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Pregnancy, Weeks 26-29

OK ladies! You are either at the tail end of your second trimester or just beginning the start of your third! YIPPEE! You have done so well over these last several months. It is hard work carrying around another person, fighting all that nausea and vomiting, and just feeling yucky! Congratulate yourself and treat yourself to a pedicure or manicure perhaps or maybe a trip to the salon or masseuse. Your tummy is still continuing to grow (which it will, clear up until the end), you may notice more back pain, pressure in your pelvis, leg cramps or headaches. At 26 weeks, your uterus is about 2 1/2" above your bellybutton and your weight gain should be between 16-22 pounds. If you are closer to 29 weeks your uterus is about 3 1/2-4" above your belly button and your weight gain should be around 19-25 pounds. You should be feeling lots of movement by now—pokes, punches, rolls and elbows! Nutrition is more important than ever going into this last trimester…keep eating healthy, taking your prenatal vitamin and extra iron tablet if prescribed. Below is a food chart to help you if you are wondering what kinds of foods to eat and how many servings per day are recommended.

Nutrition

Foods to eat Servings/Day
Dark green or dark yellow fruits and vegetables 1
Fruits/vegetables with vitamin C (tomatoes,citrus) 2
Other fruits and vegetables 2
Whole-grain breads/cereals 4
Dairy products 4
Protein sources (meat,eggs, fish, chicken) 2
Dried beans and peas, seeds and nuts 2

Let's talk about that Placenta…

The placenta is a wonderful, disposable organ that if it did not exist, we would not be able to reproduce. The placenta has many functions: it moves oxygen, carbon dioxide and nutrition to and from the baby, and carries away the waste. By the 7-8th week, it is producing estrogen and progesterone, and by the end of the 12th week it is fully-functioning.

Have you ever seen a placenta? It is a flat round or oval shaped organ and is 6-8 inches around and is about 3/4 to 1 1/4 inch thick. It weighs about 17-24 ounces. Placentas vary in size. The side of the placenta that is attached to the uterus looks beefy or spongy. The side that is next to the baby is smooth and is covered by the amniotic sac or membrane. The umbilical cord is the attachment or lifeline from the placenta to the baby.

This Visit

Childbirth Education Classes

Now is the time to start thinking about your own thoughts on how you would like your labor and delivery experience to be. Many birthing options are available for your experience…this is about you and your baby and what method is best for you. Many are available, including Lamaze, Bradley method, Hypnobirthing, and Birthing from Within. These are all different types of childbirth classes which all offer different ways to deal with the discomfort of labor. Please educate yourself and bring your questions with you to your visits.

Baby News

Your baby now has distinct sleep/wake cycles, which if you pay close attention, there may be certain times of the day that your baby is very active and other times very quiet. The baby's 5 senses are also all fully developed at this stage. In week 26, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds and is about 9 1/4 inches long.

In week 27, the eyelids are no longer fused, and the retina, which is the back of the eye, has all the layers fully formed. During this week, the baby weighs a little more than 2 pounds and is about 9 2/3 inches long.

In week 28, the brain is forming amazing grooves and indentations on its surface and the amount of brain tissue is also increasing! Your baby is getting smarter!! The eyebrows and eyelashes are present as well as the hair on its head is growing longer! The baby's body is filling out and getting chubbier! Your baby weighs almost 2 1/2 pounds and is close to 10 inches long! WOW! How exciting!

During week 29, baby is weighing about 2 3/4 pounds and is about 10 1/2 inches long. Baby is continuing to gain weight, the fingernails are grown to the tips of the fingers and their skin is covered in the thick cheesy substance called vernix. The vernix is what protects the skin while the baby is growing inside of you!

Preterm Labor

Be aware of the dreaded preterm labor!! Preterm labor is the start of labor after week 20 and up to week 37. Unfortunately, despite all of the researchers efforts, we cannot pinpoint an exact cause of preterm labor and birth. Please watch for the following signs and symptoms and contact your provider if any occur: