Fetal Development:34 weeks

Fetal development in pregnancy week 34:

Your amazing baby is on the move! They’ve been riding fairly high in your stretched-out womb till now (while kindly compressing your poor internal organs), but now they’re planning on making the big move to your pelvis this week. If you haven’t noticed it already, you’ll be feeling the weight shift that signals that your baby is most likely out of breech position, with their head now resting on your pubic bone. In liver news: although not quite fully formed, your little miracle’s liver is now capable of processing a certain amount of waste. In general, most of your child’s prenatal physical development is pretty much up to snuff and ready for the outside world. Naturally, further weight gain is expected—so you’re still not at maximum capacity despite probably feeling like you definitely are maxed out.

And how's mom doing?
Obviously the big change for you is the notable weight shift (known as “lightening” or “engagement”). Now that your baby is resting deeper in your pelvis, you may find yourself walking as if you're carrying a watermelon between your legs. Yes dear, you’re officially “waddling” these days. Try to comfort Now that your baby is resting deeper in your pelvis, you may find yourself walking as if you're carrying a watermelon between your legs yourself with this thought: it’s nearly over. Soon, you’ll just have to carry your adorable little watermelon in your arms. And in a rare spate of good news: this weight shift means you can breathe easier now that your lungs aren’t compressed. The not-so-good news, it’s a trade off: (we’ll wait till you’re back from the restroom) this new position has your poor bladder even more squished than before. We’d recommend writing your bladder little love poems to convince it not to leave you altogether, but unfortunately bladders don’t speak English (only Italian love poems will do).

If you've recently noticed some less-than-appealing itchy red bumps on your belly (and possibly around your thighs and belly), you've got yourself a harmless but not fun round of pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP if your don't have the patience for the full name). If you feel itchy ALL over your body, that's different, and you should call your health care practitioner as this could be a liver problem.

At your next check up you can expect your physician to conduct a Group B Streptococci test (GBS), a common bacteria screening. As long as you have a strong immune system, you’re in the clear (one more reason to eat right and exercise!), but your little one is more susceptible to serious health complications (including meningitis, pneumonia and blood infection) if not diagnosed and treated properly—so the tests are good for some peace of mind. Hang in there momma, you’re already a super-star for making it this far!

http://pregnancy.baby-gaga.com/calendar

Baby

Besides looking like a newborn at 34 weeks of pregnancy, your baby is acting like a newborn as well. Her eyes open when she’s awake and close when she is sleeping. Her sleeping cycles are the same now as they will be when she is born. She has learned to blink and can see better when a bright light is shined on your stomach. She recognizes voice and sound patterns from the outside world and is most comforted by the sound of your voice.

She weighs about 4 ¾ pounds now and is about 18 inches long. Her fingernails have reached the end of her fingertips at week 34 of pregnancy and she may even scratch her face before she is born. Her fat layers are growing every week to fill up that wrinkly skin and she may have already turned into the head down position for labor.

Your baby’s central nervous system is still maturing, and her lungs are almost fully ready to breathe air. If your baby is born this week, she has a 99% chance of survival outside of the womb, pretty darn good odds.

Mom

The last few weeks can be uncomfortable and tiring. The weight of your baby and your body may start to leave you feeling fatigued at week 34 of pregnancy. Be sure to rest up and save some energy for the big day. In the next couple of weeks, you will most likely be tested for Group B streptococcus (GBS). GBS is a type of bacteria that some pregnant women carry in their vaginal or rectal areas. This bacteria is harmless to you, but can be transmitted to your baby during childbirth and cause some complications like meningitis, bacterial blood infections, and pneumonia. If you test positive for GBS, your doctor can prevent many of these complications by administering an antibiotic to you through IV during labor.

As you get closer to your labor day, have you thought about how this baby will affect your relationship? If this is your first baby, a new member to the family can be exciting, but overwhelming. If you are married or living with your partner, having that first baby can strengthen your relationship greatly. On the other hand, if you have already had some differences, a baby can add even more stress. The key to a great relationship with your partner is good communication.

