Your baby

At 12cm from crown to rump and now about 16.5cm from head to toe, your baby is now about five ounces in weight. As he grows bigger, he will soon start to make his presence felt, with the occasional swift kick to your tummy.

At this time, your baby will start to develop fat deposits under the skin which will help to regulate his temperature after birth. These fat deposits will be about three quarters of your baby’s total weight by the time he is born.

Your baby's cerebral cortex (the outer layer of the brain) has started to mature and connections between the nerves and muscles are being established, so that your baby’s movements become more co-ordinated.

Your progress

Rising up to about halfway between your navel and pubic bone, your uterus has probably now grown to about four to five centimetres below your tummy button. But everyone's bump is different. You may be already quite big, or hardly showing at all – what’s considered ‘normal’ is actually a very broad description.

You may also notice some strange changes to your skin during this time. Many white skinned women notice dark spots on their forehead, nose and cheeks, while black skinned women sometimes develop patches of white skin on their face and neck. This is known as chloasma or the ‘mask of pregnancy’ – which will fade within three months of delivery.

Your breasts will also be continuing to change, with enlarged nipples, darkened areola and more prominent veins. You may also suffer from various digestive complaints, whether constipation, indigestion or heartburn, as well as needing to wee more frequently because your uterus is pressing on your bladder.

What to think about

Now that your energy levels are up and you’re not yet too big to stay active, you may want to get ‘nesting’ by finishing off those DIY jobs and decorating the nursery ready to welcome your new baby. After all, it will be a while before you’ve got your hands free once your baby arrives!

When you’re decorating the nursery, it’s worth making sure that your baby's crib is placed away from drafts and air vents and situated so you can see inside the crib when you peek in from the door. It should also be at least a few feet from windows and well away from shelves, decorative wall hangings and surfaces where a lamp and the baby monitor will sit. It’s also a good idea to shield radiators, install a light dimmer and cover plug sockets to protect little fingers.

Here are a few health and safety tips to consider when embarking on any DIY project, particularly when you’re pregnant.

Consider using low-solvent finishes and non-toxic paint strippers

To lower your exposure to paint fumes and chemicals, wrap rollers and brushes in cellophane when you're finished for the day so air can't get to them

Any old house covered in layers of paint is likely to have paint containing lead, which is harmful to breathe when removed. If you’re doing it yourself, wear a high-quality facemask designed to filter out airborne contaminants or, even better, hire someone else to do the job

Take care when climbing ladders, since your centre of gravity and balance have probably changed

As you renovate, keep windows at least partially open and use large fans so there's a constant stream of fresh air circulating through the house