You are 16 Weeks Exactly 168 days to go…
It’s natural that your partner will want to protect you and his baby, but you may need to help him get the balance right.
Your baby today
As your baby’s skin starts to become more waterproof, the
amniotic fluid is increasingly made from urine produced by your baby’s
kidneys and bladder. This urine does not contain waste products, since
these are transported across the placenta.
Is your partner worried about you
having a sip of wine or eating a tad too much chocolate, or is he
constantly checking that you’re getting enough rest? You may find that
your partner becomes very protective of you and his baby and while some
women enjoy the attention, others find it irritating. If it bothers you,
ask your partner why he feels the need to be so protective. If you can
understand his feelings and concerns, it can help. Take the time to
explain to him how you feel, and if everything is going well and you’re
feeling great, let him know. Explain that pregnancy is not an illness
and is a natural process, and reassure him that you’re being well looked
after by the doctor. For further reassurance, you could get him some
reading material and involve him by inviting him along to a prenatal
appointment. He may have particular questions he wants to ask the
doctor.
Dads-to-be tend to have more vivid dreams than usual.
Pending fatherhood can make
a man think about his own background and roots, and trigger dreams of
parents and grandparents. As he becomes more protective and nurturing,
he may even dream that he’s pregnant.
Strengthening your legs
A strong and toned lower body
can be achieved by doing the exercises shown below. Strengthening these
muscles will make day-to-day tasks, such as walking and climbing the
stairs, a lot easier as your baby grows. Strengthening your leg muscles
can also help prepare you for labor positions, such as squatting.
Lie on your side.
Place both legs in front of your body, bent at the knee at a 90-degree
angle. Slowly lift your top leg up and lower it to the starting
position. Repeat 30 times, if comfortable. If you need to, you can place
a pillow under your belly for support.
Lie on your side
with your lower leg slightly bent at the knee and top leg positioned at
a 45-degree angle. Lift your leg slightly (about 4 in/10 cm), hold for
10 seconds, and then lower back to 45 degrees. Repeat 30 times, if
comfortable.
Your 17th Week
Things are becoming lively
in your uterus. Your baby has plenty of room to move around and he’s
making the most of it, stretching and turning. All the activity is good
for his future physical and mental development. You might feel like some
relaxation, so think about taking a break. The second trimester is
usually regarded as the best time in pregnancy for traveling and getting
out and about.
NOTE
Your baby is increasing his movements and even doing somersaults
You are 16 Weeks and 1 Day 167 days to go…
Since this is considered a
safe stage of pregnancy, with no, or few, symptoms to contend with,
it’s a great time to go on vacation.
Your baby today
At this stage of development, your baby’s lips and mouth are
well formed, and she can open and close her mouth and swallow. Inside
her mouth, her taste buds are now mature, but she cannot taste anything
yet because nerve connections are immature.
At this time,
you’re likely to be over the sickness and fatigue of the first
trimester and not overburdened by, or uncomfortable from, a large belly
yet. You can also rest easy knowing that your baby is developing well,
with very little chance of a miscarriage occurring. Going on vacation is
a great opportunity to spend quality time with your partner and pamper
yourselves.
Relax and enjoy yourself, but be aware of the extra health precautions you need to take during pregnancy. If you’ve had any complications, check with your doctor that it is safe to go on vacation.
… Safety
Enjoy a healthy vacation
If you go on vacation while you’re pregnant, there are a few additional factors to consider, not least the fact that you might not have as much energy as you had before:
Give yourself plenty of time
when you’re trying to finish all those pre-vacation preparations at
home and at work; getting ready for a vacation can be stressful. Pack
hand luggage for a flight sensibly so that you won’t have to carry heavy
bags with you.
Plan a car trip carefully, bearing in mind that you may need more bathroom stops or snack breaks than usual.
Be aware that sightseeing will be more tiring than usual, so pace yourself and allow yourself to spend time in a cafe, just watching the world go by.
If you’re abroad,
drink bottled water—lots of it, especially if you’re in a hot climate.
Avoid having ice in your drinks since this tends to be made using tap
water.
Peel fruit or wash fruit and vegetables with bottled water.
If you get diarrhea,
it’s even more important than usual to drink plenty of water to replace
the fluid you’ve lost. Don’t take diarrhea medication and check with
your doctor before taking any type of treatment for diarrhea. If your
urine is very concentrated and you can’t keep fluid down, see a doctor.
You can enjoy hot climates
but you may feel more comfortable sitting in the shade. If you’re
exposed to the sun, wear a high SPF sunscreen because your skin is
likely to be more sensitive to the sun while you’re pregnant.
