5 months pregnant
At 5 months pregnant (weeks 18 to 22), you reach the halfway point. You'll have your anomaly scan, you'll probably feel your baby move for the first time, and your baby grows to about the size of a papaya.
Which weeks are 5 months pregnant?
5 months pregnant covers weeks 18 to 22, in the second trimester. Doctors count pregnancy in weeks from the first day of your last period, so months are only approximate. Not sure how far along you are? Try our how many weeks pregnant am I calculator.
Week 18 Week 19 Week 20 Week 21 Week 22
Your baby at 5 months pregnant
Your baby's ears are in their final position and hearing is developing, so your voice is becoming familiar. A creamy coating called vernix protects the skin. Your baby swallows amniotic fluid, practises digestion and produces meconium, the first poo. Eyebrows and eyelids are fully formed. From 20 weeks, babies are measured head to heel, and by the end of this month your baby is about 28 cm long.
By the end of the month:
| Size | About the size of a papaya |
|---|---|
| Length | about 27.8 cm head to heel |
| Weight | about 430 g |
Your body at 5 months pregnant
Most first-time mums feel the first movements this month, often like bubbles or flutters, which turn into kicks. Your bump is clearly showing. Backache, leg cramps, heartburn and swollen feet become more common, and some women notice painless tightenings called Braxton Hicks.
Common symptoms at 5 months pregnant
- Feeling your baby move
- Backache
- Leg cramps
- Heartburn
- Swollen feet and ankles
- Braxton Hicks tightenings
Your checklist for month 5
- Have your anomaly scan, usually between 18 and 21 weeks.
- Learn the warning signs of pre-eclampsia, which can start after 20 weeks.
- Start sleeping on your side with a pillow between your knees.
- Plan your antenatal classes.
- Check what your insurance covers for the birth.
When to call your doctor
Call your doctor or maternity unit straight away for bleeding, severe tummy pain, fluid leaking, a severe headache or vision changes, sudden swelling of the face or hands, a high temperature, or, from about 24 weeks, if your baby is moving less than usual.
Questions about being 5 months pregnant
What does 5 months pregnant feel like?
Many women feel well, with more energy than in the first trimester. Feeling your baby move is a highlight. Backache, heartburn and leg cramps are common niggles.
Can you find out the sex at 5 months?
The anomaly scan at 18 to 21 weeks can often show your baby's sex, if your baby is in a good position and local law allows it to be shared. In India, it is illegal to tell parents the baby's sex.