Your baby can now hear sounds from the outside world, although they're muffled by layers of skin, uterus, and amniotic fluid.
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You're in your sixth month!
The outside world
Your baby can hear sounds from outside your body now, such as a dog barking. At first, your baby's ears can hear only low-pitched sounds, meaning she can hear male voices more clearly than female voices.
Dancing with you
With her sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And you may be able to see her squirm underneath your clothes.
Digestive skills
The wave-like movements that propel food along the digestive tract (peristalsis) begin. As with swallowing, it's just practice for your baby's system at this point since there's no actual food to move.
Swollen ankles
You may notice that your ankles and feet start to swell a bit in the coming weeks or months, especially at the end of the day or during the heat of summer. Sluggish circulation in your legs – coupled with changes in your blood chemistry that may cause some water retention – may result in swelling, also known as edema.
Swollen hands and face?
While a certain amount of edema in your lower extremities is normal during pregnancy, excessive swelling may be a sign of a serious condition called preeclampsia. Be sure to call your midwife or doctor if you have severe or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles, more than slight swelling of your hands, swelling in your face, or puffiness around your eyes.
Don't see your symptom?
Wondering about a symptom you have? Find it on our pregnancy symptoms page.
Decide whether to hire a doula
A doula is a trained labor coach who helps you during labor and delivery. If you're interested in hiring one, it's a good idea to start your search in the second trimester.
Write a letter to your baby
This can be a wonderful keepsake to share with your child later. Go with your heart and follow your inspiration. Or if writing isn't your thing, put together a collage or a memory box of pregnancy mementos.
