Pregnancy 101 » Stages Of Pregnancy

42 Weeks Pregnant

admin — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 05:26:10 +0000

The 42nd week marks the successful completion of the third trimester as well as of the pregnancy. The delivery is about to take place, though according to studies, very few births happen on their due date. If the delivery has not taken place even after the 42nd week, it becomes overdue. The women will start to experience real contractions during this time. The contractions will intensify and become more frequent with time.

The baby, on the other hand, is ready to arrive. Doctors usually have to trim its nails after the birth. In case of an overdue delivery, the gynecologist might use labor-inducement methods. In case of an overdue baby, the nourishment provided to it by the placenta also reduces with time. Therefore, in such a case, the doctors will monitor the baby very carefully.

The Stages of Pregnancy

First Trimester

Second Trimester

Third Trimester

41 Weeks Pregnant

admin — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 05:24:05 +0000

The women should be prepared for delivery by the time they enter the 41st week of their pregnancy. Symptoms such as nausea, indigestion, and heartburn will appear even now. Women should avoid fatty food during this time, and continue to take lots of fluids. This will prevent dehydration. The baby however, will sleep through most of this period. This is because it does not have any space to move. It will sleep even when its mother is experiencing contractions. Women may feel the baby kicking at time though. The baby will continue to grow during this period as well, and may gain some weight.

It is important that the women make adequate arrangements for the delivery of the baby. They should pack all the important things they would require during their stay at the hospital. Telephone numbers of the hospital and of their family should be kept nearby, in case of an emergency.

The Stages of Pregnancy

First Trimester

Second Trimester

Third Trimester

40 Weeks Pregnant

admin — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 05:21:40 +0000

Women go through a gamut of emotions around this time because the delivery is nearing. The movement in the womb increases again. This may result in frequent urination and severe backache. Strain in the areas like the abdomen and bladder increases during this time, and is referred to as ‘false pain’. The false pain may seem like contractions, but the two should not be confused. Simple activities such as sleeping become difficult and uncomfortable during this time. The leg cramps will continue.

Your Baby’s Development

The baby is in good health at this stage, and is getting ready for the delivery. Almost all of its bones harden by this time, except for the skull bones. The skull bones need to remain flexible for the delivery. Also, the baby’s body starts to develop its immune system at this time.

The Stages of Pregnancy

First Trimester

Second Trimester

Third Trimester

39 Weeks Pregnant

admin — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 05:18:16 +0000

By the 39th week, the baby is getting cramped inside the room, and is waiting to come out. Doctors do not attach much danger to babies born in the 38th or the 39th week. According to them, they will have a normal growth. However, during this time, the mother-to-be becomes more uncomfortable. There will be a feeling of dizziness quite often. Increased frequency of urination will continue, as will the cramps in the legs. While swelling of the feet is a normal feature around this time, in some cases, the hands and fingers might swell too.

Your Baby’s Development

Meanwhile, the baby’s respiratory system will strengthen around this time. Its lungs will increase the production of surfactant. Right till the time of its delivery, the baby will continue to grow inside the womb. It would also increase in weight. Mothers-to-be can start keeping track of their baby’s progress around this time.

The Stages of Pregnancy

First Trimester

Second Trimester

Third Trimester

38 Weeks Pregnant

admin — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 05:15:10 +0000

Women entering the 38th week of their pregnancy may experience labor pains any time now. The baby is still in the process of settling down in the pelvic region of its mother’s body. Towards the end of pregnancy, women may see some swelling in their feet. This is normal. However, if there is a swelling in any other part of the body such as face or hands, a doctor should be consulted immediately. Doctors say that this is a sign of pregnancy-induced hypertension. Since this condition can affect the volume of blood being received by the placenta, this can be quite fatal to the baby. There may be heartburn and the urge to urinate quite often. But women should keep taking lots of fluids despite the several trips to the toilet.

Your Baby’s Development

Most of the body organs of the baby are fully developed by this time, and are functioning normally. It develops tear ducts around this time. A baby boy will be bigger in size then a baby girl, and the baby girls are known to rest lower in the pelvic region than the boys. The baby will blink its eyes and react to sound and light while still in the womb.

The Stages of Pregnancy

First Trimester

Second Trimester

Third Trimester

37 Weeks Pregnant

admin — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 05:03:37 +0000

This is almost the end of the third trimester of pregnancy. There may be a feeling of heaviness in women, and simple tasks like walking may seem difficult. Fatigue and exhaustion are a normal feeling at this time. But this is also an exciting time, as the baby can arrive anytime now. During this time, the cervix dilates in anticipation of the delivery of the baby. Also, the mucous plug which was acting as a protective layering around the uterus will start getting discharged from the body at this stage. The breasts may seem heavier. The stretching of the skin may lead to itchiness. Women may experience backaches and hemorrhoids during this time. The blood pressure and the sugar level in the body may rise.

