35 Weeks Pregnant

By time the 35th week of pregnancy comes, you may be thinking more about your due date—and how quickly it is approaching. What seemed so far way is now closer than ever before and what felt like years away is at your doorstep.

If you haven’t yet started a journal about your baby , pregnancy or thoughts you would like to share, this is a great time to start.  Every thought and emotion is important and while you may think you will remember, it doesn’t always work that way. So record every special moment for later, and encourage your partner to do the same.

Your body is changing rapidly and you may feel like you are losing control of it—but hold on and do your best to remember that the end result will be you meeting your baby for the first time.

Baby’s Development

At thirty-five weeks, your baby will weigh about 5-1/2 to 6 pounds and measures in at 18 to 20 inches long. By this week, the baby’s organs are complete. The liver and the kidneys are starting to produce waste. The most quickly developing organ is still your baby’s brain though.  Right now those tiny nerve connections are linking up to send signals to and from the brain. Your baby can now process all five senses, detect light, practice breathing, and make purposeful movements like shielding its eyes and sucking the thumb.

Because your baby is quickly running out of room in the uterus to move, so you will start to notice a slight decline in fetal movement, but only slightly.  What may have felt like an obvious kick in the beginning may only feel like a nudge or push these days.

Now is a great time to talk to your baby. This will help start the bonding process before they are born, and help your baby respond to the sound of your voice.

If the baby is born at week thirty-five, they have a pretty solid chance of surviving well. The nervous system and circulatory systems are fully functional and the baby’s lungs are mostly developed, and your baby is steadily gaining weight in preparation for the big day.

Changes With Your Body

You should be near your ideal weight gain of 25 to 35 pounds by now.  The uterus is now about 6 inches above your navel and is probably making you feel like you could roll easier than you walk.  If you have been struggling with shortness of breath, the next week or so should bring relief as baby descends into the pelvis in preparation for birth. Known as lightening, some women feel or see an obvious drop in their bodies when the baby moves down. Others may never notice anything—but where you get a little, you will have to give. As you gain an easier breath, you will begin making even more frequent trips to the bathroom to urinate as baby puts some serious restrictions on the size of your bladder.

If all that bladder pressure causes you to leak a little when you laugh, cough or sneeze, start your pelvic floor exercises for added strength.  Known as a Kegel, these exercises can help strengthen the muscles that support the vagina, urethra and reproductive organs. To perform a Kegel, pretend you are stopping and starting your urine stream several times by contracting those muscles. Hold for 10 to 15 seconds and repeat several times each day.

What To Expect

Starting at week 36, you will make weekly visits to your obstetrician, so this is the end of the bi-weekly visits. Because the last several weeks can bring about dramatic changes in a short period of time, it is going to be very important that you keep each and every doctor’s appointment.   Your doctor will monitor your blood pressure, urine, baby’s position, and heartbeat with each visit.

Symptoms of labor may begin any time—so be on the watch for any early signs. Some women claim to lose a large plug of mucus from the vagina as labor approaches, yet other women never do.  In reality, this plug of mucus that prevents bacteria from moving up through the cervix into the uterus is probably lost during labor for some women.  Any bleeding, sudden gush of clear or green-tinged fluid, or contractions that are regular and increasing in intensity over time should be reported to your doctor or labor hall.

Tips/Advice

Pack that bag and make your plans.  Have a list of phone numbers and contact information for friends, family and especially your partner or birth coach. Do your best to limit travel now until delivery to prevent the struggle of going into labor or having a complication away from your doctor and hospital.

34 Weeks Pregnant

With only a few weeks left in your pregnancy, the uncertainty of your delivery may be looming ahead.  Many women fill the coming weeks with questions and attempts to be as prepared as possible. Now may not be a bad time to consider packing your hospital bag if you haven’t already done so, and putting a few meals in the freezer for those busy first weeks at home.

If born this week your baby may do well, or may struggle. Lung maturity can vary widely between babies and some who are born at 34 weeks only struggle to keep their temperature stable while others need full assistance to breathe and regulate a majority of their body’s functions.

As the pregnancy progresses, some women grow weary with their discomforts and try to give labor a kick start by having sex or riding the lawnmower.  Even though you may be tired of being tired, this is not the time to pull out the Cub Cadet and mow every lawn in your neighborhood. Baby still needs each and every day to grow and develop for life outside the womb.

Baby’s Development

At week thirty-four of pregnancy, the baby is about 5-1/2 pounds and measures in at 15-1/2 to 17-1/2 inches long from head to heel. Some will be larger, some smaller and your doctor should be well aware of any growth issues for your baby by now.

Body fat is continuing to make your baby look more like the picture-perfect sweetheart you have imagined. While this fat certainly helps them look nice, it has several other important roles, including body temperature regulation and blood sugar control during those first days when food can be at a premium (especially if you are breast feeding).   Designed to live on only a teaspoon of colostrum (or first milk) at each feeding, baby’s body is ready to take on a few less calories temporarily.  Most organs are matured at this week in pregnancy except for the lungs, which continue to produce surfactant  and practice breathing movements for the big day.

For little boys, the testes will begin their journey from their previous home in the abdomen into the scrotum.  If your baby is born with undescended testicles, don’t worry—about ¼ of all baby boys have at least one that didn’t make the trip down, but it probably will over the coming months without any problems.

Getting ready for birth, your baby should be head down (toward your feet) by now.  If not, there’s still time for a flip or your doctor may begin talking about a Cesarean-section, just in case.

Changes With Your Body

By now the uterus is about 5-1/2 inches from the belly button and it feels like you are packing around a watermelon. But as we have been saying, every woman is different and every pregnancy is different—so some will carry and show in their own unique way.

The amount of amniotic fluid that surrounds and pads the baby will begin to decrease, and every movement may feel more pronounced as their water padding diminishes.

You may notice your hands, feet and even your face start to swell a bit. With time and a half your normal blood volume in circulation, it can be a hard task for your body to manage all the extra fluid on board.  Lots of walking or standing may cause swelling in the lower legs, but if you should suddenly gain a large amount of weight or your face swells, talk with your doctor as soon as possible.  Blood pressure can make dramatic shifts during the last weeks of pregnancy even in women who have had no problems in previous weeks.

What To Expect

Sometimes the last weeks are about the truly unexpected events.  As your body prepares for birth, you will notice new feelings and sensations from one day to the next. What happens for one woman may not happen for another. Some of the most typical symptoms to come can include:

• An increase in vaginal secretions (which are usually mistaken for broken water)
• Backaches
• A reduction in your breathing difficulties as baby drops into the pelvis
• Your baby may turn from a breech position to head-down
• Fatigue may increase
• Your nesting instinct (desire to prepare for the baby) may increase

Tips/Advice

As the due date draws near, make sure that you are at ease with the way the birth is going to happen. Many women tend to panic and when they get into the delivery room, they forget everything they have learned. Share your concerns with your doctor and your partner and begin thinking about a labor coach if you feel you need one. Doulas are certified labor coaches and offer a variety of skills to help you cope—one contraction at a time.

