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Hello third trimester!
How your baby's growing: Your baby is really starting to fill up your uterus. This week he weighs almost 2 pounds and is about 14.4 inches long with his legs extended. He can now open and close his eyes, and he sleeps and wakes at regular intervals. He may suck his fingers, and although his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with assistance — if he were to be born prematurely. Chalk up any rhythmic movement you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and isn't bothersome to him, so enjoy the tickle. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. Wonder what he's thinking?
Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.
How your life's changing: Your body is gearing up for the final lap, so you may start noticing some new symptoms. Along with an aching back, for example, you may find that your leg muscles cramp up now and then. They're carrying extra weight, after all, and your uterus is putting extra demands on your circulation. (As your uterus expands, it puts pressure on the blood vessels that return blood from your legs to your heart and on the nerves leading from your trunk to your legs.) Unfortunately, the cramps are likely to get worse as your pregnancy progresses. Leg cramps are more common at night but can also happen during the day. Flexing your foot (by pointing your toes forward and then flexing them back toward your shins) stretches the calf and should give you some relief. Walking for a few minutes or massaging your calf sometimes helps, too.
It may be the furthest thing from your mind right now, but it's not too soon to think about family planning. You'll want to have made some decisions before your baby arrives. And in some states, if you're considering a tubal ligation during your hospital stay, laws require that you sign a consent form at least a month before delivery day. (You can still change your mind later.)
Surprising Facts: Symptoms you should never ignore
So many aches, pains, and strange feelings arise during pregnancy that it can be hard to decide what's normal and what warrants a 2 a.m. call to your doctor or midwife. Here's a rundown of symptoms that should set off your warning bells. Note that some of these symptoms may be more or less urgent depending on your particular situation or health history and on how far along you are in pregnancy. Your caregiver should review with you at various points in your pregnancy which signs warrant an urgent call.
• Severe or persistent abdominal pain
• Vaginal bleeding or spotting
• Leaking fluid or a change in vaginal discharge — that is, if it becomes watery, mucousy, or bloody
• Pelvic pressure or low back pain or cramping before 37 weeks gestation
• Painful or burning urination
• Little or no urination
• Severe or persistent vomiting or any vomiting accompanied by pain or fever
• Chills or fever of 101 degrees F or higher
• Persistent itching all over, especially if accompanied by jaundice (yellowing of your skin), dark urine, and pale stools
• Visual disturbances, such as double vision, blurring, dimming, flashing spots, or lights
• Severe head pain that lasts for more than two to three hours
• Swelling or puffiness (also called edema) of the hands, face, and around the eyes or sudden noticeable weight gain of 2 pounds or more, not related to eating
• Persistent severe leg cramp or calf pain that doesn't ease up when you flex your ankle and point your toes toward your shin
• Decrease in fetal movement. (As a general rule, if you feel fewer than ten movements in two hours at 26 weeks or later, call your practitioner immediately.)
• Trauma to the abdomen
• Fainting or dizziness with or without heart palpitations
• Any health problem that you'd ordinarily call your practitioner about even if it's not pregnancy related (like a cold that gets worse rather than better). Just call a little sooner than you would normally.
Even if you don't see your symptom on the list above, it's better to be cautious and call your caregiver any time you have a concern about your pregnancy. Doctors and midwives are used to these calls, and there's usually someone available 24 hours a day to help.
This Week's Activity:
Prepare food to eat after your baby's born. If you cook, start doubling recipes and freezing half. You and your partner will be too exhausted to cook in the first weeks after you bring your baby home and you'll be thrilled to have healthy meals you can heat up fast. If you don't cook, go around your neighborhood and pick up all the takeout and delivery menus you can find. You'll be grateful for all the options at your fingertips.
( Belly shots )
How your baby's growing: Your baby is really starting to fill up your uterus. This week he weighs almost 2 pounds and is about 14.4 inches long with his legs extended. He can now open and close his eyes, and he sleeps and wakes at regular intervals. He may suck his fingers, and although his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with assistance — if he were to be born prematurely. Chalk up any rhythmic movement you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and isn't bothersome to him, so enjoy the tickle. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. Wonder what he's thinking?
Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.
How your life's changing: Your body is gearing up for the final lap, so you may start noticing some new symptoms. Along with an aching back, for example, you may find that your leg muscles cramp up now and then. They're carrying extra weight, after all, and your uterus is putting extra demands on your circulation. (As your uterus expands, it puts pressure on the blood vessels that return blood from your legs to your heart and on the nerves leading from your trunk to your legs.) Unfortunately, the cramps are likely to get worse as your pregnancy progresses. Leg cramps are more common at night but can also happen during the day. Flexing your foot (by pointing your toes forward and then flexing them back toward your shins) stretches the calf and should give you some relief. Walking for a few minutes or massaging your calf sometimes helps, too.
It may be the furthest thing from your mind right now, but it's not too soon to think about family planning. You'll want to have made some decisions before your baby arrives. And in some states, if you're considering a tubal ligation during your hospital stay, laws require that you sign a consent form at least a month before delivery day. (You can still change your mind later.)
Surprising Facts: Symptoms you should never ignore
So many aches, pains, and strange feelings arise during pregnancy that it can be hard to decide what's normal and what warrants a 2 a.m. call to your doctor or midwife. Here's a rundown of symptoms that should set off your warning bells. Note that some of these symptoms may be more or less urgent depending on your particular situation or health history and on how far along you are in pregnancy. Your caregiver should review with you at various points in your pregnancy which signs warrant an urgent call.
• Severe or persistent abdominal pain
• Vaginal bleeding or spotting
• Leaking fluid or a change in vaginal discharge — that is, if it becomes watery, mucousy, or bloody
• Pelvic pressure or low back pain or cramping before 37 weeks gestation
• Painful or burning urination
• Little or no urination
• Severe or persistent vomiting or any vomiting accompanied by pain or fever
• Chills or fever of 101 degrees F or higher
• Persistent itching all over, especially if accompanied by jaundice (yellowing of your skin), dark urine, and pale stools
• Visual disturbances, such as double vision, blurring, dimming, flashing spots, or lights
• Severe head pain that lasts for more than two to three hours
• Swelling or puffiness (also called edema) of the hands, face, and around the eyes or sudden noticeable weight gain of 2 pounds or more, not related to eating
• Persistent severe leg cramp or calf pain that doesn't ease up when you flex your ankle and point your toes toward your shin
• Decrease in fetal movement. (As a general rule, if you feel fewer than ten movements in two hours at 26 weeks or later, call your practitioner immediately.)
• Trauma to the abdomen
• Fainting or dizziness with or without heart palpitations
• Any health problem that you'd ordinarily call your practitioner about even if it's not pregnancy related (like a cold that gets worse rather than better). Just call a little sooner than you would normally.
Even if you don't see your symptom on the list above, it's better to be cautious and call your caregiver any time you have a concern about your pregnancy. Doctors and midwives are used to these calls, and there's usually someone available 24 hours a day to help.
This Week's Activity:
Prepare food to eat after your baby's born. If you cook, start doubling recipes and freezing half. You and your partner will be too exhausted to cook in the first weeks after you bring your baby home and you'll be thrilled to have healthy meals you can heat up fast. If you don't cook, go around your neighborhood and pick up all the takeout and delivery menus you can find. You'll be grateful for all the options at your fingertips.
( Belly shots )
