MY PREGNANCY - WEEK 34

Your Baby.

• Fetal size: crown-rump 32cm (12.8 inches), crown-toe 44cm (19.8 inches). Fetal weight: 2.25kg (5 pounds).

• Your baby is now perfectly formed and has the proportions of a newborn. Now it’s simply a matter of your baby gaining some weight and doing some further maturing before he/she is ready to be born. It’s becoming more cramped in your uterus as your baby continues to mature. Consequently your baby curls up more and starts to move a bit less.

• Everything is mature except the lungs, which will continue to prepare themselves for breathing air after birth. Although the lungs aren’t fully developed, almost all babies born at 34 weeks will survive, but will probably experience some breathing difficulties.

Your Pregnancy.

• Your health care professional will continue to check that you and your uterus are growing at the right rate to ensure that your baby is growing normally. Don’t worry if you look different to other people at this stage in your pregnancy - everyone is different and there is no effective means of comparing yourself to others.

• Ruptured membranes - or “waters breaking” is when the membranes of the amniotic sac (that has been holding the baby) break. It can either be a slow trickle or a sudden gush of fluid from the vagina. This can happen during labour or even hours before labour commences. Your health care professional should be notified if you think that your waters have broken and you should take note of the colour of the fluid.

• False Labour - will sometimes happen before your real labour begins. You may believe you are in real labour because false labour contractions can be very painful. You may be able to identify false labour by observing your contractions and comparing them to what you should feel in real labour. False labour contractions may also be felt as discomfort in other parts of the body (back, lower abdomen and groin). They will be more irregular than real labour contractions, and are usually shorter (less than 45 seconds). Real labour contractions result in pain that starts at the top of the uterus then radiates outwards to the whole uterus, the lower back and into the pelvis.

  Braxton Hicks contractions can be felt from early on in your pregnancy. If these irregular, painless contractions increase later in your pregnancy they are also considered to be false labour rather than real labour.

• Now is a good time to start thinking about what you will need to take to hopsital. When preparing your bags for hospital, keep everything in one bag (to avoid rushing off and leaving one bag behind), but separate items within the bag as much as possible into:

Hospital bag.

• You will use your delivery bag during the time you are in the labour ward or birthing centre, but if you are staying in hospital for a couple of days, the following is a guide to what you will need for you and your baby.

• Basics for you:
  • Comfortable nightwear that will enable you to easily breastfeed - nightshirts are particularly good.
  • Underpants
  • 3 packets of super sanitary pads
  • Nursing bras
  • Nursing pads
  • Toiletries
  • Hairdryer (if required)
  • If you are staying in hospital for a few days, you may want to pack comfortable day clothes rather than wearing nightshirts during the day.
  • Phone cards come in handy as you cannot use mobile phones in hospitals.

• Basics for Baby:
  • An outfit to take baby home in - including nappies and a wrap.
  • A carry cot to take baby home(your partner can bring this in when you are getting closer to going home)

  Check with your hospital whether you will need any clothes or other items for the baby - most hospitals will provide clothes and nappies for baby while you are in hospital. If you plan to bottlefeed, check if you will need to bring your own bottles, formula and sterilising equipment. Remember you will need to have arranged a restraint for your car to get your baby home.

I woke up pretty late today. Slept quite late last night as well. At 2.30am. Woke up twice I think, grabbing my inhaler as I could not breathe well or I when I am wheezing. Woke up again at 6.30am to grab my dear noisy female 3 yr old cat from outside my bedroom door and throw her in the study room. She did this every morning. Anytime between 4am till 7am. Really annoying! If I let her in, she will hide under the sheets and start grabbing toes and sometimes sucking toes and me and Jan just couldn’t sleep anymore. Anybody wants to adopt this cat?! hehehehee…..

For those of you who are interested to see my dear female cat who simply loves attention so much…here it is! Isn’t she cute!? She is a noisy one! Well…all women are noisy!

