WEEK 29
Mother:
You are probably starting to feel very pregnant now. Your body will let you know when you need to rest. The blood volume of your body has doubled! You might be experiencing heartburn, no matter what you eat now. Remember an antacid is safe for baby. It might help to drink smaller amounts of water with your meal, sit upright while your body digests its food, and eat a smaller portions of food at a time. As the time to deliver your baby draws near, the added weight in your breasts may become uncomfortable, a supportive bra will help with this. You might even want to wear it at night.
Baby:
Your baby has 300 bones at this point, but after birth and as she grows these will fuse to 206 bones. Between now and birth your baby will be gaining weight steadily because his organs and bones are in place and he will focus on storing fat and developing those organs. In fact his weight gain may more than double in the next 2 months. As space becomes even more crowded your baby's movement will be restricted, you might notice a change in how he moves. You will not be feeling the big turning motions, but more "nudge" like movements.
WEEK 30
Mother:
Try to lie on your left side when you sleep. This is ideal because any other sleeping position will be more likely to restrict the blood flow through the aorta and vena cava (both of these are on the right side of the spine). You might notice that you are waddling, there actually is a biological reason for this. As the ligaments in your pelvis soften your body is getting ready to let a baby through the birth canal.
Baby:
Your baby is about 15 inches long and could weigh about 3 pounds. Her real hair that will be present at birth is beginning to come in now. Babies are capable of crying in the womb, in fact your little may have already shed some real tears.
WEEK 31
Mother:
At each doctor's visit your health care provider will measure the length of your uterus, this is to assure that your baby is growing properly. If the measurement of your uterus is significantly less you might have IUGR, or intrauterine growth retardation. This happens in less than 6% of all pregnancies, and is more predominant among multiples. If you are carrying twins your uterus is about as large as it would be if you were having one baby. You may feel your baby's feet pressing against your ribs, if this is painful try massaging the area gently and this may help to shift the baby to a more comfortable position.
Baby:
Some babies enjoy sucking their thumbs in the womb, no one knows if your baby will still enjoy this after birth. His skin is turning pink, not red, now due to the fat deposits he is storing up. His eyes are responding to light and his finger nails are full grown and will most likely need trimming right after he is born. No matter what ethnic background your baby is his eyes will be a dark blue gray color and the true color will not fully develop until weeks after the baby is born. Your baby's hearing is sensitive and a loud noise outside the womb may cause your baby to startle.
WEEK 32
Mother:
Most women report a pound a week weight gain from this point on until labor and delivery. All but 3-4% of all babies have chosen the head down (vertex) position. Here are some suggestions of things you can try to encourage the baby to go into the head down position: Present noise or light to the lowest part of your tummy. You may want to play some music or have Daddy talk to the baby .
On your knees, rest your chest against the floor, remain in this position for 15-20 minutes, try this several times a day (you may want to watch television while doing this).
Sit in a position that allows your knees to be up.
If you work at a job where a lot of sitting is required make sure you get up and walk around several times.
*It is worth noting that you do not have to worry about your baby's positioning during the night while you are lying down as the baby gets into his birthing position while you are standing because gravity is pushing him into the pelvic area.
Baby:
Your little one is growing quickly, in fact she may even double her weight in the last four weeks. Fortunately, half of your weight gain from now on will go directly to her. If you are going to have twins, they will gain weight more slowly due to lack of room in the womb.
WEEK 33
Mother:
As labor and delivery draws near, you may find yourself highly emotional. Remember to relax and keep eating healthily. Your baby is growing so rapidly he needs the extra nourishment you provide, so if your body seems extra hungry, that is because your little ones demands are high. Now is the time to do some shopping for what you will need when the baby arrives. You will find this may also take your ming off some of the emotional stress you are feeling and help you focus on the joy of adding a little one to your home. You may notice a tingling sensation in your pelvic area, this may last until your baby is born and is caused by the baby being on your nerves (literally!).
Baby:
Your baby just keeps growing and may measure 43 cm/17 in long from top to toe. She is now storing iron in her liver to prepare her to live on her own. If you are having a boy the testicles should have dropped into the scrotum by now, sometimes a boy is born with them not descended, but they usually show up before he turns one. Your baby is sharing her living space with 2 pints of amniotic fluid.
WEEK 34
Mother:
If the tingling or numbness in your pelvis becomes very uncomfortable you may want to mention it to your caregiver. Although it may seem contradictory, drink plenty of water and this will help to control the swelling in your ankles and give relief to constipation. Braxton Hicks contrations are probably normal now and they continue to get your body ready for labor.
Baby:
Baby probably weighs 4-4.5 lbs and is a little over 17 inches long. Take a sigh of relief if you have been concerned about going into labor early, most babies born now survive without major health complications. His lungs are usually developed enough to function healthily on his own, if there are some minor breathing complications, these are easily treated. Your baby is drinking about a pint of amniotic fluid each day and is urinating about the same amount.
WEEK 35
Mother:
Your uterus has expanded over 1000 times its' normal size! It is now snuggly up against your ribs. No wonder you are feeling out of room and you are probably feeling the need to urinate very frequently again. Your doctor may order a Group B streptococcal Disease (GBS) test.
Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a type of bacterial infection sometimes found in a pregnant woman's vagina or rectum. This bacteria is found in 15-40% of healthy adult women. A woman who tests positive for GBS is said to be "colonized". A mother might pass GBS to her baby during delivery, so in order to prevent this the CDC and ACOG advise all pregnant women who are carriers of GBS to be treated with intravenous antibiotics during labor. With this treatment the baby is protected.
