.
• Shortness of Breath: The growing uterus puts pressure on the diaphragm, making breathing difficult.
• Headaches: Hormonal fluctuations cause headaches.
• Fatigue: As the body works more to fulfill the growing demands of the fetus, you start to feel tired.
• Dizziness: The hormonal fluctuations in the body make you dizzy.
• Leg cramps: Vitamin deficiency, extra weight or being too active or inactive at this time could result in leg cramps (3).
• Nasal congestion: The increased estrogen level causes the nasal membranes to expand, thereby increasing the mucus flow and causing congestion.

• Constipation: An increase in the progesteroneⁱA female reproductive hormone that plays an important role in menstruation, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. level causes slow movement of the food through the intestine, leading to indigestion and constipation.
• Heartburn: The growing uterus pushes up the gastric acids in the stomach to the esophagus, causing heartburn.
• Back pain: The 5th-month pregnancy baby weight puts extra pressure on the lower back or the sciatic nerve (that runs from the spine to legs) causes back pain.
• Increase in appetite: As the morning sickness wanes by this month, your cravings increase.
• Frequent urination: The growing uterus puts pressure on the bladder, resulting in frequent visits to the bathroom.
• Insomnia: Insomnia is a common occurrence throughout pregnancy. The American Pregnancy Association (APA) states that about 78% of women experience insomnia during pregnancy. The back pain, frequent urination, leg cramps deprive you of a sound sleep.
• Edema: The water retention in the body makes your feet, hand, and face swell.
• Bleeding gums: Hormonal changes and an increase in the blood flow can cause bleeding gums.

Did you know?

Some pregnant women may also experience nose bleeds due to hormonal changes at five months (23).

Jennifer Stano, a blogger, shares how she feels during her fifth month of pregnancy. She says,” I’ve been really lucky to not have any morning sickness at all and have to say all other symptoms have been pretty manageable. In my 2nd trimester, the cravings have gone, and I’m eating so much better (i).
As Stano’s case shows, not all women may have the same symptoms during pregnancy. It can differ from one person to another.

Physical Changes In The Fifth Month

Physiological changes you go through include:

• A growing belly: Your 5 months pregnant belly is visible by now, and it feels itchy as the skin stretches.
• Enlarged breast: The breast starts the milk production, and hence it looks bigger and fuller.
• Colostrum: A yellow liquid starts discharging from the nipples, which is the first milk for your baby.
• Stretch marks: The growing uterus causes tiny tears in the skin tissues, creating stretch marks.
• Linea nigra: A line that runs from the navel to the pubic hairline gets darker.
• Darker areola and nipples: The skin pigmentation could make the nipples and the area around them look darker.

Emotional Changes In The Fifth Month

Few emotional changes you may experience on your 5-month pregnancy are:

• Mood swings: They are the result of hormonal fluctuations.
• Stress: The thoughts of parenthood and anxiety during pregnancy can put you under stress.
• Pregnancy brain: Due to the hormonal fluctuations, it is common to forget things during this time.

Quick tip

Making to-do lists, sleeping whenever possible, delegating work, taking breaks when needed, asking for help, and not worrying about trivial things can help overcome the side effects of pregnancy brain (24).

Baby Development In The Fifth Month Of Pregnancy

The fifth month spans from weeks 17 to 20 (4). By this time, your baby grows from the size of a Turnip to a Banana (5).

Baby weight (6): Around 5 to 10 ounces (140 – 300g, 0.30 – 0.7 pounds)

Baby’s length: 5.1 – 10in (CRL) (13 – 25.6cm (CRL)) between 17th and 20th weeks. From week 20, the length is measured from crown to rump.

Here is how your baby is developing during this month ( 7, 8,9):

It’s a moment of joy when you feel your baby’s first movement. Read here to know what happens inside your womb this month.

Baby’s Position And Movements In The Fifth Month

Position:

The baby has a lot of free space inside the womb to move around. Hence, there is no specific position that the baby attains during this month.

Movement: The fetal movements can be felt slightly by this time, like a fluttering feeling in the stomach, referred to as quickening. First-time mothers may not be able to recognize it and take it for gas in the stomach (10).

Eating the right food in the right amounts is essential for the health of the mother and the baby. However, it is also necessary to ensure that you stay away from foods that are not recommended for pregnant women.

