The Truth About 14 Weeks Pregnant That You Will Find Useful

Finally you have entered into your second trimester. Now, you have your pregnancy 14 weeks old. You have now become used to your pregnancy. Your entrance into 14th week of your pregnancy will put an end to various old symptoms and you will face various new 14 weeks pregnant symptoms. Various old symptoms that at that time used to irritate are now almost vanished. Women generally get irritated with morning sickness. This comes to an end with the entrance into second trimester. Nausea and fatigue also start disappearing with this week. However, for various women, nausea and fatigue continue throughout their pregnancy.

Second trimester is often called as the honeymoon phase of your pregnancy. It is called as the most enjoyable time for the “would be” mothers as during this period they are going to enjoy most. You are now over with your initial symptoms of your pregnancy. Morning sickness, nausea and fatigue all are disappeared making you feel relaxed. Women at this stage look beautifully pregnant as they are not having their tummies at this stage. They can roam around freely and easily.

New pregnancy symptoms are now making up their way in your life. Water retention, backaches and gas pain are some of the symptoms from which you are now going to suffer. These symptoms are very common in this trimester and are caused due to the changes that are now accompanying your body.

Back pain is almost sure from which you are going to suffer. Approximately about 50% of the pregnant symptoms suffer from this symptom at some stage of their pregnancy. Back pain may accompany you any time. May be you are on bed, standing or sitting, back pain can occur any time. This is caused due to the overstraining of the muscles due to the increased weight in the uterus which then strains your back muscles. Wearing flat footwear along with proper posture can help you in preventing back pains.

Your baby has now grown to 3.4 inches and the approximate weight is about 1.5 ounces. As compared to the rest of the body of your baby, the head of the baby is still the heaviest part as compared to the rest of the body parts. Baby will be becoming more and more symmetrical with the going weeks. The features developed in the baby are becoming more and more defined. Ears and eyes would have attained the proper position by the end of this week.

You are required to take care of your baby and yourself by having proper checkups and taking medicines at the correct time.

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Answers to 33 Weeks Pregnant Questions

These should be the immediate last weeks before the mother to be heads off for delivery. Now, the neurons that are fully developed, in their billions, inside the baby’s brain can then lend a helping hand as he or she learns more about the environment inside the uterus, a process called in-utero. As the brain matures, so does it grow in size. The baby can now see to some extent, listen, and also feel; the eyes are able to detect the presence of light, with the pupils dilating and constricting as a reflex reaction to the said light. At 33 weeks pregnant, the baby will be sleeping most of the time, and can also have the experience of rapid eye movement (REM) stage, which is exactly the same as what everyone goes through, the stage when one’s dreams are most vivid.

The lungs of the baby are almost at full maturity, while more fat is still getting evenly distributed all over their body, to guard them against cold, while at the same time protecting them from the amniotic fluid friction. These last weeks are the ones in which the baby is bound to gain most of their weight. The amniotic fluid inside the womb is at its highest level at this time. The skin of the baby starts to change colour from red to pink.

Being 33 weeks pregnant means that the mother roughly has less than 2 months to go before labor sets in and delivery comes. She should find out about the most commonly used pain relievers in terms of techniques. They come in different varieties including breathing techniques during labor, and are most likely to be found at classes that teach Lamaze or injections for medication to relieve pain. An epidural, which is a process whereby a doctor gives the mother to be an anesthetic through a catheter which is inserted into the mother’s lower back, and which is not only thin but also soft in texture, can also be useful when it comes to relieving pain.

When all is said and done, the ultimate decision and choice lies with the mother, although being armed with the correct information can help her make an informed decision. It is advisable to talk to the doctor about the most suitable regimen to go for.

By 33 weeks pregnant, the mother to be could have gained in excess of 28 pounds in weight, as this is the time that they gain the weight fastest. This is in part attributed to the fast rate at which the baby in the womb is growing, as the baby will also be gaining about 5 to 9 ounces each and every week. This is the time that most mothers exhibit excitement, just at the thought of the baby on the way. It is always a good idea for a 33 weeks pregnant mother to think of pre-registering at the hospital. This is in order to prepare herself, as the baby can now come any time.

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So You’re 36 Weeks Pregnant?

