Changes in the mother

Now when you are 36 week pregnant, you will begin to see your healthcare provider more frequently, until you give birth. Your average weight gain up to this point is approximately 25 to 30 pounds. The weight gain will also depend on various factors like your body type, height and your baby’s size.

About 4 percent of the babies will be breech position in the 36 week of pregnancy where the feet will descend into the birth canal first. Special exercises are there to turn the baby to a normal position or the health care provider will be able to guide you through. The pregnancy symptoms at this stage include extreme fatigue and exhaustion. Some women may experience excessive swelling of the feet (edema) around the pregnancy week 36 and can find relief by keeping their legs in an elevated position. False contractions or false labor is also possible at this stage of pregnancy and you should consult your health care provider for any complications.

Your baby

The baby is significantly adding on weight but you will not see any noticeable change in your own weight. The longer your baby is in its protective environment until the due date, the better it is in terms of the bay’s health. During this stage of pregnancy, the baby must have taken the head down position, but if he/she hasn’t there is no cause for concern.

Your baby has grown to be between 16 and 19 inches long and weighs 5 ¾ to 6 ¾ pounds. Your baby is gaining weight quickly because layers of fat get added on. This helps in both body temperature regulation and in developing the baby’s immunity so that he/she can face the outside world. At this stage you might be carrying your baby much lower now and the baby drops into the birth canal, readying him for birth. At he 36 week pregnant the primary hair known as lanugo, which had covered your baby’s skin is beginning to get replaced by the vernix caseosa, which is the thick, creamy substance that has protected your baby’s skin so far.

Changes in the mother

You may experience urgency to visit the bathroom or a lack of bladder control when you cough, sneeze, or even laugh. You should however not cut back on liquids as you will need plenty of fluids at 35 weeks of pregnancy. You can practice mild form of Kegel exercises which will strengthen the pelvic muscles and prevent pregnancy induced incontinence. You should also eat a nutritious pregnancy diet with proteins and minerals. Your pregnancy diet should be well balanced and should meet the growing needs of the baby.

The baby

At about 20 inches and five and a half pounds, your baby has almost reached its full growth by pregnancy week 35. But it will continue to gain weight over the next month or two also. The baby starts accumulating fat at a decent pace; the fat percentage may be even as high as 15 percent in contrast to the 2 percent fat content in the middle of your pregnancy. Just before delivery this percent will further increase to 30 percent. This means the baby will transform to a chubby and plump baby from a skinny one at the time of delivery. The pregnancy calendar will give more details regarding the transformation of the baby and bodily changes in the expectant mother.

The baby’s brain power also continues to grow at an amazing speed at this stage. The baby’s skull is still soft at the pregnancy 35 week. This will allow it to squeeze its way easily through the birth canal. You should look for any complications and consult a health care provider immediately. A healthy diet and moderate exercise paves the way for a healthy baby. Pregnancy massage can be given to the mother to get relief from tired legs or aching feet and ankles at 35 week pregnant.

Changes in the mother

Most common pregnancy symptoms at pregnancy week 34 are backaches, leg cramps, and other pains that come with the final weeks of pregnancy. You may also experience preeclampsia which manifests as a swelling in your ankles and feet, and sometimes in your face and hands. The pregnancy hormones usually cause this swelling for meeting the growing baby’s needs. You must consume plenty of water and keep your feet in a heightened position to relieve swelling. While most of the symptoms will vanish after delivery, your doctor will also be monitoring you continuously to avoid complications later on.

The Baby

The baby’s muscles are maturing along with the rest of his body at the pregnancy 34 week. The baby will find it possible to hold his head up and turn it from side to side. He’ll also be stretching out his arms and kicking his legs. The baby’s movements increase rapidly at the 34 weeks of pregnancy and you’ll be able to feel his movements. In case of a baby boy, the testes would have descended into their proper place around this stage of pregnancy. Your baby’s eyes open when awake, and are closed when sleeping. Most of the lanugos (prior hair formation) is gone and replaced with a thick coat of vernix (normal hair).

This week your baby is about 12.8 inches (crown to rump) and weighs nearly five pounds.
You must know about signs of premature labour at 34 weeks pregnant which can be in the form of menstrual cramps, watery pinkish or brown discharge, preceded by thick mucus plug and tricking of amniotic fluid from the vagina.