33 Weeks Pregnant

Now that you have entered into the last trimester of pregnancy, you will have gained about 25 to 30 pounds. Some women will gain about a pound a week until the end of the pregnancy. But half of that pound will go to the baby in the final weeks, as the rest is distributed to the growing placenta, blood, and breast tissue (and maybe a bit for the hips too). Over the last 6 to 7 weeks, your baby will gain about half of their birth weight, as he or she prepares for life outside of the womb.

As your amniotic fluid levels begin to slow down, your baby’s movements may begin to feel more sharp this week as the fluid padding you had before, is reduced.

Baby’s Development

At this week of pregnancy, your baby should weigh about 5 pounds and measure in at 15 to 17 inches in length. Calcification has allowed baby’s to harden, and key minerals and nutrients are helping your baby grow and develop quickly. Continue to take your prenatal vitamins to help baby get everything he or she needs in the coming weeks.

Your baby is also taking in your maternal antibodies—which will protect him or her from germs after delivery.  Your baby will develop their own immune system in the coming months.

The baby’s lungs are almost mature now. If the baby is born now, they could survive in an incubator. If you are expecting more than one baby, they may be born this week—though a longer stay in your belly is certainly better. Your baby should be in a head-down position (where they may have been for many weeks) but if not, don’t panic. There’s still time for a flip in the future.

Changes With Your Body

By now the uterus is more than 5 inches from the belly button—and it may feel like it can’t get any bigger. The average weight gain at this week in pregnancy is between 22 and 28 pounds (though some people gain much more, or less).

Sleep may be elusive this month and pregnancy insomnia may be in your future.  With all of the nighttime bathroom breaks, your racing mind and crazy dreams, getting comfortable and sleeping for any significant length of time can be a challenge. One bright spot in your sleepless future—it will prepare you for your sleepless nights after baby comes.

What To Expect

In week thirty-three you can expect a bit more trouble sleeping, walking and even sitting. As your uterus expands upward and presses on your diaphragm, even breathing can be a challenge.  As the weeks progress though, your baby will drop lower into your pelvis and take some of that pressure away—allowing you to take a better breath.

If the bathroom doesn’t feel like your second home yet, just hang on.  Urinary frequency should have been back for several weeks by now, but if not, baby’s weight will soon keep your bladder from expanding fully—meaning more trips to the ladies room.

Forgetfulness, lightheadedness with movement may also start this week. If so, you can pin it all on hormones and try to take it with a grain of salt.  These weeks will pass quickly and you will be back to your normal self after delivery.

Overall you can expect more of the same—just on a bigger scale as baby grows and your body does its best to cope.

Tips/Advice

By now, you should know your body better than anyone. If something doesn’t seem right, call your doctor. Any symptoms of pre-term labor should be reported to your physician or labor and delivery unit.  This is also a typical time to enroll in breast feeding, or child birth classes if you and your partner are interested. There’s so much to learn and get ready for—so pace yourself and take it all in one day at a time.

32 Weeks Pregnant

You have now entered into your eighth month of pregnancy. The count-down to childbirth has begun and both you and your baby will are getting ready for the big day. While you are busy preparing baby’s room, and gathering the necessary items for after the birth, your baby is busy too—packing on the pounds and building muscles.

For some women (especially those who have had more than one baby) Braxton-Hicks contractions may be more pronounced in coming weeks. If you aren’t sure if your labor is the real deal, or just a trial run, try moving around. False labor will not continue with movement as true labor intensifies over time.  Braxton-Hicks contractions usually start at the top of the uterus and flow down toward the lower portion of the abdomen.  True contractions feel like a menstrual cramp and typically begin in the back and work their way around to the front. If you are unsure about your contractions, contact your doctor and follow his or her recommendations.

Baby’s Development

Right now your baby is filling their days with lots of preparation for birth.  At about 16 inches in length and weighing in at around 4-1/2 pounds, your baby is looking more and more like a newborn. As fat stores continue to deposit, baby is taking on a more solid appearance and losing the almost transparent skin they had before. Since about the 20th week, your baby has been secreting a waxy, white substance known as Vernix to protect their skin.  Vernix is comprised of oil and skin cells and helps form a barrier between your baby’s watery home and their tender new skin.  Some Vernix may still be present at birth, but it will be washed away with the first bath.

Your baby is on target to gain at least 2 more pounds before the end of this month, and the brain is still developing so it is important to continue to eat well and try to get as much rest as possible. You may not feel the baby moving as much as before, but close quarters have your little one pushing, stretching and flexing now—as opposed to those kicks you felt earlier on.

Changes With Your Body

Your uterus is now 5 inches above your belly button, and the intestines are pushed upward, and off to each side—located under the ribs now, as opposed to the abdominal cavity where they were before.

Changes in location, combined with hormonal relaxation of the muscle wall may leave you with some digestive troubles.  Just like in the months before, heartburn, constipation, and indigestion may be a normal part of your daily routine. Try eating small, frequent meals and sitting upright for at least thirty minutes after eating to help your stomach contents stay down.

Increasing pressure from the weight of the uterus (and hormones, of course) are also keeping your lower half from circulating blood as it normally would.  As a result, you can expect your varicose veins, hemorrhoids and leg cramps to continue.  If any of these are causing discomfort, talk with your doctor.

What To Expect

The coming weeks will bring more of the same physical symptoms, but you may begin to feel a tiny bit more nervous as well.  As the big day approaches, make sure to talk with those close to you about any concerns or uncertainties that you may have. Sit down with your doctor and your partner and discuss your child birth options and birth plan if you haven’t already done so.

Tips/Advice

Take it easy, cut back on all strenuous activities if you feel overly tired. Walking is still a great way to get exercise without straining yourself, as is swimming. Some classes are also designed with the mom-to-be in mind—so keep your eye out for prenatal yoga or aerobics classes.

31 Weeks Pregnant

This is a week of fast weight gain for both mom and the baby. With mostly mature body systems by now, baby can open and close their eyes at this week in pregnancy as well as receive signals from all other senses.

Each week is bringing you closer to your delivery, and with this comes an increased sense of anticipation. It’s normal to be nervous, just make sure to share your feelings with a supportive friend or loved one.

Continue to use these quiet days to finish tying up those loose ends. Your desire to prepare and nest may be starting (though it often doesn’t until days before delivery for some women) and you may want to shop, get baby’s laundry washed and even pack a hospital bag. It’s certainly quite early for a trip to the hospital, and if your labor started now, your baby would require a high level of care for many weeks.

Baby’s Development

Still gaining that ½ pound per week average, your baby is near it’s delivery length at around 18 inches. Weighing in at 3 ½ pounds these last several weeks are essential to baby’s growth while he or she packs on at least another 3 to 5 pounds .

The baby’s lungs are developed and they are able to inflate and deflate as your baby practices breathing motions. Not really needed until after delivery, lung tissue is beginning to secrete surfactant—a necessary agent for elasticity and lung flexibility. Babies born with too little surfactant often suffer from stiffness, and respiratory difficulties.

Baby’s hearing is now 100% completed and can hear sounds and voices clearly inside the womb. The skin is pink at this stage of pregnancy and won’t change too much in color before birth. The baby’s bones are hardening nicely and they will still need all of the calcium they can get before they are born, so mom’s diet is especially important now.

