Know Ayurveda

Fetal Development

You’ve made it!!  Any day now your little one will arrive.  Don’t be surprised at how your baby looks after birth.  Their little heads can be misshapen and their skin may be discolored and have patchy looking rashes.  An average baby weighs about 7 ½ pounds and is about 21 ½ inches long at birth.  Every baby is different, though, and soon you’ll get to meet your little one.

Babies have more than seventy different reflexes when they are born.  These automatic, unlearned behaviours are necessary for survival.  While in the womb you provide your baby with antibodies and make their immune system stronger.  These immunities that you pass on to your baby will stay with them for the first six months of their lives.  Because of your hormones passing on to the baby, your baby may have enlarged genitals when they are born.  Hormones can also cause both little boys and little girls to secrete milk from their nipples.

Light exercise, such as walking, can help bring on labor now.  Try to relax and enjoy the last few days before your little one arrives.  Getting plenty of rest now will help you make it through the labor and delivery you have ahead.

Pregnancy symptoms

This is the week you’ve been waiting for — or is it? Only a fraction of women will actually deliver on their due date, and although more will deliver sometime during that week, most babies come in the two weeks before or the two weeks after that anticipated day. Chances are you’re feeling the telling signs of prelabor, though — more frequent Braxton Hicks contractions, leaking amniotic fluid, lower back pain and even diarrhoea. Keep an eye on the clock as your contractions get stronger and closer together, but be sure to rest as much as possible to preserve your strength for the stretch of active labor ahead of you.

At this week’s prenatal appointment, your doctor or midwife may check your cervix to see if it has begun to dilate or soften. You’ll also need to pay attention to your baby’s movements while you’re at home (they may be harder to detect now, but you should still feel a bit of movement here and there) and keep an eye out for any sudden changes in contractions, pain or vaginal discharge. But even with all of the anticipation and careful monitoring, you may just find that you’re a little sad about your pregnancy coming to an end. You’ve been busy helping your baby develop in your belly over the past nine months, and the intimate connection you’ve grown used to will change soon. Luckily, the change is a good one — soon you’ll hold a new little person in your arms and connect in so many more ways than you’ve been able to connect up until this point.

Development in 40th Week Pregnancy

Your baby is probably one of the 96% of babies who is head down and deeply snuggled into your pelvis. The immune system is still immature and the baby receives antibodies from the placenta and after birth they will receive antibodies continually from your breast milk. Most of the lanugo has fallen off the baby’s body, although you may still find some hidden spots, particularly in the creases, and around the shoulders or ears.

The average baby will be about 7.5 pounds (3.4 kilograms) and 20 inches long at birth. Your baby will be judged, at birth and 5 minutes later, with an apgar score.

40 weeks is a rough guess about when baby will be born, but babies are full term at 37 weeks. This end of pregnancy is a guess – how long will your pregnancy last? Did you believe your baby would be late or early? While babies are born a few weeks before or after the due date, everyone feels differently about when labor will begin or when induction is appropriate.

Preparing for Pregnancy

You are now nearing the end of your pregnancy and the baby should be dropping out at any moment. Remember that you are only overdue once you have pasted the 42-week mark. You may be 40 weeks pregnant, and therefore full term, but only 5% of women deliver on their estimated due dates. In fact, many first-time mothers find themselves waiting up to 2 weeks after their due date for their baby to arrive. Try and get some rest in now while you can, for very soon you are going to have a bundle of joy in the house, which is going to require lots of attention and care.

A baby born at 40 weeks weighs, on average, 7 pounds, 8 ounces (3500 grams) and measures 20 inches (51 centimetres). Don’t expect your baby to look like the Gerber baby right off the bat – newborns often have heads temporarily misshapen from the birth canal and may be covered with vernix and blood. Your baby’s skin may have skin discolorations, dry patches, and rashes – these many variations are completely normal.

Because of the presence of your hormones in your baby’s system, your baby’s genitals (scrotum in boys and labia in girls) may appear enlarged. Your baby, whether a boy or a girl, may even secrete milk from the tiny nipples. This should disappear in a few days and is completely normal.

First Meetings
This week you’ll experience the moment you’ve been anticipating – an introduction to your baby! Before you can meet your baby, though, you have to go through labor and delivery. You may have learned about the three stages of birth in your prenatal classes. The first stage of labor works to thin and stretch your cervix by contracting your uterus at regular intervals. The second stage of labor is when you push your baby into the vaginal canal and out of your body. The third and final stage of labor is when you deliver the placenta.

Congratulations on the completion of your pregnancy and we hope that you and your family have many happy moments with your new bundle of joy!

Fetal Development

A healthy range of weight is between 5 pounds and 11 ounces and 8 pounds 5 ounces.  Your baby is probably somewhere in this range now.  The umbilical cord doesn’t have any nerve endings (this means that you and your baby will not feel any pain when it is cut!) and is about 20 inches long and about ½ inch thick.  It’s pretty common for the umbilical cord to get knotted at this point, because things are so crowded inside the uterus.

