By the third trimester, you have already passed two thirds of the way to motherhood! You are ready for this event, it will happen very soon. How does your baby develop during this period? What changes await you? About what the parameters of the fetus in the third trimester of pregnancy, what problems can expect you and how to cope with them, and will be discussed below.
26th week
What changed?
One of the most unpleasant things in this period is urinary incontinence. This affects 70% of pregnant women in the last trimester. This is due to the increased oppression of the uterus on the bladder, and this happens most often when you laugh, sneeze or cough. If urinary incontinence (also called stress incontinence) is fraught with problems, you can try doing Kegel exercises to strengthen the muscles that control urination. Here is an example of such exercises:
1. Empty the bladder. Kegel exercises can be performed only when you do not want to urinate.
2. Tighten the muscles as if you want to stop the urine stream.
3. Stay in this position for 5 seconds, then relax the muscles. Repeat this exercise 5-10 times a day.
How your child develops
The eyes of your child in the third trimester of pregnancy begin to open. This means that your child can already see what is happening around. True, he does not see too much, because he is still inside you! However, you can direct the included flashlight to your belly, and the child will respond with a kick of your foot or arm. During this time, brain activity also develops, which means that your child not only hears noise, but now can also react to it. Of course, not with words, but with pulse rate and motor activity. If you have a boy, his testicles begin to descend into the scrotum.
What should you plan for this week
You should definitely think about the upcoming birth. Some women even make up a plan for this action. The plan can give you an opportunity to consider how you would like the delivery to take place, where, under what conditions. Remember, however, that you can not fully predict the process of delivery, and you must be flexible in the event that not everything goes according to plan. In some cases, one should take into account:
- Do you want to give birth without anesthesia, or if you have hope for epidural anesthesia? If you are not sure, consider this in advance.
- With whom do you want to give birth (only with a medical team or with your husband)?
- Do you want to record everything on your camcorder?
- Do you plan to breastfeed?
- Do you have the option of paying for an individual room, if any?
What to do to make pregnancy healthy?
Worry about how to communicate good news for your other children. Many people say that it is better to wait with this. But experts advise preparing an older child (or children) in advance. The reaction of the older child will depend on his (or her) nature, mood and age. If possible, organize the participation of an older child in matters related to the birth of a new family member. Let it help you choose a stroller, toys and name for a brother or sister.
Week 27
From now on, your child's length will be measured from head to toe. The length of the child in this period is about 37 cm.
What changed?
Do you feel bloated? Almost three quarters of women, entering the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, suffer from slight swelling of the hands, feet and ankles. Edema, which occurs as a result of increased blood flow in the body tissues, in which fluid accumulates - this is quite normal. If you think you are very swollen, consult a doctor. Excessive puffiness can be a sign of pre-eclampsia. But it is also accompanied by other symptoms (high blood pressure, protein in the urine), which doctors pay attention to during each visit. To feel better, do not stand for long with a walk or stand for a long time. Try to walk or swim (if it is allowed by a doctor), and when you rest, keep your feet in the air. Do not forget to drink 8 glasses of water a day.
How your child develops
The parameters of your baby's fetus are constantly changing. His hearing improves with the development of innervation in the ears. And even if the sound in the child's ears gets dim, he or she will recognize the voices of close people. So, it's a good time to read and sing along with your child and practice nursery rhymes and lullabies before you give birth. Now you can begin to feel the rhythmic movements within you. Your child probably hiccups. This is completely normal and can be repeated often, because the baby begins to develop lungs.
What should you plan for this week
Did you know that even a newborn baby in the car will require a car seat? If you did not choose this item, it's time to do it. The choice is great, so it will take time to find what suits you best. Check if the chosen chair matches the age of the child, and whether it is correctly installed in your car.
What to do to make pregnancy healthy?
Variable interest in sex during pregnancy is normal. After the birth of a child, almost certainly you will not have a great desire. A new member of the family carries an additional burden in every aspect of the life of a married couple - physical, psychological and financial. Now you will take more time to build a relationship with your partner. Efforts will pay off later.
