Fourth month of pregnancy: changes in the body of the mother and fetus. Feelings of a woman in the fourth month of pregnancy, the size of the abdomen and the development of the fetus, possible complications The fetus of a child at 4 months

The fetus at the seventeenth week of pregnancy photo: babycenter.com

The most fertile period of pregnancy has come - the 2nd trimester. A third of the way passed. Behind the difficulties of the first months: toxicosis, visiting doctors, passing tests. Anxiety and irritability replace lightness and energy. It is time to exhale and enjoy the position and new status. Pleasant changes await you.

4th month of pregnancy: signs

In the 2nd trimester, changes in the body of the expectant mother occur gradually, smoothly and do not greatly affect health. The symptoms of pregnancy at 4 months are minor and you may have already experienced them in previous months. In general, this relatively calm period will leave positive impressions.

The placenta has fully matured, and its work in ensuring the full and comfortable state of the baby has been established. In this regard, the volume of circulating blood in your body increases by an average of 40%. The heart starts to work harder. And if it is healthy, then such a load will not affect the general well-being.
Unpleasant signs of this period include constipation. Due to the size of the uterus and hormones, intestinal motility decreases, as a result of which this symptom occurs. If you do not pay attention to this, then hemorrhoids cannot be avoided, because the uterus will only grow. Therefore, it is better to take care of it now: drink more water, eat vegetables and fruits, walk and do gymnastics.
Unfortunately, many women at this stage develop warts (including in intimate areas), which cause anxiety. These are warts. If they increase in size, you need to inform your doctor. Don't worry, they are removed without the risk of complications in your position.
Other skin changes include hyperpigmentation. Freckles can darken, birthmarks grow. The strip from the navel to the pubis becomes more pronounced. Such changes are associated with the deposition of melanin, a substance that causes pigmentation. And the reason is in the hormones that are still rebuilding within you. After giving birth, everything will return to its place.

To prevent pigmentation, use safe cosmetics with sunscreens. If you want to lighten already existing spots, this can be done using masks based on lemon juice or sour-milk products.

Active growth of hair and nails will please any woman. In addition, their condition will improve significantly, which will be noticed even by others.
The mammary glands will continue to grow, especially the areola - the area covering the nipples.

The fourth month opens the second trimester - the most calm and comfortable period of pregnancy. By this time, the manifestations had almost disappeared, the woman underwent an initial examination at the antenatal clinic, the recently formed placenta reliably protects the fetus from the negative effects of the external environment. The unborn child has already formed all the organs, and the baby's life support system has begun to function.

During the fourth month of pregnancy, the uterus grows very rapidly in size. If by the beginning of the first week of this month it barely rises above the pubic joint, then by the end of the fourth month the bottom of the uterus approaches the level of the navel. Another significant change is an increase in blood volume by 30-40%. This increase in circulating blood volume puts more stress on the heart muscle. A healthy heart copes with it, and in case of pathology of cardiovascular activity, these changes can affect the work of the heart in a bad way.

An increase in the level of melanin in the blood affects the condition of the skin and hair - moles darken, age spots appear on the skin, the strip of skin between the navel and the pubic bone, the skin of the perineum darkens. These changes will disappear some time after childbirth. To reduce the intensity of the appearance of spots, you need to actively use sunscreen for the face.

The stomach at 4 months of pregnancy may be completely absent, and most pregnant women still use the usual clothing models. However, an increase in waist volume is already noticeable, and in some women, a rounding of the abdomen. Since the uterus is growing rapidly, severe pain in the groin and lower abdomen may appear due to sprain. They pass as quickly as they appear.

Due to the increase in the total volume of fluid in the body, a woman feels. The volume of vaginal discharge also increases. The load on the circulatory system causes a violation of the integrity of small vessels, bruises and nosebleeds. They may appear less frequently if the air is intensively humidified in the dwelling.

Due to frequent constipation, prerequisites for - varicose veins of the rectum may appear. Outside and inside the anus, venous nodules appear, which bleed when straining, become inflamed and swell.

A pleasant sensation for women undergoing a second and subsequent pregnancies, and for slender thin women, is the feeling of the first movements of the unborn child.

The placenta is a universal organ - it protects the fetus from pathogenic bacteria and viruses, synthesizes the necessary proteins and hormones, removes the waste products of the unborn child with venous blood, filters out harmful substances, delivers oxygen and nutrients from the mother's body. Thanks to her, a woman manages to avoid accidents and not be afraid of abortion due to the negative impact of the external environment.

