Pregnancy : 40 Week

Most women give birth by their due date but it is perfectly normal to go as long as two weeks past your estimated due date. Actually, as many as ten percent of pregnancies go past 42 weeks. So if you are still hanging around reading our newsletter, don’t despair, you are not alone. We are dedicating this newsletter to all of you gals that are waiting around for your content and cosey, or slightly stubborn, little guys or girls to make their arrivals. We are going to discuss some of the things you can do to help pass the time when you are overdue and discuss some of the tests you may be given to check on your baby’s well-being.


What is going on with mom & baby
Baby: Your baby is due this week. The average full term baby weighs around 7 and a half pounds and is about 20 inches long. Your baby is ready to be born any day now.

Mom: Your baby should be born any day now. You may be having more contractions, more vaginal discharge, and more discomfort. If you have contractions at night try to rest even if you can’t sleep. Labor sometimes starts overnight and being sleep deprived can make labor more exhausting. Try to rest as much as you can even if you are having difficulty sleeping.

This week’s Pregnancy Checklist

• Make sure your cell phone is charged.
• Make sure you have arrangements for child care and pet care.
• Throw some scrunchies or ponytail holders in your hospital bag.
• Make sure your camera battery is charged.
• Go over your birth plans with your partner.
• Take a new belly picture for your scrapbook or journal.
• Tests to Monitor Baby’s Well-being

Pregnancy : 39 Week

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's waiting to greet the world! He continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth, but it's likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) The outer layers of his skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.See what your baby looks like this week.

How your life's changing:

At each of your now-weekly visits, your caregiver will do an abdominal exam to check your baby's growth and position. She might also do an internal exam to see whether your cervix has started ripening: softening, effacing (thinning out), and dilating (opening). But even armed with this information, there's still no way for your caregiver to predict exactly when your baby is coming. If you go past your due date, your caregiver will schedule you for fetal testing (usually a sonogram) after 40 weeks to ensure that it's safe to continue the pregnancy. If you don't go into labor on your own, most practitioners will induce labor when you're between one and two weeks overdue — or sooner if there's an indication that the risk of waiting is greater than the risks of delivering your baby without further delay.

While you're waiting, it's important to continue to pay attention to your baby's movements and let your caregiver know right away if they seem to decrease. Your baby should remain active right up to delivery, and a noticeable slowdown in activity could be a sign of a problem. Also call if you think your water may have broken. Membranes rupture before the beginning of labor in about 8 percent of term pregnancies. Sometimes there's a big gush of fluid, but sometimes there's only a small gush or a slow leak. (Don't try to make the diagnosis yourself. Call even if you only suspect you have a leak.) If you rupture your membranes and don't start contractions on your own, you'll be induced.

This week’s Pregnancy Checklist

• Double check your hospital bag and make sure your partner knows where it is.


• Purchase some stationary to write your birth story on.


• If you are still undecided on a baby name, go over your list of choices again.


• Purchase stamps and/or envelopes to mail your birth announcements.


• Make up a snack pack to take with you to the hospital for after baby is born.


• Take a new belly picture for your scrapbook or journal.

Pregnancy : 38 Week

How your baby's growing:

Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)See what your baby looks like this week.

How your life's changing:For many women, the next couple of weeks are a waiting game. Use this time to prepare your baby's nursery or to take care of necessary tasks you may not get around to for a while after your baby's born. Take naps, catch up on your reading, and spend uninterrupted time with your partner while you can.

Some swelling in your feet and ankles is normal during these last weeks, but call your practitioner without delay if you notice excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles, more than slight swelling of your hands, any swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes, or have a sudden weight gain.

Also let her know immediately if have severe or persistent headaches; visual changes (such as double or blurred vision, seeing spots or flashing lights, light sensitivity, or a temporary loss of vision), intense upper abdominal pain or tenderness, or nausea and vomiting. These are symptoms of a serious condition called preeclampsia.

This week’s Pregnancy Checklist

• Make a photocopy of your insurance card and any important medical information and put it in your hospital bag.


• Make sure a copy of your birth plan is in your hospital bag.


• Gather up a ziplock bag full of loose change and add it to your hospital bag.


• Print out directions and a map to the hospital and put it in your hospital bag.


• Program your phone or cell phone with the phone number of your hospital and doctor’s office.


• Take a new belly picture for your scrapbook or journal.

Pregnancy : 37 Week

How your baby's growing:

Congratulations — your baby is full term! This means that if your baby arrives now, his lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb, even though your due date is still three weeks away.Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

How your life's changing:

Braxton Hicks contractions may be coming more frequently now and may last longer and be more uncomfortable. You might also notice an increase in vaginal discharge. If you see some "bloody show" (mucus tinged with a tiny amount of blood) in the toilet or in your undies, labor is probably a few days away — or less. (If you have heavier spotting or bleeding, call your caregiver immediately.) Also be sure to ask your caregiver about the results of your Group B strep culture. That way, if the result isn't yet on your chart when you get to the hospital or birth center, you'll be able to give the staff there a timely heads-up if you need antibiotics.

It may be harder than ever to get comfortable enough to sleep well at night. If you can, take it easy through the day — this may be your last chance to do so for quite a while. Keep monitoring your baby's movements, too, and let your caregiver know immediately if you notice a decrease. Though her quarters are getting cozy, she should still be as active as before.

While you're sleeping, you're likely to have some intense dreams. Anxiety both about labor and about becoming a parent can fuel a lot of strange flights of unconscious fancy.

This week’s Pregnancy Checklist

• Make sure you know where your insurance card is.
• Stock up on canned goods and easy to fix meals.
• Purchase any last minute diapering supplies.
• Select a pediatrician for your baby if you haven’t already.
• Review your insurance coverage for anesthesiology or circumcision.
• Take a new belly picture for your scrapbook or journal.

Pregnancy : 36 Week

How your baby's growing:

Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely she's in a head-down position. But if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.See what your baby looks like this week. (Or see what fraternal twins look like in the womb this week.)