28 week
What changed?
Here, perhaps, the days when you could say that during pregnancy you felt comfortable. Your child is pushed continuously, your legs are swollen, you are tired and you are hurt. When the baby takes a position head down - your enlarged uterus can press on the sciatic nerve in the lower back. If this happens, you can feel sharp, stitching pain, tingling and numbness in the legs - this lumbosacral radiculitis. In this situation, an electric blanket, a warm bath, stretching exercises, or lying in bed can help.
How your child develops
Do you dream of your child? At the 28th week of development, a child can also be dreaming about you. The wave activity of the child's brain is measured in various cycles of sleep, including the phases of rapid eye movement. The good news is that children born this week - although prematurely - have a high chance of survival, because their lungs have almost reached maturity.
What should you plan for this week
Begin preparation for the next visit to the doctor. He, probably, will talk with you about the main issues: a blood test, the study of immune antibodies, an oral glucose tolerance test for the diagnosis of gestational diabetes, preparation for childbirth.
What to do to make pregnancy healthy?
Although you know that before delivery is still far away, it is never too early to plan a trip to the hospital. A plan can be very useful when your child decides to be born earlier. Make sure that you always have the phone numbers of your doctor and husband. Prepare plan B. In advance, what happens if your husband is not available? Do you have a friend or neighbor who will take you to the hospital? Make sure that you can always reach the hospital and develop an alternative route in case of a traffic jam.
29 week
What changed?
Look at your feet - you do not want to see them any more? Do not worry, almost 40% of women suffer from varicose veins during pregnancy. This is due to the increase in the volume of blood in the body, the pressure of the uterus on the pelvic veins, and also because of the weakening of the muscles under the influence of the pregnancy hormone. For some, varicose veins are painful, while others do not feel any discomfort. Fortunately, the formation of varicose veins can be prevented, or at least minimized, by maintaining proper blood circulation. Avoid prolonged standing or sitting and exercise daily. Some strengthening of the muscles can also be useful. Varicose veins usually disappear after delivery.
How your child develops
Your child's wrinkled skin becomes smooth with a layer of fat beneath the surface. This fat, called white, is different from the previously brown fat (which was needed to provide the baby with heat), since it serves as a source of energy. Now you will feel more frequent and strong blows, set by the elbows and knees of the child, which is getting stronger. It reacts to various stimuli - movement, sound, light and what you ate an hour ago.
What should you plan for this week
The best thing now is to start counting punches to see that the child is feeling well (besides, this is a good excuse to take a break). You just need to lie down and start counting your baby's movements. Expected at least 10 movements per hour.
What to do to make pregnancy healthy?
Your child is growing, and therefore it is very important for you to take a lot of nutrients and rest a lot. Make sure you get enough protein, vitamin C, folic acid, iron and calcium. To prevent constipation and hemorrhoids, it is good to eat fiber-containing foods: fruits, vegetables, cereals, grain bread, prunes and bran.
30th week
What changed?
During this period, early symptoms of pregnancy return to you. It is a constant need to urinate (the uterus with the baby presses on the bladder), sensitive breasts (now it is ready to produce milk), fatigue and heartburn. During pregnancy, the muscles in the upper abdomen (which do not allow the gastric acid to enter the esophagus) relax. Hence the feeling of burning and heartburn.
How your child develops
Until now, your child's brain surface has been smooth. Now his brain starts to become tortuous, which helps to increase the volume of brain tissue. This prepares the child for life outside the womb. Even now, the child uses red blood cells to produce the brain. This is an important step in fetal development, as this means that it is better prepared for development after birth. Soft, fluffy covering of your child's body begins to disappear, because now the temperature of his body is regulated by the brain.
What should you plan for this week
Collect the dowry for the newborn. And also buy things that you need during the first week of life after childbirth. These are gaskets, napkins, nail clippers, a thermometer, washing powder, baby clothes.
What to do to make pregnancy healthy?
Get rid of heartburn, avoid foods that can cause indigestion (spicy foods, chocolate), eat less. And, of course, keep on hand a cure for heartburn. Fortunately, when the baby is born, the heartburn will pass.
