17
A Guidebook for your Pregnancy Healthy Moms Grow Healthy Babies!!
A Guidebook for your Pregnancy
Healthy Moms Grow Healthy Babies!!
Dear Prenatal Patient,
Congratulations on your pregnancy! Thank you for choosing Cartersville OB/Gyn
for your prenatal care. We want to help you and your family to have a healthy and
well-informed pregnancy experience. Our first step will be to give you this letter,
which explains many of the common procedures, tests, and examinations you can
expect in the next months.
FIRST VISIT: A complete history and physical exam will be done to determine
your general health status, or special problems you might have. We will determine
whether your pregnancy is low, medium, or high risk based on standards
developed by the American College of Ob/Gyn. A pelvic exam will be done to
determine the size of your uterus, and a Pap smear (if needed). We will also do a
vaginal ultrasound for the purpose of confirming your estimated due date.
PRENATAL VISIT SCHEDULE: Normally, pregnancy lasts 38-42 weeks. The
first 28 weeks we will see you in the office every 4 weeks. Between 28 and 35
weeks we will schedule you every 2 weeks. From 35 weeks on, we will see you
weekly. This schedule will be altered if you have any problems and need to be seen
more frequently. It is very important for you to keep your appointments, so we
can closely check you and your baby. Each visit you will be weighed, have your
blood pressure taken, a urine checked (as needed), blood checked for anemia (as
needed), uterus measured, and baby’s heartbeat checked. Please feel free to ask
any questions that concern you.
ROUTINE TESTS:
First or Second visit: Prenatal lab work– blood will be drawn for Blood Type,
Rh, Antibody Screen, CBC, Rubella, Syphilis, Hepatitis B, and HIV screening.
10-13 weeks- First two parts of Sequential Screen (Screening for birth defects)
NT ultrasound and finger prick blood sample.
20 weeks– A comprehensive ultrasound will be done to evaluate the pregnancy
and its progress.
*We also offer 3-D ultrasound between 28-30 weeks. This is for enjoyment
purposes only, and is not covered by your insurance company. (No measurements
of the baby or amniotic fluid are done.) Please talk with one of our receptionists if
you wish to schedule this 3-D ultrasound.
16-20 weeks– (3rd part of sequential screen) Quad screen– a blood test is
drawn to determine if you are at higher than normal risk for having an infant with
defects of the head or spine, or Down’s syndrome. If this test indicates a higher
than normal risk, further testing will be recommended.
25-28 weeks: Diabetes Screening– because of the serious risks to the baby if the
mother has undetected diabetes, we screen all patients at 28 weeks. For this test, a
sweet drink, glucola, is ingested, and blood is drawn 1 hour later to determine how
well your body processes sugar. If this test is abnormally high, further testing will
be necessary to rule out Diabetes Mellitus.
28 weeks– Rh Negative patients will receive RhoGam at this time to prevent
antibodies from being formed that might destroy the baby’s blood cells.
36 weeks– A GBS (Group Beta Streptococcus) test will be done. This is a test in
which the doctor or midwife will do a vaginal culture to determine whether or not
you are a carrier of the Group B Streptococcus.
38-39 weeks– In addition to the routine prenatal exam, a pelvic exam will be
done to determine if your cervix (mouth of the womb) is dilating.
41-42 weeks– If you carry your baby past 40 weeks, we will schedule you for a
non-stress test to assess the well-being of the baby. This test involves monitoring
the fetal heart rate on an external fetal monitor. Depending upon the results of
this test, further testing may be ordered.
(There will be an additional charge for lab work or specialized tests. Your
insurance company will be billed for the procedures).
DELIVERY CHARGES: Your insurance company will be notified of your
pregnancy, and maternity benefits will be determined. You will receive a letter
informing you of any amount not covered by your insurance. A payment plan will
be arranged. Please feel free to discuss our fees with us at any time.
PRENATAL, NEWBORN CARE, AND BREASTFEEDING CLASSES:
Childbirth education, newborn care, and breastfeeding classes are available at the
hospital. We recommend taking the classes during the last two months of your
pregnancy. If interested please register. Call 800-242-5662, these classes are
FREE to you as a service from CMC.
