Pregnancy Pains
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Boil during pregnancy: is it dangerous? Risks and precautions to know
Welcome to your 4th month of pregnancy! On your calendar, you are at the 14th week of pregnancy, which corresponds to the 16th week of amenorrhea (WA). This month will end after 17 weeks of pregnancy, meaning the 19th week of amenorrhea.
4 months pregnant: let’s take stock.
Your baby at 4 months of pregnancy
In this article, numbers and dates will be mentioned, but remember that every pregnancy is different! Your baby’s development, starting from life in the womb, is unique, and your pregnancy may not progress the same way as another pregnant woman’s.
4 months pregnant: your baby may already be moving
Your baby is doing just fine: they can now grab their feet and touch their own body. During an ultrasound, swallowing may even be visible. Your baby is able to open and close their mouth to suck on their tiny fingers or swallow amniotic fluid.
From the 16th week of amenorrhea, you may start to feel the fetus move! You might be surprised by this unusual sensation at first. It can feel like gas in your bladder. Some describe it as little bubbles or butterflies. If you feel something like this in your lower abdomen, toward the front, it’s your baby (no other sensation comes from that area)!
Of course, if the sensation feels like menstrual cramps, it’s more likely your uterus at work. If the pain becomes difficult to تحمل, you should consult your healthcare provider.
Don’t worry if you don’t feel your baby every day or several times a day. This is just the beginning. As your pregnancy progresses, you’ll feel movements much more often and more clearly. Some women don’t feel anything until 19 WA.
Good to know: your baby moves a lot in the uterus and can take different positions. At this stage, no position is final, as there is still plenty of space to move freely.
Feeling confused about the calculations? There is a 2-week difference between weeks of pregnancy and weeks of amenorrhea: 3 weeks pregnant = 5 WA, for example. You can refer to our “pregnancy calendar” sheet if in doubt!
4 months pregnant: how to recognize your baby’s movements?
The most common method is based on daily self-observation. This means setting aside a calm moment each day, usually after a meal or in the evening, to focus on your baby’s movements. Lying on your side can also help you feel them better.
Additionally, some times of day are more active than others, especially in the evening or after a sugary meal.
Several factors can also influence your perception: the position of the placenta (for example, an anterior placenta can dampen sensations), your body type, or whether this is your first pregnancy.
In any case, no pressure! Since every pregnancy is different, some babies are naturally calmer than others. It’s still early in your pregnancy, give your baby time to make themselves known.
4 months pregnant: your baby urinates
The nutrients your baby needs are delivered through the umbilical cord. The body’s filters—the liver and kidneys—are already in place, allowing your baby to process these nutrients. The kidneys begin producing a liquid: urine.
At this stage, the blood reaching your baby is already so well purified that the kidneys have very little to filter and are not yet fully mature. This urine is therefore similar to sterile water.
It’s not always easy to understand how the nutrients necessary for your fetus’s development are delivered. Like you, your baby needs oxygen, sugar, fats, and proteins.
- For you as an adult, these come from food. Your stomach retains the solid part, while nutrients enter the bloodstream and circulate throughout your body by passing through the stomach wall.
- For the fetus, it’s different. They are protected by the amniotic sac and float in fluid (partly made up of their urine). They do not eat or breathe! You provide everything through the cord. The uterus concentrates nutrients in the placenta, which then filters them again and sends what’s needed to the baby through the umbilical cord.
Your baby’s organs at 4 months of pregnancy
- The heart now has its final structure: 4 chambers and vessels entering and leaving it. However, blood is not the only way your baby absorbs or eliminates substances. The skin is still extremely thin and not yet waterproof, allowing exchanges between the baby’s body and the surrounding fluid through the skin.
- All digestive system structures are in place: stomach, liver, pancreas, intestines, and colon.
- If it’s a girl, she already has her lifetime supply of eggs!
- The fetus doubles in weight this month, going from about 90 to 180 grams. By the end of the month, they will measure about 11 centimeters. Your baby has grown a lot! At the start of this 4th month, they measure around 16 centimeters.
Your baby’s face at 4 months of pregnancy
Your baby’s face is now fully formed: a small nose, nostrils, a mouth with lips that open, and eyelids that are still closed.
Want to learn more? Feel free to download the May app, where you’ll find plenty of resources to support and guide you throughout your pregnancy.
Your body at 4 months of pregnancy
At 4 months pregnant, your body continues to change to support your baby’s growth. Your belly gradually rounds out, your uterus takes up more space, and some symptoms evolve over the weeks.
Your belly at 4 months of pregnancy
If this is your first baby, your belly is probably not very visible yet: just a slight swelling about the size of a grapefruit.