31 Weeks
What changed?
To make room for the baby, your lungs contract slightly, so you can not breathe deeply. It may be uncomfortable for you, but your child gets as much oxygen as possible through the placenta. Breathing can be facilitated in later pregnancy, when the child descends to the abdomen to prepare for childbirth. Until then, try to sleep on a comfortable pillow with active support from the side so that your lungs have more opportunities to breathe.
How your child develops
The child's brain develops faster than ever. The connection between nerve cells is growing and your child can now receive information through all senses. He can swallow, sneeze, hiccup, meaningfully move his arms and legs and even suck his thumb.
What should you plan for this week
Collect all the equipment necessary for the child. Cradles, cribs and strollers are sometimes very difficult to assemble. So go and make a purchase now. For all cradles, control devices you need batteries, so make sure you have spare ones at hand. Advice: it is better not to buy batteries, but batteries and a charger.
What to do to make pregnancy healthy?
You probably already noticed a yellowish substance that began to ooze out of your chest. This colostrum, which appears before the actual milk production, produced a few days after delivery. Colostrum is much fatter than milk produced by breastfeeding. If you zimetilo colostrum, you can put the lining under the bra, so as not to stain constantly underwear.
Week 32
What changed?
Irregular contractions can be felt in the third trimester of pregnancy. At the approach of the term they become stronger (they start in the upper part of the uterus and move downwards). They can last from 15 to 30 seconds or even two minutes and be slightly painful. And although these contractions do not yet cause expansion of the cervix, their intensity can be difficult to distinguish from contractions at the onset of labor. To mitigate the consequences of such fights, change the position of the body - you can lie down if you walk or stand up, if you are in bed. A warm bath also helps. If the cramps do not go away and become more severe and regular, you should consult a doctor.
How your child develops
During the preparation for childbirth, your child is likely to be head down and buttocks up. This is because the fetus adapts to the next birth. However, less than 5% of children remain in position with the buttocks down. Do not worry if your child does not turn upside down. There is still a possibility that his position will change.
What should you plan for this week
You need to pack bags for the hospital. In addition to changing clothes and a toothbrush, take warm socks and slippers, a favorite pillow, something easy to read, pajamas and a nursing bra, clothes for the child to leave the hospital, a photo or video camera and new batteries if necessary.
What you need to do to make pregnancy healthy
If you have preliminary fights - here are some tips on how to reduce their severity. Change the position (stand up if you were sitting and vice versa), go for a walk, take a hot 30-minute (or less) bath, drink a few glasses of water because of cuts can occur due to dehydration, drink a cup of hot herbal tea or milk . If the contractions increase in intensity and are more regular, consult a doctor.
Week 33
What changed?
To meet the growing needs of the child, the amount of blood in the body increased from the beginning of pregnancy by about 40-50%. Also, the level of the amniotic fluid reached the maximum level by the 33rd week. But the size of the child does not exceed the volume of water. For this reason, you still feel strong tremors - the liquid can not absorb the blows.
How your child develops
Regarding the parameters of the fetus: by the third trimester of pregnancy, your child behaves like ... a child. When he sleeps, he closes his eyes when he wakes up - opens them. As the walls of the uterus become thinner and more light enters it, the baby can more easily distinguish night from day. And - good news! Your child has developed his own immune system (along with antibodies from you) that will give him protection against minor infections.
What should you plan for this week
It's time to turn to outside help. Your friends and family will want to help when the baby is born. In the beginning, it is difficult to organize everything by our efforts. So now you need to prepare a plan. Negotiate with those who are called to help, determine the list of responsibilities for older children, ask a neighbor or girlfriend about help in feeding and walking your dog, for example.
What to do to make pregnancy healthy?
Insomnia is a problem for more than 75% of pregnant women. In addition to this hormonal changes are added, frequent trips to the toilet, numbness in the legs, heartburn, difficulty breathing and anxiety about childbirth. Try to take a warm bath and drink a glass of milk before bed, avoid exercise, ask your husband to give you a massage (you deserve it!). If you still can not sleep - read a book or listen to soothing music.