Changes in the mother

You might experience a tightening of your abdomen at 33 weeks of pregnancy. Braxton Hicks contraction or false contraction is of help in preparing your body for final labour. The false contraction disappears by itself. You can browse through the pregnancy calendar for the pregnancy 33 week to know what changes your body undergoes at this stage. You can indulge in mild form of exercises like pelvic floor exercises or yoga. You might experience fluid retention, frequent urination, heartburn and acidity due to the bulging belly and falling to sleep problems. Pregnancy symptoms can include exhaustion and lower back ache etc. If you experience any signs of labour you must consult your health care professional immediately. You will find the pregnancy week by week information offered at the pregnancy sites very useful to follow especially with regard to diet and lifestyle changes.

The baby

The baby’s senses continue to develop. The baby can listen to your voice clearly and you can talk or sing to her. He/she is encompassed by different sounds and can even hear the sound of your stomach growling and the lungs breathing. Not only this, the baby will also be able to hear your heart beat at the pregnancy week 33. The baby’s skin colour changes from red to pink and the baby starts to store iron in the liver and gets ready for outside life. At 33 weeks pregnant your baby stretches to around 12 inches (crown to rump) and weighs in at about four pounds, eight ounces.

Around 33 weeks pregnant you can also think in terms of shopping for the baby items like carrier, crib, breast pump etc. You should also continue to take a healthy diet for delivering a healthy baby.

Changes in the mother

At 32 weeks of pregnancy you may continue to experience a sore back and swollen ankles. Colostrums, which is a white fluid, may leak out of your breasts once you are pregnancy week 32. This milk will nourish your baby for the first few days of his life. Some pregnant women may also have a whitish, vaginal discharge called leucorrhoea. This is not a cause for concern and it might increase as you near the delivery date. You will be constantly checked for blood pressure, urine, and any swelling that may develop. Symptoms such as sudden weight gain, headaches, swelling in the hands or face, or changes in vision can be signs of preeclampsia. This condition may lead to high blood pressure and protein in the urine. If you experience any of such pregnancy symptoms you must consult your healthcare provider. You must continue to maintain a well balanced diet in order to be able to nourish the baby properly.

The baby

Eyelashes, eyebrows, and the hair on your baby’s head develop around pregnancy 32 week. The lanugos hair present on the baby since the beginning of the second trimester falls off. Only few hairs may remain on the shoulders and back at birth. Your baby will weigh about 4 pounds (1,800 grams) and 11.4 inches (29 cm) from crown to rump. Even if you experience premature labour at this stage your baby will have a good chance of survival.

This week your baby can take up the head-down position. Ninety-six percent of all babies come out head first during labour. If your foetus is in a breech position, your doctor might consider turning it manually. Once you are 32 weeks pregnant it is the right time to know more about pregnancy signs at this stage by browsing the pregnancy sites.

Changes in the mother

As your baby’s weight increases to more than 3 pounds this week, the strain on your body will be noticeable. In these 31 weeks of pregnancy you will experience pain in the lower back and hips. There will be less room for your internal organs due to the growing baby. For your lungs to expand you must take more breaths. At pregnancy week 31 you might want to use the bathroom quite frequently and you’ll experience a numb feeling in your legs when the baby shifts positions. Pregnancy diet must include smaller and more frequent meals rich in fruits and vegetables. You’ll be able to distinguish the arms, legs and head movements of the baby.

The baby

The lungs of the foetus continue to mature. Even if he/she is born prematurely at this stage he/she might survive because of the developed lungs. As fat cells fill out her body, her skin, which has been wrinkled so far turns pink and smooth. The baby can recognize your voice. In pregnancy 31 Week your baby’s fingernails have grown at this stage of pregnancy and weighs approximately about three pounds, eight ounces and the length is about 11.2 inches (crown to rump). Pregnancy massage will relive symptoms like aching feet and ankles. You must also adhere to a well balanced pregnancy diet and eat smaller but most frequent meals. You can also browse the pregnancy calendar available online to know more about pregnancy signs and labour signs. Six or more contractions per hour even if they are not regular may necessitate the calling up of a doctor. Early pregnancy or premature pregnancy after 31 weeks pregnant can occur but need not be a cause for concern as most of the organs of the foetus are developed at this stage.

Your baby is now 14 ¾ inches long and weighs about 3 pounds. Your baby’s eyes are more mature and he can differentiate between light and dark. At 30 weeks of pregnancy, babies can follow a light source with their eyes. In order to avoid pregnancy complications, consult your doctor on a regular basis and report any untoward symptoms. A health point to consider is to avoid anxiety and use different types of breathing to be more calm and relaxed.