The baby's waste products are urine, which the fetus releases every 40-45 minutes into the amniotic fluid. The amniotic fluid is renewed every 2-3 hours, it is sterile and has a constant chemical composition. Amniotic fluid protects the fetus from damage, stimulates the baby's metabolism, and allows him to move freely. At the 4th month of pregnancy, the fetus imitates respiratory movements, drawing water into the lungs, training the respiratory system.

The weight of the fetus by the end of 4 months, and its height increases from 12 to 20 cm.

The unborn child has already formed a swallowing and sucking reflex - from time to time he sucks his finger. The arms are bent at the elbows, the palms and fingers can fold into a fist, the fetus can grab the umbilical cord, touch its face. Despite the fact that the baby moves a lot and willingly in the uterine cavity, these gentle movements are not yet fully felt by the woman, they can easily be mistaken for sensations from intestinal motility.

A light and thin fluff appeared on the skin of the child - lanugo. It covers the entire body of the fetus, and will disappear only after childbirth. The fluff helps to keep the original lubricant on the body, which protects the skin from the action of amniotic fluid. Eyebrows, hair, eyelashes are outlined on the head and face of the fetus. On the fingers, the formation of nails begins.

The genitals of the child are in the process of formation, but its gender can already be determined. When conducting an ultrasound, it is still very difficult to distinguish a boy from a girl. In the male fetus, the prostate begins its development, in future girls, the ovaries already contain eggs, and have descended into the small pelvis from the abdominal cavity.

The baby's ears gradually take their permanent place, rising from the side of the neck to where they should be. The formation of the inner ear is not yet complete, but the baby is already reacting to strong noise. The sensitivity of the retina increased, and the fetus was able to raise and lower the eyelids.

The psychological state of the pregnant woman

Women undergoing their first pregnancy, at the fourth month, finally realize that expecting a baby can bring positive emotions. They begin to feel that they have an extremely important mission to perform, and they anxiously await the first movements of the fetus. Those who already have children know that in the second trimester of pregnancy they will enjoy the joyful excitement during a kind of communication with an unborn child, from his first gentle, and then more and more tangible movements and movements.

During the fourth month of pregnancy, if there are no deviations from the normal course, the woman visits her doctor once. The obstetrician-gynecologist will evaluate the results of previously passed tests, ultrasound data. If the results of a smear test for urogenital infections are unfavorable, a course of treatment with antibacterial drugs should be completed within the fourth month. After a course of therapy, a control examination of a smear from the vagina is prescribed.

At the end of the fourth month, the doctor may order tests related to screening for the second trimester of pregnancy. It is carried out from 15 to 20 weeks of the gestational period. This screening includes a blood test, or “triple test,” and another ultrasound.

Analysis of the concentration in the blood of the hormone hCG, or chorionic gonadotorpin;

Analysis for ?-fetoprotein (AFP);

Analysis for unconjugated (free) estriol.

If the level of these markers deviates significantly from the norm, the risk of having a child with congenital pathologies is high:

craniocerebral hernia;

Cleavage of the anterior abdominal wall of the fetus.

Risk factors:

The woman's age is over 35;

Radiation impact;

Harmful working conditions;

Side effects of drugs;

The presence in the family of children with pathologies;

History of habitual miscarriage.

An increased content of markers indicating a high risk of anomalies in the results of screening of the first and second trimester is a reason for amniocentesis. This study is voluntary, it consists of a puncture of the uterus under ultrasound control to collect amniotic fluid. This is an extremely informative analysis, which is performed only with significant indications for it. One procedure out of 200 ends with spontaneous abortion.

According to the results of the study of amniotic fluid determine:

Genotype and sex of the fetus;

The level of ?-fetoprotein, indicating malformations of the central nervous system;

Since nausea no longer accompanies meals, a pregnant woman's appetite increases. You should not thoughtlessly eat various dishes, because there is a danger of weight gain in excess of the permissible norm. If you count from the initial weight before pregnancy, at this time the increase should be no more than 2-2.5 kg.

The optimal diet is to eat often, but little by little, without overeating. Most of the diet is consumed in the morning, during lunch and breakfast. In the morning they mainly eat cereals, dairy products, at lunch - hearty meals, and in the evening it is better to leave easily digestible foods. For snacks, it is better to use not cookies and sandwiches, but fruits and vegetables.

