Birthing Naturally Logo

Google
Custom Search
  • Home
    • Home
    • About
    • Author
    • Philosophy
    • Privacy
    • Contact
  • Pregnancy
    • Main
    • Monthly Guide
    • Symptoms
    • Prenatal Tests
    • Staying Comfortable
    • Nutrition
    • Exercise
  • Giving Birth
    • Natural Childbirth
    • Progressing
    • Labor Pain
    • Challenges
    • Messages
    • Virtual Labor
    • Homebirth
  • Birth Planning
    • Basics
    • Options
    • Sample
    • Emotional Preparation
    • Techniques
    • Research
  • Community
    • Facebook
    • Midwife Mentor Blog
    • Directory
    • Calendar
    • Birth Store
  • Christian Birth
    • Christian Childbirth
    • Bible study
    • Birth and Religion
    • Childbirth Ministry
    • Childbirth Missions
    • Principles
    • Resources
    • Birth Planning
    • Books
    • Facebook
    • Christian Birth Blog

Monthy Guides

Introduction

First Trimester To Do List
Month One
Month Two
Month Three

Second Trimester To Do List
Month Four
Month Five
Month Six

Third Trimester To Do List
Month Seven
Month Eight
Month Nine

Healthy Pregnancy

Monthly Guide
Nutrition
Exercise
Prenatal Tests
Staying Comfortable
Signs and Symptoms
Printable Forms

 

Pregnancy Month Eight

Baby's Growth

Week 31

Over the next two weeks he will mature enough that his chances of survival if born early will be pretty good. About 30% of triplets and 10% of twins are born at this time, however most often it is best for babies to stay in the uterus as long as possible.

Week 32

In addition to looking like a newborn, your baby is beginning to react like a newborn. All five of her senses are now functioning. Your baby can see differences of light and dark through your skin, can hear what happens around you and within you, tastes the amniotic fluid, and feels the closeness of your uterine wall. This is also a peak week of movement for your baby. Soon, her size will restrict her to shifting instead of all-out kicks.

Week 33

Another exciting change in your baby’s brain is he now experiences REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. This is the deep stage of sleep where dreaming occurs. He sleeps a lot too. You have probably begun to be familiar with his daily patterns of awake and sleep just by paying attention to his movements.

Week 34

Her body is very mature, and her lungs are well-developed which gives her good chances of survival if she were born this week. The vernix (white substance protecting her skin) is thicker, while the lanugo hair is almost completely gone. Her finger nails have grown to the end of her fingers, and she urinates almost a pint of fluid a day.

Week 35

There is a wide variation in the size of babies by this time. The average is around 5.5 pounds (2550 g) and about 20.25 inches (45 cm) long. You are entering the time of most rapid weight gain, where your baby will be gaining ½ to ¾ of a pound each week. Fat is being deposited all over her body, and the final touches are being made to all the organ systems.

Mom's Changes

You should be feeling Braxton Hicks contractions pretty regularly now. They are not a cause of concern, simply your uterus muscle exercising itself to get stronger.

Your baby may have dropped down into the pelvis, called lightening or engagement, in preparation for birth. This causes your pelvis to expand which may cause some pelvic pressure. The ever increasing size of your baby may also be pushing him up into your rib cage, which may be feeling sore.

Your estrogen levels are increasing, making your uterus more sensitive to oxytocin (the hormone your body uses to cause contractions). This also changes the ratio of estrogen to progesterone which stimulates the release of prostaglandins (which your body uses to soften the cervix).

You may begin thinking about the upcoming labor. If you have not already signed up for a childbirth class or contacted a doula, you need to now.

Common Symptoms

The following symptoms are commonly experienced during this month. Please click on a symptom to learn why it happens and what you can do about it.

Fatigue
Heartburn and Indigestions
Constipation
Stretch Marks
Backache
Leaking Breasts
Bleeding Gums
Pelvic Pressure
Varicose Veins
Contractions
Hemorrhoids
Bladder Issues

Breast Swelling
Faintness
Leg Cramps
Nosebleeds
Shortness of Breath
Swelling
Vaginal Discharge
Decreased Libido
Lightening
Difficulty Sleeping
Increased Moodiness




What would you like next?

Learn comfort techniques for labor.

Explore the process of labor.

Find products to help you enjoy pregnancy and prepare to give birth..

Read research about birth options.

Find natural birth resources in your area.


Share

Most Recent Update: January 24, 2013
© 2000-2011 Jennifer Vanderlaan & Birthing Naturally