Now able to urinate, a baby may produce about a half a liter of urine every day. Your baby’s well-being may be assessed through the use of a biophysical profile sometime between now and your due date. Fetal breathing, non-stress test results, amniotic fluid levels and other indicators can tell your doctor how your baby is tolerating life inside.

Changes With Your Body

Your weight gain is estimated at 21 and 27 pounds. It is entirely possible that you have gained more weight. The majority of you weight gain is comprised of the baby’s weight, placenta, extra blood, water, the uterus and amniotic fluid. The ligaments and muscles and supporting the back are becoming relaxed and loose to prepare for childbirth. By now, you will notice a change in your breast size as they prepare for lactation, so make sure that you have a supportive bra.

Some women may begin to leak colostrum early during their pregnancy, while others never leak at all. No matter what your body does, it does not mean you cannot successfully breast feed.

Some moms-to-be will experience Braxton-Hicks contractions. Some women feel these contractions back in the second trimester, and others never have them at all. These painless, irregular contractions have sent many women to the hospital sure they were in labor only to be sent home. If you think you are having contractions, make sure to contact your doctor and follow their orders.

What To Expect

At this week of pregnancy, the baby is taking a significant amount of nutrients from the food that you are eating. Try to keep taking in healthy foods as long as possible. If you have not given up smoking, it is not too late. The ultimate idea is to quit right away. Increasing fatigue will make sleep more challenging and you may find yourself craving a nap during the day. If possible try to sneak one in when you can.

You will continue to experience frequent urination until the baby is born. Normally, this wouldn’t be difficult but if you have trouble getting a good night’s sleep then the constant getting up and down can be frustrating.

Be patient with all of these changes—they will be over soon enough.

Tips/Advice

This may be a good week to handle the paperwork process for maternity leave. If you haven’t already discussed the issue with your supervisor or human resources department, make sure to do so. If you need to cut back on hours, talk with your boss openly and modify your job requirements if there is a significant amount of standing or lifting involved.

30 Weeks Pregnant

As your baby’s birth draws ever closer, these coming weeks may trigger a variety of mixed emotions. Now fully into your third trimester, you may have only 6 to 8 weeks left before your baby’s arrival. As your pregnancy hormone surge many women experience a variety of symptoms including anxiety, fear the unknown and mild mood swings. While some ups and downs are normal, make sure to let your doctor know if you are suffering extreme symptoms which could be indicative of depression.
Many women begin to feel anxious about the birth itself and start to seek out answers from others. One great resource is in childbirth classes that will probably be offered either through your OB/GYN’s office, or the hospital or birthing center where you will be delivering. Many women worry about making it to the hospital on time, how to know they are in labor, and understanding what could happen during the delivery. Remember that all of these fears and questions are normal, and they are people ready and willing to help you find the answers.

Baby’s Development
Right now, your baby weighs around 3 pounds and measures between 14 and 17 inches from head to heel. He or she has a clearly defined sleep cycle and you should be able to notice periods of time when your baby is much more active. Right now, your baby is actively practicing many of its bodily functions and movements that will be necessary for life outside the womb. As baby grows larger, the amount of amniotic fluid surrounding your baby will decrease as will the strength of those little kick should have felt for the last several months. With less room to move, you will feel pressure, rolling, and stretching that can sometimes be uncomfortable, but those big movements will soon be restricted by your baby’s size.
The baby’s brain is developing rapidly as it controls baby’s day-to-day activities. Able to fully open his or her eyes, baby’s vision continues to develop and will be about 20/400 at birth—making it easy to see caregivers at a close distance, but little else.

Changes With Your Body
These last several weeks may leave you feeling fatigued, and wishing you could take a nap. Priceless nights make it even more difficult to sleep deeply and all that tossing and turning generally be pretty worn out during the day. If necessary, you may have to try sleeping with several pillows, were sitting up in the recliner. If possible, try to squeeze in a short nap during the day.
A growing belly means a change in your center of gravity. This shift could increase your chances of falls, so make sure to keep both feet planted firmly on the ground. If you need assistance lifting, climbing or carrying things let someone else help user to do not enter yourself or your baby. For some women, the shifting gravity changes the structure of the feet causing them to widen, which is why some women claim their feet grew during their pregnancy.
As pregnancy hormones begin to loosen the supporting structures of the pelvic bones, you will begin to develop a signature pregnancy waddle. If you have not already started swaying from side to side and holding your lower back, those days may be close ahead.

What to Expect
As baby’s size and your uterus press against your lungs, you will notice that you seem to run out of breath more easily than ever before. While it may seem uncomfortable now, there will be a bit of relief when baby descends into the lower portion of the pelvis a few weeks before birth, which will allow your lungs to expand more fully.
Doctor’s appointments should still be twice monthly and your physician will continue to monitor your vital signs and urine output for any signs of complications. Unless your physician suspects an issue, there probably will not be any more ultrasounds unless your baby is a breach or transverse presentation if this is the case, your physician may check regularly for signs that your baby is turning to a head down position for birth.
As usual, make sure to report any signs or symptoms of preterm labor or blood pressure complications to your doctor as soon as possible. Leaking fluid, abdominal pain, bleeding, headaches, nosebleeds, and chest pain should all be reported.

Tips/Advice
Try to make a list of everything that has to be done. While your instinct in S2 may not be fully engaged, and you are still waiting on a baby shower or two, do your best to plan what things you can. If there are large items such as cribs, baby swings or other furniture that you intend to purchase for yourself this baby a good time to get those items out of the way.

Source : www.pregnancyweeks.us

29 Weeks Pregnant

By this stage of your pregnancy, you should be on target with your weight as your total gain is about 19 to 25 pounds. And just when you thought those old symptoms were gone, the pregnancy hormone progesterone causes a relaxation of the digestive tract and in combination with your growing uterus, you can expect to be revisited by your heartburn and indigestion during your third trimester.
Other digestive issues will continue to persist, including constipation and hemorrhoids. You may be able to combat constipation naturally drinking a lot of water and eating more fiber in your diet. If you feel the need for medication to ease your constipation, make sure you discuss them with your doctor, and never assume that it is safe.

Baby’s Development
By now the baby is growing at a fast pace as the pregnancy comes to an end. The baby will be about 14-1/2 inches long and 2-2/3 pounds. Your baby’s development will require the need for a healthy diet as babies bones begin to harden. It takes about 250 mg of calcium, and to help your babies bones form properly, and it is essential for you to take in calcium rich foods, as well as those high in vitamin C to provide your baby with everything that he or she needs.
During this week, your baby is continuing to add additional fat, under his thin skin. His brain is growing and progressing rapidly, he can hear well, and may even be able to shield his face from bright lights of held up to mom’s abdomen.