The use of salty foods is limited, it is better not to salt food in order to avoid edema. Smoked meats, fatty and fried foods, semi-finished products are banned. Sweets, rich pastries can lead to an increase in excess weight.

Very helpful products. containing protein - meat, fish, cottage cheese, cheese. Dairy products will not only make up for the lack of calcium in the body, but also help to improve digestion and bowel function. Recommended for the use of beef, liver, apples, dried apricots. In practice, the doctor will recommend supplementing such a diet with iron supplements.
Problems 4 months - the threat of miscarriage and constipation

Despite the fact that the threat of miscarriage is no longer as great as in the first trimester, it still exists. The main reason is cervical insufficiency. It occurs due to the weakness of the muscle bundle, which normally holds the internal os of the cervix tightly compressed. The pharynx of the cervix does not hold the fetal bladder for the following reasons:
The diagnosis of "istvico-cervical insufficiency" threatens with infection of the membranes and death of the fetus. It is put on palpation, confirmed by ultrasound. Treatment is a surgical suture on the cervix or a ring on the cervix. A woman with such a diagnosis is categorically not recommended to strain, do housework.

Primary placental insufficiency is another risk factor for maintaining pregnancy. In this condition, the fetus does not receive the right amount of oxygen and nutrients due to endocrine disorders, the action of an infection, or due to a genetic factor that manifests its effect before the 16th week of pregnancy.

Symptoms of placental insufficiency are similar to those of a miscarriage:
Due to insufficient supply of nutrients to the fetus, congenital malformations may occur. Diagnosis - a study of the level of placental hormones in the urine, blood and amniotic fluid.

Treatment of placental insufficiency:
- Methionine;
  
  Soothing herbal preparations.
Bleeding

The appearance of bloody discharge, accompanied by pain in the abdomen and lower back, is a very dangerous symptom that indicates the onset of spontaneous abortion. The discharge is bright red and may contain blood clots. If these symptoms appear, you should immediately seek emergency help. If timely measures are taken, miscarriage can be prevented.

Minor painless discharge that appeared after an intimate relationship may be a sign of cervical erosion. This condition should be treated after childbirth.
intimate relationship

The well-being of a pregnant woman at 4 months improves significantly, she becomes more active and energetic. If the doctor sees no contraindications for intimate relationships, you should not refrain from them.

Possible contraindications:
In addition, for many women, under the influence of hormones, libido only increases, and positive emotional experiences will benefit them.

Video about the rules of conduct and features of the course of the fourth month, mandatory examinations:

Education: Diploma "Obstetrics and Gynecology" received at the Russian State Medical University of the Federal Agency for Health and Social Development (2010). In 2013, she completed her postgraduate studies at the NMU. N. I. Pirogov.

The fourth month of pregnancy is obstetric 13-16 weeks inclusive. Manifestations of early toxicosis pass, and the tummy begins to grow quite quickly, in some women it is already becoming noticeable to people around.

The fetus has completed the formation of internal organs, the placenta is functioning, and it is more protected from various adverse factors. It's time to enjoy your pregnancy!

What happens to the body of the expectant mother in the 4th month of pregnancy, what she feels and notices

1. Growth of the abdomen. The uterus is growing rapidly, and doctors have the opportunity to control the development of pregnancy by measuring the length of the uterus and the girth of the abdomen at the navel. Normally, both the length of the uterus and the girth of the abdomen increase by a centimeter every week. And the height of the fundus of the uterus is equal to the obstetric week of pregnancy. At the beginning of the fourth month, the uterus only slightly shows above the pubic joint, and closer to the fifth month it approaches the navel.

2. Mom's heart. The amount of circulating blood in the mother's body increases up to 40%, and this puts a lot of stress on her heart. For this reason, many mothers from the fourth month of pregnancy periodically suffer from shortness of breath and tachycardia. The pulse can increase to 100 beats per minute and even higher (at a rate of up to 80 beats). However, although this symptomatology is considered a variant of the norm, it is a reason for a deeper examination of the heart. We need to do an ECG, possibly a Holter study of the heart rhythm and an ultrasound of the heart. There are drugs for tachycardia, but their expectant mothers are prescribed only when absolutely necessary, as they reduce the heart rate and the child. You can fight tachycardia with physical rest, valerian and motherwort - natural sedatives, safe for the fetus.