All of your baby’s organs, including the lungs are ready for birth now.  Your baby’s immune system is gaining strength at this point.  Right now, you are probably very uncomfortable and can hardly stand the wait.  Try to take it easy and rest when you can, long naps and reading can help you through the last few days of your pregnancy.  Remember that very few babies are born on their due date.

Pregnancy symptoms

Emotionally, you’re beat. Physically, you’re exhausted. The weight of pregnancy is impossible to ignore now, and you’ve gone through most of the symptoms you could possibly experience. Between pressure on your perineum, breathlessness and fatigue, it’s not unusual to feel irritated, even a little glum in these last weeks as you wait for your baby to make her appearance, but do try to stay calm, relaxed and focused on the finish line. Let your loved ones help you out in these last days of pregnancy while your mind and body are devoted to labor and delivery.

At 39 weeks, your body is no longer growing along with your baby: amniotic fluid levels are falling, the placenta is withering, and the circumference of your belly is as big as it will get. There’s a good chance that your cervix will start to dilate this week (perhaps it already has softened and effaced), and an internal exam could reveal that labor might be right around the corner. On the other hand, labor is one of the most unpredictable experiences in life, so don’t hold your breath. You may have to wait another week or two, even if you lose your mucus plug or your water breaks this week.

Development in 39th Week Pregnancy

Your baby’s immune system continues to develop. Some of your antibodies will pass to your baby through the placenta. These will help to protect him against diseases and infections. This protection will only last a few weeks, but by breast-feeding you will boost this protection by providing him with your antibodies in the colostrum and breast milk.

Appearance in 39th Week Pregnancy

Your baby’s body will now be well rounded, with a healthy covering of fat. His skin is smooth, still with areas of vernix. His toenails have reached the end of his toes. The amount of hair he may have varies: he could be completely bald, have a few downy patches or have a full head of hair, although its colour may change during the first few months after he is born.

Movement in 39th Week Pregnancy

If your baby has developed a pattern of waking and sleeping, this may continue after he is born. If your baby has been active at a particular time of day, this may continue even after the birth. When you go to bed, play some calming music and talk to him gently – this can soothe him if he is unsettled at a particular time of day. Many women recognize their baby’s ‘playtime’, often during the evening and anticipate this after the birth! You should still be getting plenty of movements (at least ten a day) but they will not feel quite so vigorous now as they did in earlier weeks.

Preparing for Pregnancy

The rupture of your amniotic sac could happen any day now. Some women experience a large gush of water, whereas other women feel a steady trickle when their water breaks. If you think your water has broken or you are experiencing regular contractions, contact your health care provider.
Your baby is now probably over the seven pound mark and can hardly move inside the uterus. The lungs are also nearly fully developed and functional. The umbilical cord that carried nutrients from the placenta to your baby is now 20 inches long (50 centimetres) and is a half-inch (1.3 centimetres) thick. Because your baby weighs about 7 pounds (3288 grams) and consumes all of the space in your uterus, it’s common for the umbilical cord to become knotted or wrapped around him.

Most of the vernix that covered your baby’s skin has disappeared, as well as the lanugo. Your body begins to supply the baby with antibodies through the placenta that will help the baby’s immune system fight infection for the first 6 months of life.

Fetal Development

Your baby now weighs 6.8 pounds and measures about 21 inches long.  This is what many babies weigh when they are born, and your little one is just around the corner from arriving.  Baby is gaining about an ounce each day.

Since your baby is using their lungs to practice breathing they may get hiccups occasionally and you will be able to notice these little jumps.  The head and abdomen are about the same circumference at this point.  The abdomen is large because of the liver, which is producing red blood cells.

Tear ducts will not appear until a few weeks after birth.  The brain and the lungs are the last of the organs to develop, but both are nearly ready now.  The lungs are developing surfactant now, which helps the alveoli expand.  Baby can turn their head, react to sounds and lights and blink their eyes.

Vernix, the waxy substance that protects your baby’s skin while in the womb, is mostly gone now.  There is a small amount left to help the trip through the birth canal go smoothly.

Your appetite may decrease now, as you have less room for everything, including your stomach, as the baby has grown larger.  Remember to rest often because many sleepless nights are ahead!

Pregnancy symptoms

Are your nipples larger and your breasts heavier these days? Your body is preparing to breastfeed, so you may notice some tenderness and sensitivity around your areola. From now on, just use warm water to clean your nipples, since soap can dry them out and even crack the skin. Continue to moisturize your breasts and wear a supportive bra to sidestep major discomfort during these last weeks and avoid nipple problems after delivery.

Since labor is just around the corner, you’re likely feeling stronger and more frequent Braxton-Hicks contractions, but they don’t necessarily mean that you’re going into labor. For many first-time mothers, the baby will engage, or drop down into the pelvis, around now and mild contractions could continue for quite a while before true labor sets in. Your uterus is filling your abdomen, and everything from your stomach to your bladder is suffering: indigestion, gas and frequent urination are a few of the more irritating symptoms of late pregnancy, but they won’t be around for much longer. Sleeping on your left side with as many pillows as you need for support is your best bet for a peaceful slumber

Development in 38th Week Pregnancy

Your baby’s immune system continues to develop. Some of your antibodies will pass to your baby through the placenta. These will help to protect him against diseases and infections. This protection will only last a few weeks, but by breast-feeding you will boost this protection by providing him with your antibodies in the colostrum and breast milk.