Changes With Your Body
Your growing belly in your third trimester can present a series of new symptoms. For some women, there may be a feeling of maintenance or dizziness online on the back. As the uterus begins to place more weight on the vessels around behind it, many women make spearing its a temporary reduction in blood flow when lying on their back. It is always best to lay on your left side turbines this problem and to provide the baby with the optimum amount of oxygen. If you find that you are having periods of lightheadedness or dizziness when changing positions, make sure to move slowly, and to rise to a seated position carefully until you are steady on your feet.
Dizziness may not be your only problem from your belly’s weight. Some women experience extreme pain that runs through the gluteal muscles on either side of the body down the back of the leg and into the heel. This pain is typically triggered by the sciatic nerve. Some women find sciatic trained to be nearly impossible to cope with. In some cases, you may try stretching exercises, heating pads, or in extreme cases, physical therapy may be necessary to help alleviate the pressure on the nerve. Sleeping with a pillow between the knees at night may also help to alleviate symptoms.

What To Expect
This is an exciting stage in your pregnancy. So many changes are happening and you are coming into the last months of your pregnancy. In week twenty-nine, you should be getting plenty of rest and eating well to provide your baby with the optimum nutrition. Remember to keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water, a continuing your prenatal vitamins as prescribed.
Because pregnancy weakens mother’s immune system, take special caution to prevent illness make sure to use good hand hygiene and protect yourself from those who are ill.

Tips/Advice
If you have not already written out your birth plan, this would be a great time to sit down with your partner and discuss your hopes and wishes for your baby’s delivery. Make sure to discuss every option and possible complication. Communicate to your partner what your wishes are and make sure to listen to your partner’s needs as well.

Source : www.pregnacyweeks.us

28 Weeks Pregnant

Welcome to the first week of your third trimester! Weeks 28 through 40 signal your last several doctor’s visits and plenty of plans for baby’s arrival. While this week is not ideal for your baby’s delivery, keep in mind that anything can happen. He or she would be very small if born right now, butyour baby’s chances of survival could still be positive with intensive care. Certainly it would be best for baby to remain in your body for the next several weeks.
Doctor visits should be every two weeks now, as they continue to monitor both yours and your baby’s progress.
If you haven’t done so already, there are plenty of prenatal classes that you can enroll in. In these classes, you will help you learn what to expect for the rest of your pregnancy, your birth and during your postpartum period. While these classes are optional, they may be beneficial– especially if you have very little experience with babies.
You may have already started getting the nursery ready for the baby and your list of names has probably grown. Do not hesitate to use this time to begin bonding with your baby and have not already done so.

Baby’s Development
By now, the baby is about 16 inches long and will weigh approximately 2-1/3 pounds. Now packing around 2 to 3 pounds of body fat, your baby is beginning to plump up. Covered in a fine, downy hair known as lanugo, your baby is warm and happy in their watery home. This week, baby’s eyes will Be open and the eyebrows and eyelids are very well formed. The eyelids can open in the eye is fully developed.
Though still extremely premature, babies born during this week have the potential to survive with intensive care that could last weeks or even months. Your baby is continuing to practice his or her breathing movements, strengthening their muscles by kicking rolling and stretching and getting ready for their life outside.

Changes With Your Body
The last trimester may bring on a variety of troublesome symptoms. Hemorrhoids, varicose veins, leg cramps, backaches, and oh yes—the arrival of your baby! Don’t worry, not everything is bad during these last few weeks.
Your weight gain should be between 17 and 24 pounds during this week. While certainly there are many women who are far below are far above this average, research has proven that women who gain too little weight are more likely to deliver a low birth weight and preterm baby. And women who gain too much weight may struggle with the prolonged or difficultlabor. It will be to your best interest to keep your weight in check.
Your belly is now very easy to distinguish. Rising about 3 inches above your belly button, it may seem like every stranger in town wants to pat your stomach. Do not be afraid to say “hands off” when necessary. Thanks to the increasing weight of your uterus on the blood vessels of your lower extremities, you may be struggling with hemorrhoids, varicose veins and leg cramps. If any of these are interrupting your day (or your night) talk with your doctor about options to relieve your discomfort.

What To Expect
If your doctor has not already completed a glucose tolerance test to check for gestational diabetes. You may expect to have that completed during your 28th week. This test may be conducted in a variety of ways, which include either a finger stick or a complete blood draw from your arm after you drink a highly concentrated, sugary liquid. If your test is abnormal for any reason, your physician may order an additional screening of the same type for diagnosing you with gestational diabetes. Remember not to eat or drink anything on the morning of your test.
Your expanding uterus is now pressing up against the diaphragm or the muscle that helps you breathe. Many women experience shortness of breath because of this. If you have any shortness of breath, that last for long periods of time or keeps you from being able to get any breath all make sure to report this to your physician. The typical shortness of breath will simply leave you feeling like you have just run a race and you are trying to recover.

Tips/Advice
This may be a good week to begin considering a pediatrician for your baby. If you have not already found one and might be a good idea to talk with those around you can get an idea of what doctors may be available. If you anticipate that your baby may have any special needs such as a genetic or birth defect. It would be especially important for you to schedule an appointment with a pediatrician before your baby’s delivery to talk about any special needs or care that may be required.
Source : www.pregnacyweek.us

27 Weeks Pregnant

Congratulations, you have entered the third and last trimester of your pregnancy. If you are planning to enroll in any prenatal classes, now is the time to do so. The hospital will send you admitting forms in the next few weeks and they recommend taking child birth classes. These classes will teach you breathing techniques during childbirth and some exercises that will make childbirth a bit more relaxing than stressful. At this stage of your pregnancy, you should discuss with your doctor your birthing options.

If you have not been eating healthy all that much throughout the pregnancy now is the time to start. At the last few weeks of pregnancy, you want the baby to get as much nutrition as they can. Empty calories are not going to keep the baby healthy. Remember the food that you are eating is what is feeding the baby. Try eating a bit healthier at least until the end of the pregnancy. Try adding in more fruits and vegetables and less fried food and processed foods.

Continue to take your vitamins and stay hydrated. You want to continue to build up your immune system as well as the baby’s. Stay away from strenuous activity such as heavy lifting and anything that makes you exert yourself.

Baby’s Development

At week Twenty-Seven of your pregnancy, the baby should be about 14-1/2 inches and weigh in about 2 pounds. In the last weeks of pregnancy, the baby will gain ½ a pound per week. The baby’s skin is wrinkled only because they have been surrounded by water for the last 5 months. The baby’s skin will look wrinkled until at least a few weeks after the baby is born. The skin will stretch out and will look and feel smooth.

The baby’s retina’s are developing at a good pace, they will soon be able to help the baby adjust to light images. These layers are considered to help the brain receive light and some images as well as be able to transmit them the information of what they are seeing to the brain. The membranes that have been covering the baby’s eyes will start to separate and in a few weeks, the baby will be able to open their eyes.

As everyone knows all baby’s eyes are blue when they are born. If the eye color is going to change to another color they will do so a few weeks after birth. At this week in pregnancy the baby will continue to begin their own sleeping patterns and waking up patterns. You will soon see that their sleeping patterns are opposite as yours. Most of the time you feel the baby kick is when you are trying to get some sleep.

It has been said that baby’s start to dream while in the womb. The brain is still active and the grooves on the surface of the brain will begin appearing as the brain tissues start to develop. You will also notice the baby hiccuping more and more because the lungs are maturing and they are practicing breathing.

