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The third trimester of your pregnancy really becomes exciting. As your due date gets closer, your anticipation and anxiety levels rise considerably. You may even be a bit scared. This is all perfectly normal ....more
Your baby is going to be here soon and is developing fast to ensure survival in the outside world. Your body is also preparing itself for breastfeeding ....more
Welcome to the home stretch! The last three months are said to be the longest, and trust me that’s how it’s going to feel. Why, you may ask? ....more
I was pondering what to actually write about how my husband and I had been preparing for parenthood ....more
Pregnant women now have a wide range of options sure to satisfy their clothing needs throughout the first trimester pregnancy, second trimester pregnancy and third trimester pregnancy. With so many maternity merchandise choices to select from it can be overwhelming ....more
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- by Michael Russell
The third trimester of your pregnancy really becomes exciting. As your due date gets closer, your anticipation and anxiety levels rise considerably. You may even be a bit scared. This is all perfectly normal.
When you get to week twenty-nine of your pregnancy, your baby's head will be in proportion with the rest of the body. Also, the brain can now control the baby's temperature as well as primitive breathing. During the next few weeks, the infant will change positions so that the head is at the bottom. This is to prepare for birth!
As you get to week thirty, your baby will weigh almost three pounds! During this time, the baby will spend lots of time practicing closing and opening their eyelids and can even produce tears! The brain is growing larger and larger so be sure you talk to your baby as well as expose them to music and literature.
When you get to week thirty-one, the physical growth rate of your baby will slow down. However, he will still gain a lot of weight as the pregnancy goes on. Studies have shown that babies during this period will often move to the rhythm of music and actually prefer certain types of music already. The average baby is 16.2 inches long now and weighs 3.3 pounds.
When you get to week thirty-two, you might notice that your baby isn't moving around as much as before. This is perfectly normal. It's just that there isn't much room left in the womb to move around. All five of your baby's senses will now be working which will be very fascinating to the infant. The average baby weighs 3.75 pounds now and is 16.7 inches long.
During week thirty-three, your amniotic fluid will be at the highest level of your entire pregnancy. Your baby will now start to take intermittent breaths of water! This will exercise the muscles and get the infant ready to breathe air. If you have a boy, his testicles will drop into his scrotum now. The average baby now weighs 4.23 pounds and is 17.2 inches long.
As you get to week thirty-four, your baby will start to have a more regular sleep pattern and will also have their eyes open when awake and closed when sleeping. Your baby has also learned to blink and can see more clearly. Most babies are about 17.7 inches long now and weigh about 4.7 pounds.
When you get to week thirty-five, your baby's hearing will be completely developed. Talk to your baby as much as you can. Some studies show that babies like higher pitched voices better. This may be why people seem to automatically talk to young children in higher voices. Most babies weigh about 5.3 pounds now and are 18.2 inches long.
As you get to week thirty-six, the only organ left to mature in the baby is the lungs. Your baby may drop down in to the birth canal now. This will make it easier to breathe for the mom. The average size of a baby is 5.78 pounds and 18.66 inches long.
Week thirty-seven is when your baby is officially considered to be full term. However, every day the baby stays in the womb makes him healthier. Your baby will develop a definite daily activity cycle. You will also want to get yourself on a regular schedule to get your baby used to this. If you don't do things on a schedule, your baby may get his days and nights mixed up after he is born.
When you get to week thirty-eight you may notice that your baby is hiccupping a lot. Because they are breathing water, fluid gets into the windpipe causing these hiccups. Your baby might have a full head of hair now. It can even be over an inch long! The average baby weighs about 6.8 pounds now and is 19.6 inches long.
As you get to week thirty-nine, your baby's lungs will be maturing and preparing for birth. You infant weighs about 7.25 pounds and is about 19.9 inches long.
Week forty is when you are due to deliver. Any day you will be meeting your son or daughter for the first time. Your baby continues to grow and develop each day. This is one of the most exciting moments of your life. Be sure you cherish it.
- by Brooke Schuman
Your baby is going to be here soon and is developing fast to ensure survival in the outside world. Your body is also preparing itself for breastfeeding. As well as your babies kidneys, lungs, and brain growing at a fast pace, so is babies body. You baby typically gains about a half pound a week. Usually you the mom gains about a pound a week as well. So make sure you and your baby are getting the proper nutrition, both of you need to ensure healthy development. Here are some tips on eating well for you and your baby.
During the third trimester you should try to add about 300 extra calories to what you are already eating. Never try to diet or watch what you are eating when you are pregnant. Watch what you eat, don't eat McDonald's 2 times a day, but eat healthy and eat when your hungry. Your body will tell you when you have had enough to eat.
