PregNancY Week by Week : Week 31

You are 31 weeks pregnant. The double digit weeks are gone and now you know it is coming. Here are several different things that you can anticipate during this time.

YOUR BABY AT WEEK 31

Weighing in at three-plus pounds and measuring 18 inches long, your baby is quickly approaching his birth length — though he's got to pack on another three to five pounds before D-day. He's also putting in longer stretches of sleep, which is why you're probably noticing more defined patterns of wakefulness (and movement) and rest (when he’s pretty still).

Baby’s Developing Five Senses

Your baby's brain is working overtime these days, developing faster than ever. Connections between individual nerve cells (he's got to make trillions of them!) are being made at a super-fast rate. He's now processing information, tracking light and perceiving signals from all five senses. Sure, your baby can't smell anything right now, but that's only because he's still submerged in amniotic fluid and needs to be breathing air to get a whiff of anything. Lucky for you — and your baby — yours will be one of the very first scents your baby breathes in, a scent that will quickly become his or her very favorite.

Pedaling His Feet and Sucking His Thumb

So what's your little dove doing all day while you're busy feathering your nest for his or her arrival? Making faces, hiccupping, swallowing, breathing, pedaling with little hands and feet along your uterine wall and even sucking his or her thumb. In fact, some babies suck their thumbs so vigorously while in the womb that they're born with a callus on their thumb (what a little sucker!).

Pregnancy Week 31: What changes are occurring with your body?

You may have noticed a yellowish or creamy substance that has begun to leak from your breasts. This substance is called colostrum or pre-milk. Colostrum is the first stage of breast milk that occurs during pregnancy and lasts for several days after the birth of the baby. It is much thicker than the milk that is produced later inbreastfeeding.

Not all women leak colostrum, but either way, this is considered normal. You may notice that the leaking only occurs at certain times of the day. If you experience leaking during the day, you may want to invest in some nursing pads that can be placed in your bra to absorb the colostrum.

Many women begin to experience Braxton Hickscontractions during the last several weeks of pregnancy. Braxton Hicks contractions can begin as early as thesecond trimester; however, they are most common in thethird trimester. The muscles of your uterus tighten for approximately 30 to 60 seconds or as long as 2 minutes. Braxton Hicks are also called “practice contractions” because they will prepare you for the real thing, and you can practice the breathing exercises you are learning in your childbirth classes.

Pregnancy Week 31: How big is your baby?

Your baby is continuing to grow and has grown to over 15 ½inches (39.4 cm) in length and weighs anywhere from 3 ½ to 4 pounds (1.6 to 1.8 kg).*

Pregnancy Week 31: What is happening with your baby?

Your baby is continuing to develop a layer of fat under his/her skin. This is in preparation for his/her arrival into the world and gives the baby more of a newborn appearance. During the next several weeks your baby will really begin to put on the weight. Remember the average size of a newborn is about 7 ½ pounds (3.4 kg)and 19 to 21 inches (48.3 to 53.3 cm) long.*

Pregnancy Week 31: What should you plan for this week?

Have you decided if you are going to breastfeed or bottle feed? There are advantages and disadvantages to both breastfeeding and bottle-feeding. Doing research on both will help you know that you have made the best decision for your baby’s health.

Pregnancy Week 31: Tips for making your pregnancy better

Unfortunately, hemorrhoids are not uncommon during pregnancy. Hemorrhoids are varicose (swollen) veins of the rectum and are usually painful. They most often make their appearance during the third trimester.

Hemorrhoids are related to constipation. Constipation combined with the increased pressure on the rectum and perineum is the primary reason that women experience hemorrhoids. Prolonged standing and advanced maternal age may also be factors contributing to hemorrhoids. The good news is that hemorrhoids usually improve after the baby is delivered. In the meantime, there are a number of treatments you can use to treat hemorrhoids.

Any one or more of the following may help relieve hemorrhoids:

• Place baking soda (wet or dry) in the area to remove the itch
• Take warm baths with baking soda in the water
• Use witch hazel or lemon juice to reduce swelling or bleeding
• Take an herbal sitz bath
• Use Tucks pads
• Use comfrey or yellowdock root ointment

The best way to prevent hemorrhoids is to avoid getting constipated. ALWAYS check with your health care provider before taking any medication for this condition.*

Tips for mom’s partner:

Having a new baby in the house can be an event that can cause some anxiety. However, this can be decreased by ensuring that you and your partner can handle emergency situations. Look into taking a class on infant CPR and first aid. Check with local community centers or your partner’s health care provider to see where these classes are offered.