Changes With Your Body

At week Twenty-Seven your body will need more caloric intake. It would be safe to start with 300 to 350 calories. You will gain a bit more weight right up until the 36th or 37th week of pregnancy. By now many pregnant women think they look fat and it can be a bit depressing for them. But never alter your diet to take in fewer calories, by eating less you are depriving the baby of less calories as well.

If you have any concerns about your weight, now is the time to talk to your doctor. Remember you are also carrying a baby, so some of the weight you will loose when the baby is born. Stay on track with your prenatal vitamins and any nutritional supplements that you may be taking. At this week, the uterus is leaning on the rib cage. If notice you may be out of breath from just getting dressed everyday. This would explain why. The uterus will prevent the lungs from full expanding cause some breathing problems. Talk to your doctor but you should not worry, there is nothing to worry about.

As you enter into the third trimester, talk to your doctor about the warning signs of premature labor. This tends to happen more in the summer months due to lack of hydration. It is very important to stay hydrated, carry a water bottle around with you at all times. You may spend more time in the bathroom but you are doing what you have to, to stay hydrated.

Some of the warning signs to look for are bright red blood from the vaginal area. If you experience a sudden rush of a watery discharge from the vaginal area, contact your doctor right away. You may experience severe pain in the pelvic area or a very dull pain in the lower back. Some women have felt contractions for more than an hour or so. If your hands and feet start to swell, it could be a sign of premature labor. It is your body and you will know when something isn’t right, contact your doctor or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

What To Expect

When you reach this stage of pregnancy, may women will feel comfortable and confident that everything is well with the baby from the baby’s movement. When we feel the baby kick or hiccup we take that as a great sign that things are OK. We tend to panic when we don’t feel anything, but don’t panic just yet. Your body may have put on some weight in the abdominal region that would cause you not to feel the baby kick.

If you think that the baby was active a bit and you aren’t feeling the same, contact your doctor right away. It is always better to be safe than sorry, especially in the last trimester. You will continue to see the symptoms of pregnancy such as constipation, leg cramps, round ligament pain and frequent urination. As you continue to go to your doctors’ appointment they will continue to monitor your blood pressure, weight gain and urine.

In the last trimester, you have to be careful of a condition called Hypertension or Pre-Eclampsia. This can be determined through the urine tests, it happens when there is too much protein in the urine. As the condition progresses, the placenta is not able to grow. It caught in time it can be treated but if left untreated it could lead to premature labor or fetal death.

Tips/Advice

This stage of the pregnancy is the important stage. You have to keep healthy both physically and mentally. Continue to take the prenatal vitamins and add more fruits and vegetables to your diet. If you feel that something isn’t right, then contact your doctor or visit your local emergency room right away.

Source : www.pregnancyweeks.us

26 Weeks Pregnant

You are now entering into the last stage of pregnancy. By now, your baby bump is showing and others will notice that you are pregnant. At week twenty-six of pregnancy, you can feel your uterus about 2-1/2 inches above the belly button. The new mom to be may be experiencing Braxton Hicks Contractions, these are tiny contractions but nothing that can cause premature birth. These contractions are the tightening of the abdomen. At this stage you may be feeling these more and more. They are perfectly normal, ask your doctor to go into a more detailed explanation about what these are and what they mean for you.

At week twenty-six you may notice that that you are feeling more tired and this is due to the weight gain. You will feel more pain and aches in the rib cage, heartburn, cramps and muscle pulls. These are all normal pains of pregnancy, but if they are lasting a longer period of time then you may want to talk to your doctor in order find out if what you are feeling is normal or not.

New moms should be keeping track of the baby’s development. This can be done by attending all of your doctor visits as they are scheduled. You may be due for some shots yourself, so make sure that whatever you need to get done that you do it before the baby is born. Most new moms at this stage are preparing their nurseries and narrowing down baby names. There is a lot to be done here but the most important thing here is to get a lot of rest. Don’t over do it.

Light exercise and activities are ok but you should limit the amount of strenuous activity that you may be used to. The last stages of pregnancy are imperative to the health of the baby.

Baby’s Development

The baby’s growth and development are picking up again at week twenty-six. The baby is about 9 to 10 inches in length and the baby weighs about 2 pounds by now. The baby is measured from crown to rump (head to bottom). The baby will soon start to open their eyes and they can even blink too. The eye development at this stage is now complete. The eye color is a pre-determined blue but after the baby is born the eye color can change.

If you have another sonogram at this stage of pregnancy, you will see that your baby actually looks like a baby. The baby’s development that is taking place this week is sense of touch and reacting to touch. The heart has started to pump blood and a more prominent heartbeat can be heard. The lungs are starting to develop blood vessels and the baby is making breathing movements like the chest moving up and down.

The circulation system of the baby is 100% fully functional. The umbilical cord has grown in size and is circulating blood to the baby. The placenta has become the size of the baby now. If the baby is a boy, the testicles will drop down to the scrotum down.

Changes With Your Body

Your body will continue to change throughout the twenty- sixth week of pregnancy. Your will experience more weight gain but your doctor should have discussed any issues that he may have had with your weight with you by now. So if you have not had that talk with your doctor then continue on doing what you are doing. Your weight gain at this stage should be about 20 to 23 pounds. But the weight may go up and down depending on water retention and bloating. The uterus is about 2-1/2 inches above the belly button and will grow even further in the next few weeks.

Some new moms to be will experience some Braxton Hicks Contractions; these are harmless growing pains that won’t have anything to do with the baby being born. Now the baby may be kicking their legs out and straightening out their arms. You may see the baby protrude from the belly. It really is an amazing thing to see. The baby depending on where he or she is sitting can cause some discomfort to you. You will have to try a position to sit or sleep in where it is most comfortable to you.

You can also alleviate these aches and pains by doing some light yoga exercise or some swimming or walking. You don’t have to over do it, but by stretching your muscles and your body, can really help you take away the aches and the pains.

What To Expect

There are so many changes to you physically in this stage of pregnancy. Some women go into a depression but keep a positive outlook. These changes are all happening because of the baby. Your body will go back to the way it was before the baby but the weight gain and all of the aches and pains are due to the baby. Remember some of this excessive weight gain is from water retention and bloating.

A few days after the baby is born, you will see some weight come off without even trying. It is important to not put any stress on your body, get plenty of sleep and stay hydrated. If you feel up to it, try very light exercises like walking or some yoga. You will feel much better about yourself if you move around a bit. If you notice stretch marks, try using a moisturizer or some cocoa butter. This will help reduce stretch marks as well as help keep your skin hydrated and smooth.

Tips/Advice

Now is a very critical stage in your pregnancy. If the doctor offers you advice or gives you some orders to follow, do them. You may feel like you can accomplish anything, you may feel great but the more stress that is put on the body is put on the baby. Remember you don’t have to superwoman; it is ok to rest every now and then.