What often happens with first babies is that one parent is more ready and willing to quickly transition their lifestyle than the other. Add to that the stress of decreased sex, little sleep, and a high maintenance baby that takes all of your energy and focus. It’s no wonder that relationships can be a bit strained that first year.

Be proactive and make a commitment to your partner. Commit to weekly or at least monthly dates with just the two of you, no baby. If you are low on cash, a picnic or a hike will do fine. OR take baby to a babysitter and cook yourselves a romantic dinner.

When conflicts arise, talk them out before resentments show. Try and get your partner involved with the baby as much as possible. If you are nursing, let dad bathe the baby. Anyway you can get him to bond to baby will help him bond with the family lifestyle. Remember that bonding is harder for dad at first; he didn’t carry your child for nine months, he’s not able to nurse, and babies naturally bond to mom first.

Encourage your partner’s dad skills by encouraging him to participate more. While your baby’s first year can be a challenge, with hard work and dedication, you will discover more love than you have ever known, from your partner and your child.

http://smartmomma.com/pregnancy/

Week 34 Pregnancy Symptoms

Flatulence: As your third trimester progresses, you may be getting gassier. Anxiety just makes those gassy feelings worse — you tend to swallow more air when you’re stressed — so try this tension tamer: Breathe deeply through your nose and out through your mouth for a minute or two each day.

Constipation: Need to rev up those slow-moving bowels? Rough up your diet with some dried fruits, fruits and veggies, and whole grains. One thing you don’t want to do — take laxatives (even herbal ones). Get your practitioner on board before taking any medicine for constipation.

Increased vaginal discharge: As your pregnancy progresses, you could see an increase in vaginal discharge. Blame pregnancy hormones (especially estrogen) for this symptom — they increase blood flow to the pelvic area and stimulate the mucous membranes (making your juices flow). Wearing undies with a cotton crotch can keep you drier (and that can curb odors).

Hemorrhoids: Constipation’s almost constant sidekick? Hemorrhoids. These pesky piles can be kept to a minimum by doing Kegels, which can improve circulation to the area.

Backaches: Your shifting center of gravity from back to belly puts more pressure and (ouch!) pain on your lower back. There are many solutions to cure your aching back, so if one doesn’t work, another most certainly will. One to try: Take a break and stretch, stand, or walk. Sitting too long can make your back hurt even more.

Leg cramps: Leg cramps are most common around now, when the three main culprits — pregnancy weight, swelling, and fatigue — are at their peak. If you feel a spasm, try standing on a cold surface (that can sometimes stop one).

Stretch marks: If you’re fair-haired and have a genetic predisposition toward stretch marks, you’re more likely to get them than someone who’s darker-haired (or skinned). But no matter what your skin or hair color, you can try to keep these classic marks of maternity to a minimum by keeping your weight gain slow and steady.

Mild swelling of ankles and feet: As you get bigger and your body tissues accumulate and retain fluids, you may experience swelling in your ankles, feet, and fingers. Slipping into comfy slippers at the end of the workday can help soothe your swollen tootsies.

Hair changes: You knew your hair would grow faster and more lustrous while you were pregnant, but you probably didn’t expect it to grow in places you weren’t expecting — like your cheeks, chin, and back. Waxing is safe during pregnancy; but since skin is extra-sensitive now, ask for a formula for sensitive skin.

Shortness of breath: As your pregnant belly gets bigger, your lungs won’t be able to expand as fully, so you may feel winded, even after a trip to the bathroom. Sleeping propped on your left side can help at night, and just take it easy.

Difficulty sleeping: If you’re not worrying about your impending D-day, then leg cramps and trips to bathroom are banishing any chance of shut-eye. Try lulling yourself to sleep with a warm bath and a cup of warm milk and read a book or listen to music instead of surfing the net or watching TV (those activities can keep you up).

