All about baby
Your baby will be spending about 80% of sleeping time in REM (rapid eye movement) dreams, during which brain activity is heightened. When awake, your baby will also be opening its eyes wide and practising 'looking' movements.
Lots of rapid brain development is going on at this stage. Your baby's swallowing and sucking skills are developing and immune system continues to strengthen. By now, most of the lanugo, the fine hair on your baby’s skin, has disappeared except for patches on the back and shoulders - which should also go before the birth.
As your baby grows bigger, there will be less space in your uterus for him or her to do full body rolls and turns. You’ll still notice plenty of sharp kicks though! Although your baby notices your Braxton Hicks contractions (the painless contractions of your uterus practicing for birth), babies are not adversely affected by them.
- Measures about 27cm crown to rump
- Weighs in at around 3lbs
Over to you
You only have 10 more weeks of pregnancy to go – but the going probably feels tougher every week!
You may find that your ankles and legs become swollen, especially on hot days or if you've been on your feet a lot. Mild swelling is normal – up to 75% of pregnant women may get it - but don’t hesitate to call your doctor or midwife if your face and hands begin to swell, or if the swelling lasts more than 24 hours. When accompanied by a rapid weight gain or a rise in your blood pressure, this swelling could be a possible sign of pre-eclampsia, a dangerous condition that affects approximately five to 10% of pregnant women.
While checking your feet and legs for signs of swelling, you may also notice varicose veins developing around this time. These fine blue, red, or purpley lines under the skin, which may surface for the first time or worsen during late pregnancy, are caused by the uterus exerting great pressure on the veins in the legs. Again the solution is to avoid standing for long periods and put your feet up whenever you can. If they get painful, support tights can offer relief - my, maternity fashion just gets better! Swimming will also offer some relief as the water takes the strain and the gentle exercise helps to improve circulation.
In the know
It's hard to not get caught up in a pre-baby spending frenzy, but the truth is that you really don't need all that much for you newborn. Remember, you have your whole life to spend on your baby and friends and family are likely to shower you with gifts!
So here's our checklist of basic essentials to have on hand before your baby arrives:
- Babygros and vests - expect to use two to three of each a day
- Socks and/or booties
- Scratch mits
- Cardigan and an all-in-one pramsuit for winter
- Hats (to protect against sun in warm weather, or to keep warm in cold weather)
- Huggies® Newborn nappies - expect to use 6 - 8 per day
- Huggies® baby wipes
- Nappy rash cream
- Nappy bin
- Cotton balls
- Petroleum jelly for chapped skin
- Baby soap and tearless baby shampoo
- Baby first aid kit including forehead thermometer and baby nail clippers
- Squares of muslin cloth to protecting your clothes from baby sick
- Moses basket or crib and mattress
- Fitted crib sheets
- Blankets for swaddling
- Rear facing, stage 1 car seat
- Pram or buggy with a fully reclining seatback
- Baby monitor
- Chest of drawers, open shelves or some other way to store baby clothes and supplies
If you're breastfeeding:
- Nursing bras and tops
- Nipple cream
- Breastfeeding pillow
- Electric or manual breast pump
- Milk storage bottles
If you're bottle-feeding:
- Three or four bottles in different styles
- Several slow-flow silicone teats
- A small container of formula
- Steriliser for bottles and teats
- Bottle brush
Go to next week's article: Pregnancy Week 31
Please note that the contents of this section are for information only and are not intended as medical advice or as a substitute to your doctor's advice. For medical care and advice, you should consult your doctor on a regular basis. If you have any problem which concerns you, consult your doctor immediately.