You’re getting close to the end and the arrival of your precious bundle when you’re 36 weeks pregnant. If you go right to the end you only have four or five weeks left, but it is likely that you doctor has told you that you could go into labor at any time. You might be feeling a bit overwhelmed at this point and finding it hard to get comfortable when you lie down. You might also be anxious that you don’t have enough things bought for the baby or that the nursery is not exactly in shape.

It is at this time that you start to get a nesting feeling. You want everything to be clean when the baby arrives so you may find yourself cleaning the house or apartment more. This is one way of keeping busy and active. Your belly is very big at this stage, making it difficult for you to sit in a chair or to get up when you want to stand. You probably can’t see your feet when you look down once you are in a standing position. At the same time, you will probably be a bit uncomfortable due to the itchiness of the stretch marks on your abdomen. The best thing to do about this is to apply lots of lotion on your stomach to help relieve the itchy feeling.

The baby probably weighs about 6 pounds by now and is about 13 inches long. At this time, the baby will start to move down into the birthing position. You may notice, or someone may tell you, that your stomach ahs dropped. This is one of the signs tat the birth is very close. You may feel the dropping or you may feel nothing at all. It is also called lightening and once this happens you will feel more comfortable because there will be less pressure on your lungs and ribs. You may also feel urges to eat more and at unusual times.

Other changes that will start to occur at 36 weeks include changes to your bladder. You may have to urinate a lot more often and may not be able to hold the water as you once could. This is because the baby in the lower position is now pressing against the bladder. You can try to cut down on the amount of fluids you drink and lean forward as you urinate to ensure that you do empty the bladder completely. 

Some of the other changes could include:

* Constipation

* Hemorrhoids

* Backache

* Pain in the buttocks

* An increased feeling of heaviness

By now, there is no danger to the baby if he/she were to be born at this stage. All the organs have developed and the baby would be able to breathe outside the uterus. Baby fat is developing on the arms and legs and there are dimples on the cheeks, knees and elbows. The sucking movements have developed so that the baby will suck the milk as soon as it is born. The gums have also hardened and the brain is rapidly developing. The baby is also blinking its eyes at this stage.

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You and Your Baby at 31 Weeks Pregnant

When you are 31 weeks pregnant, you are into your last trimester of the pregnancy. While your body has already undergone tremendous changes, there are still changes yet to come. At this time you are starting to get impatient waiting for the baby to arrive. You may also experience moments of anxiety wondering about the baby ?if it is going to be healthy, if you have everything you need for the baby arrival and if you are going to be a good mother. These are normal emotions and thoughts that all expectant mothers have, so you shouldn be concerned. You may also start feeling apprehensive about the impending labour and birth.

During this time your baby needs more oxygen as the lungs are starting to develop and the baby is starting to breathe on its own. This means you need more iron from your food. Your diet should include a lot of dark green, leafy vegetables, dried fruits and nuts and lean, red meat. Drinking lots of water is also essential so that your organs have the fluids they need to function properly. When you drink at least eight glasses of water each day it will help to decrease the amount of fluid you retain. This is especially important if you notice that your hands and feet are swelling. The water will help to build new cells in your body and in the baby and improve the blood flow.

Because your belly is expanding, you may be feeling uncomfortable when you lie down at night or just to take a nap during the day. If you have a body pillow that you can wrap yourself around, this tends to reduce your discomfort. Don drink a lot of fluids just before bedtime because this will cause you to have to go to the bathroom several times during the night. You should also avoid caffeinated drinks that may keep you awake or cause you to have heartburn.

Your baby is starting to grow rapidly at this time and the internal organs are really starting to develop. You will experience more and more kicks and a lot of movement. At this time of the pregnancy, the baby usually weighs a little over three pounds and measures about fourteen inches long.

If you were to have a 3D ultrasound at this time, you would really be able to see the facial features of the baby and see it kicking its legs. The baby will likely be sucking its thumb. If you want to know whether you are having a boy or girl, this is the time when you can really see the sex organs on an ultrasound and know without a doubt the preparations you need to make for the clothing and the nursery.

It is important for you to get lots of rest and stay off your feet whenever possible. Morning sickness has passed and you have a renewed interest in going out with friends. However, you still have to watch what you eat so that you don have indigestion problems. The growing baby is putting more pressure on your kidneys and growing back. This means you may have backache and still have to make frequent trips to the bathroom.