Article Source : www.pregnancyweeks.us

25 Weeks Pregnant

You have now entered in to the third trimester of pregnancy. This is also where many physical changes happen. The baby may seem too small to be born right now but there is plenty of time left. The baby may not be gaining weight at such as fast pace anymore but there is nothing to worry about. The baby will start gaining weight, at least a ½ a pound a week until they are born. Your baby bump is more prominent than before and you will have people trying to guess if you are having a girl or a boy.

On a sonogram, you may see the baby’s hair texture, color as well as eye color one way but all of that can change once the baby is born. Your body may start to feel more achy and more tired than you did in the second trimester. You have to listen to your body, when the body says slow down; you really have to do it. The stress that you are putting on your body is being put on the baby as well. You will soon notice that you won’t be able to see your feet anymore and tying your shoes may prove to be a challenge.

As a new mom to be, you should know that there is a risk or premature delivery from this week forward. This may happen due to an incompetent cervix or an infection in the uterus. If the cervix ruptures you may be required to remain in the hospital for the remainder of the pregnancy. If the baby were born at this week, the baby would have a good chance of survival. The risk would be the weight of the baby. The baby would be susceptible to infection because of the low birth weight. This is why it is important to take it easy and take good care of yourself in this stage of pregnancy.

Baby’s Development

The baby has slowed down in gaining weight. The baby is still growing but not as significantly as before. There is no reason to panic; the growth will kick back into gear in the next few weeks. The baby’s bones are starting to harden and with the help of a sonogram, you may be able to see your baby sucking their thumb. The white coating that is protecting the baby will continue to do so. It protects the baby from the acid of the amniotic fluid and will help the baby to maintain body heat.

The baby’s taste buds are developing nicely and they can tell the difference between salt and sweet tastes. There is less room in the uterus for the baby to move so you will be feeling a lot of movement from now on. The baby’s fingernails and toenails have fully formed. The baby’s head and body have come into their own.

Changes With Your Body

At week twenty-five, you will start to notice some very light red or brown marks across the abdomen, these are stretch marks. You can avoid having anymore appear by staying active. You can reduce the appearance of these stretch marks by using a Cocoa Butter or a moisturizer. You can also take preventative measures by using a support bra and some anti wrinkle cream. Try to stay away from tight fitting clothes. These stretch marks will fade once the baby is born.

You may experience some dry eye or some sensitivity to light. You can use artificial tears or s saline solution. Ask your doctor what he would recommend. Try to adjust your diet, add more vitamins and minerals, diets that are lacking vitamins is one of the causes of dry eyes. Plus, you will get your health back faster after the baby is born.

At this stage of pregnancy, you may experience excessive heat and sweating. This can also lead to infection if you don’t stay cool during your pregnancy. Take cool or warm showers, wear clean clothes and keep your clothes fitting loosely. Stay hydrated, keep your water or drink intake high, stay away from drinks with caffeine, they will just make you more thirsty.

What To Expect

By week twenty-five, you will be taking another blood test to test fro anemia. If your doctor was concerned about this earlier he would have prescribed iron supplements. These blood tests are just precautions. Your skin may start to become itchy again like in the first trimester. The skin will stretch and cause stretch marks but as we mentioned this can be alleviate with support bras, cocoa butter and loose fitted clothes. If you experience excessive itching, your doctor may prescribe a test for liver problems or perhaps a fungal infection may happen.

The only way for any of these conditions to be diagnosed is by letting your doctor know about anything out of the ordinary that you are feeling. It may not seem like something to you but it may to your doctor. It is important for you to maintain your lifestyle now that you are in the third and last trimester. Now is not the time to slack, it is the time to step up and power through the last three months. Listen to your body that is a key to a healthy pregnancy.

If you feel tired, slow down. If you feel dizzy it means you are over doing an activity. If it means getting more rest than so be it. Remember it is for the health of the baby. This may sound easy to say but it would be important to try to maintain good posture while pregnant. This will avoid spinal problems later on too.

Tips/Advice

Listen to your doctor and follow all of these suggestions. Now is also the time to finish up any preparations for the baby’s nursery. In a few weeks, you won’t be able to travel as much or shop without becoming tired. You may also be in the stages of planning a baby shower. Make sure that you plan this at least a month or two months ahead of time. Don’t wait for the last minute; you want to be able to have a good time without feeling tired.

Article Source : www.pregnancyweeks.us

24 Weeks Pregnant

You are now coming to an end of the second trimester. In a few weeks you will enter into the last three months of pregnancy. You look forward to the end of the pregnancy because you want to meet your baby. But there are some huge changes to both your physical as well as mental state. As the pregnancy progresses, you will gain more weight. The uterus will continue to grow, as the baby gets bigger.

As time goes on, there won’t be any room left in the uterus because the baby will be full size and that is when you will feel every movement the baby makes. Due to the growing baby and the weight gain, you will start to experience more leg cramps and backaches. You will continue to have frequent trips to the bathroom and some fatigue.

There is still plenty of time to start the prenatal classes. These classes will discuss the remainder of the pregnancy, what to expect during childbirth and what to expect when the baby comes home. These classes are not required but they are very informative. You can start attending them now or some people wait until the 7th month of pregnancy. Check your local hospital for the class schedules.

Baby’s Development

At this week of your pregnancy, they should measure about 11 inches and weigh about 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 pounds. If you have any concerns about the weight of the baby, now is the time to ask the OB GYN. The baby’s brain and the lungs are quickly starting to develop. The baby’s taste buds are coming along nicely too. The lungs are developing branches so that the special cells will produce the surfactant to help inflate the baby’s lungs.

If the baby was born at this week of pregnancy they may have trouble breathing because the surfactant is not developed enough. Babies born at twenty-four weeks may be born with disabilities and would require long term NICU care. The baby is still gaining weight and developing baby fat. This helps the baby keep in their body heat.

Some new moms to be may experience what is called Braxton Hicks Contractions. These are small contractions that you may feel from time to time in the last trimester. But don’t worry these are not like regular contractions and they will not affect the baby. When you go for your next sonogram, you will see that the baby’s face is now complete with very distinguishable features. The hair on the baby’s hair will continue to grow and the baby’s eyes are still closed. Over the next three months the baby will just continue to gain weight and grow. The baby will also start to practice breathing at week twenty-four of pregnancy.

Changes With Your Body

Now you will be able feel the top of the uterus about 2 inches from the belly. This will continue to grow as the baby grows. You may start to notice some stretch marks on the abdomen and on the breasts. You may want to use moisturizer on these stretch marks or use cocoa butter. You may notice that your eyes are more sensitive to light and they become drier than usual. You can use eye drops or maybe artificial tears to help with the problem.

By now you will physical feel and know when the baby is sleeping and when the baby is awake. It may be a good idea to rest when the baby is resting because the baby tends to be on an opposite sleeping schedule than you right now. You will also be able to feel the uterus or abdomen tighten every now and then. This will happen more in the third trimester.

Some of the other symptoms that you may notice in this part of the pregnancy are breast changes, more trips to the bathroom, constipation, itching and heartburn. You may experience round ligament pain, these are the ligaments stretching as the baby continues to grow. Some women experience very severe round ligament pain and others don’t feel it at all.

