The fifth month of pregnancy brings major developments and exciting changes as your baby – and your belly – continues to grow. During this month of pregnancy, you may notice new cravings and may start experiencing noticing some new sensations as well.
The image of a pregnant woman eating pickles and ice cream may seem like a cliche, but food cravings during pregnancy can be very real. Rachel, a New York City mom, was taken by surprise when she was drawn to a food she would never normally consider. "I had been a vegetarian for 10 years before I got pregnant with my first son. At around five months, we were at a friend's wedding and they brought me the vegetarian plate, but my husband got the steak. I was overwhelmed by a need to eat it. I ate the whole thing and even though it would never have looked appetizing to me before, there was no doubt my body was telling me that I needed it!"
Feeling your baby move for the first time is a feeling unlike any other. Bay-area mom Desiree shares her story: “I'll never forget the first time I felt my baby move. I was 18 weeks pregnant, and laying in bed uncomfortably hot at 4 a.m. when I felt the first flutter. When it happened again, I realized it wasn't gas. I immediately got up, got dressed, and [told] my husband we needed to go grocery shopping to eat healthier that moment. We went to our local grocery store and shopped for kale among the after-nightclub crowd. That was the moment I became a mom!”
For many parents-to-be, the highlight of the fifth month of pregnancy is the 20-week ultrasound. James, the Toronto-based founder of PaternityFraternity.com, recalls this momentous doctor’s appointment – and his baby’s first photo shoot. “My wife and had hoped for a boy since before she was even pregnant. Then, at the 20-week anatomy scan, the technician revealed that we were getting one! But as first-time parents who had a few stories about misreported genders, we weren't fully convinced. When we asked the technician if she was certain, she said, 'There's absolutely no doubt about it from this very revealing angle.' My wife and I both joked about printing a picture at that exact moment, and she took us seriously. "That's a first,' she said as she sent it to print.”
This article is part of our Pregnancy Month-by-Month series. Parents who have "been there" share their memories with parents just starting their journey toward parenthood. To read the next article in the series, click here.
