By the end of this month, morning sickness will likely become a distant memory. This is true even if at the beginning of the month, your experience tells you that “morning sickness” isn’t just reserved for mornings. Here’s what you can expect:

Physical Changes

• You should begin to feel better by the end of this month.

• Morning sickness likely will diminish, but may not disappear completely.

• Hopefully, you’ll feel more energetic.

• Weight gain is about two to three pounds.

• Your hunger may increase.

• The placenta is formed and hormones are keeping your pregnancy healthy. You may be able to feel your uterus above the pubic bone and your uterus may harden from contractions.

• You may notice you perspire more, experience constipation, or have increased vaginal discharge.

Emotional Changes

• You may have mood swings, going from happy to sad for no reason (except hormones).

• Possibly you will experience a new sense of calmness.

He’s only a quarter of a pound and 2-1/4 inches long, yet your baby already has ten fingers and ten toes. Here’s a look at how he’s growing:

• Although he is active, your baby is still too tiny for you to feel movement.

• His ears, arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet, and toes will be completely formed this month.

• His taste buds are forming.

• His neck is formed and supports his head.

• Reflex movements allow his elbows to bend, his legs to kick and his fingers to form a tiny little fist.

• His heart beats 120 to 160 times a minute.

• Blood travels to your baby through the umbilical cord.

• About one cup of amniotic fluid surrounds your baby in the sac.

• The fluid he swallows is circulated back into the amniotic sac by his kidneys.

• He’s about the size of an apple.

Your health care professional will check the following:

• Height of the fundus — the distance from your pubic bone to the upper, rounded top of your uterus. The measurement of fundal height is taken on the outside of the abdomen with a tape measure, and can tell the growth of both the uterus and the baby each month.

• Blood pressure

• Weight

• Urine

• Blood tests (as needed)