Appearance in 38th Week Pregnancy

Your baby’s body will now be well rounded, with a healthy covering of fat. His skin is smooth, still with areas of vernix. His toenails have reached the end of his toes. The amount of hair he may have varies: he could be completely bald, have a few downy patches or have a full head of hair, although its colour may change during the first few months after he is born.

Movement in 38th Week Pregnancy

If your baby has developed a pattern of waking and sleeping, this may continue after he is born. If your baby has been active at a particular time of day, this may continue even after the birth. When you go to bed, play some calming music and talk to him gently – this can soothe him if he is unsettled at a particular time of day. Many women recognize their baby’s ‘playtime’, often during the evening and anticipate this after the birth! You should still be getting plenty of movements (at least ten a day) but they will not feel quite so vigorous now as they did in earlier weeks.

Preparing for Pregnancy

Is It Labor?
When you are 38 weeks pregnant, it is not so unusual to experience “false labor.” This is a series of contractions that can be felt in various parts of your body including your back, your pelvis and lower abdomen.

Keep in mind that real labor pains begin at the top of your uterus and will then spread across the whole uterus. The pain then moves like a wave across your lower back and down into the pelvis.

Fetal Development

Your baby now weighs about 6 ½ pounds and measures about 21 inches long.  You are now considered a full term pregnancy, if you go into labor now, your health practitioner would not try to stop your labor!

Baby is gaining lots of weight now, about ½ an ounce each day.  Typically, boys will weigh more than girls at birth.  Right now, your baby is practicing their breathing and getting stronger.

Every baby is different, but some are born with as much as 1 ½ inches of hair already grown.  You probably can’t wait to see your little one at this point, but you are very close to the end of your waiting.

Lungs are almost completely mature now; in a few days they will be done maturing.  Your baby is becoming more coordinated now and can grasp things with their little fingers.

You may have a pelvic exam this week to see how your cervix is progressing.  Don’t forget to pack your bag and get together all the things you’ll need at the hospital or birthing centre, including the camera and car seat.

Pregnancy symptoms

You may notice that your belly isn’t getting any bigger, and although your mind may jump to problems with your baby’s growth, rest assured that this plateau won’t affect his wellbeing at all. Your body isn’t accumulating amniotic fluid anymore and you’ve put on enough weight to complete your baby’s development and support his own weight gain. In fact, some women will lose a few pounds between now and their delivery, although it’s unlikely to leave them feeling much lighter. The pressure of the uterus on the rib cage, the abdominal wall and the sciatic nerve can cause considerable discomfort, and you’re probably getting tired of bumping into walls and knocking things over with your unbalanced belly!

If you feel your muscles hug your uterus more often now, it means your Braxton-Hicks contractions have gained strength. Labor might be a few days away, or it could be a few weeks — previous pregnancies, doctor’s estimates and your mother’s labor experience have little influence on when and how you’ll experience your labor and delivery. Comfort is important in these last weeks, so stick to light, breathable clothing, a supportive bra and your favourite chair (whenever you can!)

Development in 37th Week Pregnancy

Fat is still being laid down under your baby’s skin and, as long as there are no problems with the placenta, she will continue to grow while she is inside you. The fat will be lying in folds and her cheeks will become plumper. Her heart is beating at approximately 110-160 beats per minute. She has 300 bones at the moment, whereas an adult only has 206. This is because some of her bones will later fuse together.

Appearance in 37th Week Pregnancy

Most of the soft, downy lanugo covering her body has now been shed, apart from a light covering across the top of her back and shoulders and behind her ears. Her body is still covered in greasy white vernix because she will continue to need ‘waterproofing’ until she is born.

Movement in 37th Week Pregnancy

As space becomes tight in your uterus, your baby will be tightly curled up, with her chin tucked onto her chest and her knees drawn up iO her abdomen. Her movements will be less vigorous but she should still be active. Research suggests that babies have rapid eye movement (REM) sleep from 23 weeks of pregnancy, which indicates that they are dreaming – this encourages the development of the brain. As your baby is asleep for at least 60 per cent of the time, that is a lot of time to dream!

The fontanelle

The bones of your baby’s skull remain soft so that bones can ride over each other and mould to the shape of the birth canal. As a result, her head may be slightly pointed when she is born and she may have some swelling on either side of the head. This is only temporary. However, there will be a soft spot on the top of her head, called the fontanelle, for about 18 months, until the bones fuse together.

Preparing for Pregnancy

The position of your baby right now is, in most cases, the position that he will be in when you give birth. Try to make sure that everything is in order at home in case you need to rush off to the hospital. And check that you have everything you need for the hospital; once labor begins, you won’t want your partner rushing home to forget an item that you really want. Plus, when things are organized, it helps you stay calm and focused.

