Your baby
The downy hair your child grew a few weeks ago is now slowly falling out. Firmer hairs take its place, especially on top of the head. Your baby now has real eyebrows as well.
At every appointment we feel your abdomen to check that your child is growing well. At the moment the top of your womb almost reaches your navel. Your baby has now reached about half of his or her final length — which fits nicely with how far along you are, since you are almost halfway.
And how supple your child is! A toe goes into the mouth as easily as a thumb.
You
That extreme tiredness of the first three months is probably well behind you now. Most pregnant women slowly regain energy in the fourth month. Are you still very tired? That can point to a lack of iron. You are then often dizzy and rather pale as well. Ask us to measure your haemoglobin; that is easily done with a prick in the finger. Iron deficiency is a common complaint in pregnancy and nothing to worry about.
Growing your child, the placenta and the womb simply takes a lot of iron. You can get extra iron from your food. Vegetables such as spinach, endive, lamb's lettuce and beetroot, but also nuts, currants, raisins, dried apricots, apple syrup and wholemeal products, are rich in it. If that is not enough, we can prescribe iron tablets.
Sleeping tips
You may have noticed already: since becoming pregnant you probably sleep less well. That can be because you often need the toilet, or because your growing bump gets in the way, but you may also lie awake worrying about the pregnancy, the birth and everything that is coming. Some say the lack of sleep prepares you for the period ahead — once the baby is here you will already be used to sleepless nights.
Lying awake is no fun, but it is still better than getting up. If you stay in bed, your body at least gets some rest. Then it is only a matter of settling your mind as well. Make sure you are comfortable: one leg drawn up over the other, with pillows under your bump and knee for a comfortable position.
And do not drink coffee before bed and, however hard it is, try not to watch television. Have a nice warm shower or a bath. And if sleep still will not come, do some breathing exercises.
You can still fly
Fancy a holiday together? In this period you still feel fit and full of energy, and because your bump is not really in the way yet, this is a fine time to go away. Most airlines carry you up to 36 weeks of pregnancy, but check when booking and mention that you are pregnant.