Mum
Once you start showing, your body stops being your own, and every stranger has the right to ask about the due date and whether you’ve chosen a name yet. It may feel like you’re having the same conversation five times a day. Wonderful, isn’t it just? The big day is still some fifteen weeks away, but of course, the baby is on its own schedule, so you never know. No, you haven’t chosen a name yet. No, you don’t know whose surname they will have, and no, you don’t yet know whether it’s a he or a she. Sometimes people may just think it’s polite to show an interest, sometimes they genuinely want to share your joy. It’s all part and parcel of being pregnant. And as far as parts and parcels go, you must admit that this bit of friendly chatter is miles better than morning sickness.
Dad
Take a photo of the bump, now that it’s getting visible. You might like to document the progress every week from now on. If your partner is shy about having her naked belly photographed, perhaps she’ll agree to wear the same top every week to make the comparison easy, or impress her with ideas for how to take the perfect preggie selfie.
Baby
Boo! Your startle reflexes are now developing. You’re putting on baby fat and your wrinkly skin is smoothing out. Hang in there! You now weigh as much as an average swede (the vegetable, not a person).
Things to keep in mind
- Your baby is crowding your uterus so you’ll probably find yourself running to the loo a lot more often, but you’ll still need to drink lots of water.
- If you love travelling, this is the time to plan your final plane trip. Every airline is different, so do a quick search to find out how late in your pregnancy you will still be allowed to fly.
- Contact your insurance provider to learn more about how your baby might fit into your insurance plan after they’re born.
- Keep at your pelvic floor muscle exercises and eat lots of nutritious foods.
Photos in the bumpandbaby.co.nz/week-by-week/ are by Lenart Nilsson. Lenart's series was bought to fame when his photo, considered the greatest photo of the 20th century, appeared on the cover of Life magazine in 1965. “Everyone interprets images differently, depending on their social, cultural and religious background. In the digital era, I believe it is more important than ever to go back and take a look inside ourselves. What better way of doing that than with these photos?” ~ Jane Stene, art gallery director and curator of Lenart's definitive black and white series, told the The Guardian in 2019. It is Lenart Nilsson's wish that his images are never used for political debate about pro-life.