You are going to feel like you have a permanent head cold, the increased blood flow puts pressure on the mucus membranes, which causes congestion. Do not take any over the counter medications without speaking to your doctor first. Try some simple saline drops first.

What To Expect

You will be asked to take a glucose test. This test is to check for gestational diabetes. If you are diagnosed with the condition, it can be controlled and will disappear after the baby is born. Some symptoms of gestational diabetes include fatigue, nausea, excessive thirst and frequent urination. Only a small percentage of new moms to be will have GD, only about 2 % to 5%. That is why the screening is so important. The cause is due to the placenta producing too many hormones that relate to insulin resistance.

You will still experience heartburn at this stage of pregnancy. Try to avoid lying down after eating and try taking a walk after a meal. You may want to break up your meals into smaller but more frequent meals during the day. Try to avoid eating anything late at night, if you need to snack on some crackers. If you are already gaining weight at a steady pace, some women at this point may become self-conscious. Never alter your diet to lose weight while you are pregnant. Talk to your doctor if the weight gain concerns you.

Tips/Advice

Keep on following the doctors’ orders. If you haven’t started to already pick up a baby book and see what they have to offer in ways of suggestions on eating and exercise. It is never too late during a pregnancy to start exercising. If you are looking for a low impact aerobic on DVD, check your local video store or retail store like Wal-Mart or target. Stay away from exercises that cause a lot of bumping around like horseback riding.

Source : Pregnancyweeks.us

23 Weeks Pregnant

Congratulations, you have now reached the end of the second trimester. You are about to enter the last stage of pregnancy. Everything that you have done right up until this point has been right on target. Don’t stop doing what you are doing just because you only have three months left. The baby needs vitamins and nutrients right up until the second they are born. You should be excited at the aspect of having the baby very soon.

You should be gaining weight and your baby bump will continue to get bigger and bigger until you can’t tie your shoes anymore. The baby is still gaining weight at the 23rd week of pregnancy. You have to keep up with doctor appointments, sonograms and sticking to eating healthy. If you experience complications, they can be diagnosed quickly and treated before any harm is done. This can be done by listening to your body. If something doesn’t seem right, contact your doctor right away.

By now, you and your partner can enroll in prenatal classes. These classes can help you prepare for motherhood and they explain what you can expect once the baby is born. Surviving nine months of pregnancy is just the beginning. If you haven’t already done so, you should start exercising. Walking is a great way to stay in shape. Exercising can also help with the delivery of the baby as well as help you regain your pre baby figure.

It is important to start taking calcium supplements if you aren’t drinking enough milk. Calcium is important to your bones as well as the baby’s bones. Ask your doctor what other supplements that you may need to help sustain the nutrients and minerals that the baby is getting.

Baby’s Development

The baby is constantly growing and progressively gaining weight. The baby should be about a pound by now. It may not seem like a lot but babies are only born up to 8 to 10 pounds. It is perfectly normal for the baby to only be a bout a pound at this week in pregnancy. The baby should measure in at 11.4 inches. Each baby will develop differently, so if a friend says her baby weighed more at this stage, keep in mind that every pregnancy is different.

By now the baby will look like a newborn and if you are lucky enough to see a 3D sonogram image, it will change your life. The baby fat is starting to form at a very fast rate. The skin is starting to develop and gone is the transparent skin. The baby will continue to move more frequently, this is the best time of pregnancy when you can feel the baby moving around. You may see the baby suck his or her thumb on an ultrasound, it is not a coincidence, and the baby can suck their thumbs now.

The baby can now touch the umbilical cord and their own body parts in the womb. The baby will still swallow the amniotic fluid and it is dispelled as urine. The baby will be taking in more liquids and sugars as supplements. The baby can hear just about anything outside the womb. It is truly an amazing time in your pregnancy. The baby’s pancreas is developing and it has started to provide their body insulin. The lungs are developing and the baby is getting ready for breathing from the lungs.

Changes With Your Body

At this week in your pregnancy, the uterus is now 1-1/2 inches above the belly button. The belly button may start to protrude because the stomach muscles are expanding. You will have gained about 15 to 20 pounds now. Your baby bump has become more noticeable. You should be experiencing any more morning sickness and the fatigue should have subsided. If you are still experiencing morning sickness or nausea, contact your doctor immediately.

As the baby grows you will experience aches and pains associated with leg pains, cramps, backaches and food cravings just to name a few. Some women are lucky enough to go through their entire pregnancy without one once of discomfort. You will also have an increased amount of blood in the lower body. You will have the urge to go to the bathroom more often. You may have some muscle cramping as well.

What To Expect

You will have had some many changes to your body and your mental state at this week in pregnancy and you are only half way through it. Don’t worry, these changes are temporary and they will all disappear after the baby is born. The best way you handle these aches, pains and emotional changes is by having a positive attitude. If you start feeling down, call someone and get together for lunch and go shopping. Having someone else to talk to will help you greatly.

If you have started to eat better, this may be something that you may want to continue on a regular basis. Stay on track by exercising and getting plenty of sleep. Start to shop for cribs, playpens, car seats and clothes. It always brightens your mood when you start getting ready for the end of the pregnancy. Make sure that you are going to doctor appointments and you are following all of the doctors’ orders.

It is important to maintain good hygiene as well. If you sweat excessively, take cool or warm showers. Hot baths are not good for the baby. Make sure that you have your blood pressure and urine checked very time you go to the doctor. This will help keep you updated on your health and the health of the baby.

Tips/Advice

Enjoy the last three months and a few weeks of your pregnancy. Some women enjoy it from day one and others go through such a tough first trimester that it is tough to enjoy. But soon after the morning sickness subsides, you really have to take the time to enjoy it. Motherhood is a blessing and you shouldn’t take it for granted.

22 Weeks Pregnant

By now you are loving every minute of being pregnant. It is an exciting time in your life especially if this is your first born child. Now you are right in the middle of the second trimester. Most new moms to be have already started planning the baby names, getting things together for a baby shower and planning the nursery. You may have started to gain significant weight by now. Don’t be discouraged; the weight gain is for a good reason. The baby is growing at a much more steady pace. You can also start to feel the baby more and more as the weeks go by.

Though the risk of miscarriage has reduced greatly, there are some things that you should safeguard against. For example, stay away from smoking and try to avoid others that smoke too. Refrain from drinking alcohol. You want to be eating more healthy foods rather than junk foods or friend foods. Remember what you are putting into your body so is the baby. You are going to start hearing more stories from friends and family about their pregnancies. It is fun to compare pregnancies but remember that each pregnancy is different. You will not experience the same things as other moms did.

Baby’s Development

The baby is continuing to gain weight as the weeks go by. The baby should weigh about 12-1/4 ounces, if that is not the case, talk to your doctor and find out if there is a reason why the baby is not on target. Not every baby at this stage will be 12-1/4 ounces; they could be less or more. The baby will measure in at 11 inches long. If you were to have a sonogram, the sonogram would show you that the baby looks like a newborn. The head and the body are fully proportionate.

The baby is thinner and there is not a lot of baby fat. The baby should be gaining weight at a good rate now. All of the baby’s organs are developing at a fast pace. The baby’s liver has started to produce enzymes that will help the baby break down the red blood cells. The baby’s red bloods don’t have a long life while in the womb. The red blood cells travel into the placenta and then into the mom’s blood.