Pregnancy week by week: 30 week

Here's what's happening during Week 30 of your pregnancy

Your Growing Baby: 

Your baby's length is about 16 inches—about as long as a laptop computer—and she measures almost 11 inches from crown to rump. She weighs approximately 2 1/2 to 3 pounds.

From now until delivery, every baby will gain weight at a more individual rate. Your baby has doubled in height over the past six weeks, and from now until delivery, she'll gain only a few more inches in length. Don't worry if she's in a strange position (what your care provider might call a "transverse lie"). There's still plenty of time for her to get settled into the head-down (cephalic) position for birth.

She's floating in about 1 1/2 pints of amniotic fluid and has some room to move. Your baby's most important organ, her brain, continues to develop at a rapid pace. Her eyes are able to track light, and some researchers have theorized that exposing your belly to light may stimulate development. Try moving the beam of a flashlight slowly over your belly in a dim room, and see if she reacts.

Your Growing Belly: 

You might find yourself increasingly breathless as your growing uterus crowds your diaphragm. It should ease a bit when the baby drops lower in your pelvis later in pregnancy. Your belly is about the size of a watermelon. Tying your shoes is a challenge, and you may already have adopted the pregnant "waddle."

To keep your sex life alive, continue having intercourse unless your doctor says otherwise. Most couples' sex life tapers off temporarily, but this may not be so much a problem of desire as one of engineering. The solution: be creative with positions and techniques.

What's happening with you:

Are you feeling particularly heavy this week? It's no surprise that you're moving a little more slowly and starting to struggle against gravity, since your uterus has grown considerably (the top, or fundus, has made its way under your ribcage) and your legs are swelling with extra body fluids. Add to that the heartburn and indigestion that comes with a compressed stomach and surging hormones and you have a recipe for an uncomfortable day. You'll need to be more conscious of your habits and more careful in your activities these days to minimize your discomfort and keep up your energy. Be sure to take breaks from long periods of standing (breaks from long periods of sitting, too) and eat less food more frequently until your baby "drops" down into your pelvis in the last weeks of pregnancy, freeing up your stomach for a full meal.

If you haven't been keeping track of your baby's kicks, now is the time to make up a kick-count sheet to record your little one's movements. After week 20, counting kicks is the best way for you to monitor your baby's well-being; when you've passed your due date, this becomes a vital measure for baby's safety. A 30 week old fetus is typically fairly active, so he'll keep you busy tallying up those kicks -- by now, he should be kicking at least 10 times every hour.

What's happening with your baby:

Your baby is losing the downy hair all over her body and gaining some thicker hair on her head. In fact, all her body parts are growing quickly, from her toenails to her brain. Your baby is around 3 pounds and almost 11 inches from crown to rump (16 inches from crown to heel), and she will be able to move her eyes and eyelids at pregnancy week 30. Big changes are happening in her bones, too: the skeleton is getting harder and stronger, plus the bone marrow has begun to produce red blood cells (up until this point, her liver was taking care of that task).

Are you feeling strong pressure in your ribs or your pelvic floor these days? If so, your baby may have already assumed the head-down position in your uterus to prepare for her upcoming delivery. Little feet tend to get wedged between ribs, and the head can press on the muscles at the base of your pelvis to make you sore and uncomfortable. You can try modifying your position to encourage your baby to change her position, just make sure you don't lie flat on your back and cut off the blood flow through your vena cava.

Things to do this week:

Draft a birth plan to include some of your preferences for the big day. This can be as detailed or as general as you like, but try not to tie yourself down to every small point in the plan because nobody can predict what their labor and delivery experience will be like. Oh sure, the law of averages states that you'll probably be in active labor for a certain amount of time, and it's fair to expect one thing to follow another in a logical order, but this is one event in life that's shockingly unpredictable. A basic plan will help you communicate your requests when labor pain takes all of your attention, but you'll ultimately have a much happier experience if you don't get hung up on the little details that could get left behind.

