Welcome to week thirty three!
You are moving closer to the time of birth now and may be thinking about how your birth plan is firming up even if it is informal.
It would be a good time to discuss your expectations with your partner and health care provider to seek their input. You may also be experiencing an increase in irregular mild contractions and feeling more pelvic pressure.
You may be experiencing an increase in irregular mild contractions and feeling more pelvic pressure.
How my Baby Grows
- Your baby is the size of a pineapple now and is already 16-17 inches in length if measured from head to heel
- The bones in your baby’s skull are not fused together yet which will allow his/her head to move through the pelvis at birth as the bones shift to conform to the tight space
- If you have an ultrasound you will be able to see your baby’s breathing movements and maybe even a thumb in the mouth sucking
- He/she is very active as muscles are gaining strength and bones are becoming more firm
Symptoms Mama may Feel or Experience
- This is a time of great excitement as the time of your birth draws closer and closer, but it is also a time filled with lots of questions, it is a good idea to write your questions down so that you do not forget them when you go to your prenatal visit
- If your baby is measuring either large or small for his/her gestational age you may be scheduled for a growth scan to evaluate your baby’s size
- Ultrasounds at this stage of the pregnancy do not change your due date
- They estimate your baby’s size in grams or pounds and also measure the amount of fluid your baby has to float around in, this is important because your baby needs this fluid to cushion the umbilical cord during movement and help baby to move freely and gain muscle strength
- Have we mentioned emotions lately, don’t forget that it is very easy for the hormones of pregnancy to cause you to be sad, tearful, or ultra-sensitive, give yourself the grace you need
- If you have had your baby shower by now it is time to make sure that all the essentials have been covered, if not, you can do a little shopping of your own
- It is a good idea to work on the thank you notes from your shower and start designing your birth announcements now because after the baby comes there will be little time for that
Thoughts to Consider
- Have your decided who you want to labor with you, if so, have you communicated that to family and friends to cut down on the drama when you head to the hospital or birth center in labor
- Do you want to bring a special outfit for your baby to wear when they take pictures in the hospital or birth center, you might bring an extra outfit in case that one happens to get soiled at just the wrong time
- Have you started a list of what you want to bring with you in labor, don’t forget things like cell phone chargers, pillows, your own toothbrush and toothpaste that you like, essential oils if you plan to use them and music
- Have you figured out how to set up the car seat in the car, they can be trickier than you think, get it out of the box and try it out so you do not look like a rooky on the day you bring your precious baby home
- It is also nice to place things in convenient places for when you come home with your baby
- A basket with extra diapers downstairs if the nursery is upstairs
- Bath products set up where you will be bathing the baby
- Diaper bag filled and ready to go
- Baby monitor taken out of the box, charged, and placed where you want it to be
- Sleepers washed, folded and ready to use
- If you are someone who plans ahead you may want to consider making a few meals to freeze so that you have back-ups ready to go for after you get home
- Consider allowing someone to help you clean the house now that it is difficult to reach things and get down into uncomfortable positions
Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy
- It is common for you to feel off balance or clumsy during the third trimester because your center of gravity is off, so remember to be careful walking around obstacles and going up and down steps
- How are your self-care plans going, making time for exercise, relaxation and time for family and friends can help you get through the last few months
- Don’t forget the third trimester yoga video available in the StorkAdvisor app and on our website
Dr. Cheryl Sharp,
Certified Nurse Midwife
Chief Content Officer
Chief Content Officer