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Having a healthy baby means gaining weight. If you are presently on a weight loss diet, stop. The recommended total weight gain during pregnancy is 25-35 pounds for the average weight woman. That means you should gain 3-4 pounds per month until your baby is born. If you were underweight before your pregnancy, you should gain a total of 28-40 pounds. Women carrying twins should gain 35-45 pounds.
Where does all this weight go? Your weight gain includes the fetus (baby), the placenta (organ that feeds the baby), the uterus (womb), amniotic fluid (bag of water), extra fluid in other tissues, increased blood, and finally an increase in breast size.
Remember, an adequate supply of nutrients and calories for both mother and baby is a must. A variety of foods is the key to be well on your way!
| Baby’s Growth |
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Your baby is growing rapidly. The fetus will be 8-10 inches long by the end of the fourth month. You may feel your baby move at this time. This is called “quickening.” The kicks may fool you at first, but they will become more obvious with time.
| Maternity Wear |
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Attractive, comfortable maternity clothes will help you look and feel your best during pregnancy. Your body’s changing size and shape as well as your activities will determine what clothing is best for you. You may have adjusted your wardrobe the first few months by wearing loose styles or leaving zippers and buttons undone. As your waist and bust increase, maternity wear will be needed. Here are some helpful hints for putting a maternity wardrobe together.
- Select colors, fabrics, and styles that can be worn for more than one season.
- Choose clothes that can be mixed and matched.
- Comfort, fit, and room for growth is more important than quality since clothes will be
worn for a short time.
- Look for clothes with elastic or drawstring waists, stretch panels, or adjustable
fasteners. Or you can alter your own clothes!
- Borrow clothing from friends or relatives.
| Time for Dad |
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The father-child relationship is very important. One way to get Dad involved is to let him hear the baby’s heartbeat and feel the kicking on your stomach. He could also attend your prenatal check-ups and ask the doctor questions. The more he understands about the pregnancy, the more
supportive he can be. Dad should start planning time with the baby once she’s born. Can he take
some time off from work? Talk about what his new role will be.
| Twin |
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Doctors can usually diagnose twins early in pregnancy by using ultrasound (sonogram). This early detection helps parents to plan emotionally, financially, and physically. It also allows your doctor to closely monitor the development of the fetuses. More frequent visits, special attention to proper nutrition, and plenty of rest is important. Twins are more likely to be small at birth and need extra attention during delivery to avoid complications.
You are probably wondering how you will cope with two infants at once. One “trick of the trade” is to ask family or friends for help, especially during the first few months. Talking to parents of twins may also help. See if your community has a Mothers of Twins Club near you. Twins may mean double the work, but they also bring double the pleasure!
| Buy Lines: Cribs |
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When shopping for baby cribs, it is important to look for the following features.
- Slats should be close together (openings about three fingers wide) so the baby’s head
doesn’t get stuck between them.
- The mattress should fit snugly so the baby doesn’t get trapped between the mattress
and crib frame.
- The headboard and footboard should not have fancy cut-outs or carvings that could trap
the baby’s head, hands, or feet.
- There should be no rough edges on the hardware that can come in contact with the
baby.
- The manufacturer’s name and the model or code number should be permanently
labeled on the crib.
If you cannot afford a new crib right now, consider a used crib. It is more important to check the safety of used cribs than new ones.
Cribs are not a must for newborns. Infant beds can be made from a bureau drawer or laundry basket placed on the floor. Be sure to cover all rough edges with layers of blankets.
The Cooperative Extension Service can provide up-to-date information on clothing, housing, consumer education, food and nutrition, and other areas of family and consumer sciences. Please call us if you have any questions.
Primary author: Holly Alley, MS, RD, LD,
Extension Nutrition and Health Specialist
Contributing author: Don Bower, DPA,
Extension Human Development Specialist
Reviewer: Angie Garcia, dietetic intern
Document use:
Permission is granted to reproduce these materials in whole or in part for
educational purposes only (not for profit beyond the cost of reproduction)
provided that the author and the University of Georgia receive
acknowledgement and the notice is included:
Reprinted with permission from the University of Georgia.
Bower, D. (1996). Well on Your Way: Fourth Month. Athens, GA: University of Georgia, Cooperative Extension Service.
Available from:
In Georgia:
Contact your local County Extension Office.
Out of state:
Distribution Center
Cooperative Extension Service
University of Georgia
305 Riverbend Road
Athens, GA 30602
Fax: (706) 542-2162
Phone: (706) 542-8946
Email: eruark@arches.uga.edu
Content Person Contact: Don Bower, DPA, CFCS dbower@uga.edu
Copyright Permission: (706) 542-4860
Document Review: level 3: State/Regional Peer Review
Document Size:
Publication Date: 1996-06-01
Entry Date: 1999-01-25
Pull Date: 2001-01-25
Pub #: CHFD-E-45-02
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