Your birth plan will probably center on your strategy to get through labor, and the question of whether or not to have drugs for your labor is at the heart of that strategy. From general anesthesia to hypnosis, there are several types of pain relief available, though your specific circumstances might limit the methods that are available to you. For instance, an emergency cesarean section will mean that you might have to abandon your birth plan and take the medication that your doctor recommends. On the other hand, you may intend to use pain medication, but labor is progressing too quickly to have it administered. In any case, think hard about what you're willing to do and what you're absolutely against -- if you would rather labor naturally but will accept medication if you decide you need it during active labor, be sure to indicate that on your plan.

Medical musts:

Any complications that arrive in the third trimester are usually traced to problems with the placenta, and although most of them are quite rare, there are several conditions that you need to watch out for. Placenta previa is one complication that can reveal itself before delivery, but placenta accreta (when the placenta is too deeply embedded in the uterine lining) or abruptio placenta (when the placenta separates from the lining prematurely) typically occur closer to delivery and you'll need immediate treatment to keep you and your baby healthy.

Vaginal bleeding might be the most obvious sign of complications, but there are other symptoms that could point to a serious situation. If you begin to feel menstrual-like cramps or you notice a watery, pink or brownish discharge, call your doctor immediately: you could be experiencing the beginning of preterm labor and will need to get help or treatment as soon as possible.

Tips for your partner:

Taking part in the pregnancy will help you bond with your baby and your partner, but it can also be a window into what lies ahead for you as parents. Help create the birth plan that will guide the labor, delivery and stay at the hospital. While your partner ultimately has the last word over how she will handle the pain and who she wants in the delivery room, there are places where you can voice your opinion. Practicing compromise now will help you approach future decisions or disagreements with understanding and respect -- an important quality in any healthy and happy family.

When you help with her plan, you can also discuss any fears, questions or concerns either of you may have. If you are the labor partner, practice different labor postures and concentration techniques to see what works for both of you before the time comes to put them to the test. Remember that you could very well become your partner's spokesperson when she's distracted by labor, so discuss the reasons behind each point of the plan to know where to compromise with the doctor and where to stand firm.

This week's FAQS:

1) My baby has been kicking a lot lately, but today he's much less active. Should I be worried?

Once fetal activity becomes a regular part of your day, it's hard not to focus on the patterns of movement. However, a 30 week fetus is developing a sleep and waking cycle, losing area to squirm around and reacting less erratically, so it can seem like he isn't moving as much as you expect. In fact, the most active fetal period is typically between week 24 and week 28; after this point, the movements may become more predictable but also more muffled because your baby doesn't have as much room to really kick out.

Each baby is different, so your experience of fetal movement may differ greatly from what your friends and family had felt. Count your baby's kicks twice each day to get a more accurate reading (a morning and evening check is ideal), and if your kick count sheet shows a drastic drop in activity (less than 10 kicks in an hour for a few hours), let your doctor know right away.

2) My legs have been swollen and aching for a few days. Could this be a sign of a blood clot?

Edema, or swelling during pregnancy, is one of the most common complaints at 30 weeks along, and it's perfectly harmless in most cases. You may find that your feet are particularly puffy at the end of a work day or after a light workout, so put them up for a while to help drain the fluid that has pooled in your legs. However, pain, warmth and inflammation are not common effects of swelling -- these symptoms could point to a blood clot.

Pregnant women are more prone to blood clots for a couple of reasons. First, your blood has begun to clot more quickly in preparation for the blood loss you'll experience during delivery. Secondly, your growing uterus has joined forces with gravity to press on your veins, making it more difficult for blood to travel back up your extremities and to your heart. Luckily, most women won't experience any type of blood clot during pregnancy, but if you've had previous blood clots, are over 30, suffer from varicose veins or are overweight, you may be at a higher risk for deep vein thrombosis. In this case, you should commit to diet, activity and clothing that may fight the formation of clots.

3) Is it normal for my hips to hurt?

So far, you've been battling round ligament pain, indigestion, muscle cramps and an aching back, and you may be wondering if it's even possible to squeeze in another discomfort. Well, hip pain is another unfortunate pregnancy symptom that can arrive in the third trimester, and as usual, you can blame it on your hormones. Those pregnancy hormones that are responsible for your slower digestion and your fatigue will also target the connective tissue around your joints, making for joint pain and muscle aches around particularly active areas, like the hips.

