Your Pregnancy journey
It is important to keep your body hydrated during pregnancy. Water is a must for absorption of nutrients and also to ensure that you do not get dehydrated. Mild dehydration can result in pre term contractions hence ensure that you keep that bottle of water close to you and keep sipping. A minimum of two litres and then drinking to thirst is the rule to follow.
Nasal congestion is common and because of this most pregnant women are very prone to coughs and colds. Drinking plenty of fluids will help keep your nasal passages hydrated. Also you could try and use a saline non-medicated nose drops to get relief. This week most mum’s also reportedly feel hot most of the time on account of the increasing fluid volumes in your body. You would also experience sweating much more than usual.
This may also be a good time to start off with some exercises with your partner.
PREGNANCY SQUATS:
Stand facing your partner and hold on to your partners hand for support. Your partner will help balance you. Spread your egs wide, point your toes out and gently squat. Go half way till your thighs are parallel to the ground and make sure that your knees do not cross the toe line. You can repeat the squats as per your comfort. Once you gain strength,
you can go lower and attempt a full squat as well. Remember to use your partner only for balance, and not to pull yourself up and down.
LEG RAISES: Lie down on your side and have your partner sit behind you. Your partner can place his hand on your ankle to provide counter pressure. Now raise your leg against the pressure being provided by your partner. This counter pressure will act as a weight, and will add intensity to your workout. You can repeat the leg raises as per your comfort and then turn over and work the other leg.
BUTTERFLY : Sit on the floor with your feet facing and touching each other. Your partner will sit in front of you. After you have done several gentle flutters in this position, have your partner apply pressure with his hands on both your knees. This has to be done gently and to the point of your resistance. This posture will help improve the flexibility in the inner thighs, and hence, prepare the body for labour and birth.
PREGNANCY BREATHING EXERCISE:
Have your partner sit with back support and you can lean against him for support. He can place his arms around you and place his hands on your abdomen to help monitor your breathing. Take a deep breath in, all the way to your lower abdomen and then slowly exhale. Repeat this a few times. Have your partner check that you are inhaling deeply.
Your baby’s growth
You are now a growing Yummy Mummy to be! Your uterus is now halfway between your navel and the pubis bone. The baby is slowly and steadily growing inside you and in no time you will have a small bundle of joy playing in your arms. Your baby is now bigger than the placenta.