3. Skin changes. Increases pigmentation. New age spots, moles, freckles appear. Therefore, you should try not to be in the open sun, especially during the warm season and during the time period from 10 am to 5 pm.

A new sign of pregnancy appears - a strip in the middle of the abdomen. During pregnancy, it will darken, possibly become wider. Pigmentation on the abdomen will remain after childbirth, for about a year. Trying to wipe it off with a washcloth is not worth it, it's useless, just hurt the skin.

The nipples and the area around them, the armpits are subjected to pigmentation. But all this too shall pass.

Many expectant mothers develop acne on their face and body. To avoid the spread of acne throughout the body, do not pick them, do not provoke the transfer of infection to other areas of the skin. And wipe the acne itself with an aqueous solution of chlorhexidine - this is an excellent antiseptic safe for expectant mothers.

And another skin problem that occurs in most pregnant women is the appearance of a large number of small papillomas. Apparently, this is due to a decrease in immunity and the HPV virus, which, perhaps, we all have. Trying to tear them off, pull them off, should not be. This will lead to infection of the wound, which is very dangerous for you and the unborn child. After childbirth, the papillomas themselves will begin to dry out and fall off, even medical intervention will not be needed.

4. Weight. By the end of the fourth month, the total weight gain should be no more than 4 kilograms. If you have more - try to find errors in nutrition and normalize your menu. Excess weight provokes the development of diabetes, leads to the birth of a large fetus (and hence birth injuries in him) and generally complicates the birth process.

If weight gain is normal, then outwardly the woman does not seem fuller than she was before pregnancy. But the waist begins to slowly round.

5. Sprain. Since the uterus is growing rapidly, the load on the ligamentous apparatus becomes stronger. Sometimes, for this reason, expectant mothers experience sharp pains in the lower abdomen, in the groin area. This is not dangerous for the child, although it is unpleasant for mommy.

6. Nosebleeds. Due to the increase in the volume of blood in the mother, her vessels are under load. Moreover, blood clotting is somewhat reduced. All this provokes bleeding. Not only the nose, but also the gums, for example. If you want to avoid nosebleeds, carefully humidify the air in your home, do not allow the mucous membranes to dry out.

7. Constipation and hemorrhoids. The growing uterus and the relaxing effect of the hormone progesterone cause slow intestinal motility and constipation. Also, the intake of certain medications, for example, magnesium and iron preparations, has an adverse effect in this regard. You need to stay as mobile as possible, drink plenty of water and eat fiber-rich vegetables.

Remember that frequent constipation, coupled with uterine pressure on the rectum, provokes hemorrhoids. And if he appeared, then for life. You can't get rid of it without a major operation.

8. Movement of the child. Some women begin to feel them as early as 14-15 obstetric weeks.

What happens to the fetus in the fourth month

The baby completely becomes dependent on the placenta. It is through it that the body is supplied with oxygen and nutrition. Through it, toxic substances are removed from his body.

In addition, the placenta is a defense against viruses and bacteria, not all, but very many.

The baby already has reflexes, which will remain with him for a long time after birth, and some for life. Swallowing and sucking first.

The baby is very active and moves often, but is still very small, so most expectant mothers will feel the presence of a new life in themselves only in the next four weeks.

The baby has fluff all over his body - lanugo, a small amount of it will remain with him until the very moment of birth. These fluffy hairs have a certain function - they help the protective lubricant to linger on the child's body, without it it is impossible to live constantly in the water.
But in addition to lanugo, real hairs on the head, cilia and eyebrows are already appearing. There are nails on the fingers.

The baby has a functioning urinary system, and he urinates into the amniotic fluid at least once an hour. But this is not scary, since the amniotic fluid tends to be completely renewed once every 2-3 hours. Thus, their sterility is maintained, and nothing threatens the baby. The chemical composition of the waters is the same. Amniotic fluid plays a multifaceted role - it protects the child from mechanical damage, expands the uterus so that the fetus can move comfortably in it, nothing limits its development. Water is also involved in metabolism.

Now the prostate gland is formed in boys, and the ovaries in girls. However, the doctor with an ultrasound examination is still unable to accurately determine the sex of the child by the appearance of his genitals.

The face of the child becomes more and more formed, close to the ideal. However, the ears are not yet fully formed on the outside. But the baby already hears and reacts to loud sounds.

At the end of the fourth month, the little one sometimes opens his eyes, his retina becomes sensitive to light. Weight is about 200 grams, and height is 20 cm. Still a baby.