Luckily, this pain doesn't mean you need to see the doctor. Instead, try to concentrate on some prenatal yoga poses that will help to take the pressure off the hips, and make sure that the chair you use at work is adjusted to suit your height and posture. You only have a couple months to go until many of these pains will go away, but you can use rest, stretching and heat therapy to relieve the discomfort until then.

Week by week: pregnancy symptoms (week-29)

You may feel a little bored and back-achey at this stage of pregnancy, but there are plenty of positive ways to take your mind off things. For example, you could start to make enquiries about breast-feeding classes, plan your maternity leave, and draw up lists of baby essentials, such as diapers, a changing mat, onesies, bibs, and baby wipes, and perhaps buy a couple of items each week. This is a great time to start the nesting process, and ready your home for your baby. 

Symptoms and Body Changes at 29 Weeks

As your hormones continue to fluctuate, you will experience skin rashes, dryness, and intense itching. Try to refrain from scratching your skin, and keep it moisturized. Severe skin rashes may indicate a medical problem, and should be evaluated by your physician. You may experience mood swings, and you may feel fatigued due to the amount of weight you are gaining. This is normal, as you have likely gained close to 24 pounds by this point. As you learn new ways to walk, sit, stand, and sleep, try taking warm baths to relax your muscles and help you get through some of the aches and pains. Varicose veins may begin to form on your legs, and this too is normal. Use compression stockings and elevate your feet to minimize this. You’re probably still feeling all the pregnancy symptoms you felt last week. Hang in there, Mom; only a couple of months to go!

Your Body

The top of your uterus is four inches above your belly button, crowding your ribs and diaphragm and leaving you breathless. It's also pressing against your bladder, which is why you're making so many trips to the bathroom once again. The placenta, which is flat and round like a cake and delivers oxygen and nutrients to the baby, is also getting bigger; next week, it will weigh 15 ounces. Your baby may be in a head-down position already, prepared for birth. Even if he's in a bottom-down position (called breech), there's still time for him to turn. When he does, he'll drop lower in your abdomen, his head engaging within the pelvic bones at the birth canal.

Your Baby

Every day, your little one is looking more like a full-grown baby than a fetus. By the end of this week, he'll weigh about 2 3/4 pounds. For the rest of the trimester, he'll be bulking up and gaining approximately half a pound a week; between now and his birthday, he'll double or even triple in weight. His kicks and jabs are more vigorous now, and you feel like he's moving all the time.

Baby’s Development

During the twenty-ninth week, your baby’s kicks and punches may be so hard that they take your breath away, and they may cause severe pain. The movements and kicks are happening frequently at this point, which are goods signs that the baby is doing well.  Sometimes these kicks and movements can cause rib pain, pelvic pain, and unintentional loss of urine. This high activity does not usually last throughout the pregnancy and will become less frequent as the baby grows and has more limited space to move around.

Your baby is continuing to grow, weighing close to three pounds and stretching to over a foot long. You may notice that this growth is causing increased hunger, as your baby uses most of the nutrients you consume to grow more. You may feel like you need to eat again after a meal, but fight this temptation and trust that your baby is receiving all the nutrients it needs. Rapid brain development began last week and continues this week. The muscles and lungs continue to mature, and hearing has improved greatly.

Do's and Don'ts

Do feast on fatty foods, just not the ice-cream-and-greasy-bacon type. A "good" type of fat, called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), helps brain and nerve cells develop. DHA can be found in canola, flaxseed, and walnut oils--and in fatty fish like salmon. Try using walnut oil in your salad dressing.

Health

Although you're months away from giving birth, read as much as you can about labor and delivery. Studies show that if you understand how labor works, you may feel you have more control over the process. In turn, you'll be less fearful and may not feel the pain as strongly as you would if you were feeling vulnerable and uninformed. Knowledge truly is power. So get the Real Poop on Labor. Sorry, Mama. Someone has to tell you the truth about childbirth. (Hint: it's messy.)

