Now the toes are lengthening and a gentle arch to the foot is beginning to take shape. Your baby can grasp her feet at will but has difficulty bringing them up to her mouth: this is not a problem a little later in pregnancy.
You may have another prenatal appointment at around 16 weeks, if you had your last appointment at around 12 weeks. You'll be weighed.
Your urine will be tested, and your blood pressure measured, as well as the baby's heart rate monitored. Furthermore, the doctor should be able to hear your baby's heartbeat (see You are 16 Weeks and 4 Days), which can be very reassuring.
Women who do not have the nuchal translucency scan at around 11-14 weeks, may be offered one of two blood tests, known as the triple test or quadruple test, which are screening tests for Down syndrome.
This appointment also offers you an opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have, and your doctor will report the results of the routine tests (see Routine blood tests) you had at your first prenatal appointment, or shortly thereafter.
If your blood test results show that your hemoglobin levels were low, you may be offered a prescription for iron.
Maternity wear first appeared around the middle of the 19th century.
At this time a prudish society felt that pregnancy should be hidden. For this same reason, and for the well-being of mother and child, women were encouraged to stay in bed in the weeks leading up to the birth.
Excerpted from Pregnancy Day by Day.
Copyright © 2009 Dorling Kindersley Limited.
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