Today, I had two strong cramps in my lower abdominal while I was sleeping, I think at around 9am. It woke me up, but I am convinced that it is just Braxton Hicks contraction or false labour. I went back to bed straight after the contraction stops. At 1pm, I encountered such tremendous cramp again. It went on for about 6 mins. Tears developed naturally and I feel like calling my mum. Bad idea if I do that! She will panic much more than me and she will call everyone she knew and before you know it, my house will be super crowded! If this happens, instead of having false labour, I will have real labour! And I do not want to go into real labour now…I am only in my?33 weeks.

Talking about the pain, it starts from the top part of myuterus and went into my back and then finishes off at my lower abdominal. In general, whole tummy is in pain. This is my first pregnancy and I have no idea if this pain is Braxton Hicks or false labour or indigestion….I wish there is a book about pain…

I also got quite a few replies and emails from mother-to-be from all over the world. Thank you very much for all your sweet words and wishes. Thank you for reading my complains and ups and downs. Once this little prince comes out, I will inform all of you so that you will the first ones to see his cute face! I can’t wait!!

MY PREGNANCY - WEEK 33

Your Baby.

• Fetal size: crown-rump 30cm (12 inches), crown-toe 43cm (19.4 inches). Fetal weight: 2 kg (4.4 pounds).

• Until Week 20, your baby spent most of its time in a wakeful state. Between Weeks 20 and 28, he/she started to have periods of activity and quiet. After Week 28 your baby started to experience active sleep (eyes and body moving, heart rate speeding up then slowing down, facial expressions changing, and changing breathing patterns). From Week 28 onwards, it is likely that your baby starts to develop a pattern of deep sleep and active sleep. During the active sleep periods, your baby’s brain undergoes stimulation, which probably helps it to mature.

Your Pregnancy.

• Up to and including Week 33, your weight gain should be between 10 and 12.5 kilos (22-28 pounds). You may start to gain weight faster from this week on, as your baby also grows very rapidly at this time.

• It’s important to keep eating well, and to ensure that you don’t skip any meals. You will probably need to eat smaller meals more frequently due to the lack of space in your abdomen and the incidence of heartburn.

• At this stage of your pregnancy, you may find that your vaginal discharge has increased. You may also leak small amounts of urine due to increased pressure on your bladder. If you are concerned that you are leaking more fluid than you should be, or if you have had a gush of water, visit your health care professional to ensure that your membranes haven’t ruptured.

• As you become more uncomfortable, it’s only natural to wonder about the comfort of your baby. Your baby will let you know if it is uncomfortable in the womb, probably by moving about and elbowing and kicking you! Other than a lack of space, your baby is probably quite comfortable in the womb, enjoying the warmth and muffled sounds in utero.

MY PREGNANCY - WEEK 32

Your Baby.

• Fetal size: crown-rump 29cm (11.6 inches), crown-toes 42cm (18.9 inches). Fetal weight: 1.7kg (4 pounds).

• Your baby has continued to grow, and his/her lungs and digestive system have also continued to mature. Your baby’s senses are functioning, and by week 32 the mind may even have started to function. Your baby still needs more time in the womb to continue maturation, and the build-up of fat stores.

Your Pregnancy.

• Keep a list of questions to ask your health care professional or antenatal class instructor each time you visit. It’s important to feel relaxed, so if anything is worrying you, or if you are unsure about anything to do with your labour and birth, it’s best to ask questions now and put your mind at ease.

• Apgar score - this is a general well being assessment used to scale a baby’s fitness immediately following birth. The apgar score is carried out between one and five minutes after birth, and assesses the baby’s heart rate, breathing, skin colour, muscle reflexes and response to stimulation. The score is from 1 to 10 and the higher the score the better.

• What to do during the early stages of labour - there are many ways to take your mind off the discomforts of labour, particularly early labour, as it can often be quite some time (up to a few days) before labour establishes (regular contractions). Good distractions include long walks, completing any last minute shopping, talking to close friends and having warm baths. Heat packs, showers and rest are also very helpful. In early labour it is important to provide your body with energy and hydration, so you should eat small regular snacks and drink lots of fluids (preferably water).