Getting Ready for Labor
You may find that your vaginal discharge is heavier now and you will also notice more cervical mucus in your discharge. This is a sign that your body is preparing for the coming labor. In fact, next week you could lose your mucus plug. When your cervix starts to dilate as it prepares for labor, the plug becomes discharged from your body. This ‘plug’ seals off your uterus, protecting it from infection as well as bacteria. The mucus plug or ‘bloody show’ is thick, yellow and could have a few tinges of blood on it. You can expect to lose it in a week or it could remain in place until a few days or even a few hours before labor. If you have any discharge, remember to tell your health care provider about it.

Fetal Development

Your baby now weighs about 6 pounds and measures about 20.7 inches long.  You’ve almost made it to the end now.  Keep this in mind as you continue to grow increasingly uncomfortable.  Your health practitioner will probably want to see you weekly now.

Fat is deposited in the baby’s cheeks this week and the muscles that help your baby suck are helping to fill out their little faces.  Your baby’s bones are very strong, but the skull is going to stay soft, so that it can pass through the birth canal.

Baby’s immune system is continuing to develop and now they are receiving your antibodies.  Liver and kidneys are now fully developed and functional, allowing baby to process some of their own waste.  Meconium is accumulating rapidly now.  This first bowel movement is normally voided soon after birth, but some baby’s will void while they are still waiting to be born.

Your baby is now a plump, round little person.  All the extra weight and fat accumulation over the last few weeks has filled out their little bodies.

If you haven’t already had a GBS, or Group B Strep test, now is the time to ask your doctor or midwife about this test.

Pregnancy symptoms

You’re approaching your ninth month so prenatal visits will become more frequent — you’ll be in to see your doctor or midwife every week now until you deliver your baby. Third trimester discomforts that have demanded your attention are likely still with you, but you’ll have more breathing space if your baby has dropped down into your pelvis. Don’t presume labor is right around the corner, though: many women who feel their baby engage during week 36, especially those who are carrying their first child, may have a few more weeks to wait before other signs of labor fall into place. Think of these little changes as a careful acceleration to the big day — after all, you would be completely overwhelmed if everything was to happen at once!

Your baby is taking up most of the space in your uterus, so her movements will probably feel slower, bigger and more defined. Little fists and feet have given way to elbows and knees, so don’t be surprised if you see a small outline on your belly where you feel her pokes. You may find that the sharpest or strongest nudges come up by your ribs, as most babies have assumed a head down, rump up position by now. If you’re starting to feel more pain in your back, your baby could be lying in a posterior position, which would put more pressure on your nerves. If you experience cramping, increasingly painful contractions or other signs of labor along with the back pain, call your doctor or midwife right away.

Development in 36th Week Pregnancy

Your baby’s development is almost complete, although she would still be considered premature if she was born at this time. Her lungs continue to develop and, every day, more fat cells are being laid down in a layer underneath her skin.

Appearance in 36th Week Pregnancy

Your midwife should have a good idea of your baby’s size when she palpates your uterus to check that it is still expanding at the right rate and also to feel your baby’s position. Even if she is not a large baby, her cheeks will be plump. By now, her nails will reach her fingertips. When she is born they will probably be long enough for her to scratch herself- although they are very soft, almost like paper.

Movement in 36th Week Pregnancy

Your baby has less room to move around but you should still feel at least ten movements a day. These will feel more like a large ‘shifting’ movement rather than arms and legs waving around. If she is in the breech position, you will probably be aware of an uncomfortable bump right under your ribs where her head is pressing.

Did you know?

Your uterus normally weighs about 50 g, but by week 36, it weighs more than 1 kg – that is more than 20 times heavier than normal.

Preparing for Pregnancy

Since you are 36 weeks pregnant, that means there is only about a month to go before baby is born. Now might be a good time to do all the interesting things related to your pregnancy, like taking a tour of the hospital’s birth facilities, putting the final touches on the baby nursery and ensuring that your house is going to be safe for the new addition to the family.

Your baby could drop into the birth canal now at any moment (also known as lightening). So make sure you have your hospital bags packed and everything is organized for when the magical time comes. Starting this week, you may begin to see your health care provider every week. Your doctor or midwife may give you an internal exam to determine if cervical effacement (thinning of the cervix) or dilation (opening of the cervix) has begun. Your appetite may return because the baby is no longer putting as much pressure on your stomach and intestines and, if you’ve been experiencing heartburn, the baby’s descent into the birth canal may somewhat alleviate it.

Fetal Development

Your baby weighs about 5 ½ pounds now and measures about 18.9 inches long.  As you know each baby has a different weight and length at birth, so these measurements are just an average.  Now your baby will start its most rapid weight gain, adding ½ to ¾ of a pound every week until they are born.

You may be able to distinguish body parts such as a head, hand or foot now that your baby is getting larger and your uterus is getting thinner.  Baby’s hearing has completely developed now and the lungs are very close to being complete and ready for birth.

The kidneys are fully developed and the liver is able to process waste products.  Fat is continues to accumulate at a rapid pace now, which will help your baby stay warm after they are born.

When you visit your health practitioner now they may begin to exam your cervix to see how ready it is for delivery.  If you are not having a home birth, have your overnight bag packed and ready so that when your labor starts you have everything you want and need ready to go to the hospital or birthing center.

