8.0 – Month Eight (Week 29-32nd)

Sources:

1.     The Everything Pregnancy Organizer by Paula Ford-Martin

2.     http://www.babycenter.com/

3.     familyeducation.com

8.1            Checklist

1.     Take five and de-stress; it's good for you and baby.

2.     Lay out your baby's essentials.

3.     Compare and decide on cloth versus disposal diapers.

4.     Discuss circumcision with your pediatrician and your partner.

5.     Start wrapping up projects at work.

6.     Finalize your childcare plans for after maternity leave.

7.     Preregister at your hospital or birthing center.

8.2            Baby Development

Week 29th - Baby weighs just under 1.2kg, about the same as a butternut squash - She is getting close to 39cm long from head to heel - Her muscles and lungs are continuing to mature - Her head is growing bigger to make room for that developing brain - Baby’s bones are hardening with the help of the calcium you’re supplying - This trimester, about 250mg of calcium are deposited in baby’s skeleton each day

Week 30th - Baby has reached about 40cm long - Baby weighs about 1.3kg, roughly the same as a green cabbage - Nearly a litre of amniotic fluid surrounds your little one - That volume will decrease as baby gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus - Baby’s eyesight continues to develop, though it’s not very sharp - Even after birth, baby will keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day - She will respond to changes in light but will only make out objects a few centimetres from her face

Week 31st   - Baby measures over 41cm long and weighs around 1.5kg, like a coconut - She is heading into a growth spurt - Her arms, legs and body are beginning to plump up as essential fat accumulates underneath her skin - Baby can turn her head from side to side - Her kicks and somersaults may be keeping you up at night - Take comfort: all this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy

Week 32nd - Baby weighs 1.7kg and is as long as a kale at 42cm from head to toe - From this point onwards, babies born early have a good chance of surviving and thriving - Baby’s skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth - Some babies have a head of hair already, others have a few wisps - Thick hair at birth doesn’t necessarily mean thick hair later on - But children with fine hair in childhood also tend to have fine hair when they’ve grown up - If baby is a boy, his testicles should have descended from his abdomen into his scrotum. Sometimes, however, one or both testicles won’t move into position until after birth - Baby is gaining weight fast. She puts on more than half her birth weight between now and when she’s born

8.3            My Body

Estimated Due Date (EDD):

	Week 29th	Week 30th	Week 31st	Week 32nd
Date
Time
My weight

Check off which of the following symptoms you experience this month and talk to your doctor about any of that make you especially uncomfortable:

	Frequent urination
	Fatigue
	Tender and/or swollen breasts
	Colostrum discharge from nipples
	Bleeding gums
	Excess mucus and saliva
	Increase in vaginal discharge
	Mild shortness of breath
	Light headedness or dizziness
	Headaches
	Forgetfulness
	Gas
	Heartburn
	Constipation
	Skin and hair changes
	Round ligament pain or soreness
	Lower back aches
	Mild swelling of legs, feet, and hands
	Leg cramps
	Painless, irregular Braxton Hicks contractions
	Minor vision changes (fluid retention can slightly change the shape of your eyes and estrogen can cause your eyes to be drier than normal)

8.4            Activities Recommended

Week 29th
	Drink water
	Take a Bumpie
	Pamper at home
	Slow down!
	Herbal tea and pregnancy

Week 30th
	Do your pelvic floor exercises
	Buy even more shoes!
	Eat a pregnancy superfood
	Keep track of your baby’s movements

Week 31st
	Practise breathing technique
	Have someone else make you laugh
	Tour your hospital or birth center

Week 32nd
	Do a cat stretch
	Massage
	Talk to your partner about breastfeeding
	Start lining up helpers

8.5            Concerns and To Read

Week 29th   -       Is it safe to have a bikini or leg wax in pregnancy? -       Health: Tiredness -       Eating Well: Herbal tea and pregnancy -       Your Life: Preparing for two

Week 30th   -       Is it safe to use nail varnish? -       Health: Exercises to help you prepare for labor -       Eating Well: Extra calories in the last trimester -       Your Life: What you miss most during pregnancy

Week 31st -       Is it safe to use essential oil while I’m pregnant? -       Health: Pre-eclampsia -       Eating Well: Evening snacks to help you sleep -       Your Life: Commuting strategies

Week 32nd -       Is it safe to drink raspberry leaf tea? -       Health: How should I prepare for breastfeeding? -       Eating Well: Eating on the move -       Your Life: I can’t sleep, breathe or walk. How am I supposed to find the energy to glow?

8.6            At the Doctor’s Office

You'll see your provider twice this month as you continue your every-other-week routine. He or she will check the position of your baby to determine if she has turned head down in preparation for birth.

Prenatal Visit Notes

My Weight
Week of pregnancy
Fundal height
Blood pressure
Baby’s heart rate
Tests	Results
Additional Notes:

8.7            Nesting

At this time you will probably be feeling the urge to make your home as cozy and welcoming for you baby as possible. Here are some baby essentials you should have on the shelves prior to her arrival:

-       Diapers

-       Wipes

-       Alcohol swabs (for her umbilical cord)

-       Baby shampoo

-       Baby soap

-       Diaper rash ointment

-       Waterproof pads (for cutting down on laundry)

-       Bottles (even if you’re breastfeeding you may pump milk occasionally)

-       Thermometer

-       Infant Tylenol or another fever-reducing product as recommended by your pediatrician

-       Baby blankets

8.8            Diaper Debate

Using Cloth Diapers

Pros	Cons
- Biodegradable - Cheaper than plastic - Can be less irritating for baby’s skin	- Requires electricity and water to wash - Can become expensive if you hire a service to wash diapers - Labor intensive if you wash them yourself

8.9            Post-partum Planning

Planning for the post-partum period can be a tremendous help in getting organized after you and baby are back at home.

1.     Will you have live-in help (other than that from your partner) for a few days or weeks?

Helper contact info:

Dates and times available to help:

2.     Have you arranged childcare for the baby’s siblings?

Caretaker contact info:

Dates and times available to watch siblings:

3.     Are you and your partner both taking time off?

Dates of your time off:

Dates of your partner’s time off:

4.     Will your baby have a whirlwind schedule of introductions to friends and family, or just a few exclusive engagements?

5.     After running your post-partum plans by your healthcare provider, record any special discharge instructions from your doctor for you and your baby.

8.10            Milestones and Memories

Here is a place for you to record the thoughts, feelings, and physical changes you experience during your first month of pregnancy.

Time until due date: Firsts: Concerns: Looking forward: Questions for the doctor next month: Reflections from the Heart: Baby’s latest moves I felt my first Braxton-Hicks on Besides the obvious, this part of my body is swollen, too How I’m feeling about my body How I’m feeling in general My most recent clumsy moment Recently I dreamed The best pregnancy advice I’ve gotten lately I’m most sick of hearing The nicest thing my partner has said to me The nicest thing my partner has done for me What I’ll miss the most about being pregnant What I’ll miss the least What I’m looking forward to the most about becoming a mom My message to baby Dad’s message