• Pain relief during labour - it is inevitable that you will seek some form of pain relief during labour, be it natural or synthetic. Walking, showers, baths, heat packs and massage can be used very effectively throughout labour as pain relief. Other forms of pain relief that may be available to you include nitrous oxide gas, pethidine injections, and an epidural. These are usually available in all hospital maternity units.
  • Nitrous oxide is a form of pain relief that is inhaled through a mask or mouthpiece during a contraction. It works quickly and has minimal side effects. Some women state that it can make them feel nauseous but you can be nauseated during labour anyway. Nitrous oxide generates a “happy” feeling and can cause temporary dizziness, but it may help you relax a little more between contractions.
  • Pethidine Injections are a synthetic narcotic given as an injection into the muscle during labour. Pethidine has a similar effect to the Nitrous oxide, but it is stronger and lasts longer. Pethidine can also cause nausea and is usually given with an anti-emetic (anti-nausea) injection. Pethidine may help to ease the intensity of contractions and encourage you to relax more (or sometimes even sleep) between contractions. Pethidine can also have a similar effect on the baby, but its effects are usually worn off before the baby is born. If pethidine is given too close to the birth, a reversal drug (Narcan) may be given to the baby to prevent any side effects.
  • Epidural is a form of local anaesthetic used as a pain relief in labour. It works by numbing the nerves that carry the feelings of pain to the brain. It is often used if a caesarean section is necessary, because it allows the mother to be awake while the baby is being born. A specialist doctor (anaesthetist) is needed to give an epidural. A needle is inserted in between the bones of the spine, and then a plastic tube is fed down the needle to an area just outside the spinal cord (the epidural space). The needle is removed and the tube is kept in place with sticky tape. The anaesthetic is injected down the tube and begins to work after 15 to 20 minutes. “Top ups” can be given by injecting more anaesthetic down the tube. Although this form of pain relief offers an almost pain free labour, there are risks and disadvantages. It can delay birth, as a woman is unaware of her own urges to push unless the epidural is allowed to wear off. Consequently, women who opt for an epidural have a higher rate of intervention, for example forceps deliveries. There is a small risk of getting a headache following the anaesthetic.

Wow! How times flies. I can’t believe it that in less than 2 months, I am going to be a mom! My tummy is getting really huge and I always wake up with headache and indigestion. My rib cage do hurt now. As for Braxton Hick’s contraction, I have no idea if I have ever experienced it. I do get cramps almost everyday but at the end of the cramp, I asked myself whether is it false labour pain or stomache ache pain. hehehehehe. My feet and thighs hurts a lot. I am very heavy now and moving around for few hours is a problem. Usually, I can move around or shop for the whole day but now, 3 hrs is very tiring.

My little one is doing great! He doesn’t kick much now. He moves alot. And when he did it, I usually felt ticklish. I would then rub my tummy and tell the baby to stop moving so much. He loves to move ALOT when I am reading late at night. I can put a remote control on my tummy and see it swaying! Amazing! And when Jan poke into his head or butt, he poked back! Jan was so amazed! Last 2 weeks, he was in the breech position with his legs extended. But now, his head is down but still in an extended position.

We bought so much for the arrival of this baby! We got car seat, moses basket, furnitures, toys, bottles, pacifiers, so much!! It came to a point where I don’t know what else to buy. Oh yeah…Baby Bjorn carrier…I haven’t got that one yet….

Dr. Tan advises me and Jan to see him on weekdays instead. He says that if I needed to come in to the A&E on weekdays, there is more obs available. Kinda true. I do not intend to give birth now. I want to give birth to at least a healthy 7 lbs baby.

MY PREGNANCY - WEEK 31

Your Baby.

• Fetal Size: crown-rump 28cm (11.2 inches), crown-toe 40cm (18 inches). Fetal weight: 1.6 kg (3.5 pounds).

• The eyes are now fully formed and the eyelids have separated, allowing your baby’s eyes to open. Once the eyes are open, your baby will start to see and focus (within a limited range).

• Your baby now has a fully developed breathing rhythm and his/her lungs begin to prepare for breathing air in the outside world. Sucking and swallowing skills also continue to develop in preparation for feeding. Your baby passes about half a litre of urine into the amniotic fluid each day.

Your Pregnancy.

• Your uterus is now taking up a large section of your abdomen. Your weight gain up to and including Week 31 should be about 9.5-12 kilos (21 to 27 pounds).