During pregnancy you also need a lot of protein to help ensure proper development of both breast milk production as well as your healthy baby. The food pyramid says that you need 5 to 7 serving of meat a day and about 3 cups of milk to meet your protein requirements. You should definitely eat meat, poultry, eggs, fish and dairy while pregnant. Watch your fish intake though, fish can be high in mercury and can be harmful to the fetus. If eating fish, stay away from fish such as swordfish and King Mackerel. you can consume 12 ounces of cod, salmon, and light tuna a week. Of course consult your doctor before eating fish.
You also need iron and folic acid your need for these vitamins increase by 50% when pregnant. Along with taking your prenatal vitamins you can eat foods such as high fiber cereals and foods rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron. Eat a lot of grains, meats, poultry, beans, and dark green vegetables. These contain both iron and folic acid.
Drink a lot of fluids as well. Drink at least 8 to 10 8 ounce glasses of water or milk a day. You digest things slower so you can get constipated so make sure to drink plenty of fluids.
Eat when your hungry, let your body tell you how much you need to eat. Don't wait until you are starving to eat then you will eat large amounts of unhealthy food. Eat when feeling hungry that way you can choose healthy foods instead of junk food. Healthy choices during the last trimester is healthy for you and your baby, so be conscious of what you are eating and enjoy eating anything you want, because odds are you will have to diet and watch your calories the rest of your life.
- by Grant Carroll
Welcome to the home stretch! The last three months are said to be the longest, and trust me that’s how it’s going to feel. Why, you may ask? Well, I want you to look down at your stomach and imagine having 20-30 pounds of extra weight around your midsection and body. No, a beer gut doesn’t count. I’m talking about having placenta, amniotic fluid, water retention and a 7-9 pound baby using your bladder as a pillow. Now you can imagine why it’s so uncomfortable. By the way, it’s not uncommon for us guys to have some weight gain along with our wives.
I use the word “some” loosely because I had quite a few pounds added on myself. Don’t feel bad, apparently we have the same ratio of hormones as the women, although it’s obviously a smaller amount it’s still enough to help us gain our own “baby” weight. Nikki thought it was pretty cute. At least one of us did. Well, just get ready for a few trips to Helplessville. You remember that place from the first trimester. Seriously, though, I’m convinced nature has a way of proving that women are tougher than men.
Don’t spend too much time in Helplessville, though, because there are a few things you can do to help (at least a little)
•Keep up the massaging – Don’t rub her ankles! It causes uterine contractions. Her swollen feet could use a good rub, though. Also, back massages may not feel so good anymore. If she does still want backrubs, massage in a top to bottom direction to prevent gas pain.
•Keep her hydrated and cool – All that extra heat can be even more uncomfortable if she overheats. Nikki would overheat after just 5 minutes in the shower. I tried to keep cool drinking water as much as possible. Also, invest in AC or open the windows, depending on the season.
Also, it’s time to start making certain preparations for the delivery. It may feel premature, but you’ll be glad you did.
•Get a bag ready and set aside with a bathrobe and overnight clothes for both of you.
•Get another bag with snacks and games – I didn’t realize this before but labor can take a long time! This is especially true if it’s your 1st baby. In our case it was 26 hours before Cadyn (our son) arrived. Nikki, her mom and I played a great deal of cards during the slow period.
As a helpful hubby, take part in the preparations or even take charge of them. Your wife needs to focus on what’s ahead.
This brings me to my final big point, and this goes for both of you. Enjoy your sleep! I mean it, take naps whenever you can, preferably together for cuddling purposes. Once baby shows up, sleep is scarce and you will probably feel like a zombie.
- by Marc Lindsay
I was pondering what to actually write about how my husband and I had been preparing for parenthood.
I thought that we hadn't really been preparing at all and realized that we were over half way and that this was a HUGE deal.
I was talking to a friend of mine who made me realize all the things that I had already done to try to prepare myself for what was to come.
Here are a few things that I suggest doing. 1. Enroll in the antenatal classes that are offered by your hospital/ birthing center etc, these classes will help you to be prepared for the actual labour and also breast feeding.
They make you aware of your options with pain relief and give you an opportunity to meet with people who are around the same stage of pregnancy as you who you can share advise, tips and even form friendships with, for all you know they may even be in the hospital the same time as you.
2. Check out sites and forums that are focused around trying to conceive, parenting and pregnancy, I have found that the people on these forums are gold in relation to advice and support.
There is also heaps of information in relation to each stage of pregnancy, what to expect and even parenting sections in many of them.
3. Magazines are the next best thing. You will have plenty of time during your pregnancy where you just want to curl up on the lounge or in bed with a magazine.
There are many magazines around that not only focus on pregnancy but they also focus on things such as babies first year, illnesses, maternity wear and even information on how early to book into schools, childcare etc.
I was surprised at the fact that if you had a particular school in mind that was popular you need to plan these things before the baby is even born!