How your life's changing:

Now that your baby is taking up so much room, you may have trouble eating a normal-size meal. Smaller, more frequent meals are often easier to handle at this point. On the other hand, you may have less heartburn and have an easier time breathing when your baby starts to "drop" down into your pelvis. This process — called lightening — often happens a few weeks before labor if this is your first baby. (If you've given birth before, it probably won't happen before labor starts.) If your baby drops, you may also feel increased pressure in your lower abdomen, which may make walking increasingly uncomfortable, and you'll probably find that you have to pee even more frequently. If your baby is very low, you may feel lots of vaginal pressure and discomfort as well. Some women say it feels as though they're carrying a bowling ball between their legs!

You might also notice that your Braxton Hicks contractions are more frequent now. Be sure to review the signs of labor with your practitioner and find out when she wants to hear from you. As a general rule, if you're full-term, your pregnancy is uncomplicated, and your water hasn't broken, she'll probably have you wait to come in until you've been having contractions that last for about a minute each, coming every five minutes for an hour. Of course, you'll want to call right away if you notice a decrease in your baby's activity or think you're leaking amniotic fluid, or if you have any vaginal bleeding, fever, a severe or persistent headache, constant abdominal pain, or vision changes.

Even if you're enjoying an uncomplicated pregnancy, it's best to avoid flying (or any travel far from home) during your final month because you can go into labor at any time. In fact, some airlines won't let women on board who are due to deliver within 30 days of the flight.

This week’s Pregnancy Checklist

• Make sure your partner knows where your hospital bag is.


• Make a belly cast of your belly.


• Practice lamaze breathing or other pain relief techniques.


• Some moms like to drink raspberry leaf tea at the end of their pregnancy. (Talk to your doctor first).


• Have your partner practice timing contractions. Braxton Hicks are great for practice.


• Take a new belly picture for your scrapbook or journal.

Pregnancy : 35 Week

How your baby's growing:
Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.See what your baby looks like this week.

How your life's changing:
Your uterus — which was entirely tucked away inside your pelvis when you conceived — now reaches up under your rib cage. If you could peek inside your womb, you'd see that there's more baby than amniotic fluid in there now. Your ballooning uterus is crowding your other internal organs, too, which is why you probably have to urinate more often and may be dealing with heartburn and other gastrointestinal distress. If you're not grappling with these annoyances, you're one of the lucky few.


From here on out, you'll start seeing your practitioner every week. Sometime between now and 37 weeks, she'll do a vaginal and rectal culture to check for bacteria called Group B streptococci (GBS). (Don't worry — the swab is the size of a regular cotton swab, and it won't hurt at all.) GBS is usually harmless in adults, but if you have it and pass it on to your baby during birth, it can cause serious complications, such as pneumonia, meningitis, or a blood infection. Because 10 to 30 percent of pregnant women have the bacteria and don't know it, it's vital to be screened. (The bacteria come and go on their own — that's why you weren't screened earlier in pregnancy.) If you're a GBS carrier, you'll get IV antibiotics during labor, which will greatly reduce your baby's risk of infection.


This is also a good time to create a birth plan. Using our form will help you focus on specifics — like who'll be present, what pain management techniques you want to try, and where you want your baby to stay after you deliver. It will give you a starting point to discuss your preferences with your medical team. Childbirth is unpredictable, and chances are you won't follow your plan to the letter, but thinking about your choices ahead of time — and sharing your preferences with your caregiver — should take some of the anxiety out of the process.

This week’s Pregnancy Checklist

• Talk to your doctor about having a Group B strep test done. (It is normally done between 35-37 weeks)
• You may want to start doing perineal massages to avoid tearing or episiotomy.
• Have your partner talk to his employer about taking days off work after your baby is born.
• Schedule your maternity leave.
• Update your list of phone numbers to call after baby is born.
• Take a new belly picture for your scrapbook or journal.

Pregnancy : 34 Week

We have answered a lot of your questions about childbirth over the last few weeks but we haven’t really touched upon c-sections. According to the National Center for Health Statistic’s latest reports, approximately 31% of moms giving birth in the United States will have a cesarean. With that in mind, we feel that it is very important for moms, especially first-time moms, to know more about c-sections. In this week’s newsletter we are going to tell you what you can do to reduce your chances of needing a c-section and also discuss some of the reasons for cesarean births. If you have had a c-section before you may be having a repeat c-section or you may be attempting a vbac (vaginal birth after cesarean). We are going to have some information for all you vbac girls in this newsletter as well.

Baby: Baby’s crown to rump length is around 33 cm (13 inches). Your baby weighs about 2350-2550 grams ( 5.2-5.6 pounds). Your baby should be turned head down by now. His lanugo, very fine hair that keeps your baby insulated, should be disappearing now. His skin may be covered with vernix, a waxy white colored protective substance that covers newborn babies skin.

Mom: Now that you are close to delivering your baby, it would be best not to travel far from home. You should have a rear-facing car seat for your baby and know how to assemble it. You may be getting more anxious or irritable as you get closer to the day you will deliver.

This week’s Pregnancy Checklist

• Write out a childbirth cheat sheet for dad.
• Purchase a photo album for baby.
• If you have other children, prepare a bag with everything they need in it for when you go to the hospital.
• Make sure to have comfortable shoes or slippers for your hospital bag.
• Purchase sanitary pads for the hospital or when you go home from the hospital.
• Take a new belly picture for your scrapbook or journal.

Pregnancy : 33 Week

Welcome to week thirty-three. We promised you a newsletter about pain relief and not just the “hee-hee-hoo” kind. This week’s newsletter is for all you girls that just don’t like pain or don’t want to commit to doing things naturally. We are going to tell you about all your options, and when we are done, we expect you to talk them over with your doctor or midwife. She can tell you what is available at your hospital or birthing center and help you decide which options are best for you. Epidurals are probably the most asked about pain relief option. You may be hearing all kinds of things about epidurals and, well, you might be feeling a little apprehensive about having one. We are going to try to put your mind at ease and answer your questions about epidurals and other pain relief options you may have heard about.