Week 34
What changed?
Hormones of pregnancy can affect your eyes. Reducing the production of tears leads to dry eyes, irritation and discomfort. Moreover, the same processes that cause ankle edema can lead to a change in the curvature of the cornea. So it's better to wear glasses for the time of pregnancy, not contact lenses. Changes in the eyes are temporary, and usually after the birth, vision returns to normal. In some cases, vision problems may indicate gestational diabetes or high blood pressure. Report this to the doctor.
How your child develops
If your child is a boy, this week his testicles are lowered from the abdomen into the scrotum. In 3-4% of boys, the testicles do not descend into the scrotum. Usually within the first year everything is normalized. Otherwise, they are placed there operatively.
What should you plan for this week
Wash all of your clothes that you bought or received for your child, as well as all bedding. Use a special detergent intended for children that is labeled as hypoallergenic or for sensitive skin.
What to do to make pregnancy healthy?
Make sure you know all the basic information about childbirth. You can learn this in your class at the birth school. There are three stages of the prenatal period. The first begins with the beginning of fights and lasts until the cervix is opened up to 10 cm. The second stage lasts from the moment of opening the cervix over 10 cm before the birth of the child. The third stage is the short stage of the birth of the placenta, which usually lasts from 5 to 30 minutes.
Week 35
What changed?
Now, in the third trimester of pregnancy, you are more than ever complaining about constant urination. When your child is upside down and busy preparing for a birth, his head presses directly on the bladder. Result? The feeling that you should go to the toilet, even if you were there a minute ago. You also do not control your bladder when you cough, sneeze, or even laugh. Do not try to reduce the amount of fluid consumed. You have a lot of fluid inside. Instead, try to empty the bladder to the end, use the exercises, and, if you have, wear diapers for adults.
How your child develops
He quickly gaining weight. In the middle of pregnancy, your child's weight was only 2% of fat. Now the fat content in the baby jumped to almost 15%! By the end of pregnancy, this figure will increase to 30 percent. This means that until recently, your baby's thin arms and legs become plumper. In addition, the potential of your child's brain grows at breakneck speed. Fortunately, what surrounds the brain - the skull - is still quite soft. It is the soft skull that will allow your child to squeeze through the birth canals more easily.
What should you plan for this week
Prepare a backup plan in case the birth is premature, or if necessary stay in the hospital for longer. This week, you can give the keys to the house to someone you trust. Arrange with those who can do the following things in emergency mode: take care of your older children, feed the dog, water the flowers or receive mail.
What to do to make pregnancy healthy?
A few weeks before the birth, you will find a pediatrician for your child. Talk to your doctor, family and friends - maybe you will be able to recommend someone. This is a good time to ask about visits at home, vaccinations, procedures that must necessarily be visited, etc.
36 weeks
What changed?
As you approach the end of pregnancy, you can walk like a penguin. Hormones made the connective tissue relaxed so that the child could easily pass between the pelvic bones. In preparation for childbirth, your child is likely to ease the pressure on the uterine membrane. This will help you breathe better. Your stomach will also cease to be compressed, allowing you to eat without any problems. However, you may feel some discomfort in the thigh area. If so, try to take a warm bath or massage.
How your child develops
Many systems in your child's body are already mature enough. The blood circulation is fully functioning and the immune system has matured enough to protect the baby after birth from infections. Other systems still need time. The digestive system ripens completely after birth. The bones and cartilage are still soft, which allows your child to pass through the birth canal. Disappears a thin layer of mucus, which protects the baby's skin.
37 week
What changed?
Since that time, it is almost believed that you can safely give birth at any time. Of course, the biggest secret is when the birth begins. Your doctor can let you know if the cervix is ready for delivery. But even if the cervix is exposed enough, this does not mean an immediate delivery.
How your child develops
What does the child do within the next three weeks? Practiced, practiced and practiced. Your child is breathing, inhaling and exhaling an amniotic fluid, sucking a thumb, flashing and turning the head from side to side. All this is preparation for childbirth. At present, the child's head (which is still growing) is up to the very genera of the same volume with its hips and trunk.