Leaking colostrum: As your due date approaches and the third trimester wears on, your breasts may leak colostrum — yellowish pre-milk that will be your baby’s first drink. You won’t be leaking more than a few drops, but if you feel uncomfortable, try nursing pads.

http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/week-by-week/

Fetal Development:33 weeks

Fetal Development:

• The baby is now 4.4 pounds (2 kg) and around 17.5 inches (44cm) in length.
• The diameter of the head is about 8.5cm.
• The baby fuzz, lanugo, is disappearing.
• Your baby drinks about a pint of amniotic fluid a day.
• You may gain a pound a week (500g) for the rest of your pregnancy.
• Half of your weight gain will go directly to your baby.

The baby is using it's lungs to practice breathing by inhaling amniotic fluid. Your baby is drinking about a pint of amniotic fluid a day now and urinating the same amount. The early baby fuzz, lanugo, is disappearing now and being replaced by actual hair. The nails of your baby are now long enough to reach to the tip of the fingers or beyond and may need trimming as soon as they are born. They may scratch their face even before birth.

You may gain a pound a week for the rest of your pregnancy. Do not stop eating or start skipping meals as your weight increases. Both you and your baby need the calories and nutrition you receive from a healthy diet. Calcium intake is extremely important during pregnancy because the baby will draw calcium from the mother to make and harden bone. This can greatly weaken her own bones and teeth because the developing fetus will take minerals from the mother's skeletal structure as needed.

http://www.baby2see.com/development

Fetal development in pregnancy week 33:

For all the weight and bulk you’re lugging around these days, you’d think your little champ should weigh much more than a mere 5 lbs and measly 17 inches in height, but nope, that’s about the average size for a baby in its thirty-third week. In terms of appearances, they’re getting cuter and pudgier every minute as they pile on the baby fat for those adorable little wrist rolls and chubby toes. And as we’re sure you’ve already noticed they’re getting stronger with every passing day. Nowadays, it’s possible to observe a well-placed kick just by watching your belly—but you already knew that didn’t you? Although they’re getting stronger, your bigger-by-the-day baby is losing space to move around, so the actual rate of movement will drop off in the last few weeks, despite that powerful drop-kick they’ve been working on. Hey, did you know you’ll continue feeling their movements even during labor?


And how's mom doing?
Here’s a good way to deal with your mounting impatience: map out your plan of action for the big day. It’s an important and necessary step that’s also pretty soothing and fun. So, get out a piece of paper and pen. If you think about it, planning all the details now can be a real saving grace once Massaging the perineum (the area around the vagina) can reduce your chance of it tearing during delivery the chaos and pain of labor starts up. This would include having a packed bag with a change of comfortable clothes, reading material, maybe an i-pod and your camera or camcorder (whichever you decide, if any at all). Know your driving route to the health center. Or if you’re delivering at home, make sure you have the delivery room prepared (equipped with your most favorite soothing music), and all necessary instruments and materials ready for use. Of course, get your doctor or midwife on speed-dial. Massaging the perineum (the area around the vagina) can reduce your chance of it tearing during delivery and there’s no time like the present to start. Be on your toes (not literally, just mentally) as it's now totally conceivable you might have to spring into action any day! Then again, it might still be another seven weeks.

http://pregnancy.baby-gaga.com/calendar/week33

Fetal Development: 32 weeks

Nowadays I can hear almost all sounds and noises outside my mom's belly..
I can feel the rays of sunlight when mum goes to her balcony and stands there ..she does not no how much I love that time..its so dark in here :(
I want to come out fast..i really do not like to stay all these ten months waiting and contemplating about different things..

Even when my pappa calls me from outside and touches me I feel so exited and want to come out at the very moment itself and play with him..he also gets same excited when he sees my head bulging out from my mom's belly..he acts like a child! and continues to speak to me in gibberish..so silly..hee hee!