What is going on with mom & baby
Baby: Baby’s crown to rump length is around 31 cm (12.2 inches). Your baby weighs about 2100-2250 grams ( 4.6-5 pounds). Your baby is starting to get cramped for space but she is still very active. Your baby is doing a lot of growing right now preparing for her entrance to the world. Your baby’s lungs are still not mature yet but she is starting to practice breathing by inhaling amniotic fluid into her developing lungs.
Mom: Remember to keep drinking lots of water to stay hydrated. If you are having problems with hemorrhoids, as many moms do at this stage in pregnancy, you may find soaking in a warm bath helps. Witch hazel pads or over-the-counter medicated wipes may help to ease discomfort and keep the rectal area from getting irritated.

This week’s Pregnancy Checklis

• Purchase extra batteries for baby’s swing or other gear.


• Purchase diaper care products.


• Purchase extra nipples for your bottles, bottle brush or bottle liners.


• Verify that your crib is assembled correctly and there are no safety hazards.


• Write down any questions you have for your next doctor’s visit.


• Take a new belly picture for your scrapbook or journal.

Pregnancy : 32 Week

We are excited to see you have made it to week thirty-two. We know that some of you gals are planning to have a natural childbirth, one free of pain medications and medical interventions. This week’s newsletter is just for you gals Not everyone is interested in having a “natural birth” but we think that everyone can use a few pointers on how to deal with pain during childbirth. Sometimes when you go into labor, your birth plan gets thrown out the window and it always helps to be prepared. So with that in mind, we will head into the newsletter. We are including all the best tips for moms and dads on how to have a natural childbirth. And for you ladies that just aren’t all that interested in going through pain, don’t worry. Next week’s newsletter is just for you.


What is going on with mom & baby
Baby: Baby’s crown to rump length is around 30 cm (11.8 inches). Your baby weighs about 1900-2000 grams ( 4.2-4.4 pounds). Your baby appears less red and wrinkled now. Her kidneys are fully developed now. Your baby should be in a head down position inside your uterus, if she is not this is considered a breech presentation. If your baby is breech your doctor or midwife may want to try to turn your baby into the right position. There are several methods for turning breech babies. Talk to your doctor or midwife about your options.

Mom: You may be having some problems with swelling now that you are in your third trimester. If your hands are swelling, you may want to take off any rings until after you deliver. Some swelling is normal but if you are having excessive swelling, headaches, or blurred vision talk to your doctor as these can be signs of a serious condition known as preeclampsia.

This week’s Pregnancy Checklist

• You may want to have your hospital bag ready to go now.


• Purchase massage tools or you can use a tennis ball or paint roller.


• Purchase going home clothes for you. (You will likely need maternity or stretchy clothes)
  Practice lamaze breathing.


• Review emergency childbirth information. (In the event that you can’t make it to the hospital)


• Take a new belly picture for your scrapbook or journal

Pregnancy : 31 Week

Yah! You are thirty-one weeks now. You may be ready to be done with this whole pregnancy thing, but your baby still needs a little more time in the womb before she will be ready to leave. You may be anxious to have your pre-pregnant body back, but it is early in your third trimester. You should still have time to prepare for your baby and read up on childbirth. In this week’s newsletter we are going to be discussing water births and birth positions. Water births are becoming very common and a popular birth choice for moms. Water can make labor more comfortable and ease the pain during contractions. Some moms choose to labor in the tub but don’t feel comfortable or do not have the option to give birth in the water.




What is going on with mom & baby
Baby: Baby’s crown to rump length is around 29 cm (11.4 inches). Your baby weighs about 1700-1800 grams ( 3.75-4 pounds). Your baby is beginning to store iron, calcium and phosphorous now. If you have a baby boy, his testicles may be located in the scrotal sac now. Your baby will be putting on weight at a faster rate now in preparation for his entrance to the world.
Mom: As your belly gets bigger, you may be even more uncomfortable. The third trimester is infamous for it’s aches and pains. Have your partner give you a massage or better yet go in for a professional massage. You can arrange a session with a qualified massage therapist for as little as $30 depending on what part of the country you live in.

This week’s Pregnancy Checklist

• Purchase a labor ease kit (comes with oils, teas or massage products)
• Purchase a bath robe or pajamas to wear at the hospital.
• Start setting aside cash in case you need it at the hospital or after birth.
• Make sure you have a watch to time contractions.
• Purchase a nursing bra and nursing pads. (You may need as much as a size larger once your milk comes in)
• Take a new belly picture for your scrapbook or journal.

Pregnancy : 30 Week

Your baby is now 30 weeks old:
Your uterus is at your breastbone and rib cage
Your baby now gains about ½ pound and ½ inch each week until she is born. She now weighs about 3 pounds and measures 10.8 inches from crown to rump. If you stretched her legs out, she would be about 16 inches long. Her fat deposits double so her creased skin starts to fill out. Her skin starts to shed the lanugo and the hair on her eyebrows, eyelids and head continue to grow. She can blink her eyes and her pupils react to outside light by constricting and dilating. During the next few weeks, your baby experiences REM and non-REM sleep patterns as her brain continues its rapid growth.

If you plan on taking a childbirth education class, now is the time to start thinking about which approach suits you (and your partner) the best. Most classes run 6-8 weeks, so this is the time to make your decision. There are many wonderful options from which to choose. Lamaze is probably the most well-known and popular method of childbirth education. A French obstetrician, Dr. Fernand Lamaze, developed conditioned-response exercises and added breathing patterns to help women manage the pain of labor. This approach provides women with a variety of tools, breathing techniques and relaxation skills to control pain.