4. Books, the best book I have read that is informative yet also comedic is written by Kaz Cooke and is called Up the duff.
This book outlines pregnancy month by month, including what to expect, what to plan for, what tests will be performed and other things that make you feel normal and not the only one who is going through a particular thing.
Kaz also follows up with a book on Kid wrangling which I am yet to read but I will not hesitate in buying.
5. Parents and mothers, although all the advice they give you will not be what you want to hear or may not be the way in which you want to do things, some of the advice from your parents will be priceless.
Something my mum told me the other day was so simple yet so important I realized that without other people's advice I would not know a lot of the things I know today.
Although I do not feel as though I am at all prepared for the sleepless nights, the endless nappies and the first times for everything.
I think that with the above sources of advice and information have provided me with priceless information that I'm sure will help me when the time comes in 3 months.
-by Valerie Giles
Pregnant women now have a wide range of options sure to satisfy their clothing needs throughout the first trimester pregnancy, second trimester pregnancy and third trimester pregnancy. With so many maternity merchandise choices to select from it can be overwhelming. There have never been more maternity merchandise and trendy maternity clothing including cheap clothes maternity, maternity plus size, maternity suit swim, maternity jeans, designer maternity clothes than there are today with styles, fabrics, colors and designs to suit every size and shape of expecting mother.
Maternity Clothes
Gone are the days when maternity merchandise choices were limited now there are clothing maternity and cheap clothes maternity fashions to satisfy every lifestyle and need. Some of the maternity merchandise available online and in maternity clothing stores can include; maternity jeans, maternity pantsuits, clothes designer maternity, maternity suit swim, maternity accessories (hairpieces and scarves), maternity wedding dresses, maternity jackets, maternity tops and pants, maternity shirts, clothes maternity plus size, maternity pajamas and intimate apparel, maternity lingerie, maternity dresses and skirts, maternity hosiery, bra maternity and maternity lounge wear to name a few.
Maternity Merchandise and Accessories
Along with all the wonderful maternity merchandise, there are maternity accessories that help new moms throughout the first trimester pregnancy, second trimester pregnancy and third trimesters of pregnancy. Some of the maternity merchandise and accessories can include; maternity skin care, maternity belts that helps to relieve backache experienced during pregnancy, nursing pillows (for after baby is born), diaper bags, maternity tights and hosiery, maternity underwear and maternity bras.
For expecting mothers the maternity merchandise and clothing can be endless so it helps to compare shop at different online sites and maternity shops to find the best prices in maternity merchandise.It also helps to purchase maternity fashions in basic colored items that allow for mixing and matching with items such as skirts, pants, tops and shirts. Elastic waists and maternity bras in cotton/spandex blends that allow for room to grow can be helpful. Maternity clothing and maternity accessories should be comfortable, stylish and easy to wear to support mom’s ever growing belly.
Maternity merchandise, clothing maternity and cheap clothes maternity fashions have never been so funky and hip as they are today. There is sure to be maternity clothes to complement any lifestyle and event with maternity clothing to include; jeans, tops, skirts, dresses, pants, evening wear, swim suits, lingerie and bra maternity in a wide variety of lovely fabrics, designs and colors. A woman doesn’t have to sacrifice her original style when pregnant there is without a doubt fashions maternity to suit every woman’s personal tastes.
The maternity merchandise a woman owns will go along way in making her feel better throughout the first trimester pregnancy, second trimester pregnancy and third trimester pregnancy. The maternity merchandise, clothing maternity, cheap clothes maternity and clothes designer maternity choices have never been greater with plenty to choose from online and at shopping centers across America. There are several popular designers who now design maternity fashions in fabrics, styles and colors appealing to women of all shapes and sizes. Designer jeans maternity are available from many designers along with maternity wedding dresses, maternity jackets and tops, maternity pants, maternity dresses and skirts and maternity lounge wear to name a few.
One of the most popular pieces of maternity merchandise, clothing maternity and cheap clothes maternity is that of the jeans. Maternity jeans can be found with elastic waists allowing room to grow for expecting mothers. Button and zipper up jeans maternity are also available in a variety of designs to include; ink finish maternity jeans, rock finish maternity jeans, light and dark wash maternity jeans, low cut and boot leg maternity jeans, maternity denim capri’s, cropped jean maternity and various colored maternity jeans. Maternity jeans are such a great option for women while being pregnant as they can be worn casually or dressed up with a nice maternity blouse or shirt.
The choices in maternity merchandise, clothing and maternity bras give pregnant women lots of clothing options throughout their first trimester pregnancy, second trimester pregnancy and third trimester pregnancy. There is no shortage of maternity clothing designs for women whether they are attending a wedding (with maternity wedding dresses available), event or at home or the office.
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