It is the mother’s liver that actually gets rid of the baby’s red blood cells. The baby’s pancreas is starting to develop at a nice rate. You will start to notice eyes and lips at 22 weeks of pregnancy. The baby’s iris is still not developed with color yet. You can see that the teeth are below the gum line and the brain is developing at a very fast pace.

The baby’s sensory system is developing very quickly. The brain has functioning neurons right now and the baby is actually learning sense of touch. He or she may be exploring their face or moving their legs and arms to see how they feel. If the baby is a girl, show will have ovaries and the primitive ova or eggs cells. The baby’s uterus will have been completely formed at this point.

Changes To Your Body

By now, you will see a few signs of physical changes to your body. You will feel hormone levels increasing as well as some tenderness and some tingling in the breasts. You may experience some spotting, abdominal cramps, irritability and mood swings. If this happens, you should immediately call your doctor or go to the nearest emergency room. Some women have signs throughout their pregnancy and others don’t. But it is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to pregnancy.

By now you should be morning sickness free and fatigue free. Though it is important to listen to your body when it comes to pregnancy. You will have increased the blood flow about 40 to 50%. As the pregnancy progresses you will have frequent urination. As the months go by the baby will start pressing down on the bladder.

What To Expect

You are continuing to experience many physical and emotional changes in the course of the pregnancy. You may want to adjust the way you are eating, try to eat healthier. Stay away from fried foods and processed foods, these can cause heartburn. You may want to take up walking after a meal or swimming every week. They are great for digestion and they are great exercise for pregnant women.

One thing that will help keep you grounded during the pregnancy is to talk with their partner, family and friends during the pregnancy. If you are having any doubts, these are the people that you want to talk to. Just by having someone to talk to can really improve your mood.

It is important to take your vitamins and attend every doctor’s appointment that you set. Try to make these appointments that you can keep. It is important that you have your blood pressure checked at regular intervals. You want to make sure that your blood is checked as well. As long as everything is OK, the baby will continue to grow and develop. Motherhood is a blessing and you should be doing everything that you can in order to make sure that your pregnancy goes smoothly.

Tips/Advice

Follow the doctor’s orders, sometimes when new moms to be think they feel fine they may over do it or try to do things at the pace they used before they got pregnant. Listen to your body and slow down if you need to. Follow up on doctor’s appointments and ask them any questions that you may have at any point in your pregnancy.

You have to remember that if you feel tired the baby isn’t going to get everything they need. If start eating on the run and do not choose the right foods to eat then the baby may suffer for it. Everything you do and everything you eat not just benefits you but the baby as well.

21 Weeks Pregnant

You are now into the second half of the second trimester. You are more relaxed and are enjoying your pregnancy more. If you are planning any long trips, now is the time to start to make plans for that trip. For the remainder of the second trimester, you will find that your pregnancy is a bit easier than the first trimester but not as hard as the third. To help alleviate the aches you may be feeling from the growth of the baby, you may want to exercise a bit or maybe try yoga. Don’t do anything too stressful. Keep it low impact.

By exercising you are also reducing varicose veins and back aches that become more common in the last trimester. You should be enjoying the pregnancy and keeping the mind healthy as well. By staying upbeat and taking care of yourself, it can actually reduce your chance of postpartum depression. You may not want to think about postpartum now but it is good to know what the signs are, you may be experiencing postpartum if you are fatigued, you are irritable, inability to handle your newborn and your hesitancy to hold your own baby may be signs of postpartum. Talk to your doctor about this condition, you are not alone it happens to thousands of women every day.

You want to stay fit as well; you can continue running and lightweight training. You want to stay away from bike riding, rollerblading and horseback riding. Walking and swimming are highly recommended. Try wearing loose fitting clothes and after sweating during exercise, always take a shower. It will reduce your chance of yeast or urinary tract infections.

Baby’s Development

At this stage the baby’s blood circulation is doing very well. The baby’s umbilical cord will grow thicker in size and increase in length. The blood will flow through the cord with more power, as the bigger the baby gets the more the blood will circulate. As you go through the second and the third trimester, the baby will grow more and more. The placenta is now almost the same size as the baby. When the doctor takes the measurement from crown to rump, the baby should be 7.2 inches and about 10-1/2 ounces.

In week 21, the baby’s digestive system will continue to develop and grow. The baby’s intestines can now relax and contract. The baby is now practicing swallowing the amniotic fluid; this will help their digestive systems mature. You may also notice that the baby will start hiccuping, it feels a bit strange at first but you will get used to it.

The baby’s eyebrows and eyelids are 100% developed. Fingernails now cover the fingertips. It has been found that newborn babies will suck faster and more intently when you are reading them a story that may have heard while in the womb. They baby may recognize sounds they heard in the womb and act accordingly when they hear it again outside the womb.

It is believed that if you read the baby classic books or spiritual books, it can have an effect on the baby. Classic music and soft sounds may prevent the baby from kicking a lot. They are calming and soothing sounds.

Changes With Your Body

At this week in pregnancy, you should be on target for 10 to 15 pounds. You may be a bit over and maybe a bit under. If you have any concerns, speak to your doctor about them. Now you will be able feel your uterus about ½ “ above your belly button and you will be happy to know that others will actually be able to tell that you are pregnant. You may notice that you are getting more leg cramps and pains in your legs. Don’t panic, this is normal. Exercise will definitely help this condition.

You can reduce leg pain at night by sleeping with a pillow right between your knees. There is something called Maternity Belts, this are designed to help prevent edema and pregnancy swelling in your legs. To take some pressure off your legs, try not standing in one place for a long period of time. You may start to feel more legs cramps, because your legs are carrying more weight due to the pregnancy. Try wearing a more comfortable pair of shoes too. By wearing sneakers or flat shows with cushions will be best at this stage of the pregnancy.

What To Expect

If you haven’t noticed by now, your appetite has increased. It is safe to add about 500 or so calories to your eating plan. Try to stay away from fried foods or even processed foods. Eat food like chicken, fruits and vegetables are a good way to add calories. If you need any suggestions, ask your doctor, they will be more than happy to give you a list of what foods are good to eat. If you are still experiencing cravings, it is ok to indulge just keep them in moderation.

If you are noticing swelling in your feet and legs it is normal, it is due to water retention. This is best alleviating by elevating your legs and feet while sitting down. Try not to stand in one place for a long period of time. The more you are relaxed by physically and mentally, the more the baby will be relaxed. The baby can sense stress at this point in pregnancy.

If you experience blurred vision, vaginal bleeding and nausea, contact your doctor right away. If you can’t get a hold of them, then you will want to go to the nearest emergency room.

Tips/Advice

While the risk of miscarriage has greatly reduced, there are still factors and considerations that have to be taken into. There is no better time to start taking care of yourself better. If you haven’t done so, try eating a more balanced diet and get plenty of sleep. The most important thing is to avoid stress. The baby can now feel exactly what you are feeling.

Article Source : www.pregnancyweeks.us