Pregnancy : 29 Week

Early in the third trimester, you are going to become aware of a variety of your baby's movements. In addition to the increased strength of her kicks and movements, you also notice that she gets the hiccups from time to time. They feel like short, spasmodic "jumps" in your lower abdomen. They don't seem to last very long and seem to happen the same time each day. These hiccups don't hurt the baby and can actually feel rather funny.

You are probably experiencing some lower back pain as your baby and uterus continue to grow. Remember to pull your abdominal muscles in and tilt your pelvis in a posterior direction (hips bones pulled back) to stretch your lower back muscles.

Some women are categorized as "high risk" by their doctors. This can be very stressful. It is a medical term used to describe those women with a higher-than-average risk of developing complications during pregnancy or birth, or of having a baby with problems. The term reflects a statistical probability, not an absolute fact.

If you should fall into this category, speak with your doctor about why he considers this. Sometimes the pregnancy is perfectly normal, but maternal age is an issue. Or perhaps you had a previous pregnancy with a problem and although this one is normal, you will still be considered high risk. Ask for clarification and the rationale behind the term. And then learn what you can do to minimize these risks. Common risk factors to be concerned about are insulin-dependent diabetes or gestational glucose intolerance, high blood pressure, preterm labor, vaginal bleeding, incompetent cervix, etc.

Some women develop complications that require bed rest. It is estimated that almost 20% of women are confined to a week or more of bed rest at some time during their pregnancy. The most common reasons for confinement are vaginal bleeding and threat of miscarriage in early pregnancy. In later pregnancy, common reasons for bed rest are the threat of preterm labor, incompetent cervix, high blood pressure, placenta previa, premature rupture of membranes or chronic heart disease.

Some women with a multi-fetal pregnancy are confined to bed rest so the babies can continue to grow and mature. Although these women recognize the importance of remaining inactive, it is not easy physically, mentally or emotionally. But when you consider the possible dangers as opposed to the possible positive outcome, you get through it. A support group that can help is Sidelines.

Pregnancy : 28 Week

Your baby is continuing to gain weight and now weighs about 2 pounds, 2 ounces (1000 grams). Her brain continues to mature and she adds fat under her skin. The hair on her head continues to grow.

Earlier on, your doctor probably ordered blood tests for you. One of the tests was to assess your Rh factor (Rhesus antigen), a substance found in the red blood cells of most people. During the last trimester of your pregnancy, some of your antibodies are transferred across the placenta to build your baby's immune system. Some of the transference also includes antibodies directed against the baby's own antigens. (An antibody is a substance that boosts immunity against disease. An antigen is a substance that causes the formulation of antibodies.) Most of these antibodies don't even reach fetal circulation. But if you don't have the Rh factor and are Rh negative and your baby is Rh positive, there is a potential that your baby may have some complications, such as anemia and jaundice. The treatment is very simple and safe. At 28 weeks and again after the baby is born, you will get a vaccine called Rh immunoglobulin to provide the necessary antibodies.

Pregnancy : 27 Week

Fetal presentation and position:
Her lungs, liver and immune system still need some time to mature, but if your baby was to be born now, she would do alright with some medical assistance. Week 27 marks the end of your second trimester.

Your baby is rather comfortable with her head up because she fits in your uterus better this way. But when you visit your doctor, he might tell you that the baby is lying in a breech position. Don't let this bother you. Before the 27th week of pregnancy, almost 40% of all fetuses are not in the preferred vertex, or head-down, presentation. Between weeks 27-37 that number drops to nearly 17% as the babies turn on their own. And before birth, between weeks 38-40, only 3-5% of babies are not in the vertex presentation.

When your doctor or midwife mentions the term presentation, he means which of the baby's body parts first enters your pelvis. The word position refers to which way your baby is facing. The optimum birth position is occiput anterior, where the back of the baby's head faces forward. (Occiput posterior position often slows down the progress of labor and causes more back discomfort. Babies often turn on their own during labor to the preferred occiput anterior position.)

Pregnancy : 26 Week

Your baby is now 26 weeks old.
Baby's eyes open
Up until about the 26th week, your baby's eyes have been sealed shut. But now they open and blink. At birth, she will be able to see (not very clearly) up to a distance of about 6", or the distance between your breast and your smiling face. She will also be able to distinguish between contrasting colors of light and dark. She can now see, hear, smell, taste and feel. All her senses are intact and will continue to develop after she is born. She is getting to be more filled out, but is still much thinner than she will be when she is born. She weighs less than 2 pounds and will continue to gain weight. Over the next few weeks, her nervous system will under major development. Nerve fibers become encased in a fatty layer called myelin that permits nerve impulses to travel faster. Her brain also continues to grow so quickly that it folds in on itself. These folds are called gyri. Some of the weight you have put on is the extra fluid you need to support and nourish a healthy pregnancy. But your legs may feel tired and achy. Or your hands may tingle and look puffy. Your body is using this extra fluid to maintain the levels of amniotic fluid, make it easier for your kidneys to excrete waste and provide fluid for your baby's body. Some of the extra fluid will be extracted from your intestines (another contributing factor to constipation) and by the end of the third trimester, you will have as much as 40% extra fluid within your tissues.

Swelling is normal when:

• It shifts with gravity. This is called gravitational swelling.
• Your weight gain is normal
• Your blood pressure remains within normal limits
• Your diet is well-balanced and nutritious

You do not excrete protein in the urine You should contact your care provider if:
The swelling becomes excessive, if your upper torso swells (especially in the first or second trimesters) or if you press your finger above your ankles and the indentation doesn't fill in within a 10-30 seconds.

• You suddenly put on a lot of weight
• Your blood pressure spikes
• You develop severe headaches or migraines, especially with vision problems
• Your diet is not well-balanced
• There is protein in your urine
• You feel unwell or your baby is not growing normally.