MEDICINE: We will give you a prescription for Prenatal Vitamins on your first
visit. Take one each day. **See attached sheet for a complete list of medication
that are safe during your pregnancy. No other medication should be taken until
speaking with us.**
ONSET OF LABOR: Please Call when any of the following things occur. If
your water breaks or leaks. If your contractions are 5 minutes apart. If bleeding
occurs. If the baby is not moving, or If you are in doubt, you need to be seen by a
provider. Call the office if any of these things occur during office hours, and you
can be seen in the office. If it Is after office hours, the provider on call will call you
back.
POSTPARTUM: You can expect to stay in the hospital for 24-48 hours. You will
be seen in the hospital by a provider each day that you are there. We will see you
in the office 6 weeks following your delivery.
AFTER HOURS: We are available for your questions and problems 24 hours a
day; however we ask that if your call is not an emergency, please call us during our
office hours which are Monday-Thursday 8:30 am—5:00 pm, and Friday 8:30 am
to 12 pm. This will keep our telephone lines open for true emergencies. If you do
get the answering service to page us, please keep your phone lines open for our
return calls. Also, if possible, it is best if children do not answer the phone. No
medication will be phoned in after office hours. Please remember to call ahead for
any prescription refills.
Again, congratulations on your pregnancy, and thank you for choosing us to take
care of you and your baby during this special time. Please feel free to ask us
questions about this pregnancy and your care.
Please visit our website at www.cartersvilleobgyn.com
Sincerely,
Cartersville Ob/Gyn Associates
Your First Trimester:
1st Month = Weeks 1,2,3,4
2nd Month = Weeks 5,6,7,8
3rd Month = Weeks 9,10,11,12, 13
Your Second Trimester:
4th Month = Weeks 14,15,16,17
5th Month = Weeks 18,19,20,21
6th Month = Weeks 22,23,24,25,26
Your Third Trimester:
7th Month = Weeks 27,28,29,30
8th Month = Weeks 31,32,33,34,35
9th Month = Weeks 36,37,38,39,40
Understanding Your Pregnancy Trimesters, Months & Weeks
Where You Gain the Weight
Blood 3-4 Pounds
Breast 2-3 Pounds
Womb 2-5 Pounds
Baby 7-8 Pounds
Placenta 2-3 Pounds
Amniotic Fluid 2-3 Pounds
Fat & Protein 5-9 Pounds
Retained Water 4 Pounds
Beginning pregnancy at a healthy weight
Over the course of your pregnancy you should gain 25–35
pounds. You should gain between 1 and 5 pounds in the
first trimester, and should put on about one pound every
week in the second and third trimesters.
Beginning pregnancy underweight
You should gain between 28-40 pounds. Gaining 1 to 5
pounds in the first trimester, and try to gain slightly over a
pound a week in the second and third trimesters.
Beginning pregnancy overweight
You should gain 15–25 pounds throughout the pregnancy.
Gaining 1-5 pounds in the first trimester, you should gain
just over ½ pound every week in the second and third
trimesters. While you don't want to gain too much weight,
you should never try to lose weight during pregnancy
because that could harm your baby.
Beginning Pregnancy obese
You should gain 11–20 pounds throughout the
pregnancy. You should gain 1-5 pounds in the first
trimester, and try to gain just under ½ pound every week
in the second and third trimesters.
Expecting Twins
Beginning at a healthy weight aim to gain 37-54 pounds,
beginning overweight 31-50 pounds, beginning obese 25-
42 pounds.
“Eating for two” is not necessary. True, you do need extra calories from foods that are rich in nutrients, but generally you only need to eat an extra 100-300 calories more that you did before you became pregnant. (Equivalent to one extra healthy snack). It is important to eat a well-balanced diet. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, pregnant women should have 3 servings of milk, yogurt, and cheese, 3 servings of protein, 3 servings of fruits, 4 servings of vegetables, and 9 servings of whole grain products each day.
To determine how much weight you need to gain, you need to calculate your BMI (or body mass index). BMI is a measure of body fat based on you pre-pregnancy weight and height. This will tell you if you are considered to be at a healthy weight, underweight, overweight, or obese. We can do this for you at an early prenatal visit. We can discuss at any of your prenatal visits, ways in which you can effectively manage your weight gain.
