All about baby
This week, your baby’s eyelids open for the first time. Although a baby's eyes can move from side to side, they have a limited visual range - not that there's much to see in there!
Your baby continues to grow in preparation for the journey of birth. The lungs are developing surfactant, a substance that will help them to expand after birth. The heart beat is now strong enough to be picked up with a stethoscope. And in the bowel, meconium, your baby's first stool, is developing.
All the little details are coming to completion too. The fingernails are now completely formed. The first teeth are forming in the gums and your baby’s taste buds can distinguish between sweet and bitter.
- Measures about 20cm crown to rump
Over to you
Not to keep going on about pregnancy niggles, but you may have experienced swollen ankles or achy feet as your pregnancy progresses. Known as oedema, this swelling affects most women at some stage during their pregnancy. It's usually worse at the end of the day, especially if you have been standing up for long periods of time. Try to literally ‘put your feet up’ whenever you can. You may also find that support tights help to ease the condition.
But be sure to let your doctor or midwife know about any swelling you experience. It's usually no cause for alarm, but swelling can be one of the classic signs of a potentially serious condition known as pre-eclampsia so it's worth having it checked out.
You may also begin to notice leg and foot cramps at this stage. If you suffer from bad cramps, drinking more milk or eating bananas (for extra calcium and magnesium) may help. However, the best answer may be more exercise, as it may simply be that you’re leg muscles aren’t strong enough to cope with the extra weight you’re carrying.
In the know
Sometimes pregnancy just isn't any fun. You shouldn’t drink (and to top it off you've probably become designated driver!), some of your favourite food's off the menu and you're told not to relax in a jacuzzi or sauna. Even retail therapy has limited appeal now that nothing fits anymore. So, what are you to do for fun? How about one of these treats to lift you out of your pregnancy blues...
Treat your hands and feet to a manicure or pedicure. You may not be able to see you feet very often, but at least they'll look gorgeous when you catch a glimpse.
A relaxing massage by someone qualified in antenatal therapies can be a great gift to yourself, especially in late pregnancy when your baby's weight starts to become a strain.
Food shop Take a jaunt to your local farmer's market and pick up some fresh (organic) vegetables you've never tried before. Experiment with new herbs and flavours.
Movie nights Now's a good time to catch up on all of those DVDs you were planning to see but never had the time to, especially the chick flicks that are great for wallowing in a weepy moment.
Tea time Ok, so you can’t hit the bar after work for cocktails, but you can go out for high tea. Think china cups, little silver spoons, scones, jam and clotted cream – it’s an equally indulgent treat.
Dear diary Start a journal to record all those weird, vivid dreams you're having, poems about being pregnant you might be composing or thoughts and emotions you're experiencing. Who knows - it could be the start of your great novel!
Let it grow If the weather permits, get your gloves on and plant flowers, grow some vegetables or start a container garden on the deck.
Pump up the volume Get out your teenage anthems and dance in front of the mirror, or get out and see some live music (at seated venues with interval ice creams obviously).
Take a trip Instead of staying indoors, plan an afternoon trip to a lake or a beautiful park. Pack a picnic lunch and bring a big quilt and pillows for just relaxing and watching the clouds pass.
Get floaty Being in water brings an amazing amount of relief from heavy bumps and back-ache. Whether you’re indulging in a luxurious bath, hanging out in the baby pool or joining an aquanatal session, you’ll feel the weight of the world float away.
