Week 21

YOU
By now you will probably be able to feel the top of your womb, it will be almost level with your navel. Over the next ten or so weeks you will continue putting on weight, only now at a faster rate. Sometimes this weight gain can seem overwhelming, even a little depressing, try to focus on the fact that your growing belly is home to a rapidly developing little person.

YOUR BABY
Your baby is now about half the length it will be when it is born. The eyes are still flat against the cheeks - they have yet to build up and are still fused shut. Your baby's skin should be opaque by now. White blood cells are present now which play an important roll in protecting your baby from disease and infection. Baby is now a lot better proportioned and movements are becoming advanced. He or she now weighs around 450g and measures about 27cm long.

Week 22

YOU
By now you will definitely be needing to make some adjustments to your wardrobe, you will probably find you can manage with a combination of maternity clothes and loose fitting clothing such as tracksuit pants and yoga pants. You may find that you can pick up suitable clothing in a bigger size from a chain store more cheaply than buying specialist maternity clothing. Find out what other OHbaby! mums found comfortable on our OHbaby! Message Boards.

You will notice (particularly if you've had a child before) that you can feel where your baby is in the womb. He or she will move around a lot, sometimes sitting high up in the womb, sometimes fairly low. These movements will still feel fairly soft.

YOUR BABY
You may start to notice that your baby is developing a rhythmic sleep pattern. Unfortunately it's likely that the time when you want to sleep is when baby is most active! If your baby's movements keep you awake at night, try having a quiet time before bed, this will give you important bonding time with baby, and will help calm you both down ready for sleep. A warm milo or warm milk might also help. 

Week 23

YOU
You may start to feel the odd pain in your tummy from this point on. These pains, known as Braxton Hicks contractions, actually started very early in your pregnancy, but it is only as your uterus gets bigger that you will begin to notice them. They will occur every 20 minutes or so, and last around 20 seconds. They will probably feel like a tightening across your bump, or you may feel them as mild period pains. If you feel that the pains are becoming too frequent or intense, try lying down for a few minutes to see if they ease. If not, contact your LMC. You may also feel stitch like pains across your bump, this is another way the uterus prepares itself for labour and birth.

YOUR BABY
You may notice that baby is growing stronger by the kicks you get in the stomach. These will often be in response to touch or sound as your baby is able to sense these easily now. Baby's heartbeat will now be quite strong, strong enough to hear through a stethoscope and possibly even your partner could hear if puts his head up to your tummy and the room is quiet.

Week 24

YOU
Try to keep up the exercise. You are now large enough that low-impact exercises such as walking and swimming are best. As your bump gets bigger, it can also affect your sex life. You may need to try new positions, such as being on top, or lying on your side, or you might prefer to find other ways for you and your partner to be close such as cuddling or massage. 
You may also be finding the demands of work challenging, if possible, make arrangements to get out of work early and rest. Have you discussed leave arrangements with your boss? Visit www.ird.govt.nz for information on entitlement to maternity/paternity leave.

YOUR BABY
Your baby's muscles are now well developed and you will feel baby using them. Little wrinkles are starting to appear on the palms and fingertips. Whilst smaller foetuses suck their thumbs instinctively, your baby is now able to consciously suck his or her thumb and may do so in a regular pattern.