• You are now well along in your pregnancy and you will probably be feeling it. It’s important to make sure you get enough rest and slow things down a bit - you’ll need lots of energy for your labour and birth! If you are advised to slow down or take bed rest then do it! You don’t want to endanger your health or the health of your baby when you’ve come this far.

• You will probably be visiting your health care professional more frequently (about every 2 weeks) from this week on. During your last 4 weeks, you may start weekly visits. These doctors visits are important, as they are a means of carefully monitoring your health and progress, and the health and progress of your baby.

  Your health care professional will also be able to identify any warning signs for problems or complications that might occur. He/she will be on the look out for weight changes, blood pressure changes and signs that your baby is not growing as well as it should. Regular antenatal visits will ensure early detection of any warning signs, helping to minimise serious consequences.

  Your antenatal visits are also a good opportunity for you to get answers to any questions you may have as your labour and birth draw closer.

• Resting and sleeping on your side is becoming more important in order to minimise fluid retention. You may notice swelling in your feet. You will also need to ensure that wearing tight clothing and tight jewellery, or crossing your legs when sitting down does not hinder your blood flow.

MY PREGNANCY - WEEK 30

Your Baby.

• Fetal size: crown-rump 27cm, crown-toe 39cm. Fetal weight: 1.4kg (3 pounds).

• Your baby has increased in size and won’t be able to somersault for much longer. Your medical practitioner will be able to ascertain your baby’s position by performing an abdominal examination. Your baby keeps gaining weight and maturing, and you will feel him/her actively wriggling and kicking. These movements allow you to start to relate to your baby before it is born.

• Your baby’s brain has grown and the brain cells and nerves are now active. This means that your baby can now engage in more complex learning and movement. From now on, there will be less and less room for your baby to move, so he/she will probably move less. If uncomfortable, he/she will move about. While your baby has been moving around over the past few months, he/she has been building muscle tone and learning how to orientate him/herself in the uterus. Over the next 4 weeks, your baby will probably lie with his/her head facing upwards, but sometimes a baby will turn upside down and “engage” or get ready for birth earlier than usual (head facing downwards).

• Your baby starts to gain weight and starts to round out as fat continues to appear beneath the skin. This fat smooths out the wrinkles in the skin. Your baby also begins to control his/her own body temperature. The hair that covered the skin now reduces, while the hair on the scalp lengthens. The head and body are now fully in proportion - just like a newborn.

Your Pregnancy.

• At the end of Week 30 you have reached the end of the second trimester. You are carrying more and more weight, and will probably start to feel tired. Despite this, you will continue to grow and you may even be thinking that 10 weeks is a long way down the track!

• You will need to pass urine more frequently, as your growing baby presses against your bladder. You will also notice that sleeping becomes more difficult, mainly due to discomfort associated with your growing size. Try sleeping on your side with one leg bent up and the other stretched out.

• You may also start to experience backache. This is because your uterus has grown and your pelvic joints have become looser, altering your centre of gravity. Avoid lifting, sit up straight and avoid high-heeled shoes.

• Your breasts will start to produce colostrum. Colostrum precedes breast milk, and is a sweet, watery, easily digestible liquid that your baby drinks for the first few days (before your milk comes through). You may want to try expressing a little colustrum using your hands.

• One of the signs that you are in labour is your water breaking, or rupture of the membranes. Sometimes membranes may rupture or start to leak before you go into labour. You will know this is happening if you experience a gush of water, or slow leakage of water. If your membranes rupture, you will need to contact your health care professional immediately so that he/she can take the necessary precautions to avoid infection.

• If you have difficulties during labour, an emergency Caesarean Section may be necessary. Some women may also choose to undergo an elective caesar. Caesarean section is done either under a general anaesthetic or with an epidural. It is regarded as a significant surgical procedure and does carry associated risks. A caesarean is usually performed in an emergency situation where the well being of the mother or baby is endangered. It can also be performed if the position of the baby is thought to be unsuitable for a vaginal delivery, and likely to place the mother and baby at risk. Following a caesarean section, you will probably need to stay in hospital longer and you will require pain relief for a short period. Visit the Caesars Men section of the Essential Baby web site to read stories about the male experience of caesars.