Third Trimester

 

Checklist:

- See your practitioner regularly: usually about once a month through week 28; every two weeks until 34 weeks; and once a week thereafter.

- Buy baby clothing.

- Shop for the nursery (crib, bassinet, diaper pail, changing table, baby tub, and linens).

- Load up on diapers or check into diaper service.

- Purchase outing equipment (stroller, carriage, car seat, baby carrier, and diaper bag).

- Stock up on feeding supplies (cloth burp pads, breast pump, bottles and nipples).

- Prepare a medicine chest for the baby, including diapering accessories, baby acetaminophen and other supplies.

- Create a phone list of people who have volunteered to help you when your labor begins and after the birth.

- Get as much rest as you can. Try to nap at least 15 minutes a day.

- Let yourself be emotional -- it's normal and natural.

- Try to stay hydrated and energized by drinking plenty of water, cool drinks and freezer pops.

- Discuss with your partner your upcoming labor (fears and concerns, pain management and C-section) so you feel comfortable with birth options.

- Pick out an announcement-card style, and prepare your list of recipients.

- Discuss the details of labor and birth with your practitioner, including potential complications, such as induced labor and C-section.

- Pack a bag for the hospital (socks or slippers, hairbrush, hair clips, bathrobe and toiletries).

- Take a break from baby stress to pamper yourself. Or better yet, have someone else pamper you. Get a massage, manicure, or go shopping.

- Breastfeeding or formula? At least initially, consider breastfeeding. Both you and your baby will benefit immensely.

- Familiarize yourself with the details of the hospital or birth center: how to get there, where to park, what entrance to use. Also, pre-register and get a head start on some of the paperwork.

- Discuss with your partner how you feel about circumcision.

- Make time to dine out, go to the movies and enjoy this time before your little one arrives.

 Seventh Month: 

Your Baby

Fetus can open and close its eyes, suck its thumb and cry.
Exercises by kicking and stretching.
Fetus responds to light and sound.
If born now, fetus has a good chance for survival.
Fetus is now about 15 inches long and weighs about 3 pounds.

Your Body

If your ankles and feet swell from standing, lie down with your feet raised. If swelling lasts longer than 24 hours, or if hands and face swell suddenly, call your health care provider.
Stretch marks may appear on the abdomen and breasts as they get bigger.
You may feel false labor contractions, also called Braxton Hicks. This is normal but call your health care provider if you have more than 5 contractions in one hour.
As your belly gets bigger, you may lose your sense of balance. This makes it easier to fall. Be careful!

Prenatal Care Guide

Visit your doctor or health care provider for one prenatal care checkup.
Continue to eat a variety of foods that are good for you. You should gain 1 pound a week this month.
Get plenty of rest -- your body is working hard.
Start childbirth education classes soon.
Most health care providers do a blood test for maternal diabetes at 28 to 30 weeks.
By the end of the 7th month, the fetus is about 15 inches long and weighs about 3 pounds.

Eighth Month: 

Your Baby

Rapid brain growth continues.
Fetus is too big to move around much but can kick strongly and roll around.
You may notice the shape of an elbow or heel through your abdomen.
Bones of the head are soft and flexible to make it easier for baby to fit through the birth canal.
Lungs may still be immature. If born around 37 weeks, fetus is premature but has an excellent chance for survival.
Fetus is now about 18 inches long and weighs about 5 pounds.

Your Body

Stronger contractions may be felt this month.
You may have some leakage of colostrum (the fluid that will feed Your Baby until your milk comes in) from your breasts as they begin to produce milk.
May have trouble sleeping because it is hard to get comfortable. Try putting several pillows under your head.
May develop shortness of breath as baby crowds your lungs.
Baby may crowd your stomach. Try eating 5 or 6 smaller meals during the day.
Top of your uterus lies just under your rib cage.

Prenatal Care Guide

After the 32nd week, visit your health care provider every 2 weeks for prenatal care checkups.
You should gain 1 pound a week this month.
Call your health care provider right away if you have:
* Bleeding or a gush of fluid from your vagina.
* Cramps, stomach pains or a dull backache.
* Blurry vision, or spots before your eyes.
* A feeling that the baby is pushing down.
* A noticeable decrease in the baby's movements.
* More than 5 contractions in one hour.
By the end of the 8th month, the fetus is about 18 inches long and weighs about 5 pounds.

Ninth Month:

Your Baby

At 38-40 weeks, Your Baby is "full term."
Baby's lungs are mature and ready to function on their own.
During this month, baby gains about 1/2 pound a week.
Baby usually "drops" into a head-down position and rests lower in the mother's abdomen.
By end of 9th month, baby weighs 6-9 pounds and is 19-21 inches long.

Your Body

Your bellybutton may stick out.
Your breathing should be easier once the baby "drops" but you'll have to urinate more often because baby is pressing on your bladder.
Swelling of ankles and feet may increase.
Your cervix will open up (dilate) and thin out (efface) as it prepares for birth.
You may be very uncomfortable because of the pressure and weight of the fetus. Be sure to rest often.

 

Prenatal Care Guide

After the 36th week, visit your health care provider once a week for prenatal care checkups.
You may not gain any weight at all this month, or even lose 1 or 2 pounds. You may have gained 8-10 pounds during the last three months.
Decide whether you are going to breastfeed or bottle feed your baby.
Time your contractions. You are in labor if your contractions:
* Are regular or evenly spaced apart (every 10 minutes, for example).
* Happen more than 5 times an hour.
* Last for 30 to 70 seconds.
* Get worse as you move around.
Call your health care provider if you think you are in labor.
By the end of the 9th month, the baby weighs 6 to 9 pounds and is 19 to 21 inches long.
 

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