Researchers in Scotland compared fetal responses when pregnant women spoke to their babies or rubbed their bellies. “Overall results suggest that maternal touch of the abdomen was a powerful stimulus, producing a range of fetal behavioural responses,” the researchers write.
Sensation. After around 18 weeks, babies like to sleep in the womb while their mother is awake, since movement can rock them to sleep. They can feel pain at 22 weeks, and at 26 weeks they can move in response to a hand being rubbed on the mother's belly.
Massage your partner's belly
Baby may start to know when their father is touching mom's belly. Babies can sense touch from anyone, but they can also sense when touch (and voice) is familiar. And by 24 weeks into pregnancy, dad can usually feel baby kick – but the exact time varies.
DON'T RUB YOUR BELLY
While we are on the subject of potentially damaging your unborn child's wellbeing, Chinese superstition also states a pregnant woman should refrain from rubbing her stomach. This almost unconscious act of affection can apparently lead to the birth of a demanding, spoilt child.
There's no evidence that it can cause any harm as long as you use soft, gentle movements. Even so, you may want to avoid it for the first three months, just to be on the safe side. Massaging your bump in the first trimester may also make morning sickness worse.
Experts stay safe by avoiding pressure points associated with the pelvis, wrists, hands, and ankles. Due to the risk of blood clots during pregnancy it is also important to avoid deep tissue massage in the legs.
Truth be told, they won't feel much of a sensation due to the bath water itself but they will enjoy the sense of relaxation that flows through your body as a result of the soak. Further, you may find the baby squirming around based on the noise of the rushing water.
While a foot massage sounds tempting, you might wonder if it's safe during pregnancy. There are concerns about pregnant women who've developed blood clots in their legs. Changes to your blood flow put you more at risk of them during pregnancy.
Dermatologists have said there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that scratching or rubbing the stomach in a particular way can cause stretch marks during pregnancy.
However, massage of the tummy or breasts can cause contractions of the womb. If you notice strong contractions, stop that part of the massage. You may find that you are more sensitive to smells than usual.
At around 18 weeks of pregnancy, your unborn baby will start being able to hear sounds in your body like your heartbeat. At 27 to 29 weeks (6 to 7 months), they can hear some sounds outside your body too, like your voice. By the time they are full term, they will be able to hear at about the same level as an adult.
Many physicians advise pregnant women to sleep on their left side. Previous studies have linked back and right-side sleeping with a higher risk of stillbirth, reduced fetal growth, low birth weight, and preeclampsia, a life-threatening high blood pressure disorder that affects the mother.
Sing nursery rhymes, your favorite songs, the alphabet, or make-up songs on your own. Either way, they'll enjoy it and may recognize the songs once they're born. 2. Listen To Music – Whether you use a pregnancy/prenatal music belt or just play your music loud, you and your baby will enjoy the vibrations together.
Depending on your stage of pregnancy, your body type, and even the time of day, sometimes your belly will feel soft and other times it will feel tight and hard. The reality is, there's no normal to compare yourself with. Pregnant bellies come in all shapes, sizes, and firmness.
Sneezing cannot hurt your baby. Sneezing doesn't pose any risks to your baby at any stage of a pregnancy. However, sneezing can be a symptom of an illness or disease, such as the flu or asthma. When you have the flu, so does your baby.
Some moms report that a short burst of exercise (like jogging in place) is enough to wake up their baby in the womb. Shine a flashlight on your tummy. Towards the middle of the second trimester, your baby may be able to tell the difference between light and dark; a moving light source may interest them.
The answer is almost always no. Some abdominal contact is inevitable and typically harmless during pregnancy, from doing daily tasks at work to managing rambunctious toddlers and pets. The rare exceptions usually involve abdominal trauma, such as getting in a car accident.
Braxton Hicks contractions occur from early in your pregnancy but you may not feel them until the second trimester. If this is your first pregnancy, you might start to feel them from about 16 weeks. In later pregnancies, you may feel Braxton Hicks contractions more often, or earlier. Some women won't feel them at all.
Your legs should not be crossed and your feet should be flat on the floor. Try to avoid sitting in the same position for more than 30 minutes. At work, adjust your chair height and workstation so you can sit up close to your desk. Rest your elbows and arms on your chair or desk, keeping your shoulders relaxed.
Because your blood volume increases when you're pregnant, blood flow in your legs can slow down, making you prone to clots. So deep tissue massage on your legs could dislodge a clot.
Standing for prolonged periods while pregnant can not only be dangerous, but it can also be difficult or painful. It is recommended that pregnant women stand for no more than four or five hours while taking frequent breaks throughout the workday.
The lungs are the last major organ to finish developing. When fully mature, they produce a chemical that affects the hormones in your body.
There's no hard and fast rule, but many baby showers happen one or two months before the baby's due date. Throwing the shower sooner is fine, too; maybe there are scheduling constraints or concerns about the baby arriving early, for example.
The short answer is that there's no "right" time — some parents opt for a shower early on in their pregnancies, while others wait until a week or two before their due dates. Ultimately, the timing of your baby shower depends on what works for you, your family and the person hosting the event.