There are a number of ways to control the normal swelling. Avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time. Move around every 30 minutes or so. Don't cross your legs when sitting. A trained prenatal massage therapist can employ lymphatic drainage massage techniques to your arms and legs to encourage improved lymph absorption. Elevate your legs above the level of your heart, especially at the end of the day, for at least an hour. Avoid eating foods with a lot of salt or sodium and drink at least 6-8 glasses of water daily. Continue exercising as muscular contractions in your legs help to move the excess fluid. Wear comfortable, loose clothing and avoid any tight socks that can inhibit circulation.

Pregnancy : 25 Week

Fetal development in pregnancy week 25:

fetus in sixth month Your little grower’s physical proportions are evening out at this point and most of their remaining development will largely be weight gain and lots and lots of nervous system development. The good news is: if your child is born premature now they’ll be more likely to survive without too much trauma as their lungs began to produce “surfactant” last week, which means their tiny respiratory system is getting stronger with each passing day. Yes, now’s a good time for a minor sigh of relief and a quick pat on the back. All that hard work and conscientious living is really getting your child prepared for a healthy delivery. Keep up the fabulous work mama! This week they’ll be scootching slowly out of the old breech position and start rotating (already!) into a better position for exit during their birth. Their head and feet are slowly rotating so that the head is pointed down towards the birth canal. Time is short (or really long, depending on who you ask)—just (still!) 14 weeks left before you can go back to being a single-resident human.
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And how's mom doing? Trimester two is finally almost over, which means you have that one final trimester of pregnancy to enjoy (and suffer through). You could celebrate this landmark passage by purchasing some piece of clothing designed to make your curvy body look as gorgeous and classy as possible... and don’t let the Try to practice good posture—it will alleviate some of the back fatigue as slouching is actually harder on your back price tag stop you, this is an act of self-love not book-keeping. But before you max out your credit card, remember: you’re only going to get larger, so buy smart. Speaking of larger, you’re obviously carrying more weight now and your back is going to let you know. Don’t let this get you down or make you feel like a weakling—it all comes with the territory of being preggers. Try to practice good posture—it will alleviate some of the back fatigue as slouching is actually harder on your back. It’s also common for women to experience leg cramps during this period. Go ahead, strong arm someone who loves you into giving you a massage. Or if you're lucky enough to have the extra bucks, head to a spa that specializes in pregnancy massages and get the full-treatment.

You may have already noticed that your hair seems fuller, thicker, more plentiful and darker-- especially your body hair. There are two basic reasons for this: 1) you're shedding much less (head) hair than you usually do and 2) your body's hormones contribute to the way your body hair is growing right now. Not to worry, all the hairiness will return to normal after you've delivered your baby.

Pregnancy : 24 Week

fetus in sixth month This is another big week for your magical growing baby! Just take a look at the checklist for this week: 1) ears: done; 2) fingernails: done; 3) (if you have a boy) testicles: taking their 3-4 day trip from the abdominal wall to the scrotum; and 4) lungs walls: secreting “surfactant”. What’s that? Well, surfactant is sort of what it sounds like: a surface-activated fat whose main purpose is to assist the your baby's little lungs during inflation (as in, filling with air, not getting more expensive). Just in case you’re curious, your submerged baby is still breathing in amniotic fluid, preparing and rehearsing the lungs an oxygen-filled life outside the womb. By the end of this week, your child will be weighing around 2 lbs and 14 inches long. Your cutie-patootie may even be a little more plump, but isn't anywhere near their full baby-fatted cute-self. Most of the “filling out” is coming up in that long awaited (and slightly dreaded?) third trimester. Woo-hoo! Get ready!

And how's mom doing?

Your little one is moving (spinning, kicking, pirouetting, shimmying, and maybe even doing a bit of the Can-Can) so much these days that if you invite your friends and/or family to touch your belly there’s a good chance they’ll get a milder sample of what you’ve been experiencing . You’ve may have We recommend taking the belly-touching calmly and if it really offends you, just say something like: “I just fell in a large vat of anthrax.” experienced the oddity that is strangers who feel a protruding pregnant belly is public property and a silent invitation for belly touching. We recommend taking the belly-touching calmly and if it really offends you, just say something like: “I just fell in a large vat of anthrax.” Or perhaps something a little less aggressive, like, “Please, at the very least, ask me before touching my body.” Still, there are many women who enjoy sharing this touching ritual with others. Find your comfort zone and good luck with the rest.
Scary stuff you should be aware of: The danger of getting preeclampsia (a.k.a. Toxemia) during pregnancy is significantly higher and is characterized by significant swelling of the hands and face, excessive weight gain, blurry vision with severe headaches or abdominal pain. Obviously, swelling is common during pregnancy, but should be monitored closely, and sudden ongoing swelling to the hands and face could be a concern. Talk with your physician for more information. Preeclampsia can also be diagnosed by high blood pressure and the presence of certain proteins in your urine. Again, high blood pressure alone does not mean you are affected, but it might be something you and your physician will want to/need to monitor throughout your pregnancy. Preeclampsia can prevent the placenta from receiving enough blood, thus depriving your baby of essential nutrients and lower oxygen levels, possibly resulting in low birth weights and other problems. There are several websites dedicated to preeclampsia education such as:

http://www.preeclampsia.org/

Pregnancy : 23 Week

How your baby's growing:

Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With her sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that she's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see her squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze her when she hears them outside the womb.See what your baby looks like this week.

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:

You may notice that your ankles and feet start to swell a bit in the coming weeks or months, especially at the end of the day or during the heat of summer. Sluggish circulation in your legs — coupled with changes in your blood chemistry that may cause some water retention — may result in swelling, also known as edema. Your body will get rid of the extra fluid after you have your baby, which is why you'll pee frequently and sweat a lot for a few days after delivery. In the meantime, lie on your left side or put your feet up when you can, stretch out your legs when you sit, and avoid sitting — or standing — in one place for long periods. Also, try to exercise regularly to increase circulation, and wear support stockings (put them on first thing in the morning) and roomy, comfortable shoes. You may be tempted to skimp on liquids to combat swelling, but you need to drink plenty of water because staying hydrated actually helps prevent fluid retention. While a certain amount of edema in your lower extremities is normal during pregnancy, excessive swelling may be a sign of a serious condition called preeclampsia. Be sure to call your midwife or doctor if you have severe or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles, more than slight swelling of your hands, swelling in your face, or puffiness around your eyes

Pregnancy : 22 Week

How your baby's growing:

At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.See what your baby looks like this week.