I have gained alot of weight in the past few days..and gradually mom is becoming a little relaxed by this. Actuallu due to the fact of diabetes and diet etc she was not gaining weight to that extent in the past few weeks. My grand mom was worried herself and tried to convey her anxiety to mom..now she is also happy..
Grand mom ..wait ..still a lot of weight gain is still pending on my side..

Your Baby - 32 Weeks Pregnant

Pregnancy Week 32 Your baby sleeps approximately 90 to 95 percent of the day now. His skin has become thicker and he continues to become more of a pinkish color. Your baby's movements will peak this week. From now on they will change in quantity and quality. Most of the wrinkles are disappearing from your baby's face, and there may be a lot of hair on his head. The weight gain has been fairly incredible
recently. Your baby is now almost 4 pounds and is 17 inches long.

Your Body

Pregnancy Week 32 The discomforts of pregnancy may be wearing you down. Remember to rest as much as you can. There are many things you can do to help relieve some of these discomforts such as massage, relaxation techniques, stretching, exercise, proper posture and a healthy, balanced diet. Be sure not to take any sort of pain medication - even over the counter remedies such as Tylenol or Advil - without first discussing it with your doctor.

You may be wondering about what the birthing process will truly be like. Depending upon whom you ask, you may find yourself with varying examples. According to reports and research, approximately ten percent of women will report that labor is truly painful, while another ten percent will report no pain at all. Everyone else is somewhere in the middle of this spectrum. Your experience will differ from others as you may have a different pain threshold, and may choose to use or not to use any type of medications during birth. There are many factors that can affect the amount of pain you will experience during birth.

Your body is producing a hormone called relaxin. This hormone is responsible for loosening or relaxing the pelvis, making it more mobile during delivery. You may feel the effects of this hormone in your legs as you experience waddling. Don't worry; this is only temporary. And when it comes time to give birth, you will be very grateful it's there.

Your fundus is approximately four inches above your navel.

Common Pregnancy Symptoms in Week 32

• Breast Changes: tenderness, fullness, darkening of the areola
• Frequent Urination
• Constipation
• Heartburn or Indigestion
• Headaches
• Marks
• Itching
• Round Ligament Pain
• Hemorrhoids

http://www.babiesonline.com/pregnancy/week-by-week/

Fetal Development: 31 weeks

Yay! I am 31 weeks ..Hoorray..
Do you understand what that means?

Now the countdown of weeks left can be done in one digit..Both me and mom are happy..

Your Baby's Development This Week

Your baby is probably around 15-16 inches in length and weighs in around 3-4 pounds.

That fat layer is still building up, and with it the skin tone will continue to become more pink and less transparent in appearance.

The brain is becoming more ridged and grooved and the nerves are growing at a tremendous rate. Already the baby is processing information gleaned from all five senses.

Feel like the baby is doing a little dance in response to music? Might not be so much a funny image as a reality. Research has shown that babies do move in rhythm and response to musical input.

Pregnancy Symptoms You May Feel During Week 31

Have you noticed a sticky yellowish substance leaking from your breasts? The presence or absence of it is perfectly normal. Some women will leak this first stage of milk in the weeks before birth, others will only notice it after baby's arrival.

Other leaking issues? You might find it embarrassing, but many expectant moms experience urine leakage when sneezing, or maybe laughing. Wearing a pantyliner may help. Kegel exercises will be helpful as well.

Another uncomfortable reality? Your internal organs are not quite where they used to be. Your bladder feels squished, your lungs stuffed up higher into your chest and the uterus is a whole four inches above the belly button now.

You may experience a feeling of not being able to get your breath, but rest assured baby is breathing just fine. To help you breathe easier, try to sit and stand up straight, and sleep on your side, propped on pillows.