Weight gain in pregnancy is important, but it is important to gain the right amount of weight for your body. If you gain too little you are more likely to have a small baby (less than 5 1/2 pounds). If you gain too much you are more likely to have a large baby, or health problems such as gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, or varicose veins. Gaining the right amount of weight during preg-nancy by eating a healthy, balanced diet is a good sign that your baby is getting all the nutrients he or she needs and is growing at a healthy rate.
Managing your weight gain in pregnancy
Pregnancy Weight and Growth Chart
Gestational Age (weeks) :
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
My Baby’s Due Date is: ________________
Weight:
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
Blood Pressure:
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
Fundal Height (growth) :
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
Questions I Need to ask:
Common Discomforts of Pregnancy
Nausea and Vomiting: Commonly known as “morning sickness” can occur
in 50-90% of pregnant women with or without vomiting. The severity of
symptoms varies and usually occurs between weeks 5 and 18 weeks of
pregnancy. The symptoms are usually at their worst around nine weeks and are
improving by week 16. Even thought it is commonly called “morning sickness”
the symptoms can occur at any time throughout the day.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP YOUR SYMPTOMS??
• Choose foods that have a dry quality and taste bland. Avoid spicy foods with strong odors. Try the BRAT diet
(Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast).
• Drink plenty of liquids. Popsicles and Jell-O are sometimes easier to tolerate.
• Several small frequent meals are easier for digestion– keep something in your stomach at all times.
• Drinking ginger teas or adding ginger to drinks can help prevent nausea.
• Vitamin remedies and other over the counter products– Vitamin B6 25mg three times a day. If no improvement
then add Doxylamine (Unisom) 1/2 tablet in the morning and 1 tablet before bed.
If the remedies do not work for you, or you are unable to keep down any solids or liquids over several hours, please
notify one of our providers.
Aches, Pains, and Backaches:
As your baby grows, and
your uterus expands, pains
in the back, abdomen,
thighs, and groin area often
occur. Also, many women
have backaches, and aching near the pelvic bone as a
result of pressure from the baby’s head, increased weight,
and relaxing of the joints.
To ease some of these aches try the following:
• Lying down
• Resting
• Applying Heat
• Stretching exercises
If you are concerned, or the pains do not improve, please
notify one of your providers.
Dizziness:
Many women complain of dizziness and lightheaded-
ness throughout their pregnancies. Fainting is rare,
but does happen even in some healthy pregnant
women. There are many reasons for these symptoms
and include: the growth of more blood vessels in early
pregnancy, the pressure of the expanding uterus on
blood vessels, and the body’s increased need for food.
Follow these tips to feel better:
• Stand up slowly
• When you are feeling lightheaded, lay down on
your left side
• Avoid sitting or standing in one position for a
long time
• Eat healthy snacks or small meals frequently
• Don’t get overheated
* If you faint, call your provider as soon as possible*
Common Discomforts of Pregnancy
Hemorrhoids: Up to 50% of women get
hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are swollen and
bulging veins in the rectum. They can cause itching,
pain, and bleeding. They are more common in
pregnancy for many reasons. During pregnancy
there is a huge increase in the amount of blood in
the body, which can cause veins to enlarge. The
growing uterus also puts pressure on the veins in
the rectum. Constipation, which is also a common
discomfort of pregnancy can make hemorrhoids
worse. Hemorrhoids will usually improve after the
baby is born. Try the following to help prevent and
relieve hemorrhoids.
• Drink lots of fluids (Water).
• Eat plenty of fiber-rich foods like whole grains,
raw or cooked leafy green vegetables, and
fruits.
Constipation: High pregnancy hormone
levels slow down digestion and relax muscles in
the bowels, making constipation a common
pregnancy discomfort.
Try the following tips to stay more regular:
• Eat fiber-rich foods like fresh or dried fruit,
raw vegetables, whole grain cereals or breads
daily.
• Use a fiber supplement like Metamucil or
Benefiber.
• Drink eight to ten glasses of water every day.
• Avoid caffeinated drinks.
• Get moving. Mild exercise like walking may
help ease constipation.
Leg Cramps: At different times during your pregnancy you
may have cramps in your legs or
feet. Usually at night. This is due
to a change in the way your body
processes calcium. Try the
following tips to prevent and
ease cramps:
• Eat lots of low-fat,
calcium-rich foods
• Get regular mild exercise,
like walking
• Gently stretch the muscle to
relieve leg and foot cramps.