Pregnancy symptoms

You’re in the home stretch of your pregnancy, and your body switching its focus from rapid growth to labor preparation. The placenta will start to age and your amniotic fluid is no longer increasing. Your belly may expand a few more inches in the next couple of weeks, but you’ll likely experience a shift in abdominal pressure: your baby’s head may engage a few weeks before labor begins, which can put an alarming amount of pressure on your pelvic floor muscles. The tingling sensation or shooting pain around your vagina and perineum is probably aggravated by the pressure of your uterus on the nerves in your back and legs. Fortunately, you only have to put up with this discomfort for a few more weeks!

Dealing with so much discomfort and anticipation can really take a toll on your body and mind, and you’re probably losing patience these days. It’s normal for mood swings to return and your anxiety to skyrocket, but don’t let your fears get the best of you: finish your birth plan, take a breastfeeding course and begin to delegate duties to friends and family that have offered to help out during your labor and in the first weeks of baby’s life. Preparing yourself will help you gain confidence for the challenge ahead of you and overcome many of your worries.

Development in 35th Week Pregnancy

Although your baby is still growing in length, his rate of growth has slowed down. He is becoming plumper, laying down fat cells, mostly around his shoulders. All his organs are fully mature, apart from the lungs. These final weeks are very important as far as his lungs are concerned. Their development needs to be complete so that he can breathe without assistance.

Appearance in 35th Week Pregnancy

Your baby looks very much like the one that you will soon meet. His skin is smooth, with a few dimples, and by now he may even have a good head of hair! Dark-skinned babies normally have more hair than light-skinned ones, and it can reach up to 4 cm. He will still be covered in vernix, although some of it will have been shed into the amniotic fluid.

Movement in 35th Week Pregnancy

He is reacting now, with movements and facial expressions, in a similar way as he will when he is born. Your baby will frequently respond to sounds. You will feel him ‘jump ‘at a loud noise, or move when he recognizes a piece of music or your voice. He can hear sounds outside of the uterus at about half the volume that you can.

I sometimes notice my bump tightening. Does this mean I’ll go into labour early?

What you’re describing are Braxton Hicks tightenings. These mild, irregular tightenings have, in fact, been there throughout your pregnancy but you just haven’t been able to feel them until now. Braxton Hicks tightenings get more frequent and intense towards die end of pregnancy, and some women notice them from about week 25. They are in fact practice tightenings, getting your uterus ready for labour. Unlike the contractions that happen in labour, they are not painful and are irregular.

Preparing for Pregnancy

Limited Space
This week begins your baby’s most rapid period of weight gain – about one half to three quarters of a pound each week. Because of your baby’s increasing size, she is now cramped and restricted inside the uterus. While the fetal movements may decrease, they may also be stronger and more forceful. Your baby’s head, if she is in a headfirst position, is also resting on your pubic bone in preparation for labor.

Since you are 35 weeks pregnant, you can expect your health care provider to start doing regular checks of your cervix for signs of effacement (thinning) and dilatation (opening) of the cervix in preparation of birth.

Fetal Development

Your baby now weighs about 4.9 pounds and measures about 18.4 inches long.  Your baby is fully developed at this point, but is growing and gaining weight now. Baby’s chances of survival outside of the womb are very good now, with only the lungs needing further development.

Baby is probably in the head down position now and the skull is soft so that baby can move down the birth canal during birth.  Pressure from the baby being head down can make you have to urinate frequently.

The immune system is continuing to mature now and preparing to fight infections.Because your baby is rapidly building up fat, little dimples are forming at the elbows and knees.  Creases are forming around the wrists and neck.  Bones are continuing to harden now and the waxy substance covering your baby’s skin, vernix, is thickening.

There are several prenatal tests that your health practitioner may recommend at this point.  One that you need to ask for, if your doctor or midwife doesn’t suggest is, is the GBS (or Group B Step) test.  This test screens for harmful bacteria that you can pass to the baby at birth.

Pregnancy symptoms

Is swelling interfering with your day? Fluid retention is a part of life in the third trimester, so prepare to switch to wider shoes and be sure to kick your feet up when you can. Ease the pressure by leaving your rings in your jewellery box and abandoning tight elastic waistbands and thick layers. However, if your bra is hurting you, you should buy a new bra instead of simply going without support. Your breasts are getting quite heavy and increasingly sensitive as your labor approaches, and many women find that they leak colostrum during the later weeks of pregnancy. A good nursing bra will cradle your sensitive breasts, prevent excessive stretch marks and accommodate nursing pads, which will absorb any leaks.

If you’re lucky, week 34 will bring a welcome break. You have 50% more blood than you did at the start of your pregnancy, but your blood stores are no longer increasing and your placenta is beginning to age. If your baby drops down into your pelvis this week (an event known as lightening), the pressure on your diaphragm and ribs will diminish, allowing you to take a nice, deep breath for the first time in weeks. Use that newfound breath to relax! The eight month is not an easy time for most women, and each minute you can commit to relaxation exercises will help you stay calm and content now, but also prepare you for your upcoming labor.