Pregnancy Diet For The Fifth Month

Here is the list of foods that you should add to your diet (11):

• Add a lot of green leafy vegetables, bread, milk, sardines, and fortified cereals that are rich in Calcium. It promotes healthy bones and teeth in your baby. According to ACOG, a pregnant woman should take 1000mg of calcium/day.
• Iron helps in the production of red blood cells. The recommended intake is 27 mg/day (including any supplements). Whole grain products, fish, green leafy vegetables, dried fruit, beans, lean pork, and beef are a good source of this mineral.
• According to the ACOG, the recommended daily intake of Folic acid by a pregnant woman is 600mcg/day. It prevents congenital disabilitiesⁱThese are medical disorders present from birth and could be hereditary or due to infection or injury to the fetus during pregnancy. relating to the brain and spine in the baby. Add a lot of Leafy vegetables (spinach, broccoli, romaine lettuce, and kale), kidney beans, lentils, nuts, citrus fruits, and beans in the diet.
• Vitamin D promotes healthy eyesight and strengthens the bones and teeth. Salmon and milk fortified with Vitamin D are a good source. The recommended intake is 600 IU per day.
• Add Vitamin A rich foods like orange or yellow vegetables (sweet potatoes or carrots), leafy green vegetables, liver, and milk. The recommended daily intake is 750-770 mcg/day. It promotes bone strength and healthy eyesight.
• Protein can be obtained from lean meat and poultry, eggs, seafood, peas, soy products, beans, milk, and unsalted seeds and nuts. It is necessary for muscles and the brain.
• Add Vitamin C rich foods like citrus fruits, strawberries, tomatoes, and broccoli in your diet. It promotes healthy gums, teeth, and bones. The average daily recommended intake is 85mg.

Quick tip

Consume about two to three servings of low-mercury fish a week during pregnancy. Find the best fish options here (25).

Foods To Avoid During The Fifth Month Of Pregnancy

Here is the list of foods you need to avoid:

• Stay away from raw or uncooked food as it can cause a foodborne disease called listeriosis (12).
• Avoid eating fishes like swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel, and sharks that have a high level of mercury.
• Avoid consuming more than 200-300 mg of caffeine a day as it may lead to a miscarriage (13).
• Avoid unpasteurized milk and cheese.
• Avoid food containing gluten such as wheat and barley (14), if you have celiac diseaseⁱAn autoimmune, genetic condition that triggers a reaction caused by gluten found in wheat and barley. . Instead, switch to vegetables, fruits, beans, poultry, and meat.
• Avoid deep-fried and spicy foods as they can aggravate heartburn.

It’s time to fix your appointment with the doctor as a part of your prenatal care for ensuring both you and the baby are doing well.

What To Expect During Your Visit To The Ob/Gyn?

Here are some tests that your doctor would suggest for this month:

Physical examinations:

1. Blood pressure check
2. Weight check
3. Urine test for protein and sugar levels.
4. Measurement of the fundal height

Other:1. Ultrasound

: It is carried out to,

• Monitor the fetal heart rate and growth of your baby in terms of weight and CRL (crown-rump length).
• Check the position of the baby and the condition of the placenta.
• The scan is also called anomaly scan (15).

2. Multiple marker

test: It includes the screening of the mother’s blood sample for evaluating the levels of (16);

• Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) – An abnormal protein levels of AFP in the maternal blood serum indicates:
  • Down syndrome
  • Open neural tube defects (ONTD), such as spina bifida
  • Defects in the wall of the fetal abdomen
  • Some other chromosomal abnormalities
  • A miscalculation in the due date because the protein levels do vary throughout pregnancy
  • More than one fetus makes the protein
• hCG – The human chorionic gonadotropin is a pregnancy hormone produced by the placenta.
• Estriol – Produced by the placenta
• Inhibin – Produced by the placenta

In case of unsatisfactory multiple marking testing results, an amniocentesis may be recommended for an accurate diagnosis.

3. Amniocentesis: It is done to check for open neural tube defects (ONTDs) such as spina bifida and chromosomal disorders. A sample of the amniotic fluid is tested to evaluate the results. In the case of twins and multiple babies, the sampling will be done from each amniotic sac.

Specific symptoms may indicate a problem and should be checked by the doctor immediately.

What Do You Need To Know In Your Fifth Month Of Pregnancy?

In the case of the following symptoms, get medical help right away (17, 18):

• Vaginal bleeding
• Belly or pelvic pain or severe cramping
• Fever of 100.4 degrees or higher, chills
• Painful or less urination
• Dark-colored urine
• Vomiting that lasts longer than 24 hours or gets worse
• Dizziness
• Increased vaginal discharge or discharge with a foul smell

Do not overlook any unusual symptoms

that could indicate complications with the pregnancy. Find out more about them next.