Visit With the Obstetrician

Sometime after 28 weeks your physician may order a Fetal Nonstress Test. This is a simple noninvasive procedure done in around thirty minutes time. Two belts will be placed on mother's abdomen, one to measure fetal heart rate, the other to monitor contractions. The baby's heart rate should increase with fetal activity, and should decrease at rest. Occasionally baby decides to nap during the test, and should that happen, sometimes a little buzzer will be used to wake up baby. This test may be ordered should there be any question on the level of fetal activity, or if there is a possibility of placental function issues, or if this is a high risk pregnancy.

Preparing for Baby

You and your partner may want to check into infant CPR and first aid classes now, as part of your preparation for the new arrival. It's a good idea for anyone who will be around baby, including grandparents or babysitters. The classes are often short and will bring a peace of mind to worrying new parents. Knowing that you are prepared for emergencies will make you feel much more confident as a new parent.
Pregnancy Lifestyle

Are you getting your body ready for labor? There are exercises that are helpful in preparing for childbirth. First of all, doing Kegel exercises daily will definitely help with labor and after wards. Contract those muscles you use to shut off the flow of urine. Work on holding for five seconds at a time, working up to 10 seconds contracted with 10 seconds rest in between. You should do three sets of 10 a day. Other exercises are yoga type stretches, that are geared to pregnant women and aid in strengthening and stretching and relaxing your muscles, especially those you'll rely on most during birth.

http://www.thebabycorner.com/pregnancy-calendar/

Fetal Development: 30 weeks

Though I am at present 31 weeks but still I have not told you what has happened when I was 30 weeks.
Hence have a look at the development status when fetus is 30 weeks and the mom is happy that she has reached the last leg of the journey :)

Your Baby:

Your baby now weighs almost 3 pounds - that like a head of a cabbage! And the length is about 17.7 inches.

The major development during this week is your baby's brain. Back then, the brain was just a smooth surface. Now it is characterized by grooves and indentations. This wrinkled appearance allows for the growth of the brain tissues. The bone marrow now begins to produce red blood cells.

The toenails are now beginning to grow.

Your baby's lanugo - which are the fine, downy hairs found in the body are starting to disappear. This is also the reason why premature babies have more lanugo than the full term ones.

Lanugo serves as a furry coat to protect your baby from extreme temperature. Since there are already baby fats and the brain can now function to regulate the body’s temperature, then there is no need for these hairs anymore. But a few can still be seen during childbirth.

Aside from the decreasing number of lanugo, the amniotic fluid also decreases in volume as the baby gets bigger- so she will need more space in the uterus to take up.

Your baby's eyesight continues to develop although it's not that clear yet. Even after birth, the baby can't see clearly until after two to three months. The vision then continnues to imporve throughout childhood. 29 weeks pregnant
, the baby's vision vision is still 20/400 out of the normal vision, which is 20/20.

Your body:

You may easily get tired and exhausted now that your baby weighs much heavier compared to the past months and especially if you have problems falling asleep.

Hormonal changes will make your ligaments more lax and the joints become looser. This is also in preparation for childbirth.

Another effect of the hormonal shifting is your mood swings. These may also be due to the uncomfortable symptoms that you are experiencing during the span of the pregnancy. These are just a normal part of pregnancy. But if you feel that the condition worsens from time to time and you can no longer handle it, then better consult your obstetrician or your psychologist, for you might be developing maternal depression.

You will still continue to have impaired circulation due to the fact that your growing uterus is continuing to put pressure on your veins and arteries.

The best position to allow better blood flow would be a left lying position when sleeping, which can aid in proper circulation to your organs and extremities.

The head of your baby is now putting pressure on your bladder, causing you to urinate more frequently. Your breast may become tender (again!) as they gear up for the production of milk.

You may notice that your heartburn is getting worse each week.

There are actually ways in which you can prevent heartburn like avoiding foods that are gastric irritants like spicy foods, fatty or fried foods, coffee, carbonated beverages, and also chocolates. Eat small yet frequent meals, and don't lie down while you are eating or right after a meal. Stress has also been associated with heartburn. So take time to relax and have frequent rest periods. You may also want to go to your health care provider if these things won't work.

http://www.easybabylife.com/

Fetal Development: 29 weeks

Here comes the details of what happens as I enter the 29 weeks gestational age.