2 common and dangerous problems of the fourth month

The first is isthmic-cervical insufficiency or ICI. A pathology in which the cervical os is unable to remain closed throughout pregnancy. The fetus grows, and the fetal bladder begins to protrude into the neck, which leads to its gradual shortening and opening. This is the main cause of premature birth and miscarriage in late pregnancy. The causes of ICI are surgical interventions in which the cervix was mechanically opened (for example, abortions), hormonal disorders, and trauma during childbirth.

Treatment - suturing or wearing an unloading obstetric ring on the cervix. The first method is considered more effective and safer.

The second problem is disturbances in the placenta. Placental insufficiency begins to form. As a result, the fetus receives less nutrition, oxygen, and in the second half of pregnancy, it begins to lag behind in development. These problems arise due to infectious diseases transferred during pregnancy, violations of the formation of the placenta in the early stages of pregnancy. And it's not curable. Doctors can only monitor the condition of the fetus and, if necessary, deliver the woman early to try to save the fetus.

Other problems may arise with the placenta - this is its presentation, that is, being too close to the cervix. It threatens with detachment, severe bleeding and fetal death. With increasing gestational age, the placenta almost always rises to a fairly high level in the uterus. Until then, you need to take care of yourself.

New tests and examinations

At the end of the fourth month, namely at 16 obstetric weeks of pregnancy, a woman takes a blood test for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (CG) and unconjugated estriol (NE). This is the second screening. It is necessary for the diagnosis of some congenital abnormalities in the development of the fetus. And if the result of the analysis is unimportant, and the results of the ultrasound are also suspicious for malformations, doctors may recommend an invasive study - to pass amniotic fluid for analysis. This procedure is called amniocentesis. Since miscarriages sometimes occur after it, you need to carefully weigh the pros and cons before agreeing to it.

13.01.2020 18:40:00
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You are now in your fourth obstetric month - one of the most comfortable periods of bearing a baby. Toxicosis stops tormenting you, appetite appears, and you feel a surge of strength. You need to know what's going on with your body and your baby at 4 months pregnant. And we will try to help you understand this issue.

The 4th obstetric month of your pregnancy has begun. Your due date is calculated in obstetric months, which consist of exactly four weeks (28 days). Are you wondering: “4 month pregnant: how many weeks is that?”? From the point of view of medicine, this is the period from the 13th to the 16th obstetric week.

4 weeks of pregnancy: what happens to the fetus?

Undoubtedly, you are wondering how your baby looks like at 4 months of pregnancy, after how long it will move. The body of the baby is not yet proportional: the arms are already proportionate to the body, but the legs are still short. The size of the fetus at 4 months of pregnancy: height - 13 cm, weight - about 60-70 grams.

Your baby is already beginning to form the external genitalia. But it is not yet clear whether it is a girl or a boy.

Now the baby's nervous system is actively developing, his skin becomes sensitive. The child's facial features become noticeable. And even in such a short time, he already smiles, frowns and frowns. Your baby is already quite developed - he sucks his thumb, turns his head, stretches, yawns, squeezes his fingers into a fist and plays with his legs and arms. At the end of the fourth obstetric month, many expectant mothers already notice the movements of their baby. They may still be very weak, but in the future they will be more and more intensified.

During this period of intrauterine development, your child is already beginning to synthesize its own hemoglobin, the pituitary gland and the adrenal cortex are functioning more actively. The baby's body becomes more and more independent.

What does the belly look like at 4 months pregnant?

Is the belly growing and how visible is it at 4 months of pregnancy? During this period, as a rule, external changes are not particularly noticeable. What your belly looks like at 4 months pregnant depends largely on your constitution. If this is your first pregnancy, then the stomach does not particularly protrude (the uterus has just begun to go beyond the small pelvis). With repeated pregnancies during this period, the stomach is already quite noticeable, since the ligaments that hold the uterus are already stretched. The stomach at this time does not yet constrain movements, and you feel quite comfortable.
The uterus begins to grow rapidly, the volume of amniotic fluid is about 300 ml. By this time, you could already gain 5-7 kg (and this is normal). The uterus is now located in the area between the navel and the pubic bone.

4 month pregnant feeling

By the 4th month of pregnancy, the symptoms and sensations of the first trimester practically disappear or occur only occasionally. You already noticeably improved appetite and well-being due to the absence of nausea. But there may be symptoms such as:

dizziness;
slight pain in the lower abdomen due to stretching and thickening of the ligaments of the uterus;
headache;
nosebleeds;
copious white discharge from the vagina;
feeling of light suffocation;
involuntary excretion of urine, etc.