At pregnancy week 30, your baby now nearly fills up the uterine cavity. When not playing about, he is often sitting with the head upwards. The brain develops quickly now – it trains the eyes to open and the lungs to breathe. Healthy tips include a massage to alleviate pains, a warm bath, soothing music and a positive attitude. At 30 weeks, you begin to believe that you are almost there.

Even though you are getting heavier, your need for exercise has not quit. A health point to bear in mind is swimming which is a wonderful form of exercise during pregnancy. Walking is excellent, as also pre- and post natal exercise classes. They are fun, gentle and they help to energize you. Always keep in regular touch with your doctor in order to avoid any pregnancy complications at this stage. There are only a few more weeks to go. Drink plenty of water. Try not to stand on your feet too long when you are 30 weeks pregnant. Your baby’s face looks very much like it will when he is born. He will fill out more, and now is the time for you to look forward to the birth of your baby

A few tips to prevent constipation can be followed. 29 week pregnancy is right time to maintain your weight so follow a healthy diet, eat a high fiber diet including fruits, vegetables, breakfast cereals, whole grain breads, bran and prunes. Drink plenty of fluids – at least 10 – 12 cups each day. Exercise regularly – walking, swimming and moderate exercise. Reduce or eliminate iron supplements. Keep calm and enjoy soothing music. Pregnancy week 29 is the period when you can relax and enjoy the pregnancy and birth of your baby.

After 29 weeks of pregnancy your baby now measures 14 ½ inches and weighs 2 ¾ pounds. At this stage, your baby is growing rapidly. This is due to the rapid brain development that began in week 28. Muscles and lungs are also continuing to mature. Always check with your health care provider regarding your diet. Make sure that you are getting adequate amounts of protein, vitamin C, folic acid, iron and calcium.

29 weeks pregnant women can indulge in healthy pain relieving techniques such as breathing, massage and relaxing. Few troubles like heartburn and pregnancy constipation might again bother. Breathing problems plan to stay for the rest of the pregnancy days. Hemorrhoids, due to growing uterus and gas troubles, slower digestive cycle and crowding in the abdomen are other key issues that may trouble you. But in spite of these discomforts, you can look ahead with anticipation as you go through the pregnancy and birth of your baby.

During your pregnancy week 28, you will find that your baby’s brain is really beginning to develop into a more complex organ. The amount of brain tissue also begins to increase during the 28th week. The development of hair also continues. Eyebrows and eyelashes are visible. Your baby is also looking rounder, as the fat storage under the skin continues through the remainder of your pregnancy. A health point to consider is maintaining a good diet for both you and your baby.

At pregnancy 28 week your baby’s brain begins to mature forming tiny grooves and canals that we associate with the human brain. Some baby’s hair will grow and lengthen although many babies will remain bald until weeks after birth. At this stage, your uterus climbs to about 3 inches above your navel. Your weight gain may pick up slightly. If you experience any pregnancy symptoms, visit your doctor. He will keep a close eye on you to monitor you for signs of labor during this time.

While you go through your pregnancy stages, you will find that a massage will prove helpful. It can alleviate some of the lower back pain and leg cramps. Some women experience mild swelling or itching around this time and a massage can help. A baby shower can be planned when you are 28 weeks pregnant. A health point at this stage of your pregnancy is a sensible diet and exercise in consultation with your doctor.

At pregnancy 27 week, your baby is now 14 inches long and weighs 2 ¼ pounds. Around week 11, your baby’s eyelids become fused, but around the 27 week of pregnancy, babies can open and close their eyes. Your baby has also developed a regular wake and sleep cycle. If you have not made arrangements for childbirth classes, this is a good time to start. Try to follow a sensible pregnancy diet which will be good for you and the baby.

This week the membrane that has covered your baby’s eyes will split apart to create the eyelids. The eyelashes and eyebrows are in place. You can feel the baby moving very regularly which shows that your baby is healthy. Do not stop consulting with your health care provider and ask questions however trivial they may be. If your legs are feeling heavy, take a warm bath. Slow up on the exercises and wind it down gradually.

At pregnancy week 27, your baby’s skin is changing from transparent to opaque. Bones are becoming harder. The hearing is fully developed. The baby can now cry. By the end of the month, eyelashes are developing. Your weight and blood pressure will be recorded. You can discuss any symptoms or discomforts you may be experiencing. Foetal heart monitoring is performed. A haemoglobin screening at 27 weeks pregnant to check evidence of anaemia in the mother is performed at this stage of pregnancy. Always maintain a good pregnancy diet for a healthy baby.