Development in 34th Week Pregnancy

Your baby continues to iay down fat – by now fat makes up 15 per cent of her weight – which she will need to keep warm. Her lungs are almost mature and she might even be able to breathe for herself if she was born now. Although her brain and nervous system are fully developed, her sucking reflex would still be poor. Her taste buds are fully developed and there is some evidence to show that she has developed a preference for certain flavours.

Appearance in 34th Week Pregnancy

Most of the soft downy lanugo has disappeared from your baby’s body, but the hair on her head is becoming thicker. Her skin will be soft and smooth, and her body is covered with a layer of waxy vernix. Her gums have a ‘ridged’ appearance that is sometimes mistaken as being teeth.

Movement in 34th Week Pregnancy

Sometimes your baby will press part of herself so hard against the wail of your uterus that you feel compelled to push back. This vigorous movement will probably be from a foot or a knee. A more gentle ‘flickering’ type of movement is more likely to be a hand. Although your midwife will tell you which way your baby is lying, you will probably have a good idea yourself from identifying the position of her limbs as they move.

Did you know?

The placenta reaches maturity by 34 weeks. It will continue to provide your baby with oxygen and nutrition until she is born.

Ultrasound scans can detect rapid eye movements (REM) in sleeping babies before they are born. This suggests that babies spend as much as 60 per cent of their sleeping time in the last 3 months of pregnancy dreaming. For the rest of it they will be in deep, dreamless sleep.

When your baby is born, she will sleep for approximately 16-17 hours out of 24. Roughly half of this is REM sleep.

Preparing for Pregnancy

Even though you are 34 weeks pregnant, it is still extremely important to make sure you are getting enough calcium. Maternal calcium intake is critical as the baby draws calcium from the mother to make and harden his bones. So if a pregnant woman doesn’t get enough calcium during her pregnancy, the developing fetus will take minerals from the mother’s skeletal structure as needed. This, in turn, can greatly weaken mom’s own bones and teeth.

Braxton Hicks contractions may start to increase now as you near delivery. Fatigue is a common complaint of late pregnancy. You may have trouble sleeping, experience aches and pains and gain more weight. Women also start to have anxiety about their upcoming labor, delivery, as well as taking care of a newborn. All of these things can add to your feeling of exhaustion.

So, rest as much as you can and try to take naps, if possible. Do not rely on caffeine to perk you up since too much caffeine can adversely affect your baby. Also, read up on the signs of labor and think about your birth plan. The more prepared you are, the less anxiety you will feel.

Fetal Development

Your baby now weighs about 4.4 pounds and measures about 17.8 inches.  Baby will gain one third to one half of their weight during the final weeks of your pregnancy.  The amniotic fluid is now at its highest level and will stay at this level until your delivery.  Your little one may have now settled into the head down position; however, some babies do not do this until later in pregnancy.

The baby’s skull is not joined and is very pliable.  The brain is rapidly growing now and increasing in size.  Fat is rapidly accumulating and changing the color of your baby’s skin from red to pink, the skin appears less wrinkly as they continue to accumulate this white fat.

Because your baby is rapidly gaining white fat and weight at this point you may be gaining weight more rapidly than in the past as well.  Continue to eat right and exercise as you can to help your baby grow and develop at a normal pace.  Now may be the time to decide if you will circumcise your little boy after his birth.  Continue to plan the details of your baby’s arrival including your birth plan the details of the nursery for when they come home.

Pregnancy symptoms

Your growing belly was a welcome addition just a few months ago, but there’s a good chance you’re a little startled and worried to discover your belly growing more each day. Are you dreaming of never delivering your baby or maybe giving birth to a gigantic newborn? Well, your surging hormones are partly to blame for wild pregnancy dreams, but it’s also quite common for your subconscious mind to express all of your anxieties and worries during your downtime. If you feel as though you’ve lost control of your ballooning body, take comfort in the fact that your weight will plateau in three or four weeks and you may even lose a pound or two before your due date!

Few women get away with an entirely comfortable third trimester, and the majority of moms-to-be will complain of heartburn, rib pain, breathlessness, swelling and fatigue in the weeks leading up to labor. Rest is becoming more important these days, and reclining slightly in a comfy chair and kicking your feet up will work wonders for many aches and pains. Ice packs, heating pads and natural anti-inflammatory techniques may now have a place in your daily routine.

Development in 33rd Week Pregnancy

The main focus now is on growth. Your baby needs to become bigger, fatter and stronger in order to maintain his body temperature, feed well and fight off any infections that come his way.

His immune system is still developing and, although his major organs are complete, the extra weeks are crucial for the final stages of the development of his lungs, which are maturing fast.

Appearance in 33rd Week Pregnancy

Your baby looks very much the same as he will at full term, but smaller and generally more ‘delicate’. His skin appears paler because of the build-up of white fat beneath it. This fat will have a big impact on his appearance, making his skin smoother and plumper, with dimples at the elbows and knees and creases in the wrists and neck.

