What's growing
Facial expressions appear
About 8.5 cm. Baby can squint, frown, and make sucking motions. Lanugo begins to grow.
Source: Moore, Persaud & Torchia, The Developing Human, 11th ed. (2020)
What's changing in you
Skin and hair changes
Linea nigra may darken; hair may thicken from estrogen. Mostly cosmetic, all temporary.
Source: Williams Obstetrics, 26th ed. (Cunningham et al., 2022)
General info — not personalized medical advice.
Maternal brain
Future-thinking returns
T2 often re-opens planning capacity. Use it for one practical decision per week, not ten.
Source: Hoekzema et al., Nature Neuroscience 20, 287–296 (2017)
You & baby
Talk about the day
Update the baby out loud during your commute. Repetitive voice exposure has documented effects.
Source: Partanen et al., PNAS 110(37), 2013 — Prenatal experience and learning of melodies
For your partner
Plan one date
Pre-baby couple time predicts post-baby satisfaction. Schedule it now while energy is good.
Source: Gottman & Gottman, Bringing Baby Home — J Family Communication 5(4), 2005
Move with care
Prenatal yoga or pilates
Group prenatal classes pair well with strength work. They also build community — a documented protective factor against perinatal depression (Brixval et al., 2016).
Source: Brixval et al., BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 16, 2016 — Antenatal education effects
General info — not personalized medical advice.
Eat for two brains
Fiber forward
Progesterone slows gut motility. Beans, oats, fruit, water — start now to avoid late-trimester strain.
Source: Biagi et al., Nutrients 11(5), 2019 — Mediterranean diet in pregnancy
General info — not personalized medical advice.
60-second prompt
What support do you need that you haven't asked for?
Specifics, not vibes.
Source: Lieberman et al., Psychological Science 18(5), 2007 — Affect labeling
Developed and curated by perinatal psychologists, family & couples counsellors, doulas, perinatal health & fitness specialists, and IBCLCs / lactation consultants. Educational — not a substitute for medical care.