Your Baby’s Development

The baby appears pink in color now. Body organs such as the lungs already start functioning by this time. All the fat that the baby has gained till now gives it a rounded appearance. The baby moves in the position of delivery during this time, and rests its head on its mother’s pelvic bone.

Weeks 37-42 of Pregnancy

The Stages of Pregnancy

First Trimester

Second Trimester

Third Trimester

36 Weeks Pregnant

admin — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 05:01:11 +0000

Around the 36th week of pregnancy, the baby’s head moves into the lower portion of its mother’s body. It rests on her pelvic bone. When a woman enters the 36th week of her pregnancy, it is termed as a ‘full-term’ pregnancy. There may be a feeling of fatigue and exhaustion, accompanied by some anxiety about the impending birth of the baby. Due to increased size of the uterus, the skin also stretches severely, leading to stretch marks. Women can apply anti-wrinkle creams to get rid of these marks. Also, because of the intense pressure on the lower part of the body, the women may feel the need to urinate quite often. This might bring some relief to the breathing trouble. With the baby moving to the lower portion of the body, the lung will be able to expand more. There is a possibility that the blood pressure and the blood sugar may increase during this time. Backaches will continue.

Your Baby’s Development

By the 36th week, the baby is more or less developed. It is now getting in the position of delivery. In most cases, the baby is delivered head down. Its weight has increased by this time. Its limbs start to develop dimples due to the increasing fat on the body, while its gums also start hardening.

Weeks 33-36 of Pregnancy

The Stages of Pregnancy

First Trimester

Second Trimester

Third Trimester

35 Weeks Pregnant

admin — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 04:58:14 +0000

Healthy, nutritive diet is a must now. This is because the baby is almost developed by now, and requires more nourishment. The gynecologist may prescribe vitamin, iron, and calcium supplements. It is important that the women take them on a regular basis. In the meanwhile, symptoms such as breathing trouble may continue, as a result of the continued pressure on the ribcage. During this time, women will experience ‘lightening’. Lightening is the phenomenon when the baby drops into the pelvis for delivery. This occurs towards the end of pregnancy. This however, has a side-effect. Due to the pressure lightening puts on the bladder, the frequency to urinate increases in pregnant women at this time. This may also lead to numbness or a tingling sensation in the pelvis region. Other symptoms such as round ligament pain, constipation, heartburn, and indigestion will continue.

Your Baby’s Development

Most of the baby’s body organs such as the lungs, liver, and kidney have developed by the 35th week. Gynecologists are of the opinion that this is a good time for expecting mothers to establish a bond with their babies by talking to them. According to them, the baby will pay attention to sound. The protective coating that had developed around the baby’s body in the previous weeks of pregnancy now disappears.

Weeks 33-36 of Pregnancy

The Stages of Pregnancy

First Trimester

Second Trimester

Third Trimester

34 Weeks Pregnant

admin — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 04:55:30 +0000

By the 34th week, expecting mothers start to feel breathless. This is because the increasing size of the uterus pushes the other body parts around. It also starts pushing pressure on the diaphragm, due to which the lungs are not able to expand fully. If the breathlessness worsens, then a doctor should be consulted immediately. There will be instances of heartburn. This may be caused by the excessive movement of the baby inside the uterus which leads to acidity. Swelling might appear on body parts such as hands, ankles, and feet. This can be attributed to water-retention, and can be relieved by drinking plenty of water. But, if swelling becomes severe and is accompanied by headaches, then it may be a sign of ‘pre-eclampsia’. This is disorder of the placenta, occurs towards the end of pregnancy.

Your Baby’s Development

The baby’s face becomes clearer now. It is gaining more fat in these weeks. The fat accumulation helps regulate its body temperature. It reacts to sounds and light. Most of its body parts and organs are developed by the 34th week of pregnancy.

Weeks 33-36 of Pregnancy

The Stages of Pregnancy

First Trimester

Second Trimester

Third Trimester

33 Weeks Pregnant

admin — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 04:52:15 +0000

Women tend to suffer from indigestion and heartburn around the 33rd week of their pregnancy. Eating small meals from time to time may help alleviate this problem. Some of them develop bleeding gums or cavities in their teeth. This is mainly caused due to changes in the blood pressure inside the body. Hormonal changes may also be responsible for these symptoms. Regular visits to the dentist may be beneficial. Women, at this time, are fast gaining weight. But, according to gynecologist, most of the weight collected is diverted to the baby. There may be pain in the hands, wrists, and fingers. There may also be some numbness to them at times. Mothers-to-be should continue to take a healthy diet.

Your Baby’s Development

The baby’s lungs develop fully by the 33rd week, but it will still be kept inside an incubator after its delivery. Fat continues to get deposited on its body. Its bones also become hard, except the skull bones. The skull bones need to remain soft in order to facilitate delivery.