All about baby
Each day of your pregnancy brings your baby closer to completing the prenatal phase of development – and improving your baby’s ability to thrive outside your womb. All the organs are now fully developed but will continue to mature in readiness for the birth.
The lungs have now developed to the point where your baby could breathe air well. Your baby is beginning to regulate his or her own temperature and the bone marrow is producing red blood cells. Your baby is even urinating about a pint of urine into your amniotic fluid everyday!
Your baby's eyes are slate grey in colour and the irises can now dilate and contract in response to light. By now there is quite a variation in size and weight between one baby and another. In the next 11 weeks your baby will probably more than triple in weight.
- Measures about 26cm crown to rump
- Weighs in at around 2.54 lbs
Over to you
As the joints of the pelvis begin to loosen in preparation for delivery, any aches and pains may become worse the more your uterus grows. You may also get cramp in your calves at night, because your muscles are working harder to carry the extra weight. If cramp strikes, force your heel right down to stretch the muscle.
Even though it may be the last thing you feel like doing, try to keep exercising as it can actually help you feel better. Walking and pregnancy yoga are good gentle exercises, while swimming helps relieve pregnancy discomforts as the water supports your weight and gives you a welcome feeling of weightlessness. If you are planning to practice labour positions then now's a good time to start. Squatting is great as it encourages your pelvis to open – and it may provide relief from those painful twinges.
You're entitled to start maternity leave this week, provided you've notified your employer in time.
In the know
If you have a choice of hospitals, you may have already taken tours to decide which one is right for you. However, it’s still worth taking a tour in late pregnancy to build your confidence and sort out practical issues, like where to park, how to be admitted and what you'll need to bring.
Here are some detailed questions you might want to ask when you take your hospital tour:
Parking Where should we park when I come to be admitted? Will we have to pay parking fees?
Getting admitted Where do we go to be admitted? Is the reception area open all the time, or does it close at a certain time each night?
Food Should my birth companion bring food? Where is the hospital cafeteria? What is the hospital's policy about women eating during labour?
Privacy Will I be in a ward with other mothers? If so, can I arrange for a private room instead?
Visitors How many visitors am I allowed to have in the delivery room and in the maternity ward, during birth and after? What are regular visiting hours? What are the procedures for visitors?
Birth plans If I have a pre-written birth plan expressing my wishes for how I'd like my birth to be managed, when can I discuss it with my midwife?
Hospital policies What are your policies for interventions? Can patients view these policies in advance?
Staffing What is the ratio of midwives to patients? What is the maximum number of patients a midwife is assigned to at any one time? Will midwives change shifts during my labour and delivery?
Birthing rooms Do you have special birthing rooms that allow women to labour and give birth without having to be moved to another place? Do all women get to give birth in these rooms? Do you offer birthing pools or baths? Do I have to book these facilities?
Induction of labour What happens when labour is induced? Can I decline that option if it isn't medically necessary? Will I be able to control the level of medication I receive?
Surgical births What is the hospital's procedure if I need a caesarean? May I see the area where caesareans are done? Will my partner be allowed in the operating room with me?
Special Care Baby Unit What care facilities do you offer newborns with special needs? Do you have a Special Care Baby Unit? If not, how far away is the nearest one and how are babies transferred?
Breastfeeding support Is there a breastfeeding consultant on your staff? Will my baby be allowed to nurse immediately after birth? If the baby has to go to the special care nursery (NICU) will I be able to use a breast pump?
Nursery services May I see the nursery? What services does the hospital nursery offer?
Length of stay How long will I be allowed to stay in the hospital after a normal birth? After a caesarean delivery?
