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 27

Welcome to week 27

As your bump increases you might feel a bit off kilter and this can affect your balance. Tripping over might give you a shock, but is unlikely to do your baby any harm. The amniotic sac acts a bit like an airbag in a car, providing a cushion that will lessen the impact.

The best type of shoes to wear to keep you steady on your feet aren't flats, surprisingly, but low-heeled (preferably wedge-heeled) shoes, which help to restore the equilibrium and will bear your weight in a more manageable way. If you're tackling any steep gradients, take up offers of support and lean on a friendly arm and always use the handrail when going up and down the stairs.

Inside story

This week your baby hits 1kg in weight (that's around 2.2lb – the equivalent of a standard bag of sugar). Crown-to-rump length is around 24cm (around 9.5in). The eyelids, which have been fused shut all this time, could open this week or next, bringing an awareness of dim light and enabling your baby to practice blinking and focusing. It's an exciting development – and, if you were to have a scan around this time for any reason, you might even see your baby's eyes for the first time; you might also witness a spot of thumb-sucking and swallowing, and maybe even some twisting and turning around.

On the outside

At this stage of pregnancy many mums-to-be start to fret about how their lives will change when their babies are born. Will they be a good mum? How will they cope alone at home? What will happen to their jobs while they're on maternity leave?

All sorts of worries can start to plague you – and your partner might also be feeling anxious. Maybe he's worried about how the finances will stretch to accommodate a new baby; perhaps he fears the new baby will get all your attention; maybe he doesn't know how he'll manage to support you at the birth.

How about setting aside time together, just the two of you, focused on each other without the distractions of TV, household chores or texts from friends? Talk frankly about any hopes, fears and worries you each might have.

This is the time to reassure and support each other – but do make sure you both talk and listen in equal measure so that you both get the benefit. A really good listening technique is to let your partner talk, then repeat back to them the message you've just heard (although obviously in your own words, not theirs!).

Things to think about

The time has come to make some decisions about who you'd like to be your birth partner. Although the majority of dads these days are present at the birth, it's not every man who feels he can cope with the sight of his partner in labour, and plenty of people are very squeamish about the sight of blood. If your partner feels he might be more of a hindrance than a help, it's probably best for him to stay out of the delivery room and for you to have someone with you who can offer really good support. Have a look at Should dads be present at the birth? for more information.

Lots of mums-to-be choose women who have had babies of their own and who know what to expect: you might want to ask your mum, sister, best friend or someone else with whom you're happy to share the throes of labour!

Once you've settled on a birth partner it's a good idea to draw up a list of what support you think you'll want them to offer. You probably won't know until you're in labour what kind of physical comfort you'll appreciate (or reject completely!) on the day, but maybe you have a birth plan you'd like them to champion for you, or perhaps you already know that you'll want specific CDs playing during labour, and they could take charge of this. Make a list, too, of who they should phone with your news after the birth – and in what order.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Are you looking for some money EXTRA??

Click here:  http://roha.rozaid.com

Week by week : Pregnancyweek -25 (baby kicking)

Welcome to week 25

It's a good time to start thinking about the birth and whether you want to deliver in a birthing unit, labour ward or at home.

A home birth might suit you if your previous labour was very fast or you would prefer to give birth in your own environment. You don't need the permission or approval of your GP: you can discuss your birth plans and book a home birth directly with your midwife.

Keep an open mind just in case complications arise that would be better dealt with in hospital.

Inside story

This week sees your baby reaching 700g (around 1.5lb) in weight and 22cm (almost 9in) in crown-to-rump length.

Your baby is probably very active and the movements feeling more like a series of kicks and jabs as space gets more restricted in your womb.

Your baby will continue to turn somersaults at this stage, but because of increasing bulk you'll feel every movement more strongly.

On the outside

The top of your uterus is now about 25cm (10in) above your pubic bone and your bump will have taken on the approximate shape and dimensions of an average football!

You might feel that you have reached the ideal size and secretly hope not to grow too much more: forget it! Your baby has plenty more growing to do yet.

By now, people might be speculating about whether you're expecting a boy or a girl, but there's no science to support the theory that carrying high or low, or having a round or oval bump, or carrying it 'all out at the front' has any bearing on an unborn baby's gender.

Things to think about

Even though you won't start your antenatal classes until around weeks 30-32 of pregnancy, start making enquiries if you haven't already signed up.