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34 Weeks Pregnant the Countdown is on

Now that you are 34 weeks pregnant you have a little over a month until the baby arrives. No doubt you are making lists of things you still need to buy and you probably have the nursery complete. You could have the baby at any time after the next few weeks, but there is nothing to worry about. Babies born after 36 weeks are considered full term and do not have any health problems. The lungs are fully developed by this time and the baby will not have any problem breathing on its own.

During this time, you may start to feel tingling sensations in your pelvic area. This is from the pressure of the baby on the pelvis as it starts to move into the birthing position. The head is down at this time and you may have feelings of pressure in the lower region of your stomach. You should be familiar with the admission procedures at the hospital and perhaps arrange a tour to see what to expect when you are admitted. It is time to have your suitcase packed to bring with you to the hospital. Even though the event may be weeks away, it is best to be prepared so that you don forget any essential items that you will need. This is true if you notice that the baby has dropped, which means that your belly is lower than it once was. You probably won notice the dropping, but some mothers do feel a sinking sensation in their stomach when the uterus does drop. You will find, though, that with the baby resting lower, you can breathe much easier.

Turning over when you are in bed may be very difficult because your belly is large at this point in your pregnancy. One solution is to wear satin pyjamas or nightgowns in bed so that you can easily slide from one position to another. Restless leg syndrome is another aspect of discomfort that expectant mothers encounter at this stage when they are trying to sleep. This is the sensation of a tingly or crawling feeling in your legs that gives you the feeling that you have to keep moving your legs in order to get comfortable. It could be caused by dehydration, which is why it is important for you to maintain the fluid levels in your body by drinking 8 glasses of water a day.

At this stage, the baby weighs about 5 pounds and is about 18 inches long. Many mothers start talking to their babies at this time, if they haven done so before. It is something that you should do so that the baby will get used to the sound of your voice. Reading stories to the baby is encouraged as is playing music to calm and relax the baby. The music will also help to calm you as well. Another way you can relax at this time is to have a perineal massage, which is a massage of the vaginal area that helps to prepare your body for labour and birth.

How to Get More Comfortable at 25 Weeks Pregnant

By the time you are 25 weeks pregnant, you find it uncomfortable to lie down or to move around in bed at night. If you are starting to find it difficult to turn over, why not start wearing satin pyjamas so that you can just slide around? The baby is growing and since it is resting high in your stomach, it seems as if the baby is right under your ribs. You may find it increasingly difficult to take a deep breath. The baby is starting to take breaths even though it doesn have any air in its lungs yet because they are not fully developed.

The baby can also move its head from side to side, as well as kick, which you know by now. It will respond to light, if you shine a light directly on your stomach by turning its head toward the light. This is because the optic nerves are developed by the 25th week.

You may feel as if you are a balloon with swollen hands and feet. In addition, your belly has expanded so that your clothes no longer come anywhere near fitting you. You will also notice that you need to buy a larger size bra to accommodate your growing breasts that are starting to fill with milk. Leg cramps at night that are more painful than normal are also quite common and usually start in this week. This usually refers to a calcium deficiency and you can alleviate the discomfort by making sure you drink enough milk. Expectant mothers that are lactose intolerant or have an allergy to dairy products can still get their daily allotment in other ways, such as eating ice cream, fish, broccoli, almonds and tofu. Broccoli is also a great source of folate, but it will cause you to have more gas than usual. Soaking in a warm bath and having your legs massaged can also help you feel more comfortable.

It is when you visit your doctor during this week or shortly after that you will have to undergo a test for glucose screening. You will have to drink a very sweet drink but it is easier to drink if it is chilled. Then you will have a blood test to see how well your body handles the surge of sugar you obtained with this drink.

Since the baby is now able to move its arms and legs freely, you may feel more movement than usual. This is normal and does not mean that there is anything wrong with your little one. The arms are legs have also grown to almost the length that they will be when the baby is born. You can enhance the movements by playing music that will make the amniotic fluid move and this the baby will move with the fluid.

By now you will spend a lot of time trying to decide on a name for the baby. There are many books and magazines as well as sites online where you can get suggestions for names.