I am becoming bigger and fuller day by day.
And now when I turn to my sides or yawn or even hiccup my mum feels all the movements. That is expected ..right? I am occupying much space of my mom's belly now and you don't expect a grown up person to tiptoe all the time in the time.My mom can see my movements from outside also and gets excited and happy. But sometimes (shhh specially during night time when she goes to bed) if I do some gymnastics or acrobatics to impress my mom and pappa then she is very disturbed and annoyed ;)
I feel more relaxed at night time when she goes to sleep..but mom cannot understand this thing :(
ok mom .. i will try to make my movements more restricted at night.

Fetal development at 29 weeks:

Your baby is now as heavy as a butternut squash- that's about 2.5 pounds heavy and is over 15 inches tall from head to heel.

The muscles and lungs are on its way to becoming more developed and matured. The head is bigger than before- this is to allow more space for growth. Since these are major developments that are taking place, you need plenty of vitamin C, iron, folic acid, and protein to help aid in the normal growth and development of the baby inside your womb. And since the baby's bones are also rapidly growing, you need more calcium in your diet to balance the demands needed by the baby. You can get enough calcium from sources like cheese, yogurt, and milk.

The baby's fats continue to deposit under the skin - making the previously wrinkled skin smooth. These are the white fats, which actually serve as an energy source for the baby. And this explains why you baby is so energized during this period. You can feel more vigorous kicks than before. And the baby responds more quickly to light, sound, and movement.

The brain can now control the breathing patterns and the control the body temperature. Your baby's eyes can now move in the sockets.

Your little one is now more sensitive to sound, light, smell, and taste. The buds for permanent teeth are starting to form in the gums.

By this time, you should be expecting your baby to move or kick at least ten times in an hour. Of course, babies are not all made equal; some are more active than others. But if you get worried, try keeping tack of your babys's movements during a cuople of hours, and discuss the result with your midwife. And remember that even unborn babies do sleep, but usually not for several hours.

Your Body changes:

29 weeks pregnant, your tummy is now big enough that you can no longer see your legs when you are in a standing position; maybe not even your toes.

Forty percent of pregnant women develop varicose veins during this time of the pregnancy. These may be of great concern especially to

those who want to wear skirts. But tell you what, that's better compared to varicose veins in the rectum or in the vulva. Spider veins are not varicose veins. Don't get confused. Spider veins are just due to hormonal changes during pregnancy and will just fade after the baby is born.

Varicose veins can sometimes be painful, but some experience no discomfort from them. These are said to be hereditary in nature. So if your mom had them during her pregnancy, then it is most likely that you will have them, too.

Always remember that the best way to prevent varicose veins is to avoid prolonged periods of sitting or standing. You can use support hose and to have your foot elevated several times a day.

You may also continue to experience same old situations, but heartburn and constipation are more common this time.

Ever wonder why they are common during pregnancy?

It is because of your pregnancy hormone, which is the progesterone. Progesterone is a smooth muscle tissue relaxant - necessary to prevent early contraction during pregnancy. This hormone not only relaxes the smooth uterine muscles but also the muscles in your gastrointestinal tract, making digestion slower, leading to accumulation of waste in the large intestine. And remember that the large intestine absorbs water - leading to constipation.