All of these symptoms are due to hormonal changes in your body and are acceptable and normal.

If you begin to notice swelling of the hands and feet, an increase in blood pressure and a deterioration in well-being, you should consult a doctor.

A sharp weight gain in combination with severe swelling may indicate problems with the kidneys. Therefore, during this period it is very important to diagnose the existing pathologies in a timely manner and cure them. At this time, pyelonephritis may occur, which is caused by the influence of the hormone progesterone.

In addition, it is important to monitor changes in the color of urine and secretions. If your urine is often pink or cloudy, you should tell your doctor. It is also necessary to urgently contact a gynecologist if you find brown or bloody discharge from the vagina.

4 months of bearing a baby is a period of relative calm and prosperity. All the stress factors associated with the appearance of a child in the family and early toxicosis have long since passed. However, the difficulties of delivery and bearing a child who has reached a large size are far ahead. During this period, you can enjoy life and do everything possible to protect yourself and your baby from possible complications.

4 months is how many weeks of pregnancy?

The fourth month of pregnancy is 16 obstetric weeks or approximately 18 calendar weeks. The difference is due to the fact that in the obstetric month there are always four weeks of 7 days each (28 days in total). This calculation was introduced for the convenience of planning the timing of pregnancy and the birth of a child. The beginning of this period is the 13th week, and the end is the 16th.

Changes that occur in a woman's body

Already in the fourth month of pregnancy, the female body undergoes colossal transformations. They concern both external factors, such as changes in the shape, color and size of the abdomen, and the restructuring of the functional activity of almost all organs.

External changes

From 13 to 16 weeks, others and the pregnant woman herself may notice the following changes:

Breast augmentation by 1-2 sizes. This process is due to hyperplasia of the glandular tissue of the mammary gland under the influence of estrogens and the intensive growth of blood vessels that feed it.
3 times enlargement of the areolas of the nipples.
Addition of body weight. Until the end of 4 months, weight gain is negligible. It is only 1 - 3 kg. This trend is explained by the fact that the active growth of the fetus and the organs that feed it begins from the 5th month.
Increased skin pigmentation. Areas of hyperpigmentation appear on the face, neck, and perineum. The formation on the abdomen of the "line of pregnancy" is characteristic. The appearance of brown spots on the skin is due to increased production and accumulation of melanin.
Presence of signs of varicose veins. Usually, such symptoms disappear after childbirth, and in the presence of the disease before the onset of pregnancy, it becomes more severe. On the skin of the legs, usually the legs, small spider veins appear, bluish veins appear through the skin.
The belly looks more voluminous than in the photo taken before pregnancy. You can forget about the "bad" times. The uterus is located at a height of 11-12 centimeters above the womb, so it can be clearly visualized.
Beginning of fetal movements.
Ability to listen to the fetal heartbeat. By the end of the 4th month of pregnancy, it is already possible to observe the baby's cardiac activity.

Inner feelings of a woman

In the body of the expectant mother, many processes are new for her, so the sensations also change. The following symptoms may be observed:

A slight increase in temperature in the early stages, worsening the general condition. By the beginning of the 2nd trimester, the temperature curve returns to normal.
Problems with gums and teeth begin. Enamel thinning is observed against the background of microelement deficiency and the likelihood of caries formation increases. The gums begin to bleed actively (due to the lack of iron and vitamin C), and therefore it is recommended to rinse the mouth with anti-inflammatory solutions.
Dizziness and fainting. Any violation of the daily routine can lead to such conditions. You need to get enough sleep, eat more fruits and vegetables, walk more often in the fresh air.
Against the background of changes in the intensity of blood flow in the gastrointestinal tract, dyspeptic disorders often occur. For example, heartburn.

Is there any toxicosis?

As a rule, by the end of the 1st trimester of pregnancy (week 13), the signs of early toxicosis already disappear. However, in some cases, vomiting and nausea do not stop and linger for longer periods. Toxicosis causes a lot of problems. Not only the subjective attitude of a woman to pregnancy is changing, but also the state of the body as a whole against the background of a constant shortage of all the necessary substances.