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:

At this point, you may find your belly becoming a hand magnet. It's perfectly okay to tell folks who touch your tummy that you'd rather they didn't. And if people are telling you that you look smaller or bigger than you should at this point, remember that each woman grows — and shows — at her own rate. What's important is that you see your practitioner for regular visits so she can make sure your baby's growth is on track.You may start to notice stretch marks on your abdomen as it expands to accommodate your growing baby. At least half of all pregnant women will develop

stretch marks by the time they give birth. These small streaks of differently textured skin can range from pink to dark brown (depending on your skin color). Although they most commonly appear on your tummy, stretch marks may also show up on your buttocks, thighs, hips, and breasts. There's no proof that lotion helps prevent stretch marks, but keeping your skin moisturized may help with any itching

Pregnancy : 21 Week

How your baby's growing:

Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now, and if you're having a girl, her vagina has begun to form as well.See what your baby looks like this week.

How your life's changing:

You're probably feeling pretty comfortable these days. You're not too big yet, and the usual discomforts associated with early pregnancy are, for the most part, gone. If you're feeling good, relax and enjoy it while you can — the third trimester may bring with it a new crop of complaints.That's not to say you won't have some minor glitches to deal with now. For example, increased oil production may contribute to the development (or worsening) of acne. If that's the case, be diligent about washing well with a gentle soap or cleanser twice a day, and make sure that any moisturizer or make-up you use is oil-free. Don't take any oral acne medications — some are very hazardous during pregnancy — or use any topical acne products without first checking with your practitioner.You're also more prone to varicose veins now. As your pregnancy progresses, there's increasing pressure on the veins in your legs; higher progesterone levels, which may cause the walls of your veins to relax, can make the problem worse. You're more likely to get varicose veins if other family members have them. Also, they tend to get worse with each successive pregnancy and as you age. To help prevent or minimize varicose veins, exercise daily, prop up your feet and legs whenever possible, sleep on your left side, and wear maternity support hose.You may also notice so-called spider veins (a group of tiny blood vessels near the surface of your skin), particularly on your ankles, legs, or face. They may have a spider- or sunburst-like pattern with little branches radiating out from the center, they may look like the branches of a tree, or they may be a group of separate thin lines with no particular pattern. Though they may be a bit unsightly, spider veins don't cause discomfort and usually disappear after delivery

Pregnancy Center

Pregnancy : 20 Week

How your baby's growing:

Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.)He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).See what your baby looks like this week. (Or see what fraternal twins look like in the womb this week.)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:

Congratulations! You've hit the halfway mark in your pregnancy. The top of your uterus is about level with your belly button, and you've likely gained around 10 pounds. Expect to gain another pound or so each week from now on. (If you started your pregnancy underweight, you may need to gain a bit more; if you were overweight, perhaps a bit less.) Make sure you're getting enough iron, a mineral that's used primarily to make hemoglobin (the part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen). During pregnancy, your body needs more iron to keep up with your expanding blood volume, as well as for your growing baby and the placenta. Red meat is one of the best sources of iron for pregnant women. Poultry (especially the dark meat) and shellfish also contain iron. Some common non-meat sources of iron include legumes, soy-based products, spinach, prune juice, raisins, and iron-fortified cereals.

Pregnancy : 19 Week

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.See what your baby looks like this week


Think you're big now? You'll start growing even faster in the weeks to come. As a result, you may notice some achiness in your lower abdomen or even an occasional brief, stabbing pain on one or both sides — especially when you shift position or at the end of an active day. Most likely, this is round ligament pain. The ligaments that support your uterus are stretching to accommodate its increasing weight. This is nothing to be alarmed about, but call your practitioner if the pain continues even when you're resting or becomes severe.You may be noticing some skin changes, too. Are the palms of your hands red? Nothing to worry about — it's from the extra estrogen. You may also have patches of darkened skin caused by a temporary increase in pigment. When these darker patches appear on your upper lip, cheeks, and forehead, they're called chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy." You may also notice some darkening of your nipples, freckles, scars, underarms, inner thighs, and vulva. That darkened line running from your belly button to your pubic bone is called the linea nigra, or "dark line."These darkened spots will probably fade shortly after delivery. In the meantime, protect yourself from the sun, which intensifies the pigment changes. Cover up, wear a brimmed hat, and use sunscreen when you're outdoors. And if you're self-conscious about your "mask," a little concealing makeup can work wonders

Pregnancy : 18 Week

How your baby's growing:

Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.See what your baby looks like this week.

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:

Hungry? An increase in appetite is pretty common about now. Make it count by choosing meals and snacks that are rich in nutrients instead of empty calories (chips, French fries, candy, and other sweets). Bigger, more comfortable clothes are a must now as your appetite and waistline grow.Your cardiovascular system is undergoing dramatic changes, and during this trimester your blood pressure will probably be lower than usual. Don't spring up too fast from a lying or sitting position or you might feel a little dizzy.From now on, when you do lie down, it's best to lie on your side — or at least partly tilted to one side. (When you lie flat on your back, your uterus can compress a major vein, leading to decreased blood return to your heart.) Try placing a pillow behind you or under your hip or upper leg for comfort.If you haven't already had a second-trimester ultrasound, you'll probably have one soon. This painless procedure helps your practitioner check how your baby's growing, screen for certain birth defects, check the placenta and umbilical cord, determine whether the due date you're working with is accurate, and see how many babies you're carrying. During the exam, you might see your baby moving around or sucking his thumb. Bring your partner along, and be sure to ask for a printout for your baby's first photo album!