What should you plan for this week
Start cooking. Prepare meals for the time after delivery. Do double portions of your favorite dishes and freeze them until the time when you return from the hospital. You and your husband will be too tired to start cooking for the first few weeks. At the same time, you will be happy that you need only to warm up a healthy diet. You will be grateful for any opportunity to relax.
What to do to make pregnancy healthy?
Since then you can only wait. Try to relax. Swimming is a great way to relax and lose weight of your feet. If you have the last preparations before the birth of a child, it is better to finish them now. For some women, it is important that everything is in order.
38 Weeks
What changed?
Your body is preparing for childbirth. The child is probably already in the lower abdomen, between the pelvic bones. Also ready and chest. Many pregnant women notice at this time intensive allocation of colostrum - yellowish liquid, which is a harbinger of milk. Colostrum contains antibodies that protect the newborn baby. It has more protein and less fat and sugar (which makes it easier to digest) than milk, which will be a few days after birth.
How your child develops
Your child is ready for childbirth. The child actively swallows the amniotic fluid and part of what his intestine - meconium produced. Your baby's lungs continue to grow and release more surfactants (they help protect the lungs from clumping when the baby starts to breathe).
What should you plan for this week
This week, a visit to the doctor is planned, especially if he believes that the child is in position with the buttocks up. You can order an ultrasound to confirm this hypothesis. This may be your last chance to see the baby before it comes to your world.
What to do to make pregnancy healthy?
Make a list of contacts. Mark a list of all individuals who want to learn about your child's birth, their phone numbers and e-mail addresses, and keep them on hand. Bring in the list at least one person from work to be able to convey information about yourself.
39 weeks
What changed?
Knowing that at any time you can begin to give birth, you should carefully observe the symptoms of childbirth. Regular contractions, waste of amniotic fluid, diarrhea or nausea, bursts of energy, loss of mucous plug. When the cervix starts to relax, the mucous plug comes off. Another indicator of the onset of labor is a bloody discharge. Such bleeding indicates that the cervix is opening, and the blood vessels of the neck are torn. Births can begin in a day or two.
How your child develops
The length and weight of your baby has changed little since last week, but his brain is still developing (at the same pace as in the first three years of his life.) Your baby's skin is lighter because a thick layer of fat has accumulated more blood vessels. Want to know what color your eyes will be baby? You will not be able to determine this right away. If the child is born with brown eyes, perhaps, then the color will change to blue. This is because the baby's diaphragm (the colored part of the eyeball) can get more pigment in the first months after birth, but then the eyes will become brighter and blueer.
What should you plan for this week
Your plans should only include keeping calm. Regardless of whether the first is a child, or the fourth - your life will never be the same as before.
What to do to make pregnancy healthy?
Begin to prepare for the care of the child. If you have not done this before - read about children and how to take care of them. You do not have to read for a long time after childbirth, so find out all about the first few weeks of his life.
40 weeks
What changed?
You can be frightened by the thought of when the waters go away. You saw more than once on television that it happened at the most inopportune time. Relax. Less than 15% of women give birth immediately after the withdrawal of water. Even if the waters begin to retreat in a public place, they will most likely drip or ooze. Amniotic fluid, usually without color and odor. If you notice a yellowish liquid with the smell of ammonia, it's probably a leak of urine. In addition, you can test this differently: the pelvic muscles will begin to contract. If the liquid stops at this - this is definitely urine. If not, the amniotic fluid. In this situation, consult a doctor. If amniotic fluid is green or brown, call your doctor. This may mean that your child was close to the uterus.
How your child develops
The first thing you want to check right after the birth of a child is his sex. Your child is likely to be all covered in blood, mucus, and will continue to shrink in the fetal position (although it will slightly wave arms and legs). This is because after nine months of being in such a limited space, the child did not immediately realize that it could be free. In addition, this is the only position he has known so far, so he feels comfortable in it. After birth, talk to your child, because he will probably recognize your voice.