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Your Time is Almost Up When You?re 37 Weeks Pregnant

Your doctor has probably informed you that you can go into labour at any time once you are 37 weeks pregnant. A baby born at this stage of the pregnancy is considered to be full term. The baby is fully developed and is positioned in the birth canal. You may not notice as much movement as in previous weeks but you will be feeling quite uncomfortable because of your large size. You will also have to visit the bathroom quite frequently because of the pressure on your bladder. If you are in your 37th week during the hot summer, you may be feeling quite uncomfortable and need a fan blowing on you for most of the time.

When you visit the doctor, you will have an internal exam to determine how far down the baby head is. This will give the doctor a pretty good idea of how much time you have left before you deliver. The doctor or midwife will check for three main things ?if you are dilated and by how much, and how soft and thin your cervix is. This exam doesn hurt although you may find it a bit uncomfortable.

It is quite normal to experience some spotting at this stage. The mucous discharge will probably be brownish in colour and is nothing to be alarmed about. If you do notice any bleeding or bright red discharge though, you should contact your doctor immediately. The discharge may actually be gooey as the cervix gets ready to dislodge the plug in the tip of the cervix.

One of the main symptoms that you are soon going to deliver the baby is the nesting urges that you start to get during this week. Although you may dismiss this as an old wives?tale it is true. You will have the urge to clean and cook more than usual as you prepare for the new baby. You should spend this time making sure you have a good stock of diapers or pampers on hand and that you have ample blankets and clothing for the baby. Even if you have loads of energy, it is important for you to get your rest, although you may find it very uncomfortable to lie down. Try putting your feet up on a footstool when you sit in a sofa chair to make yourself more comfortable.

Your breasts will feel more sensitive than usual because they are now filled with milk. In fact, you may have to wear small pads inside your bra to keep the milk from leaking out through your clothing. Make a list of everything you need to bring to the hospital with you and check to see if you have what you need packed in your suitcase. You should have this ready close to the door so that you won have to go looking for it when you do go into labour. You should also have the phone numbers of your doctor and the hospital close to the phone so that your partner can easily find them.

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Your Belly Has Grown by the Time You are 25 Weeks Pregnant

By the time you are 25 weeks pregnant, you feel as if you are carrying around a soccer ball all the time. There is more to come and you will get bigger. One of the common experiences of women in the 25th week is leg cramps. These can be extremely painful and wake you from your sleep. Most of the time the cause is that you are not getting enough calcium in your diet, which is why you do have to ensure that you drink plenty of milk. if you are lactose intolerant, almonds, broccoli and fish are good sources of calcium that you should include in your diet. Soaking your legs in warm water and having leg massages really helps you avoid this pain.

You can find out whether you are having a boy or girl by the 25th week either through an ultrasound or a test called an amniocentisis. This test involves inserting a needle into the uterus to draw off some amniotic fluid and is also helpful in determining the health of the baby.  It is only done in cases where there may be complications in the pregnancy and an ultrasound is the normal route of determining the gender of the baby.

The baby at this point is about 13 inches long, which accounts for you feeling that you have a swollen belly. It doesn’t weigh a lot though usually less than 2 pounds. The babys skin, while still looking somewhat wrinkled, is starting to fill out with baby fat. If you have a 3D ultrasound done at this point, you may be able to see the color of the babys hair and eyes. The color usually changes, though, after the baby is born.

The babys arms and legs are about the same length they will be at birth in the 25th week. He/She can also breathe through the nose. The structures of the ligaments, bones and tissues are in place in the spine and the capillaries are forming in the circulatory system. This is what gives the baby a pinkish glow at this stage. The blood vessels are also starting to take shape in the lungs, which haven’tyet developed to allow the baby to breathe on its own.

Since the baby is able to hear, and has been able to do so for some weeks, you can read and talk to the baby. Entertaining it with music is a good idea as well, which you will notice in the increase of movement when you play music.

Even though you are taking folic acid supplements as recommended by your health care provider, you can increase the amount in your body through the foods you eat.  Broccoli is an excellent source of this mineral as well as calcium, but it will produce a large amount of gas in your digestive system. Maybe you might want to keep this food for eating at home when there are no guests around when your body makes embarrassing sounds.

