You are now officially half-way through your pregnancy, congratulations! Your baby can now hear voices, music and sound from the outside world. Your voice will become familiar to them and soothe them after birth so make sure to have a little chat with your bump each day!

Your baby’s development

Your baby measures approximately 16cm from head to bottom.

The part of your baby’s brain that controls their senses is developing fast and their heartbeat is becoming stronger.

A white, waxy substance known as vernix caseosa, covers your baby’s delicate skin. This prevents it becoming chapped or scratched and protects it from the amniotic fluid.

Your Body

Many mums experience leg cramps during their second and third trimesters. This is often due to extra weight putting pressure on leg muscles and nerves.

However, leg cramps can also occur if you have low levels of certain minerals. If you’re experiencing cramps, increase your intake of calcium by eating more dairy foods such as low-fat yogurt and cheese. Salt your food to your taste, but be careful not to eat too much salt: it can contribute to high blood pressure.

Leg cramps can also be a result of dehydration or sitting for long periods. Drink plenty of water throughout your day and if you have a desk job, take regular breaks to move around and keep your blood circulating well.

Speak to your healthcare professional if you are experiencing frequent or severe leg cramps.

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Please note: These pregnancy week-by-week articles, are meant to give you a general sense of the growth and development going on within you. However, it’s important to remember that every baby develops differently, even during pregnancy.