Week 28 of Pregnancy
By this week your baby weighs around 2.25 pounds, and measures 14.8 inches from the top of their head to the tip of their toes. Your baby is blinking, dreaming, and adding more fat in preparation for life in the real world.
You are now in the home stretch. The third and final trimester starts this week! If you are like most women you will gain around 11 pounds this trimester. At this point you will begin to visit your doctor or midwife more frequently, possibly every two weeks (this also depends on your risk factors as women with higher risk factors go more often).
Week 29 of Pregnancy
Your baby's muscles and lungs are continuing to mature and grow, and their head is growing bigger as well to make room for their growing brain! To meet your baby's nutritional needs you will need plenty of protein, vitamin C and folic acid, and iron. Also, about 250 miligrams of calcium are being deposited into your baby's hardening skeleton each day so be sure to have your milk (or other calcium rich foods such as cheese, yogurt, almonds, or green leafy veggies.)
You may have heartburn and or constipation more often now. Be sure to eat enough fiber, drink plenty of water and get regular exercise, this will help with the constipation as well as any fatigue you may be experiencing. Your growing uterus may also contribute to hemorrhoids. These are swollen blood vessels in your rectal area and are very common during pregnancy. These usually clear up in the weeks following the birth. Avoid sitting or standing for a long period of time and if they become painful try a sitz bath or applying cold compresses to the area.
Week 30 of Pregnancy
Your baby's brain is getting smarter by the minute, and their eyesight continues to develop even though it is only 20/400 at birth, which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.) You may be feeling a little tired these days, especially if you're having trouble sleeping. You might also feel clumsier than normal, which is perfectly understandable. Not only are you heavier, but the concentration of weight in your pregnant belly causes a shift in your center of gravity.
Week 31 of Pregnancy
As your baby's senses increase, his mommy's breathing room decreases. Weighing in at a little over 3 pounds and measuring 18 inches long, your baby is quickly approaching their birth length - your little one still has up to 5 pounds to gain before labor day! Your little genius is now processing information, tracking light, and perceiving signals from all five senses.
Chances are your diaphragm is feeling a little cramped these days. Okay, a lot cramped. That's because your uterus is pushing up against it (and all the other organs in there), crowding your lungs and making it more difficult for them to expand fully. The result: Your body is spare on air and will be until your baby drops near the end of pregnancy in preparation for birth. But don't worry: Your baby is as happy as a clam because he's getting his oxygen from the placenta. Try to find a comfortable position that makes breathing nice and relaxing and get there at least once a day for some R & R.
This website provides information of a general nature and is designed for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your own health or the health of your child, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional.