Shopping

Your growing breasts need support, especially when you're working out, so be sure to pick a good sports bra to wear for the rest of your pregnancy. Try on a few before making a final purchase to guarantee you get the best fit and in a fabric that doesn't chafe.

Exercise

Ask your doctor how to check your rectus abdominus, the central muscle that runs down the front of the abdomen and supports the back. During pregnancy it may separate by more than the width of two finger lengths, but don't worry--the gap usually disappears after birth. Note that you should not be doing exercises that work the abdomen at this stage.

Relationships

As you attend childbirth classes, let your partner know which strategies sound appealing to you and which ones put you off. Practice what you learn at home and give him plenty of feedback so he'll have a hefty bag of tricks once you're in labor and need his support.

Siblings

Ask your child for help as you check off tasks on your to-do list. Put her to work folding baby clothes or coming up with ways to arrange the nursery.

Twins

Now that you're in the third trimester, check with your midwife or doctor to make sure it's still safe to have sex. Moms carrying twins should be more careful than usual since their pregnancies are considered high risk.

Week by Week: Pregnancy week-29

The first two weeks of the third trimester are behind you. The next several weeks will hold different things, but in the mean time this is what you can expect.

Pregnancy Week 29: What changes are occurring with your body?

Your total pregnancy weight gain to this point should be between 19 and 25 pounds (8.6 to 11.3 kg). The top of your uterus can be felt somewhere between 3 ½ to 4 inches (8.9 to 10 cm) above your belly button. Last week we began talking about a few of the discomforts that are associated with the later part of pregnancy.Constipation results in abdominal pain or discomfort, difficult infrequent bowel movements, and the passage of hard stools.

Here are a few things that you can do to help prevent constipation from occurring or treat it if you are already experiencing it:

• Eat a high fiber diet including: fruits, vegetables, breakfast cereals, whole grain breads, prunes, and bran.
• Drink a lot of fluids: Drink 10 to 12 cups of fluids each day.
• Exercise routinely: Walking, swimming, and other moderate exercises three times a week for 20-30 minutes each can help stimulate the bowels.
• Over-the-counter remedies such as Colace or Metamucil.
• Reduce or eliminate iron supplements.

Laxative pills and mineral oils are NOT recommended for the treatment of constipation during pregnancy.*

Pregnancy Week 29: How big is your baby?

Your baby now measures over 14 ½ inches (37 cm) and weighs 2 ¾ pounds (1.25 kg).*

Pregnancy Week 29: What is happening with your baby?

Your baby is rapidly growing at this point. Obviously your baby is continuing to gain weight, and his/her head is also growing. This is due to the rapid brain development that began in week 28. Muscles and lungs are also continuing to develop and mature.

Because there is so much development and maturing going on, it is incredibly important to ensure that you are getting plenty of nutrients and rest. Make sure that you are getting adequate amounts of protein, vitamin C, folic acid, iron, and calcium. A list of recommendations can be found at Essential Nutrients and Vitamins for pregnancy. If you still have questions regarding nutrition and appropriate amounts of vitamins and nutrients, contact your health care provider.*

Pregnancy Week 29: What should you plan for this week?

Some women may receive what they interpret as “strange requests” from their health care providers. These requests could be as small as avoiding specific activities or could be as serious as being told to go on completebed rest. If you don’t understand or are confused, ask your care provider to clarify what he/she wants. Ask what outcome can occur if you follow the advice or what could occur if you choose not to. Be informed on what all of the options are.

Pregnancy Week 29: Tips for making your pregnancy better

A doula is a professional trained in childbirth who provides emotional, physical, and informational support to the woman who is expecting, in labor, or has recently given birth. The goal of a doula is to help the mother have a positive and safe birth experience, whether the mother wants an un-medicated birth or is having a planned cesarean birth.

During delivery, a doula is in constant close proximity to the mother. She can provide comfort through pain relief techniques, such as breathing, relaxing, massage, and laboring positions. Doulas also encourage participation from the partner and offer reassurance. The role of the doula is never to take the place of the father or partner in labor, but to compliment and enhance the couple’s experience.

Do you need a doula? Take a chance to learn about how having a Doula at your birth could provide great benefits. Click Find A Doula to locate a doula in your area.