Know What to Expect at 32 Weeks Pregnant

If this is your first pregnancy, you are probably wondering what you can expect to feel like when you are 32 weeks pregnant. The baby has been kicking quite a bit lately and your belly has become larger. If you were to see your baby on an ultrasound at this stage, you will see that it is able to suck its thumb. Your visits to the doctor office will change from this week onwards. Up until now, your doctor wished to see you once a month, but after this visit you will have a two-week schedule for your visits. If you have any questions, you should start writing them down and bring them with you when you do see the doctor so that you can get as much information as possible.

When you lie down, you will be able to see the imprint of a tiny foot moving across your belly and you will actually feel the baby turning over. This is an exciting time in your pregnancy because the baby starts to become a real person. When you are asleep, you may be awakened suddenly by a sharp kick or movements ?quite often just under your ribs. The baby will start to have hiccups in the 32nd week, which you will feel as short jerky movements inside you. You can alleviate the discomfort that this causes by moving around or drinking a glass of water.

The baby will start to turn in the uterus so that its head is down towards the birth canal. It won start moving downwards just yet, but it will start getting in the right position for delivery. Since the baby is starting to put on a lot of weight, you will notice weight gain as well ?often as much as a pound or two per week. Within the next two months, the baby will double its current weight.

In the 32nd week, the baby is able to blink its eyes, look around, pee and use its hands to making grabbing motions. There may or may not be hair. According to old wives?tales, if you have experienced a lot of heartburn during your pregnancy, the baby will have lots of hair when it is born. The baby usually weighs about four pounds by this week and measures about 17 or 18 inches in length.

As the baby grows, you will have increased aches and pains in your stomach and lower back. This is due to the pressure the baby places on your kidneys and your muscles. The ligaments in your stomach, hips and buttocks are still stretching, which accounts for the pulling and stretching pains you feel in these areas. You may also experience slight contractions as the baby starts to move downward, but they are mild and do not last very long.

This is the time when you should start finalizing your plans for the baby arrival ?completing the nursery and starting to stock up on diapers, blankets, undershirts and sleepers.

What to Expect at 26 Weeks Pregnant

When you are 26 weeks pregnant, you are in the second trimester of the pregnancy and almost at the third trimester stage. By this time, you are noticeably pregnant and your normal clothes no longer fit properly. Your stomach is starting to protrude and you may even be having slight contractions in your uterus. These contractions are called Braxton-Hicks contractions, sometimes referred to as false labor, but you are nowhere near going into labor yet. You probably don’t even notice the contractions unless you are sitting or lying down and are feeling relaxed.

Some of the other sensations that accompany this stage of the pregnancy include:

* Heartburn when you eat certain foods or you eat late at night

* Weight gain

* Cramps as your muscles start to stretch

You will likely feel an uncomfortable sensation under your ribs or you may have some pain. This is because at this stage the uterus is about 2.5 inches above your belly button.

You will be seeing your doctor on a regular basis every month. At this time, you may have to have an anti-tetanus shot or another vaccine. The doctor may also request another ultrasound just to see how the baby is progressing. You will also need to have blood tests to determine whether you have prenatal diabetes or to determine if there are any detectable genetic defects in the baby.

You will need to start relaxing more at 26 weeks. You can still engage in light workouts and you should continue to take walks on a regular basis. These activities will help prepare your body for labor and birth.

At 26 weeks into the pregnancy, the baby is about 9 or 10 inches long from the top of the head to the rump. It doesn’t include the length of the legs. At this stage the baby weighs about 2 pounds. Although the eyelids have been developed prior to this, it is now that the baby will start to open and shut the eyes. All babies have blue eyes when they are in the womb and will change when the baby is born. The baby may look skinny, but from now on it will start putting on layers of fat.

It is at 26 weeks that the fetus starts to look like a baby. The heart is completely developed and is pumping blood throughout the body and the baby starts to make breathing movements. The lungs have not fully developed yet, but they are well along in the process. The umbilical cord starts to thicken as it fills with the nutrients the growing baby needs from now on. Fingernails and toenails are evident by this time and if the baby is a boy, the testicles will start to move down.

By this stage of the pregnancy, you may feel bloated on times due to water retention. You may even start to notice stretch marks across your abdomen. There are very good creams on the market that will help with this by making the skin soft and supple as the stomach gradually expands.