Changes in You

You may have noticed that your breasts have been changing. The areola, which is the circular pigmented area that surrounds the breast, has changed from its usual pink to a brownish red, and now covers a larger area. Your breasts may also grow larger and become lumpy due to the developing glands inside them.

Changes in Your Baby

Your baby's body length has doubled in the past three weeks. Teeth form under the gums, and arms reach their final relative proportions. On ultrasound, miniature bones can be seen, as can external genital organs. External stimulation is provided by your movements and position changes. Your sleep rhythms have a powerful impact on the activity and response of the fetus as he prepares for life outside the uterus, complete with his or her own little habits!

Siblings & Subsequent Pregnancies

If you have other children, be sure to give them plenty of time to adjust to the news of your pregnancy. They'll need awhile to get used to the idea of a new baby in the house. The correct time to tell them about their new brother or sister depends mostly on the age of the child. Toddlers have no sense of time, so you might want to wait until later in the pregnancy to tell them, while older children can become involved right from the start. Be sure you are ready tell everyone else, though. Children under the age of six do not understand the concept of keeping a secret and will mostly likely "spill the beans" soon after you tell them.

Whatever the age of your other children or child, after you've given them the news, prepare to keep them involved in the pregnancy and plans for the baby. The siblings-to-be can help you decorate the nursery or choose a name. Include them in any way that you can.

A Note on Subsequent Pregnancies

If this is not your first pregnancy, you may notice that you do not feel as excited this time. You may also be concerned about parenting more than one child. How will you do it? Can you give them all enough attention? You may also feel resentful because your partner and/or your family are not giving you as much attention this time.

These feelings are completely natural. The best thing to do is to discuss your feelings with others: your partner, your mother, or friends who have more than one child. They can help you adjust to your new role as mother-to-be-again and give you tips on how to manage the demands of more than one child. After all, pregnancy and childbirth are wonderful experiences no matter how many times you go through them.

Dad's Corner

If you have other children, work with your partner to help them adjust to the idea of a new little brother or sister. Your involvement as a dad is invaluable right now, to both your children and your partner!

If you are a first-time father-to-be, are you tired of waiting yet? The second trimester, although it is the easiest on Mom, can also be somewhat frustrating. She may not be showing yet, which could make the due date seem like an eternity from now. She'll be showing soon, though. Take pictures throughout the pregnancy so that you can remember this time in your lives. Pictures are also great to share with your children once they get older, or to embarrass them later when, as teens, they bring home that special girlfriend or boyfriend!