If you have a sudden cramp,
flex your foot toward your
body
Shortness of Breath: As the baby grows, your
expanding uterus will put
pressure on all of your organs,
including your lungs. You may
notice that you are short of
breath, or might not be able to
catch your breath. Tips to ease
breathing include:
• Take deep, long breaths
• Maintain good posture so
your lungs have room to
expand
• Use an extra pillow and try
sleeping on your side to
breathe easier at night
Swelling: Most women will develop mild swelling in their face, hands, or ankles at some point during
their pregnancy. As your due date approaches, swelling often becomes more noticeable. If you have
weight gain that is rapid or significant, or your hands and feet suddenly get very puffy, let your provider
know. To keep swelling to a minimum, try the following:
• Drink an eight ounce glass of water every hour while you are awake
• Avoid caffeine and salty foods
• Rest when you can on your left side, with your feet elevated
• Ask about support hose
Common Discomforts of Pregnancy
Heartburn and Indigestion: Almost every pregnant woman experiences
heartburn and indigestion. This common discomfort is caused by hormones, and the
growing uterus. Pregnancy hormones slow down the muscles of the digestive tract, so
digestion is sluggish. Hormones also relax the valve between the stomach and esophagus.
This allows food and acid to come back up from the stomach to the esophagus. The food
and acid causes the burning feeling of heartburn. As your baby gets bigger, the uterus
pushes on the stomach, making heartburn more common in later pregnancy. Try these tips
to prevent and ease heartburn and indigestion:
• Avoid greasy and fried foods
• Eat six to eight small meals instead of three large meals
• Don’t gain more than recommended amount of weight
• Eat slowly
• Don’t go to bed immediately after eating, eat your last meal a couple of hours before lying down
Tingling and Itching: Tingling and numbness of the fingers and a feeling of swelling in the hands are
common during pregnancy. These symptoms are due to swelling of tissues in the narrow passages in your
wrists, and they should disappear after the birth of the baby
Around 20% of women feel itchy during pregnancy. Usually on the abdomen, but it can occur on the palms of
the hands and soles of the feet. Hormones and stretching skin are to blame for most of the discomfort. Try the
following to feel better:
• Use thick moisturizing creams instead of lotion
• Use mild/gentle soaps
• Avoid hot showers or baths that can dry your skin
• Avoid itchy fabrics and clothes
• Try not to get over-heated. Heat can make the itching worse
Sleep Troubles: You may feel tired, even if you have had a lot of sleep. Many
women find they are particularly tired in the first trimester. This is normal, and is your
body’s way of telling you that you need more rest.
In the second trimester, tiredness is usually replaced with a feeling of well being and
energy. But, often in the third trimester, exhaustion sets in again. As your baby grows,
sleeping may become more difficult. Often, the baby moving, trips to the bathroom, or
leg cramps interrupt your sleep. Try the following tips to help you sleep better.
• When you are tired, if possible get some rest
• Try to get about eight hours of sleep every night, and a short nap during the day
• If you feel stressed, try to find ways to relax
• Sleep on your left side. This will relieve pressure on blood vessels that supply
oxygen and nutrients to the baby
* Rarely, itching can be a sign
of a serious condition called
cholestasis of pregnancy. If
you have nausea, loss of appe-
tite, vomiting, jaundice, or
fatigue with itching, notify
your provider. *
Medications safe during pregnancy
Heartburn—Tums, Rolaids, Tagamet, Zantac,
Maalox, Mylanta, Prevacid
Diarrhea—Kaopectate or Immodium
Constipation—Colace (over the counter),
Metamucil, Citrucel, Fruit Juices
Pain—Any Tylenol product
Cold Medicine—Sudafed, Actifed, Tylenol
Cold/Sinus, Claritin, Mucinex, Benadryl
Cough—Any Robitussin Product
Sleep—Tylenol PM, Benadryl
Sore Throat—Chloraseptic Spray, Warm Salt
Water, Any Lozenges
What you need to know about Fish and Seafood
Fish and shell fish are an important part of a healthy diet. They are
high in protein, low in saturated fat, and contain omega-3 fatty acids.
Nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of Mercury. For most
people the risk from Mercury by eating fish and shellfish is not a
health concern. Yet some fish may contain higher levels that should
not be eaten by pregnant or nursing mothers, women that want to
become pregnant, and young children. These are the FDA
Guidelines:
Do not eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish because they
contain high levels of mercury.
Eat up to 12 ounces (2 average meals) a week of a variety of fish or
shell fish that are lower in mercury.
Shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish.
Albacore tuna is higher in mercury than canned light tuna
so limit to 6 ounces a week.
Check local advisories about the safety of fish caught in local lakes,
rivers, and coastal area. If no advise is given limit to 6 ounces a
week.
And now a few words about the Flu
If you're pregnant, a flu shot is your best protection
against serious illness from the flu.
The flu is more likely to cause severe illness in pregnant women than in women
who are not pregnant. Changes during pregnancy make pregnant women more
prone to severe illness from flu, causing hospitalizations or even death. Preg-
nant women with the flu also have a greater chance for serious problems for
their unborn baby, including miscarriage or preterm birth.
Getting a flu shot is the first and most important step in protecting against flu. The flu shot given during preg-
nancy has been shown to protect both the mother and her baby (up to 6 months old) from flu. (The nasal
spray vaccine should not be given to women who are pregnant.)
Everyday Prevention
Everyday preventive actions are steps that people can take to help slow the spread of germs that cause
respiratory illness, like flu. These include the following personal and community actions:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. This will block the spread of droplet from your mouth or nose that could contain germs.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you or your child gets sick with a respiratory illness, like flu, limit contact with others as much as possible to help prevent spreading illness. Stay home (or keep your child home) for at least 24 hours after fever is gone except to seek medical care or for other necessities. Fever should be gone without the
use of a fever-reducing medicine.
• If an outbreak of flu or another illness occurs, follow public health advice. This may include information about how to increase distance between people and other measures.
Early Treatment is Important for Pregnant Women
If you get sick with flu-like symptoms call your doctor right away. If needed, the doctor will prescribe an
antiviral medicine that treats the flu.
Having a fever caused by flu infection or other infections early in pregnancy can lead to birth defects in an
unborn child. Pregnant women who get a fever should treat their fever with Tylenol® (or store brand equiva-
lent) and contact their doctor as soon as possible.
When to Seek Emergency Medical Care If you have any of these signs, call your Health Care Provider’s office right away, for a true emergency call 911
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• High fever that is not responding to Tylenol
Week by Week
Week 5—Your baby hasn’t grown much, it’s about 0.05 inches
long. The heart, brain, spinal cord, muscles, and bones are
beginning to develop. The placenta and amniotic sac are still
forming also.
Week 6—Your baby is about the size of a BB pellet, about 0.08 to
0.16 inches long, from the top of the head to the bottom of the
buttocks. Eyes, arms, and leg buds are starting to form.
Week 7—Your baby has grown a great deal this week, to about
0.44 to 0.52 inches. The neural tube that forms the brain and
spinal cord is growing. Eyes, nostrils, heart, lungs, intestines, and
appendix are becoming more developed.
Week 8—Your baby is now about the size of a grape, 0.56 to 0.8
inches from crown to rump. Eyelid folds and ears are starting to
form and the nose is noticeable. The arms now bend at the elbow.
Fingers and toes are becoming notched.
You have begun a magnificent
journey.
We want to be the first to welcome you to
parenthood.
Your pregnancy is an exciting time for you and
your family. You have many different feelings at
this time. And all of those feelings are changing
moment by moment and they are all incredibly
normal.
Your pregnancy calculations began with your last
period, some of the timing may seem a little
strange to you as we discuss where you are in your
pregnancy. A pregnancy is typically 38—42 weeks
from you last period, not from the conception as is
commonly thought.
Congratulations!
Finishing the First Trimester
Weeks 9—13
Week 9—Your baby is about the size of a strawberry. Your baby now moves its
body, arms, and legs but you won’t be able to feel it yet.
Your waist may be thickening but if you haven’t told them people will not know
you are pregnant. You may be having some food cravings, or foods that you no
longer desire to eat. You may also have heartburn, indigestion, nausea, and
vomiting. Moodiness and weepiness is not uncommon.
Be sure you are taking your prenatal vitamins and eating plenty of foods rich in calcium
(milk, cheese, yogurt, broccoli, and sardines) to help with the development of your babies
bones and teeth.
Week 11—Your baby is about the size of a large lime. The swooshing sound of a heartbeat can
usually be heard through a Doppler. The baby is swallowing and kicking, although you still won’t be
able to feel it.
Your uterus is large enough to reach the top of your pelvis and may be felt in you lower abdomen.
You may have noticed some changes to your skin, hair, and nails. You may notice bleeding from
your gums while brushing or flossing, this is caused by the increased blood volume with pregnancy
and is not a reason to stop brushing or flossing. These practices help protect you from bacteria that
can cause preterm labor.
Within the next few weeks you may be scheduled for the
first two parts of your birth defects screening. This test
involves a brief ultrasound called a nuchal translucency to
look at and measure the fold on the babies neck and a
finger stick to collect a small amount of blood to look for
substances that can be a signal to look more in depth for
birth defects. This is not a test that says your baby has a
problem, just that more testing is needed. The final part of this test will be completed with a blood
sample in a few weeks.
Week 13—Your baby is about the size of a peach. The head is still
larger than the body, but the rest of the body is catching up. The baby
has developed to where it looks more like what we are more familiar
with.
The nausea and vomiting should be starting to improve. You may be
able to feel the smooth round ball that is your uterus in your lower
abdomen.
Dad may be feeling a little left out since he can’t experience the
physical changes you are feeling. Try to make special time to discuss
your excitement, worries, dreams, and involvement.
Weeks 14—17
Your 4th month
Week 14—Your baby measures 3.2 to 4.1 inches
from crown to rump now and weighs almost an
ounce. Facial features and unique fingerprints are
all there. Your baby is beginning to respond to
things you do. If your abdomen is pushed, the baby
will try to wiggle away. Constipation may be a
problem for you now and throughout the
pregnancy. If so, you can help by exercising
moderately, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating
food high in fiber like raw vegetables, fruits, and
whole grains.
Week 15—Your baby is now 4.1 to 4.5 inches
from crown to rump and weighs about 1.75
ounces. About the size of an orange. Its body is
covered with fine hair called lanugo, which is
shed before birth usually. Eyebrows and hair on
the top of the head are beginning to grow. He or
she may suck his/her thumb. You may be able
to feel your uterus 3 to 4 inches below your
bellybutton. Now is a good time to start
learning to sleep on your side because
circulation to the baby is best that way.
Your Second Trimester
Week 16—The baby is still growing and is now 4.3 to 4.6
inches long and weighs about 2.8 ounces. Fingernails are
well formed, arms and legs are moving, fingers and toes
are well defined. Your baby can stretch, yawn, and make
faces. You may start to feel tiny bubbling sensations when
your baby moves, this is called quickening. You are
probably wearing maternity clothes now. Your uterus
weighs about 8.75 ounces. You may be having nosebleeds
from the increased blood volume. You may not have to
urinate as often since the uterus is shifted upward.
Week 17—The baby now weighs about 3.5 ounces and is 4.4
to 4.8 inches from crown to rump. Fat is beginning to form,
helping the baby’s heat production. The lungs, circulatory,
and urinary systems are working. You have probably gained
between 5 to 10 pounds and your appetite is better. Get up
slowly to prevent dizziness and fainting. If you feel faint sit
down and lower your head or lie down for a few minutes.
Weeks 18 to 21 ~ Your 5th month
Week 18— Your baby is now 5 to 5.6 inches from
crown to rump and weighs 5.25 ounces.
Congratulations you have just helped your baby
through her first growth spurt. Taste buds are
developing and can distinguish between sweet and
bitter. Your baby may get hiccups. Your uterus is
about the size of a cantaloupe and can be felt at
about your waistline. Around this time, stronger
fetal movements and a thinning uterus will enable
you to begin feeling the baby’s movement.
Weeks 19-21: Rapid growth of the baby’s body continues. By the end of the 21st week the legs reach
their total length, and toenails develop. The eyelids remain fused. The baby is able to move freely in the
uterus. By the end of the month the baby’s skin is covered with a substance called vernix caseosa, which
is a cheesy substance that protects the baby’s delicate skin from the amniotic fluid (water) it is living in!