Allocations at 4 months

Normally, the 4th month of pregnancy should be accompanied by clear or whitish discharge. Brown discharge from the genital tract may indicate the presence of bleeding (abruption and placenta previa). The appearance of discharge with a yellowish or greenish color indicates the development of an inflammatory process.

Medical examinations

In the normal course of pregnancy, a meeting with a doctor at this time should take place only 1 time. When visiting a specialist will be carried out:

Ultrasonography. Ultrasound is performed to assess the development of the baby, determine the number of children and their gender. Usually at 4 months severe defects of the central nervous, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems are already visible.
Dopplerography - determination of the state of uteroplacental blood flow. Allows you to evaluate various disorders in the "mother-placenta-fetus" system and timely diagnose such abnormalities as intrauterine fetal hypoxia, fetal growth and development retardation, as well as any pathology of attachment and position of the placenta.
Determination of the level of a-fetoprotein. The norm for this period is from 15 kU/l to 16 kU/l. The level of the hormone increases with multiple pregnancies, malformations of the fetal nervous system (spina bifida, absence of the brain), the presence of Down syndrome, Klinefelter and fetal growth retardation.
UAC. Allows you to identify or exclude the presence of anemia, infectious and inflammatory processes, as well as to characterize the effect of the immune system on the fetus.
OAM. Using this method, they get an idea of the general condition of the kidneys and urinary tract. Allows you to exclude pyelonephritis of pregnant women, which often begins to develop at this time.
Determination of body weight. The procedure is needed to assess weight gain.
Measurement of blood pressure is used for the timely diagnosis of the most severe complication of pregnancy - preeclampsia.

Changes in the daily routine

Features of the daily routine for a pregnant woman who is 4 months pregnant can be represented as follows:

frequent walks in the fresh air: in parks, forests;
regular ventilation of the premises (at least 2-3 times a day);
ensuring proper sleep - 8 - 10 hours a day;
providing time for daytime rest and, if possible, sleep.

Nutrition and drinking regimen

A woman should receive a maximum of vitamins, micro and macro elements, minerals, valuable nutrients that are essential for a child growing in the womb. Deficiency of any of the listed components can lead to various diseases of the fetus.

For the 4th month, a pregnant woman gains 1.5 - 2 kg in weight, the calorie content of food should be increased. The first 2 meals should be as nutritious as possible, lunch and afternoon snack should be medium in calories, and dinner and a snack before bedtime should be dietary. The volume of liquid used should not exceed 2 - 2.5 liters. If you follow the drinking regimen, complications such as edema of pregnant women and preeclampsia will not threaten in the future, and kidney function will not be impaired.

It is recommended to eat as many fresh vegetables and fruits as possible. Instead of frying, give preference to stews or steaming (in a double boiler or slow cooker). The diet should contain the required amount of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iodine, vitamin C and group B.

To prevent anemia, it is advisable to eat more foods that are rich in iron (dried apricots, beef, pomegranate, pork liver). Improve the digestion of porridge, vegetable and butter, whole grain bread.

Physical exercise

It is recommended to perform exercises for the muscles of the back, legs, abs and to increase functional activity. Training should be carried out no more than 2-3 times a week for 30-45 minutes. The following exercises may be suggested:

25 - 30 squats;
alternating deep inhalation and exhalation 3 times in a row in the prone position;
raising and lowering the legs alternately 20-25 times;
alternate throwing of the right and left legs in the supine position;
in a position on all fours - retraction of the abdomen.

A good result for strengthening immunity, increasing endurance, improving the general condition was shown by such sports activities as swimming, yoga, water aerobics. It is recommended to devote about 60 minutes of time to these classes at least four times a week.

intimate life

If the pregnancy proceeds without complications, sex is not prohibited. If during the examination contraindications were identified, sexual activity should be abandoned:

the threat of termination of pregnancy;
multiple pregnancy;
infectious and inflammatory diseases of the reproductive and urinary systems.

Many expectant mothers are wondering what method of protection to choose. It should be remembered that during pregnancy it is necessary to use barrier methods of contraception (male or female condom, vaginal rings). These methods serve as a reliable means of preventing various diseases, including sexually transmitted infections, which can cause irreparable harm to the health of the fetus.

Possible Complications

By the end of the fourth month, the laying of all organs and systems of the fetus is completed, therefore, the “critical” periods are already behind. Any complications from the fetus are echoes of early pregnancy. In the 2nd trimester, all necessary examinations should be carried out in order to identify complications such as fetal hypoxia and placental abruption in time.