Movement in 33rd Week Pregnancy

Your baby is still quite active. You and your partner may be able to recognize the shape of a small foot or elbow pressing against your abdomen, or a little bottom pushing beneath your ribs. If this is especially uncomfortable, try changing position, which may in turn encourage your baby to shift. Getting down on all fours or going for a swirn can often do the trick.

Did you know?

Your body responds to your different emotions by producing hormones, which are transmitted to your baby through the placenta. This is referred to as sympathetic communication. In this way, your baby becomes aware of whether you are frightened and upset, or happy and relaxed.

Preparing for Pregnancy

Since you are 33 weeks pregnant, you should begin to watch for the early signs of preeclampsia. If you start to experience severe headaches; see “spots” or “flashing lights” while at rest; have a sudden increase in swelling, especially of the face; abdominal pain; and nausea, vomiting, or feeling sick, contact your caregiver immediately. You could be developing pre-eclampsia which is characterized by swelling, high blood pressure and protein in the urine. It is a very serious complication of pregnancy.

Giving Birth
With labor and delivery only 2 months away, you may be considering how you’ll cope with pain during childbirth. Among the things you’ll want to learn about are the most commonly used techniques for pain relief. These include breathing techniques such as those taught in Lamaze classes, pain-relief medications given through injection, and epidurals, where doctors can give an anaesthetic by means of a soft, thin catheter that’s placed in your lower back (similar to a spinal tap).

Fetal Development

Your baby now weighs about 4 pounds and measures about 17 inches.  If you’re feeling kicks in your ribcage it probably means that baby has finally moved into the head down position that 96% of babies are born in.  Don’t worry if this hasn’t happened yet, you still have a few weeks left for baby to move.

During baby’s awake times their eyes are open and looking around.  When they are sleeping their eyes are closed.  Eye color is usually blue right now, but this will change with exposure to light, and then it can change again a few months after birth.

Little boys’ testicles are descending into the scrotum now.  Sometimes this doesn’t happen until after birth, but this condition usually corrects itself.  Baby’s immune system is starting to develop now and sometimes the fingernails are so long that they will scratch themselves.

White fat is continuing to accumulate now.  This helps baby’s skin appear pinker and diminishes the wrinkly appearance of your little one’s skin.

If you haven’t already gotten a list together of the things you need to take with you to the hospital you should start now.  Ask your health practitioner what signs to watch for to indicate you are in labor and when they would like for you to call their office.  Be sure and ask what the procedure for contacting them is once you think you are in labor.

Pregnancy symptoms

As your baby grows and your belly expands before your eyes, you may have trouble focusing on anything other than your abdomen. In fact, you may have trouble focusing, period. You can attribute some of your absentmindedness to your hormones, but it’s not unusual to divide all of your attention between labor worries and the health of your growing baby at 32 weeks pregnant. Finish up your birth plan and discuss labor pain management options with your doctor at your next prenatal visit to give yourself some peace of mind.

A shifting center of gravity and loosening ligaments means you may be a little wobbly on your swollen feet, and you’re probably noticing Braxton-Hicks contractions more often. The top of your uterus is almost five inches above your bellybutton, pushing against your diaphragm and lungs to leave you short of breath now and then. With your physical discomforts, labor anxiety, fatigue and busy preparations, it’s no wonder that you’re beginning to pine for delivery day. Luckily, you only have a couple of more months to wait, and in just a few weeks your baby will drop into your pelvis (an event known as “lightening”) to prepare for birth, which will relieve some of the pressure and discomfort under your rib cage.

Development in 32nd Week Pregnancy

Your baby’s hearing is becoming more finely attuned. Her environment is constantly filled with noise – the sounds of your stomach, your heartbeat and the blood rushing through the umbilical cord. It is not surprising that newborn babies do not need quiet to sleep when they have become used to such constant sounds. The lining in the air sacs of your baby’s lungs continue to secrete surfactant. Unless her breathing system is mature, she will not be able to breathe unaided when she is born.

Appearance in 32nd Week Pregnancy

Your baby looks like a smaller version of a full-term baby but is still very delicate. A few creases are developing where she is laying down fat, at the top of her thighs and on her arms. The hair on her head continues to grow and there may still be a light covering of soft lanugo across the back of her shoulders and along the tops of her arms.

Movement in 32nd Week Pregnancy

Your baby may still be looking for a position in which to settle when it comes to the birth. By now most babies are head down, but there are many who will still turn around. She no longer has as much room to somersault but mothers often notice when their baby changes position and can tell the difference between a hard head and a bony bottom, or a rounded fist and a pointed elbow.

Preparing for Pregnancy

The position of your uterus, about 5 inches above your navel, may start to cause you some heartburn and constipation, indigestion and breathlessness. You can combat this by drinking plenty of water, eating small meals and ensuring that you are getting enough fiber in your diet.

Are you experiencing symptoms such as sudden weight gain, headaches, or changes in vision? These symptoms might mean you have preeclampsia, a dangerous condition that causes high blood pressure and may affect both the mother and fetus during the second and third trimesters. Preeclampsia can lead to eclampsia, which can cause seizures, coma, or even maternal or fetal death. During your prenatal visits, your health care provider will monitor your blood pressure, urine, and swelling, but if you experience any warning signs of preeclampsia, talk to your health care provider right away.

