Your baby

Your growing baby probably now measures about 24cm from crown to rump and weighs just about two pounds. Your baby is looking ever more like he will look at birth, although his skin is still very wrinkled.

Around this time, your baby's eyelids open, so now your baby can blink and look aroundwhile still inside your uterus! If someone puts their ear to your belly, your baby's heartbeat will probably be distinguishable.

Antibodies are crossing from the placenta into your baby, helping to provide him with immunity to infection. This immunity will be boosted if you breastfeed, and lasts until your baby is a few months old.

Your progress

From now until about 36 weeks, you'll probably gain weight at a slightly faster rate. It's natural to be rather alarmed by your ballooning size, but remember that weight gained during pregnancy is not unhealthy, but actually necessary for a healthy pregnancy and baby.

Your breasts alone may have quadrupled in weight! As your blood volume has increased by 30-50%, some of the weight will be in fluids too. And of course, your baby and placenta count for quite a few of those pounds. The rest will be in maternal fat stores, which are important energy reserves for breast feeding.

Of course pregnancy is not the time to go on a diet. Even if you are overweight, reducing calories can actually be harmful to your baby. However, following a healthy diet – i.e. nutritious, low-fat foods and reasonable portion sizes - will help you to maintain a steady weight gain.

What to think about

There's no doubt about it, parenthood takes being an adult to a new level. You and your partner will have enough to manage as a couple once your baby arrives, without having the financial worry of how you're going to provide for this new, totally dependent little being. Here are some ways you can improve your financial security before or when your baby arrives:

If you're on a low income, the Sure Start Maternity Grant is a one-off payment to help towards costs of a new baby, which you don't have to repay. Find out if you can apply at

direct.gov.uk - Sure Start Maternity Grant factsheet

Child Tax Credit is a means-tested allowance for parents and carers of children. Nine out of ten families with children can get tax credits. To find out whether you're eligible, visit

direct.gov.uk - Benefits, tax credits and other support

Child Benefit (ChB) is a regular payment made to anyone bringing up children. It is paid for each child that qualifies and isn't affected by income or savings. Find out more at

direct.gov.uk - Child Benefit

Expecting a new addition to your family is an ideal time to honestly review your credit and debt arrangements, so you can switch to a lower interest rate or a consolidation loan.

An Independent Financial Advisor can offer you sound advice for making important financial decisions such as mortgages, pensions and life assurance.

A financial advisor or accountant may also help you with practical matters, such as accessing all the tax benefits that your new dependent brings, or how to plan for tax-free savings.

Cut costs. Compare grocery stores on basic items to find the supermarket that is genuinely less expensive. Consider joining discount loyalty clubs. Buy foods, pet supplies and paper goods in bulk – especially nappies!

Set up an emergency fund. Most financial advisors suggest keeping three to six months' worth of income in an emergency fund to help you in case of financial setbacks.

Make a will. This will allow you to name the person who will benefit from your property if you die. You'll also want to discuss how to appoint a guardian who will take over the care your baby should both of you die.