Baby:
Your baby could be as long as 20 inches and weigh around 5 to 51/2 pounds. Close to 90% of babies born at this point will survive with no or few health complications. The baby is taking up most of the room in the uterus now and will continue to put on more weight before she is born.
WEEK 36
Mother:
You will probably start visiting your care giver weekly now so that they can closely monitor your baby and see if your body is preparing itself for labor and delivery. Most doctors will do a weekly vaginal exam to see if your cervix is moving forward and to determine if it is growing thinner (effaced), and if it is dilated. Sometime soon, if it hasn't already happened your baby will "drop" into your pelvis, this is called "lightening". One sign that this has happened will be that you will find that it is suddenly easier to breathe. This will also send to the bathroom more often because baby is now sitting directly on your bladder.
Baby:
Most babies are in position for birth now (either head down or breech). Sometime within the next two weeks is when twins are usually born and the average weight is about 5 lbs each.
WEEK 37
Mother:
Congratulations! You are in the safely zone, if you go into labor at this point your doctor will not try to stop you. Here are some of the signs of labor:
*A steady trickle or a burst of fluid from your vagina (this is your water breaking)
*Contractions that are regular, keep getting stronger, and closer together.
*An intense backache
*Loss of your mucus plug usually means labor is close (Often times within 24 hours, but it could still be several days away).
*Loose stools
Baby:
Your amniotic fluid is at a peak volume of 1,000 ml (this is approximately 4 cups). Your baby is producing cortisone, with will help her lungs to take their first breath. Your baby is almost ready to live completely on her own. The languno on her skin is wearing off as she prepares for birth. The placenta surrounding the baby now weighs 1-2 pounds and is about 7 inches in length.
WEEK 38
Mother:
As labor draws near, many women say they feel a "burst of energy", they find a sudden desire to clean house, and get everything ready for the baby. Beware of wearing yourself out, you will want to conserve energy for labor and delivery, and of course the sleepless nights that a newborn brings! You may continue to feel Braxton Hicks and their intensity may increase. You may even feel an occasional painful contraction. These all serve to prepare you for labor.
Baby:
Your baby is gaining as much as 1 ounce a day! The circumference of your baby's head is equal to that of his chest. The protective covering of vernix is almost completely dissolved now. After the baby is born, it is a tradition that the father, or someone of your choice, is given the opportunity to cut the umbilical cord. This cord is very tough, it is designed to withstand compression so that even if it gets tangled of knotted, the baby's blood supply never gets cut off.
WEEK 39
Mother:
You are getting close, and time may seem to go very slowly, especially if you are physically uncomfortable. If your water breaks, it should be colorless and odorless, if you notice a color or an odor, make sure to inform your doctor. You may want to read up on what to expect during labor and delivery. Make sure you have a hospital bag packed so that if you have to rush off in hurry you will be ready.
Baby:
The average size of baby is 7 pounds, but this can very depending on the mother's size and the health of the baby. On average boys weigh a little more. Your baby's bowels are filled with meconium, which will be his first bowel movement. Occasionally if your baby is under stress he will have a bowel movement in the womb. This will be evident when your water breaks and the water is a brownish green instead of clear. This can get into the baby's lungs and cause pneumonia, so your caregiver will make sure that after birth your baby's lungs are properly suctioned. Your amniotic fluid will continue to replace itself every 2-3 hours, even during labor.
WEEK 40
Mother:
Remember, your due date was only an estimation. So as your due date draws near and you begin to get impatient you are not overdue until you have passed 42 weeks. Most women deliver between 38 and 42 weeks (98%). Only 4% actually deliver on their due date. Some caregivers may want to discuss induction for various reasons. This decision is yours to make, so do not be afraid to educate yourself by asking lots of questions.
Baby:
Your baby is as ready as you are! She is cramped in space and so you may notice her moving less. You should still do some "kick counts". Pick a time of day to just sit still and count how many time she moves in 1 hour. She should be moving at least 10 times per hour. If for some reason you feel that something could be wrong with your baby contact your doctor. Your doctor may send you in for a non-stress test (NST). During an NST they will hook you up to a monitor that listens to your baby's heart beat and another monitor that measures your contractions. If everything looks normal after a half an hour they will contact your doctor with the results and you can go home. In order to regulate your baby's temperature after birth 15% of her body weight is fat.
WEEK 41
Mother:
You time is drawing near, and don't worry, no one is pregnant forever. You may want to discuss again with your caregiver an inducement date. A warm bath may help to make you more comfortable.
Baby:
On average a woman's first baby is born 4 days after her due date, but it is not uncommon for it to be born as much as a week after the due date.
WEEK 42
Mother:
If you have not gone into labor yet rest assured your body is preparing itself. Remember to watch for these signs:
*A steady trickle or a burst of fluid from your vagina (this is your water breaking)
*Contractions that are regular, keep getting stronger, and closer together.
*An intense backache
*Loss of your mucus plug usually means labor is close (Often times within 24 hours, but it could still be several days away).
*Loose stools
Baby:
Baby's weight gain is slowing down now and you doctor will be keeping a very close eye on you and your baby as the placenta begins to be less effective and deteriorate after 40 weeks. Your doctor will most likely order a NST (non-stress test) to make sure everything looks normal with your baby.