Every mum-to-be is entitled to 10 free Parentcraft antenatal classes, which are run by NHS midwives. However, in reality, some women find that the classes are either over-subscribed or that the next available course comes at the wrong time of pregnancy for them. The NCT (National Childbirth Trust) runs popular antenatal classes too.

Even if you think you'll get all the information you need from websites and books, there's no substitute for attending an antenatal class. It's a forum for discussing anything and everything to do with pregnancy, birth and life with a baby. Additionally you'll meet other like-minded parents, who could become part of your support group for pregnancy and after the birth. Your partner might appreciate the opportunity to meet other dads-to-be who are going through a similar experience too.

At the end of this week, you will qualify for your maternity leave and your maternity pay or allowance - as long as you've been in continuous employment with the same boss for 26 weeks up to and including this week. You're legally obliged to let your employer know by the end of this week that you're intending to take maternity leave.

Week by week: Pregnancy week 24

Welcome to week 24

This week your breasts may start leaking colostrum - the first nutrient-rich substance that will nourish your newborn before your breast milk comes in.

Dark-coloured fabrics are the least forgiving to leakage, so grab some breast pads, pop one inside each bra cup and dig out your light-coloured tops.

Inside story

Your baby is now about 540g (around 1lb) in weight and 21cm (8.5in) in crown-to-rump length.

Your baby's head and body are coming into proportion more like a newborn.

The brain cells that are responsible for thinking are maturing and the body is becoming rounded and slightly plumper, although the skin is still transparent and quite wrinkly.

By the end of this week 'viable' applies to your baby's status, which means that your baby is considered capable of living outside of the uterus with support should you go into premature labour.

Only approximately 63 babies per 1000 are born prematurely so it's not something to worry too much about.

On the outside

You'll have your sugar levels checked regularly at your antenatal checks via urine tests. This is because up to 5% of women develop pregnancy diabetes - medically known as gestational diabetes. Most women who develop the condition do so between weeks 24 and 28 of pregnancy.

If any sugar shows up in your urine, you'll have a random blood test (which means without having fasted or undergone any special measures previously) and if this shows higher-than-normal levels you'll be given a glucose tolerance test (GTT) as a final diagnosis of the condition.

This involves drinking a solution of glucose and having blood taken at the beginning and end of the test to see how quickly your body is able to metabolise the glucose.

Try not to worry if you get a positive result: with a strictly controlled low-sugar, low-fat diet and an increase in activity you should be able to bring your blood-glucose levels under control.

You'll be asked to check your own sugar levels regularly using a home finger-prick testing kit, and record the results so your medical team can keep track of your control.

One side-effect of diabetes in pregnancy is that you may have a larger-than-average baby, so if at any stage your baby appears 'large for dates', as it would be recorded on your notes, your midwife will probably want to investigate you for diabetes. Once you have a diagnosis you'll probably have extra scans to check on your baby's growth and welfare.

It's important to get treatment for pregnancy diabetes as otherwise it could mean that your baby will become very large with too much fat, which could impede delivery. Your baby may also have low blood glucose levels at birth and/or breathing problems, so don't be surprised if a short spell in a SCBU (Special Care Baby Unit) is needed to stabilise your baby's condition.

Things to think about

Choosing your baby's name is a big responsibility. There are a few things to keep in mind when thinking of possible names.

Make sure that if you're choosing a middle name as well as a first name, your baby's initials won't spell out something unfortunate: Catherine Olivia Williams or Stephen Owen Daniels could both give rise to sniggers and teasing.

Sound out the names to hear the balance: if your baby will have a long surname, pick a one or two-syllable first name. The same applies in reverse, too, so if your baby will have a short surname, you could be a bit more extravagant with a first name. Also consider how the name will sound shouted across the playground too.

Unless you're sure of your baby's sex, shortlist names for either gender – although you'll have six weeks to register your baby's birth after delivery to make your decision. You might even decide that your newborn baby doesn't seem to suit your chosen name, and change your mind after delivery so it's good to have a few possible names in mind.

Week by week : Pregnancy week 23

Welcome to week 23

You might have noticed an increase in interest in your bump – and sometimes from the unlikeliest people.

Have you had random women sharing with you their (often disturbing) birth stories or been subjected to a constant stream of comments? Do people try to touch your bump?

Or, in contrast, have you discovered that despite being clearly pregnant, you're not offered a seat on public transport? The best approach is to try to rise above horror birth stories; politely ward off any potential bump-patters that you find the experience uncomfortable (or, if you're bold enough, pat them on the tummy in return!); and don't be afraid to ask for a seat on the bus or train.

