28 weeks and 3 days pregnant

This image offers the first view of the eye opening. The lids have separated and the dark pupil can be seen. There is no true reflection of colour on ultrasound so the white of the eye is coloured the same as the eyelids and face. The “eyebrows” are in fact shadow.

If you’re starting to feel that you’ve been eclipsed by your bump, it’s time to do something just for you.

Like many pregnant women, you may feel that you’ve disappeared behind your bump; that the essence of who you are has been lost in the guise of “pregnant woman”. People may no longer ask about how you’re feeling, or what’s going on in your life. Instead of “How are you?”, they might ask, “Is everything OK with the baby?”

It can be difficult for people, and even for you, to remember that you still exist in a role that is separate from pregnant woman or mother. If during your pregnancy you are feeling very frustrated by this, consider doing something just for you, maybe some pampering or a dinner for two, to make you feel special again.

You need to eat plenty of good-quality protein to encourage your baby’s growth and keep you in glowing good health, so try to eat either eggs, cheese, lean meats, fish, pulses, or wholegrains at every meal. Add to that lots of fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, and some unrefined carbohydrates.

Break the food down into a plan of five to seven small meals and snacks each day. If you usually have soup and a sandwich for lunch, try a vegetable soup mid-morning, and have the sandwich later; prepare snacks such as raw vegetables, cheese, nuts, and fruit and graze on them through the afternoon. Perhaps have a bowl of porridge early evening, followed by fruit later.

There are no “rules” about when food needs to be eaten, so eat these “mini-meals” when you’re hungry. So long as you get the nutrients you need and don’t overeat, you can graze as often as you like.

I have a sharp pain in my lower back and leg. What causes this?

This sounds like sciatica, a sharp pain that travels down the back and leg when the sciatic nerve – the longest nerve in the body – is trapped in a joint in the lower back. This is not related to your pregnancy, although it can get worse in pregnancy. For lower back pain, warm baths and a warm compress can help, as can gentle massage by an experienced practitioner. Exercise such as yoga or aquanatal classes can help to strengthen back muscles, but check with your doctor before embarking on a new exercise regime. Watch your posture and wear comfortable, supportive shoes.

If you have sciatica, ask your doctor or midwife to refer you to a physiotherapist. You’ll be shown exercises to help relieve the pain and minimize the risk of it recurring.

1. Spine

2. Compressed nerve causes pain in the back and leg