By the end of the month the average length is 6.5 inches and average weight is almost 1 pound or 500
grams.
Weeks 22 to 26 ~ Your 6th Month
• Your baby can now hear your conversations more
clearly than before!. When you talk, read, or
sing, expect him/her to hear you.
• Eyelids and eyebrows are fully formed.
Fingernails have grown to the end of the fingers.
• Your baby's brain has entered a stage of
rapid growth! Be prepared for all those why
questions!! Brain development continues at a
rapid pace until about the age of 5!
• If your baby is male his testes begin their
descent to the scrotum.
• Hair Growth is prominent during this month, the
entire body is covered with a fine hair called
lanugo. Eyelashes, eyebrows, and head hair are
present.
• By the end of the sixth month your baby may
weigh around 2 pounds and be 14 inches in
length!
• Air sacs in the lungs are forming and the
lungs begin to secrete surfactant, without it
the fetal lungs would stick together and
would not be able to expand after the baby is
born.
• Your baby’s eyes are opening and beginning
to blink!
Your 3rd Trimester
Your 7th Month ~ Weeks 27 to 30
Week 27 ~ He/She's sleeping and waking at
regular intervals, opening and closing his/her
eyes, and perhaps even sucking his/her fingers.
With more brain tissue developing, your baby's
brain is very active now. His/her her lungs are
still very immature.
Week 28 & 29 ~ Your baby’s eyesight is
developing. Body fat is beginning to accumulate
in preparation for life in the outside world! Mus-
cles and lungs are continuing to mature, and the
head is continuing to grow to accommodate the
growing brain!
Week 30 ~ By now your baby weighs almost 3
pounds and is approximately 15.5 inches long.
Eyesight is continuing to develop, but it is not
very keen. After birth he/she will keep them
closed much of the day. His/her vision will be
20/400 at birth, meaning that objects can only
be seen a few inches from his/her face.
Your 8th Month ~ Weeks 31 to 35
Weeks 31 & 32 ~ Fat is continuing to accumulate, and
is smoothing out the wrinkly skin. Your baby’s kicks and
somersaults may be keeping you awake at night!
Weeks 33 to 35 ~ The body is rounder, and the arms
and legs take on a somewhat chubby appearance. The
hair is longer and the toenails have reached the end of
the toes. In boys the left testicle has usually descended
into the scrotum. By the end of the 35th week your baby
weighs around 5.5 pounds and is about 18 inches long.
The baby’s increasing size makes it more snug in your
womb. As a result he/she may not be doing somersaults
anymore and movement may be more subtle. However,
the number of movements or kicks should be the same.
The End is in Sight……. Your 9th Month!!!
Weeks 36 to 40+
Weeks 36 ~ Your baby is still packing on
the pounds at an approximate rate of 1 ounce
a day. He/she is beginning to shed the vernix
and lanugo that is covering the skin. Most
likely the baby is in a head down position for
birth.
Week 37 to 40 ~ Congratulations! Your
baby is full term! During these last few
weeks, full growth and development are
attained. Mammary glands protrude in both
boys and girls, in boys both testicles have
usually descended into the scrotum. The
lanugo has disappeared from most of the
body. Fingernails and toenails have grown
beyond the ends of the fingers and toes. The
baby’s weight at birth depends on a number
of variables, the average weight of a newborn
at term is 7.5 pounds.
A Few Words about Labor…… The end of your pregnancy can be tough. Your growing belly can cause
aches and pains that make it difficult to wait for the arrival of the baby. Not only are you uncomfortable,
but also you are just so anxious to finally meet your little one and hold your bundle of joy for the very first
time!! Keep in mind that even though the baby is considered to be full term, growth and development of
the brain, lungs, and other vital organs is still taking place. The vast majority of the time, your body has an
amazing way of knowing when it is time to give birth. Be patient…….. Labor will come!!
In certain situations, an induction of labor may be necessary. If you have gone too far beyond your due
date, or if there is a medical reason, an induction may be an option. If any of these things occur, we will
discuss it with you further. Most of the time, if a woman’s body is allowed to do what it does naturally,
labor will occur on its own, with less chance of complications.
