It is surprising how much detail is already present in your baby's body. This closeup of an ear shows that its helical pattern of folds is nearly fully developed, although it is still too soon for your baby to hear anything.
By week 14, if you stand in your underwear in front of the mirror, you will see a change in your body shape, but to the outside world you may not look very different. Women who have previously been pregnant tend to show earlier than those who are pregnant for the first time, because their stomach muscles have already been stretched once and so stretch much more quickly. Women often say that this is the time when they look as though they have put on weight and feel fat, not pregnant! But it won't be long before your belly will be visible for the world to see.
If you're feeling uncomfortable and heavy, make sure you choose the right clothes. See the section Become a clothes cheat! for some tips on how to adapt your wardrobe without having to spend any money yet.
Check with your doctor before opting for complementary and alternative medicine. This umbrella term covers medical practices and products that are not considered part of conventional medicine, and studies of their effects on pregnancy may not have been done. "Natural" doesn't mean "safe."
Reflexology is a complementary therapy that involves applying pressure to reflexes on the hands and feet. It's believed to help with morning sickness, backaches, fluid retention, and swelling during pregnancy.
Now that you're in the second trimester, you may be sleeping better, since the urge to go to the bathroom frequently may have subsided, allowing you to stay in bed all night long once again. Or maybe not, since sleep-related problems can affect women during the entire pregnancy. Here are some common problems and solutions:
Excerpted from Pregnancy Day by Day.
Copyright © 2009 Dorling Kindersley Limited.
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