Prenancy Center

Pregnancy : 17 Week

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's skeleton is chaning from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now much as a and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

How your life's changing:

Starting to feel a bit off balance? As your belly grows, your center of gravity changes, so you may begin to occasionally feel a little unsteady on your feet. Try to avoid situations with a high risk of falling. Wear low-heeled shoes to reduce your risk of taking a tumble; trauma to your abdomen could be dangerous for you and your baby. You'll also want to be sure to buckle up when you are in car — keep the lap portion of the seat belt under your belly, drawn snugly across your hips, and also use the shoulder harness, which should fit snugly between your breasts.You may also notice your eyes becoming drier. Using over-the-counter lubricating drops may help. If your contact lenses become uncomfortable, try wearing them for shorter stretches of time. If you still have discomfort, switch to glasses until after you give birth.

Pregnancy : 16 Week

How your baby's growing:

Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado : 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.See what your baby look like this week. (Or see what fraternal twin look like in the womb this week.)


How your life's changing:

The top of your uterus is about halfway between your pubic bone and your navel, and the round ligaments that support it are thickening and stretching as it grows. You're probably feeling a whole lot better as you settle into pregnancy, too. Less nausea, fewer mood swings, and growing skin contribute to an overall sense of well-being.Soon you'll experience one of the most wonderful moments of pregnancy —feeling your baby move . While some women notice "quickening" as early as 16 weeks, many don't feel their baby move until about 18 weeks or more. (And if this is your first baby, don't be too impatient — you may not be aware of your baby's movements until 20 weeks or so.) The earliest movements may feel like little flutters, gas bubbles, or even like popcorn popping. Over the following weeks they'll grow stronger and you'll be able to feel them much more frequently.

Pregnancy : 15 Week

How your baby's growing:

Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces . She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respir tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut , she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")See wthat your baby looks like this week.


How your life's changing:
You've probably gained about 5 pounds by now (a little more or less is fine, too) and are well into the swing of your pregnancy, but you may still be surprised by an unexpected symptom now and then. If your nose is stuffed up , for instance, you can probably chalk it up to the combined effect of hormonal changes and increased blood flow to your mucous membranes. This condition is so common, there's even a name for it: "rhinitis of pregnancy." Some pregnant women also suffer nosebleeds as a result of increased blood volume and blood vessel expansion in the nose.If you're having amniocentesis , it'll most likely happen between now and 18 weeks. This test can identify hundreds of genetic and chromosomal disorders. If you're getting very anxious while waiting for the results, it may help to know that most women who undergo amniocentesis get good news about their babies — bringing welcome relief from their worries.Don't be surprised if you and your partner are feeling a little stressed out these days. Many pregnant couples worry about their baby's health and how they'll handle the changes ahead. But with physical discomforts on the wane and energy on the rise, this is also a wonderful trimester for most women.

Pregnancy : 14 Week

Fetal Development:

The baby's legs have lengthened and toenails are growing from the nail beds. The body will grow faster than the head this week.This week, our little baby's eyes will begin to move back and forth under closed eyelids, as the eye muscles exercise a little.

Our baby is a whopping 3 1/2 inches long and is 1 to 2 ounces. S/he begins to practice inhaling and exhaling movements. The eyes and ears continue to move and develop, the neck is still getting longer, and the baby's chin no longer rests on his/her chest. The hands are becoming functional, and the baby is beginning to learn to move/use them (probably more reflex than anything). At this point, our little one is receiving all of his/her nourishment from the placenta.
If you haven't already, you should be able to hear the baby's heartbeat with a doppler. Don't panic if you can't (I know, easier said than done.) ~ an ultrasound can confirm a beating heart if it isn't heard through a doppler.

Maternal Changes:

By now, pregnancy hormones are leveling off. This means less nausea, less frequent urination and less exhaustion. What a relief! However, you may be experiencing some constipation since those darned hormones have relaxed your bowel muscles causing them to work slower and less efficiently. Your uterus is also pressing on your bowel. Be sure to increase the fiber in your diet if constipation becomes a problem.
You may notice the veins on your chest and breasts are dilated and more noticeable. The areolas of your breasts may be darkening and growing in diameter. Your body has been preparing for breasfeeding since you became pregnant!

Ideas for Dad:

How are you dad? Are you totally stressed out worrying about finances, working overtime and fretting about expenses? If so, stop and take a deep breath and then try to rationally assess your situation. Are your worries out of proportion to your family's real needs? Many times, men are expected to handle family finances which becomes dad's focus while he's actually hiding his true worries - fear of fatherhood and the pregnancy.
Think about what your REAL worries are. Often putting your finger on them is enough to make them smaller.
Inspirational Thoughts:
Each child is an adventure into a better life, an opportunity to change the old pattern and make it new. ~Hubert H. Humphrey
Reading:
Understanding Your Moods When You're Expecting: Emotions, Mental Health, and Happiness -- Before, During, and After Pregnancy by Lucy J. Puryear MD, published by Houghton Mifflin, 2008.

Pregnancy : 13 Week

Mother:

If you are experiencing some abdominal achiness it may be due to the stretching of the round ligaments that support your uterus.
Are pickles and ice cream sounding appealing? Even if that combo still sounds disgusting, many women do experience food cravings. As long as they are not harmful go ahead and give in to them in a moderate way.

Some women do crave harmful things like kerosene, clay, starch, ice or nail polish. This is a disorder known as pica and should be discussed with your caregiver. This article has some good information about pica, its causes and treatment:
Since you are really beginning to show, the subject of stretch marks will come up. You may or may not get them. This has far more to do with your genetic heritage than whether or not you use an expensive anti-stretch mark cream.
The veins on your breasts are probably much more noticeable and your nipples darker in color.

