The skin on your baby's fingers and toes has buckled into distinct patterns that are now permanent and unique.
As your uterus grows, the ligaments that link it to your pelvis stretch and may cause occasional sharp pains.
If you're curvy and swelling everywhere, longer lines are the best way to help you accentuate your beautiful bump.
You're in your fifth month!
Sensory explosion
Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch.
In proportion
Her arms and legs are in proportion to each other and the rest of her body now.
Pickling prevention
A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on your baby's skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.
Lower abdominal pain
Your belly will start growing even faster in the weeks to come. As a result, you may notice some achiness in your lower abdomen or even an occasional brief, stabbing pain on one or both sides – especially when you shift position or at the end of an active day. Most likely, this is round ligament pain. The ligaments that support your uterus are stretching to accommodate its increasing weight.
Skin changes
Are the palms of your hands red? It's from the extra estrogen. You may also have patches of darkened skin on your upper lip, cheeks, and forehead – that's called chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy." Extra pigment may cause some darkening of your nipples, freckles, scars, underarms, inner thighs, and vulva. That darkened line running from your belly button to your pubic bone is called the linea nigra, or "dark line."
Don't see your symptom?
Wondering about a symptom you have? Find it on our pregnancy symptoms page.
Start your childcare search
If you'll need childcare for your baby, look into your options now. Ask mom friends for recommendations and search online. If you live in an area where daycare centers are in high demand, go on a few tours and put your name on waiting lists.
Plan some adult time
Take a moment to enjoy this baby-free time. Buy tickets for live music (some experts advise against loud rock concerts during pregnancy, but other than that you should be fine) or a performance. Go to a late-night movie. Browse for hours in your favorite store. Wait in line at your favorite Sunday-morning breakfast place because you can.