Pregnancy Week : Tips for mom’s partner

As your partner is making plans on how to handle her labor and who to have present during the delivery, now would be the time for you two to discuss what type of role you want to have during the birth. As the partner, you can be the sole support person, or you may be interested in hiring a doula to help both of you during the laboring process.

Week by week: Pregnancy week - 28 (What to Expect When You Are 28 Weeks Pregnant)

This is the official beginning of the third trimester—the last leg of the journey. Pregnancy week 28 may cause overwhelming emotions, as most women suddenly feel like it's all happening too fast and they aren’t prepared enough to handle childbirth and baby care. It is best, however, to work on keeping your mind and body relaxed and rest as much as you can. Let's look at how you'll be doing on the first week of your third trimester. This is also the time you need to start tracking your baby's kicks.

Pregnancy Week 28 Symptoms

At 28 weeks, the fabulous second trimester is behind you and you are fast approaching delivery. Your baby will grow rapidly from hereon and starting this week, you will begin to experience the discomfort of carrying your baby. As the baby's weight increases, your uterus pushes deeper against all organs, so you may feel intermittent pain in your ribs and abdomen, not to mention a constant desire to urinate. These are very common pregnancy week 28 symptoms and there is no need for alarm. Make sure that you take appropriate steps to minimize the annoyance caused by these symptoms. For example, frequent urination, especially at night is one of the most common pregnancy week 28 symptoms and can interfere with your sleep patterns and leave you feeling fatigued. Reducing your intake of liquids during the latter half of the evening and before you go to bed, will help you enjoy uninterrupted sleep.

Leg cramps and backaches will become a regular feature from pregnancy week 28. In fact, you may even notice some swelling around the ankles this week. It is best to rest as much as you can and do routine stretching to ease the discomfort in your back and leg. Put your feet up as often as possible and support your back with cushions when you lie down. While you can't give up on daily chores, you can start cutting down your workload, particularly anything that involves bending or lifting weights. When you are 28 weeks pregnant symptoms such as leg cramps, swelling and itching will start bothering you. Massaging your legs often around this time helps. A woman who is 28 weeks pregnant has symptoms such leg cramps, swelling and itching. Your third trimester is only a week away and you are probably anxious about your pregnancy after keeping track of it for so long. Being 28 weeks pregnant, the symptoms are not always fun. Many of the symptoms that you may have experienced in your early stages may have eased off by now. In fact the feelings of nausea and morning sickness also subside. Around this time you will have a feeling of well-being. People begin complimenting you about your “blooming” looks when you are 28 weeks pregnant. Some symptoms such as backache, heartburn, leg cramps, constipation, and Braxton Hicks contractions begin to bother your. When you are 28 weeks pregnant, symptoms mentioned above are not necessarily the only thing that bothers you. As your baby gets stronger and bigger you will find that you find it difficult to sleep. Try and take short naps whenever possible and when an opportunity presents itself. In fact its best that you take advantage of any additional sleep that comes your way before the baby is born. When you are 28 weeks pregnant signs such as clumsiness, lower abdominal pain, varicose veins and itchiness, heartburn and indigestion, hemorrhoids, and shortness of breath begin to bother you. Another one of the common 28 weeks pregnancy symptoms is the need to urinate frequently. This happens because the uterus constantly pushes on your bladder. When you are at 28 weeks your visits to your health care provider will increase. You may have to see him/her every two weeks. Discuss with your doctor any concerns you may have about your pregnancy symptoms.

Pregnancy Week 28 Weight Gain

At week 28, your baby's muscles are developing so the weight gain in the third trimester is rapid. Any food you eat should be aimed at assisting your baby's organ and muscle growth. If you had normal or above normal weight before you got pregnant, then you should aim to gain just a pound this week. That said, do not skip a meal or eat less. Instead, focus on eating fibrous foods and consume fresh fruits and vegetables. As such, in the third trimester, women tend to gain an average of 11 pounds - roughly 3 to 4 pounds each month. When you are 28 weeks pregnant weight gain is normal and expected. You will be putting on weight during your pregnancy as there is a little one inside you and it is in the interest of the baby’s and your health that you put on weight. How much weight you put on will depend to a great extent on what you weighed before conception. If you are pregnant for 28 weeks baby weight gain is about 2 pounds and the body fat of your baby is about 2-3 percent. When you are 28 weeks pregnant weight gain is around 24 pounds and this is good as it helps nourish and cushion your baby till it is time for delivery.