Baby:

Our baby is entering the 2nd trimester and is fully formed, and boy, is this baby active! As you can see from the video, the baby is constantly moving and exercising those muscles! The baby's neck is getting longer so the head is not constantly touching his/her chest.Baby Coffman now has working reflex movements. You could see this a few weeks ago on the video when Lisa pat her belly and the baby squirmed. Hands and feet are responsive and the hands open and close.The baby's little fingerprints are now fully formed and unique.All nourishment is being supplied by the placenta now.At week 13, the baby gains the ability to smile. That's great, because this baby has made us smile from the day we found out about him/her.

Your baby's vocal cords have begun to develop.
More and more of the organs are functioning every day. The liver has begun to secrete bile and the pancreas to produce insulin.
All twenty baby teeth are formed and waiting beneath his gums until well after birth. However, every once in a while a baby is born with teeth already showing.
The baby's bone marrow, liver and spleen have taken over the production of red blood cells.
Although the baby's intestines were originally formed inside the umbilical cord, they are now moving into the abdomen.

Fuzzy hair is beginning to form on your little one's head. Regardless of what color that hair will eventually be, it is white (unpigmented) right now.

Pregnancy : 12 Week

Mother:

Your uterus will shift upwards a bit now so that it will not be pressing on your bladder.
The fatigue that you've been feeling will be replaced in the coming weeks with a glorious feeling of energy and well-being.
You may notice more changes in your skin. Some women will have irregular brown patches, called the 'mask of pregnancy' (chloasma) show up on their face or neck.
Look for the linea nigra, a dark line of pigmentation running from the top of your belly to the bottom of your belly.
The placenta is functioning now and will take over the production of hormones.

Baby:

The baby's chest is rising and falling as it practices breathing movements.
With kidneys that are fully functioning the baby can swallow amniotic fluid and excrete it as urine.
The amniotic fluid is completely replaced every 3 hours, so the baby's environment stays fresh.
Even though she is not eating yet, the baby's intestines are contracting in peristaltic movements as if she were digesting food.

Pregnancy : 11 Week

• Mother:
  Your uterus is now about the size of a small grapefruit and just about fills your pelvis. If you press your fingers into your belly just above your pubic bone, you may be able to feel it. Your caregiver will check how your pregnancy is progressing by measuring from the top of your pubic bone to the top of your uterus or fundus.
  You may still be suffering the effects of morning sickness, but, believe it or not the end is in sight.
  If you have leg or foot cramps, remember that regular, gentle exercise and plenty of calcium in your diet can help a lot.
  


• Baby:
  Your baby's little fingers are growing nails now.
  The baby probably will double his length this week.
  The irises of your baby's eyes are developing now.

Pregnancy : 10 Week

Baby:
Most of the baby's joints are formed now-shoulders, elbows, wrist, hands and fingers, knees, ankles, feet and toes.
All of his organs are present and accounted for, but not fully formed or functional.
Your little one is now about as long as a paper clip and weighs the same as four paperclips, in other words: 1 ¾ inch and ¼ oz.



Mother:
Is it warm in here? Since your blood volume has increased, you may find that you feel warmer than you did previously and your veins will become more noticeable.
Moodiness is entirely normal; pregnancy causes a lot of hormonal shifts, never mind adjusting to the fact that your life will change forever with the birth of this baby.
Weight gain is pretty much a given, how much is enough and how much is too much? That depends on a lot of factors including how much you weighed when you got pregnant and how good your eating habits are. What is far more important than how much you gain is how good your eating habits are. Here is another good article on nutrition during pregnancy.



Regular moderate exercise is good for helping those mood swings. It won't cure them, but it will help to make them more bearable

Pregnancy : 9 Week

• Baby:
  The baby officially changes from being an embryo to a fetus this week. This is mostly due to the fact that his little embryonic tail has disappeared.
  Bones and cartilage are beginning to form.
  The umbilical cord and placenta are forming and growing.
  If touched from the outside of the uterus, the baby will respond by moving.
  The fingers have formed but are webbed.
  
  
• Mother:
  From this point on you should find yourself gaining weight regularly.
  If you are losing weight due to morning sickness, have a talk with your caregiver about it.
  Since all the mucus membranes tend to swell during pregnancy due to the higher levels of progesterone and estrogen, you may find yourself with a stuffy nose, middle ear fluid or even carpal tunnel problems. The good news is that the cervix is also benefiting from these softening and swelling effects.
  Due to hormonal changes your gums are becoming softer and thicker. You need to brush them regularly to avoid gum infections.
  If you were not pregnant, you would be having your second period this week. Some women have a small amount of bloody spotting, called break through spotting, at this time.

Pregnancy : 8 Week

Fetal Development:

An ultrasound done at this stage should show a fluttering heartbeat. Elbows begin to form in the arms and fingers start to develop. The leg buds begin to show feet with tiny notches for the toes. The face continues to change as the ears, eyes and the tip of the nose appear. The intestines start to form in the umbilical cord. Teeth develop under the gums.
Multiples: Your babies are developing at the same rate as singletons and each are about the length of two grains of rice.

Maternal Changes:

Your uterus is the size of an orange now, and you may find your waistline expanding. If this is your first pregnancy, you're probably not showing. If it's not your first, you may have a "pooch" already. You will tend to show earlier in subsequent pregnancies since your muscles and ligaments aren't so tight.

You may be feeling like a teenager if you find yourself with pimples and other skin problems. Don't fret ~ pregnancy causes an increase in oil secretions not to mention those rampant hormones! Your break-outs will go away either after the first trimester as your hormones level off or after delivery.

Multiples: Your breasts are probably very tender and swollen, and your tummy is probably starting to "pooch out," particularly if you've been pregnant before.

Ideas for Dad:
When mom goes to her first prenatal appointment, you'll be doing yourself a huge favor by making every effort to go with her. Be an involved parent NOW! Ask the doctor/midwife questions and share in this adventure. Take mom out for a nice meal afterwards to celebrate and talk about the appointment.

Inspirational Thoughts:
We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are. ~Anais Nin
Reading:
A Child Is Born by Lennart Nilsson, published by Delta, 2004 ~ gorgeous photos of your unborn baby.