HI everyone..I AM GOBLU !!

Countdown Pregnancy Ticker

Thursday, May 27, 2010

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

Friday, May 21, 2010

Guide to Childbirth:

I have very little to comment on this entire process of birth. I am myself feeling nervous from now on..can think of mom..how nervous and tensed she might be !

But these are the steps that are involved and every momma giving birth should prepare for in the last few weeks of her pregnancy

Here goes the details:

Preparing for Childbirth:The ninth month of pregnancy is all about preparing for childbirth. After the entire pregnancy, you're nearly there!

Mother

* You may experience low backache, heartburn, and Braxton Hicks Contractions.
* Hopefully you have finished or will be finishing your childbirth classes to prepare for labor and childbirth.
* You will still have prenatal care appointments with doctor or midwife and potentially see your doula.

Baby

* Your baby's brain is growing a lot at the end of pregnancy.
* Deposits of brown fat, which will keep your baby warm after birth, are being made.
* Your baby's lungs are also developing.

The Mucus Plug and Breaking Bag of Waters:As you near the end of the your 40 weeks, and even after 40 weeks, you may be watching for signs of labor. These signs of labor are good indicators that your baby is ready to be born.

Mother

* You may lose your mucus plug all at once or slowly before labor begins. Sometimes you will not see the mucus plug until labor is well under way.
* Some women notice increased vaginal discharge as labor nears.
* While your labor may start with the breaking of the bag of waters, this is not as common as you might think.

Baby

* You may notice that your baby feels like s/he is down lower. This is called dropping or lightening. This may not happen until labor has started.

Contractions During Childbirth:Contractions during childbirth are what is best known about labor. A contraction is simply the uterine muscle tightening and releasing, opening the cervix, the mouth of the uterus.

Mother

* The discomfort or pain caused by contractions can often be alleviated by changing positions. You may use relaxation, visualization, vocalization and other comfort measures to decrease the pain of contractions as well.

Baby

* Your baby is still moving during labor. This is typically less movement than before labor, but many moms can still notice the movements that their baby is making.
* Fetal monitoring may be used to monitor contractions as well as your baby's heart rate.

How the Cervix Opens to Give Birth:As your labor progresses, the contractions of labor will change the cervix. Your cervix needs to open or dilate to 10 centimeters before your baby can be born.

Mother

* Your labor contractions will come at regular intervals that get stronger, longer and closer together.
* Your cervix thins out (effaces).
* Your cervix opens (dilates).

Baby

* Your baby moves down in your pelvis as labor progresses (station).

Fetal Head Molds:Contractions also help your baby's head mold. This is how your baby is able to fit through your pelvis.

Mother

* Movement may help your baby's head to mold more quickly.
* Changing positions definitely helps you with pain management of contractions in labor and childbirth.

Baby

* The baby simply keeps moving downward towards being born in a normal labor. This is the pressure needed to mold the bones of the

baby's skull. This is what gives some babies a cone shaped head. This molding is generally slight and goes away without any treatment within a few hours or days of birth.

If an Epidural is Used:Some women will choose to use epidural anesthesia. You may make this decision prior to labor or during labor.

Mother

* Will be given an IV and IV fluids prior to the epidural.
* Will have the epidural catheter placed.
* After the epidural has taken effect a urinary catheter may also be used.
* Will be restricted to bed as movements are hindered. There are positions for labor that can still be used.
* If your labor slows, interventions, like Pitocin or breaking your water (amniotomy), may be used to speed labor.

Baby

* Constant fetal monitoring will be used during the epidural procedure and afterward.
* Some babies will experience changes in the heart rate with any medication, the nursing staff will be watching your baby for signs of fetal distress.

Baby's Head is Born:This is an intense part of labor. The baby is about to be born, there is excitement, hard work and, well, labor, to be done.

Mother

* May need to slow pushing efforts, particularly if being coached.
* May feel the "ring of fire" as the baby is crowning.
* Will usually feel a great release and decrease in pain as baby is born.

Baby

* Makes final twists and turns to be born.
* May need suctioning for meconium, if present.
* Comes immediately to mom's belly or breast after birth.

Third Stage - Placenta:Typically everyone is so caught up in the baby that the placenta is usually only monitored by the midwife, doctor or nurses.

Mother

* Uterus continues to contract.
* Placenta will usually detach on its own from the uterus within 5-30 minutes.
* Holding and nursing the baby will speed the process.
* May be asked to push to aid in the expulsion of the placenta.

Baby

* Breathing and crying.
* Settling with mom, skin to skin.
* Attempts to breastfeed.

Bonding with Your Baby:

This time immediately after birth is a special time. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that your baby nurse immediately after

birth. You can have your doula or nurses help you with breastfeeding, but usually laying the baby skin to skin in this newborn period is

enough to get your baby seeking the breast and nursing without a lot of assistance.

Mother

* May shiver from the birth, warm blankets help.
* Uterus continues to contract. Nursing will help the process of involution.
* May be excited, tired, happy and all at once.

Baby

* Usually in a quiet alert state right after birth.
* Best if placed directly skin to skin on mom for warming.
* Will actively seek the breast if unhindered by clothing, medication and age (not premature).

http://pregnancy.about.com/od/laborbirth/
Countdown Pregnancy Ticker