Inside story

This week your baby has put on 100g – that's around 4oz – and now weighs around 450g. The crown-rump length stands at around 20cm (8in).

More subcutaneous fat is being laid down all the time and surfactant is still being produced to enable the lungs to function at birth, although your baby would struggle if you were to go into premature labour at this early stage.

On the outside

You have probably felt your baby move and kick by now – and you may even have started noticing patterns to the movements. If not, you could start keeping a chart of when your baby is most active or sleepy, and see how different circumstances have an influence on activity.

Some mums-to-be can get their babies to move by shining a strong torchlight directly at their bumps; others notice their babies kicking or somersaulting in response to the theme music from a favourite soap!

A good time to observe movements is when you're in the bath and the warmth of the water and your own relative weightlessness can stimulate your baby.

Don't worry if you start getting tearful and moody again around about this stage: some expectant parents start to feel burdened by the looming responsibility and worry how they'll cope emotionally, practically and financially with a new baby.

Try not to worry: new parents find ways to adapt to life with a baby. The prospect of parenthood is daunting, so discuss your fears and get support from family, friends with children and other new parents-to-be.

Things to think about

You're entitled to free dental treatment when you're pregnant and for a year after the birth. Many pregnant women find their gums swell and bleed more easily due to pregnancy hormones and the increase in blood volume. Regular visits to the oral hygienist will help to prevent gum disease.

You're also entitled to free prescriptions in pregnancy as long as you have a valid maternity exemption certificate. This lasts for a year after your estimated due date (EDD).

Although you don't automatically get free podiatry in pregnancy, it's equally important to look after your feet, especially if you are suffering pain from carrying your extra weight.

You might need orthotic supports to wear inside your shoes (ask your doctor for a referral if you're in pain).

If you just feel in need of a foot massage, you could ask your partner to do this for you, or treat yourself to a reflexology session – but check first that your practitioner is experienced in treating pregnancy women.

week by week : pregnancy week - 21

Welcome to week 21

By now you'll have waved goodbye to your old waistline as you'll have a pretty good sized bump. Have you felt any odd 'tightening' sensations in your bump? You might be experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions (named after the 19th-century gynaecologist who first identified them), which are really limbering up exercises performed involuntarily by the uterus in preparation for the birth.

It might seem a bit soon for a warm-up, but you'll experience these 'false contractions' from around now until the end of pregnancy. Don't worry that you're going into early labour as the sensation is quite different.

Inside story

Your baby is continuing to put all his efforts into laying down fat stores. Weighing in at 300g (around 10.5oz), the crown-to-rump length is now around 18cm (7in), which is about the same as the height of a Penguin Classics paperback.

Your baby could be swallowing up to 500ml of amniotic fluid per day by this stage and an ever-maturing digestive systems means some sugars are being absorbed by your baby's gut. The production of blood cells is being taken over by the bone marrow. It's a job previously performed by the liver and spleen and is a significant development.


On the outside

Some mums-to-be go right off the idea of sex in pregnancy, viewing their bodies as being solely for the purpose of growing their babies; others find themselves less inhibited than ever before and ready for some unprotected good times.

Some partners love the feeling of having had their fertility confirmed; others find the whole idea of pregnancy a total turn-off when it comes to sex.

It's important to keep talking: discuss how you both feel, and encourage honesty from your partner. You can still hold hands, cuddle and enjoy closeness, even if that's all the intimacy you can both enjoy for now.


Things to think about

This could be the time to start thinking about decorating your baby's nursery. Government advice (and the advice of leading babycare experts) is to keep your baby in your room with you for the first six months of life, so there's no immediate rush to get everything sorted, but it might be helpful to stagger the expense, and you'll probably have more energy at this stage than you'll have later in pregnancy or during the early months of parenthood.

If you're not sure whether you're having a boy or a girl, stick to unisex colours and themes. See our guide to the best buys for baby sleeping gear.

• a neutral shade or pale yellow or green make lovely nursery colours

• choose wall stickers or a frieze that could appeal to either sex

• try to position the cot away from a window or radiator and definitely never ever let a blind cord dangle

• don't be tempted into buying expensive cot bumpers: some childcare experts feel that cots are safer without them

• a baby's bedding should be made up of cotton sheets and cellular (holey) blankets, and you should never use a duvet or pillow in the first year of life as it's thought they could be a factor in cot death

• a room thermometer is a great idea for a nursery, as is a baby listening device.