Is this your second, third, or fourth pregnancy? Then your belly is likely already noticeable. Your body knows the way; the ligaments and muscles have already stretched: this is the “muscle memory” effect!
Weight gain during pregnancy is gradual and varies from one woman to another, contributing to your baby’s proper development and the reserves needed for breastfeeding.
Your uterus at 4 months of pregnancy
To visualize the evolution of your uterus, imagine a hot air balloon: it starts empty and lying flat, then inflates and gradually rises.
Similarly, your uterus, when not pregnant, lies forward over the bladder and is about the size of a fig. It then expands and rises until it reaches about the size of a watermelon. No wonder it pulls on the supporting ligaments!
To allow your uterus to grow, your abdominal muscles separate like curtains to make room for your baby. This is why early in pregnancy you may feel some pulling sensations: the uterus is expanding and pulling on the ligaments.
Symptoms at 4 months of pregnancy
Unpleasant first-trimester pregnancy symptoms, such as nausea and constipation, are finally starting to ease or even disappear suddenly.
Stretch marks at 4 months of pregnancy
Stretch marks during pregnancy affect many women. You may have already noticed some on your breasts, which may have grown significantly by now. Others may appear as your body continues to expand: on your belly, thighs, buttocks, and hips.
They are completely natural—your tissues are stretching! But if they bother you, it is possible to prevent and treat them using suitable oils or creams. These help improve skin elasticity and may reduce their appearance. The key is to keep your skin well hydrated!
It’s worth noting that red (new) stretch marks fade faster than white (older) ones.
Be sure to check the ingredients of any product you apply, as some may be harmful to the fetus. It’s best to choose pregnancy-safe products and those that respect your skin. The more natural, the better (coconut oil or sweet almond oil are fine!).
4 months of pregnancy: medical checkups
Starting from the 4th month, you will begin your monthly follow-up appointments with your midwife, gynecologist, or general practitioner. Additional exams are also recommended.
4 months of pregnancy: the early prenatal interview
You can schedule an early prenatal interview (EPI). This is an individual or couple consultation with the midwife or doctor overseeing your pregnancy. It is recommended from the 4th month but can be done at any time. This appointment is fully covered by health insurance. It’s an opportunity to ask all your questions and discuss any concerns or needs.
No special preparation is needed, but here are a few questions you might consider beforehand:
- How do I feel about this pregnancy?
- Am I doing well physically and emotionally?
- What concerns or stresses me about pregnancy, childbirth, or becoming a mother?
- What do I want to prepare for the baby’s arrival (classes, maternity ward, etc.)?
You may have questions about cesarean sections, early labor signs, contractions, certain pains, or simply practical or administrative matters.
Healthcare professionals are there to give you the best possible advice. No question is silly—this is your time to discuss everything openly.
4 months of pregnancy: oral health checkup
During pregnancy, your teeth and gums become more sensitive and fragile. It’s important to pay special attention to them. A free dental checkup is offered to help maintain your oral health, available from the start of the 4th month until the end of the 6th month after childbirth.
This preventive exam is covered by health insurance and, if applicable, your supplementary insurance. You won’t have to pay anything. The dentist will check your teeth and gums, give hygiene advice, and recommend further care if needed. It’s also an opportunity to discuss your future child’s oral health.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make gums more sensitive to bacteria, causing inflammation known as pregnancy gingivitis. Gums may become red, swollen, and bleed more easily, usually between the third and ninth months. In this case, adopt gentler brushing and consult your dentist regularly. This condition usually disappears after childbirth.
Frequent vomiting can also weaken tooth enamel due to stomach acid, increasing the risk of cavities. After vomiting, rinse your mouth with water or a bicarbonate/fluoride mouthwash. Wait at least one hour before brushing your teeth.
How to choose your baby’s name?
Even if your due date is still far away, you can already start looking for your baby’s name. Every parent approaches this differently: some know early on, while others prefer to wait until birth.
This is both a personal and meaningful moment. Choosing a name is an important decision. If you need inspiration, our name guide is designed to help you find the one that best fits your child and your story.
In summary, many changes occur during the 4th month of pregnancy, for both your baby and your body. Your baby continues to grow, may begin to move, and their organs keep developing, while your body gradually adapts. It’s also a time when some symptoms ease and medical follow-up becomes more regular.
To find out what’s coming next, check out our article on the 5th month of pregnancy!
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Photo credits: drazenphoto | zamrznutitonovi | Satura_
This text was translated from French by an artificial intelligence. The information, advice, and sources it contains comply with French standards and may therefore not apply to your situation. Make sure to complement this reading by visiting the May US/UK app and consulting the healthcare professionals who are supporting you.