When you are in your 28 weeks of pregnancy weight gain is around ¾ -1 pound. This is the last week of your second trimester and your stomach starts to protrude and you look pregnant. It is nice to put on weight but be careful not to pile on the pounds. The amount of weight you gain should depend to a great extent on what your Body Mass Index or BMI was before your pregnancy. If your BMI before your pregnancy was above normal, then be careful about the amount of weight you put on. Make sure that when you are 28 weeks pregnant weight gain is under control as this will help you take care of any complications post-delivery. Your calorie intake should be around 2100-2400 calories so that you are able to put on the expected amount of weight. As mentioned earlier weight gain would depend totally upon you and your baby. Everyone has a different pregnancy and your weight gain may be slightly different from what is expected.

Pregnancy Week 28 Ultrasound

At week 28, your baby will be 14 to 15 inches long and will weigh a little over 2 pounds. If you get a pregnancy week 28 ultrasound done, you will be able to see your baby's hair. While this differs from baby to baby, hair will be more noticeable this week. Also, your baby will now have eyelashes. You will also notice that your baby's muscle tone is more distinct and it seems more filled out. When you are 28 weeks pregnant an ultrasound may not be done unless there is a specific reason such as a complication. By the time you are 28 weeks pregnant an ultrasound will show some lovely images of your baby. Your baby is 14.8 inches in length or more and weighs about 2.2 pounds. The baby’s brain around this time begins to mature and grooves that are commonly associated with a human brain are seen. In some cases the baby will be growing hair on the head though some babies may be born bald. When 28 weeks pregnant an ultrasound will show your baby open and close its eyes if you are lucky enough. Else your baby will be seen with the eyes closed as the activities you do during the day will lull it to sleep. When you are 28 weeks pregnant an ultrasound will be able to tell you if your baby is feet-first, head-first, or bottom-first in the womb.

However don’t panic if the baby’s position is breech position right now. Many babies change positions on their own and get back to normal by the time of delivery. When in 28 weeks of pregnancy an ultrasound (Doppler test), will help you hear the heartbeat of your baby.  When 28 weeks pregnant a 3D ultrasound will give you 3D view of what your baby looks like inside the womb. Cute pictures such as your baby sucking his/her thumb, yawning or snoozing away are going to amaze you. Health care providers believe that the 3D ultrasounds can be done when you are 24-30 weeks pregnant; however there are some centers that feel that the best time for these is in 28-32 weeks of your pregnancy. At 28 weeks you are almost at your third trimester so try relaxing and doing some fun things like planning your baby shower.

28 Weeks Pregnant Bleeding

When you are 28 weeks pregnant bleeding could be due to various reasons. Bleeding during pregnancy period could be dangerous to both the child and the mother. If when you are 28 weeks pregnant and bleeding occurs it is important that you report it to your doctor immediately. The causes of bleeding at this stage of your pregnancy could be due to various reasons.

One reason could be placenta previa. Here the placenta lies near or over the mouth of the uterus or is implanted very low. If this condition occurs when you are 28 weeks pregnant bleeding can be life threatening. Abruption of the placenta when you are 28 weeks pregnant causes bleeding. Placental abruption means that the placenta is detached from the wall of the uterus. As a result of this a blood clot forms between the uterus and the placenta. Woman who are advanced in age, have high blood pressure, and excessive amniotic fluids are at risk. When the symptoms of this condition occur it could lead to bleeding from the vagina, abdominal pain, and tenderness of the uterine and contractions. When you are in your 28 weeks pregnancy period and bleeding of this type occurs it can be dangerous for both you and your child. If bleeding occurs it is important that you immediately seek medical attention. You have to be able to tell your doctor how much blood you have lost and the blood color. In some cases bleeding can be caused by sexual intercourse (recent), vaginal trauma, local lesions, cervical cancer, severe trichomonal or fungal infections, varicose veins of vulva or vagina, a ruptured uterine scar, and polyp. 28 weeks implantation bleeding does not usually happen. This type of bleeding usually occurs in the first few days of your pregnancy soon after ovulation and fertilization.