4 Months Pregnant: Pregnancy Month by Month
Four months pregnant is kind of a big deal. Lots of exciting milestones occur this month as you get closer and closer to the big arrival.
Common Pregnancy Symptoms at Four Months Pregnant
Although you might not experience all of them, these pregnancy symptoms are common during the fourth month of pregnancy:
Weight gain
Itchy skin around your growing tummy and breasts
Appearance of stretch marks
Labored breathing
Hunger
Heartburn and indigestion
Increased energy
Varicose veins
Spider veins
Changes in skin pigmentation
At four months pregnant, there are relatively few nagging symptoms. That's why this time is referred to as the “honeymoon” period of pregnancy — when many moms-to-be take on decorating, shopping, traveling, and any other preparations that require more energy.
Week 20 Pregnancy Scan
Also known as the anatomy scan, the important week 20 ultrasound scan will allow your healthcare provider to check that everything is OK with both you and your little one.
During the week 20 scan, you may, if you wish, find out the gender of your baby. Whether you choose to learn the gender now or leave it as a surprise for the birth, you'll likely start thinking about potential baby names. Check out the Pampers Baby Name Generator; it lets you play with different settings to help you land on a name you love.
The ultrasound scan is a painless process. A cool jelly is rubbed on your tummy, and a wand is passed over your bump. A grainy image of your baby can be seen on a screen next to the bed.
Four Months Pregnant: Changes Inside and Out
Your Baby's Development: Though your baby is still tiny, he's already developing all kinds of features — even eyebrows and eyelashes. Amazingly, your baby now even has his very own fingerprints. Plus, he may soon have a crop of hair on his head.
Your baby may also be hiccupping and yawning — it's tiring work doing all that growing.
Changes to Your Body: At four months pregnant, perhaps between weeks 18 and 20, you may sense your baby moving for the first time. The sensation will feel like butterflies fluttering in your tummy. What a sweet time.
You might notice that your breathing is getting a little more labored; this is because your growing baby is starting to push up against your lungs. This pressure will continue until your baby “drops” deeper into your pelvis just ahead of birth.
Your growing tummy will likely be a little more obvious by now, and you might notice that people are curious about whether you are pregnant.
Some pregnant women will experience thicker or darker hair on their head, or the growth of more facial hair due to hormonal changes.
Fourth Month of Pregnancy Quick List
Week 20 anatomy scan: By week 20, you’re at the halfway mark of your pregnancy, and it’s time for that all-important ultrasound. Read more about pregnancy ultrasounds and 3D and 4D scans so that you know what to expect.
Find out your baby’s gender: If you choose to find out your baby’s gender, think about whether you want to tell people and how you want to make the big announcement.
Start browsing maternity wear: Although you may not need full-on maternity clothing at four months pregnant, your pants might start to feel a little snug. This could be a good time to start browsing local or online maternity stores to get inspired about trendy maternity wear.
Handle hunger pangs: You might experience more intense hunger pangs than you did before; if so, try to maintain your healthy pregnancy diet. Rather than eating twice as much, follow your provider's recommendations and add just a little more healthy food to your diet.
Take a vacation: Use that second trimester burst in energy, and the fact that your tummy is not yet so big, to get any bigger pregnancy preparations out of the way and take a relaxing getaway with your partner. If this is your first baby, then this could be a great chance to spend some one-on-one time with your partner before your little one joins you.
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