What's growing
Halfway. ~25 cm crown-to-heel
The mid-pregnancy anatomy scan typically happens this week.
Source: ISUOG Practice Guidelines, Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2022 — Mid-trimester scan
What's changing in you
Center of gravity is shifting
Postural compensation begins. Lower-back tightness is mechanical, not weakness.
Source: Soma-Pillay et al., Cardiovascular Journal of Africa 27(2), 2016 — Physiological changes in pregnancy
General info — not personalized medical advice.
Maternal brain
From 'pregnant' to 'becoming'
Identity reorganizes around the imagined baby — what Athan calls matrescence, drawing on Stern.
Source: Athan, Matrescence framework, Columbia University (2011–present)
You & baby
A name, a nickname, a hello
Many parents start using a placeholder name now — a small but meaningful attachment behavior.
Source: Cranley, Nursing Research 30(5), 1981 — Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale
For your partner
Co-watch the scan video later
Re-watching scan footage together, slowly, deepens shared narrative — a Cowan-style ritual.
Source: Cowan & Cowan, When Partners Become Parents (1992; 2nd ed. 2000)
Move with care
Posture resets
Wall angels, cat-cow, glute activation — two minutes twice a day beats one long session (ACOG 804).
Source: ACOG Committee Opinion 804 (reaffirmed 2020) — Physical Activity and Exercise During Pregnancy
General info — not personalized medical advice.
Eat for two brains
Steady iron + vitamin C
Iron requirements climb sharply through T2 and T3 to meet expanding blood volume and fetal stores.
Source: WHO Guideline: Daily iron and folic acid supplementation in pregnant women (2012)
General info — not personalized medical advice.
60-second prompt
Who taught you how to parent?
What will you keep? What will you change?
Source: Fraiberg, Adelson & Shapiro, JAACAP 14(3), 1975 — Ghosts in the Nursery
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.