Progesterone also relaxes the valve that is responsible for back flows of gastric acid, causing the acid to back up, giving that unpleasant and burning sensation or what is commonly known as heartburn. If you experience this at night, talk to your midwife. If is absolutely horrible to wake up at night because of stomach acid coming up. At there is medication available even for pregnant women.

www.easybabylife.com/29-weeks-pregnant

Fetal Development: 28 weeks

I am a big man now!!
I can kick, i can swallow, swing, twist, turn, open my tiny eyes, sometimes hic-hic-hiccups do happen but all have to swallow is amniotic fluid, that is the reason ;)
I am gradually feeling more comfortable in my mom's tummy..though my mom is getting more and more uncomfortable with my weight ..he he..

i can hear all that is going all around me..sometimes i feel like peeping to the outside world to see what that noise was all about..some noises are distracting but some are real comfortable.
I have also heard that we get nowadays CDs which have tracks of noises of water trickling down, or sound of wind whispering through the leaves of trees and some peculiar noises like that which may make a baby in the womb rest calmly and develop their IQ in their mother's womb. Will be able to comment more on that topic once papa gets the CD from his office colleague and both me and mom listens to the tunes :)

For now let me give a glimpse of how I look and how mom feels at this moment of 28weeks of gestation period!

28 weeks of gestation period :

By your 28th week of pregnancy, your baby is about 16 inches long and weighs 3-1/2 to 4 pounds. The skin is wrinkled but will become less so as more subcutaneous fat, the layer of fat just under the skin, is laid down in the next few weeks. Fine downy hair, called lanugo, and a waxy white protective substance covering the skin, called vernix, are present on the baby's body. The baby's eyes are open. The eyebrows and eyelashes were formed in the fourth month. The baby sucks its thumb and its taste buds have developed. The baby kicks, stretches, and moves frequently in the uterus. These movements, which are readily observable to others, are often keenly felt by the mother. Some mothers may find that the pressure of the growing uterus against the stomach by this week causes heartburn. The fundus, the top of the uterus, is now about one-third of the distance between the umbilicus (bellybutton) and the xiphoid cartilage. Constipation may also occur due to uterine pressure on the lower colon, as well as hormonal slowing of peristalsis (the process of excreting waste). Uterine growth combined with increased maternal weight gain contribute to a recurrence of fatigue similar to that during the early weeks of pregnancy.

By the 28th week, changes in the breasts prepare them for lactation. First colostrum, then milk, is produced by the grape-like clusters of tiny sacs (alveoli) deep within the breast tissue. Clusters of alveoli form lobules, which consolidate to form 15 to 20 lobes. Each lobe connects to a lactiferous duct. As the ducts extend toward the nipple and areolar areas, they widen into the lactiferous sinuses. These sinuses (or milk pools) release the milk through 15 to 20 tiny nipple openings when the baby nurses.

The baby's organs and systems are quite well developed by the 28th week of pregnancy. If born now, the baby would probably survive but would need intensive, specialized care. The final two months of gestation are important for further maturation of all body systems and organs. Full term gestation best prepares the baby for a smooth and healthy adjustment to life outside of your uterus.

taken from:http://www.childbirthconnection.org/

28 weeks pregnancy:

Your baby's crown-to-rump length is approximately 10 inches and the total length of your growing baby is around 15.75 inches. Your baby weighs about 2.4 pounds at this point. Your uterus is a little more than 3 inches above your bellybutton. Your weight gain at this time should be between 17 and 24 pounds.

Blood vessel in the umbilical cord. For several months, the umbilical cord has been the baby's lifeline to the mother. Nourishment is transferred from the mother's blood, through the placenta, and into the umbilical cord to the baby. If the mother ingests any toxic substances, such as drugs or alcohol, the baby receives these as well!

You will probably begin visiting your caregiver once every two weeks. Week 28 is an important week for testing. You will probably be having your glucose tolerance test, an iron level test and if you are Rh negative, you should have an antibody test. The antibody test will determine if you and your baby will have any reactions to each other's blood differences. The glucose test will check for gestational diabetes.

Your baby's brain continues to develop and is now forming the folds and grooves of a fully developed brain. The amount of tissues within the brain also continues to increase in large amounts. The hair that covers your baby's scalp is also getting longer. Your baby is now large enough for presentation to be determined and your doctor might be able to find out if your baby is at risk for being breech. If your baby is breech, don't panic. There is still time for the baby to rotate.
taken from: pregnancy.about.com/.../pregnancycalendar