Dr. Alan Lindemann, MD, an obstetrician, maternal mortality expert, and former clinical associate professor at the University of North Dakota, says, “At five months of pregnancy, your uterus should be an inch or two above your belly button. Where your uterus is not felt, your abdomen should still be soft. If you feel your uterus, it will be a little harder than the rest of your abdomen. However, it will not be as hard as it is toward the end of your pregnancy.”

Complications In The Fifth Month Of Pregnancy

Pregnancy complications during this month include miscarriage or stillbirth ( 9, 20, 21).

Miscarriage: It is also described as pregnancy loss and happens before the 20th week of pregnancy. Its symptoms include:

• Vaginal bleeding
• Pain or cramps in the lower abdomen
• Low back pain
• Tissues, fluids, or clot-like material passing through the vagina.

Stillbirth:

Also termed as fetal death can happen in or after the 20th week of gestational age. It may be due to any birth defects or pregnancy complications.

Keep reading to what you can do to make your pregnancy a better experience.

Precautions To Be Taken In The Fifth Month

Here are some precautionary measures you can follow in the fifth month:

• Keep your stress at bay.
• Stay hydrated.
• Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
• Give rest to your body.
• Maintain oral hygiene.
• Maintain the right posture while sitting and try sleeping positions that promote sound and comfortable sleep. Do not sit or stand suddenly as it may cause the blood pressure to drop and result in fainting or dizziness (22).
• Take prenatal vitamins regularly.
• Do not lift heavy objects.
• Have smaller meals at regular intervals.
• Do not take any medicines without consulting the doctor.
• Try walking and Kegel exercises that strengthen the pelvic muscles.
• Wear loose, breathable maternity clothes and comfortable flat footwear.
• Stay away from harmful chemicals.

Dr. Lindemann opines, “At five months, your movement will be somewhat restricted, but you will be able to bend. Don’t bend so much that it bothers you, but you will probably be able to pick up things off the floor, especially if you do it slowly and carefully.

“Also, the best position to sleep from the middle of your pregnancy to the end is called the left lateral decubitus. This position is midway between your side and your back. You may even sleep completely on your side; however, many people can’t sleep that way for more than an hour or two without getting shoulder, neck, or hip pain. Sleeping on your belly and back is not a good idea. It may compress your vena cava, the large vein bringing blood to your heart.”

Tips For Dad-To-Be

• Help your partner with household chores
• Create a pleasant environment for her at home.
• Accompany her during the prenatal visits.
• Plan a day out with her.
• Go shopping with her for maternal essentials.
• Give her a good foot and neck massage.

The journey of pregnancy is nothing less than a roller coaster ride. At five months pregnant, the ups and down may take a significant toll on your body. However, you can stay relaxed as this phase is temporary. The moment you hold the little one in your hand, you are likely to forget all the pains. Stay relaxed and positive to enjoy this phase fully.

Infographic: Tips And Precautions For The Fifth Month Of Pregnancy

During the fifth month of pregnancy, the mother experiences various physical and emotional changes thanks to the baby’s development. Therefore, it is essential to take extra care of yourself. Scroll through the infographic below to learn the dos and don’ts to follow during this phase.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team

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Reviewer Expert Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Vimee BindraMS, MHA

Dr. Vimee Bindra is a consultant gynecologist, laparoscopic surgeon, and medical writer. She specializes in gynae endoscopic surgery and endometriosis excision. She graduated from R G Kar Medical College, Kolkata (1998-2003), and pursued her post-graduation in obstetrics and gynecology in Kolkata (2005-2008).

Read full bio of Dr. Vimee Bindra

• 
  Dr. Alan LindemannMD, MS Dr. Alan Lindemann is an obstetrician and maternal mortality expert, who worked as a clinical associate professor at the University of ND. An alumnus of the University of ND and the University of Minnesota, he is a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Medical Association.
  
  Dr. Alan Lindemann is an obstetrician and maternal mortality expert, who worked as a clinical associate professor at the University of ND. An alumnus of the University of ND and the University of Minnesota, he is a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Medical Association.

shreeja pillaiMSc

Shreeja holds a postgraduate degree in Chemistry and diploma in Drug Regulatory Affairs from the University of Mumbai. Before joining MomJunction, she worked as a research analyst with a leading multinational pharmaceutical company.

Read full bio of shreeja pillai

Rebecca MalachiBSc

Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She did her graduation in Biotechnology and Genetics from Loyola Academy, Osmania University and obtained a certification in ‘Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy’ from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU).

Read full bio of Rebecca Malachi

Aneesha AmonzMSc

Aneesha holds a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology from USTM, Meghalaya and Master’s degree in Applied Microbiology from VIT, Vellore. With two years of experience, she has worked on different research projects in the field of Food Sciences.

Read full bio of Aneesha Amonz