Your baby
Your baby grows and grows, and the muscles have become so strong that you may start to feel the kicking this week — though you may well have felt it earlier, and it may equally take another few weeks. Your baby is still wonderfully active, with plenty of room to tumble and somersault about.
Your baby's sense of touch has developed too. That means your child can feel it when you stroke your bump, and can also feel its own movements. Meanwhile the eye muscles are being trained. Your baby cannot yet look at anything in particular, but is practising a little. Very occasionally the eyes look straight ahead, though usually not. After the birth, too, your child will at first find it hard to fix its gaze and will often squint.
You
There is an old saying that every pregnancy costs you a tooth. The story arose because your child needs a lot of calcium, which it was said to draw from your teeth. But, as we say, it is a myth. What can happen is that under the influence of hormones your gums bleed a little more readily when you brush. So brush gently, with a soft brush.
Hormonal changes can also make the mouth less good at holding bacteria in check, so plaque forms more easily. But as long as you look after your teeth properly you have nothing to fear. You could pay the dentist an extra visit if you like.
Always tell your dentist you are pregnant. If an X-ray really has to be taken, the dentist can shield your abdomen with a special apron.
Your partner
You are the one who is pregnant; it is all happening in your body. Your partner may at times feel like an outsider. Talk to your partner as much as you can: tell him what is going on inside you, but ask about his feelings too.
Talking about your expectations and feelings, and about worries and fears as well — about the birth, perhaps — only strengthens the bond between you. It is good to go to the important appointments together too: the prenatal tests, the scans, visits to the midwife or gynaecologist.
Listening to the heartbeat together for the first time is very special. That way you share the important moments of the pregnancy. Another lovely thing to do together: take an antenatal course.
Where will you give birth?
You do not have to decide finally yet, but do start thinking about it: would you like to give birth at home, in hospital under midwife-led care, or in hospital?
Second trimester