Fetal Development

Your baby now weighs about 3.3 pounds and measures about 17 inches.  Growth will begin to slow down now, but the average weight of babies at birth is around 7 pounds.

Baby is opening and closing their eyes this week.  A brain scan would show that your baby is probably having dreams now.  Lungs are quickly developing now, getting ready for full time work after birth.  White fat is now being deposited beneath the skin, which helps make baby’s skin look pink.

By now you should be seeing your health practitioner every two weeks.  Your doctor or midwife will be checking your blood pressure and any swelling in your arms and legs, measuring the baby, asking you about how the baby is moving around and keeping close tabs on you and the baby in general.  They’ll start paying attention to what position the baby is in now, as the birth gets closer.  About 96% of babies born are born head first.  The rest are born breech with the buttocks or feet coming first.  Having a breech birth does not mean an automatic caesarean section, but be sure and talk with your doctor or midwife if you are concerned. It’s probably time for you to remove your rings, if you have not already done so, because with swelling it can become very hard to remove these later.

Pregnancy symptoms

Aches and pains are the name of the game, and you may be feeling more tired than usual as you carry around your extra weight. Loose ligaments around your joints and throbbing feet are just two of the symptoms that can persuade you to linger longer in bed or in a chair, but staying active now will help you prepare for your upcoming labor. Strong muscles will boost your endurance and your regular Kegel exercises will help you stay in control during labor and recover more quickly after delivery.

Your uterus is pushing your diaphragm up, your ribs out and your lungs together, and there’s no doubt you’re feeling the effect on your breathing by now. If you find yourself getting breathless here and there, try to relax and take some deep and slow breaths until the episode passes. If your baby’s position in your uterus is responsible for your sharp pains or dull aches, try shifting you body or prodding your belly to urge your baby to move. If you notice painless or slightly painful squeezing sensations, it’s probably not your baby, but rather your uterus that’s testing the boundaries of your body. Braxton Hicks contractions are very common at 31 weeks, and although they can be startling, they don’t necessarily mean that labor is right around the corner.

Development in 31st Week Pregnancy

The main developments at this stage are in your baby’s lungs. The cells lining the air sacs of the lungs secrete a substance that is known as surfactant. This is a lubricant that prevents the tissues of the lungs sticking together. This is a major milestone in your baby’s development, because without surfactant, he will be unable to breathe outside the uterus.

Appearance in 31st Week Pregnancy

Now the layers of subcutaneous fat are getting thicker and the blood vessels no longer show through, your baby’s skin looks much healthier and is not as dark or reddish as it was earlier in his development. The skin on his face, in particular, is smoother and his face looks round and chubby. His body fat now accounts for 3.5 per cent of his bodyweight but, by birth, this will rise to 15 per cent.

Movement in 31st Week Pregnancy

Your baby is becoming more aware of stimuli so will be very active, responding to sounds and movements. He can even feel when you have a Braxton Hicks contraction – which is no cause for alarm as they do not hurt him although you may find them uncomfortable. Since his ‘living conditions’ are now rather cramped, due to his size, for most of the time he will have his chin on his chest, his arms across his chest and his knees curled up. Even though he has less space than earlier, you should still be feeling at least 10 movements a day.

I am 31 weeks pregnant and worried about having a premature baby. If I go into early labour can anything be done to stop it?

This will depend on whether or not your cervix has started to dilate. A drug can be administered via a drip to relax the uterus and stop the contractions but, if your cervix is opening, then labour will probably continue. Women who show signs of premature labour are often advised to have two steroid injections that will help with the development of the baby’s lungs.

Preparing for Pregnancy

Your baby’s bones need calcium now more than ever as they are really starting to harden and grow, so be sure to ensure that you are getting enough calcium, along with iron and protein. Your baby’s brain is starting to go through a rapid growth stage now and the only other major organ to fully develop is the lungs.

The Right Fluids
If you are having a baby boy, then his testes will start to drop from the body cavity to the scrotum. Your baby receives all the nutrients he needs through the placenta and the placental blood flow is what allows your baby to produce urine.

Your baby urinates approximately half a liter of urine a day into the amniotic fluid. She also swallows some of the fluid, which is completely replaced several times a day. Excess fluid in the amniotic sac (a condition known as polyhydramnios) may mean that the baby isn’t swallowing normally or that she has a gastrointestinal obstruction. Not enough fluid in the amniotic sac (oligohydramnios) may mean that the baby isn’t urinating properly, and could indicate a problem with the kidneys or urinary system. Your health care provider will measure your levels of amniotic fluid as part of your routine ultrasound.

Breast  or  Bottle?
Since you are already 31 weeks pregnant, now may be a good time to decide whether to breastfeed or bottle feed your baby. The milk glands in your breasts may start to make colostrum around this time. Colostrum is the thick, yellowish milk that will provide your baby with calories and nutrients for the first few days before your milk comes in if you plan to breast-feed. If you notice your breasts leaking colostrum, you can purchase disposable or washable breast pads that will protect your clothing.