What's Happening to Me

• You gain weight faster because the baby's greatest growth period is beginning.
• Your uterus is moving closer to your rib cage, and you may notice kicking against your ribs.
• Your abdomen can be seen moving as your baby moves.
• Lightheadedness can occur if you get up too fast.
• Your feet, hands and ankles may swell if you have been standing for a while.
• Your breasts may leak enough to require that you place pads in your bra.
• You may experience some discomfort during bowel movements. Hemorrhoids, swelling of the blood vessels in the rectum, may develop or worsen during pregnancy.
• You may be more sensitive to heat and may feel warm when everyone else is shivering.
• The fatigue of early pregnancy returns, due to your added body weight and other normal body changes associated with the final 3 months of pregnancy.
• You may experience a range of emotions. Feelings of apprehension about labor, delivery, and motherhood are common, and it's normal for you to want your pregnancy to be over soon. Mood swings—feelings of elation and doubt—are not unusual. Talking with close friends and dad-to-be about your dreams, worries, and special needs can be very helpful to you and provides those close to you with the opportunity to be supportive.

What's Happening to My Baby

• Your baby's skin is red and wrinkled.
• His movements are more frequent and vigorous.
• A fine, soft hair called lanugo covers the baby.
• The brain and nervous system are growing quickly, and the heartbeat might be heard by another person placing an ear on your abdomen.
• Boys' testicles start to move down into the scrotum.
• Sleeping and waking times are defined.
• Your baby may suck a thumb.
• His weight doubles to 1 to 1.5 kg (2½ to 3 pounds) and length increases to approximately 40 cm (16 inches).

Things I Need to Do

• Get your prenatal checkup.
• Discuss how long you want to continue working.
• Start prenatal classes right away if you have put them off.
• Tour the labor and delivery section of the hospital.
• Plan for things you will need during the first 6 weeks, like convenience foods, paper plates, disposable diapers and/or a diaper service.
• Make arrangements for the baby's care after birth. Plan for someone to help you at home after the birth.
• Discuss names for the baby with your partner.
• Choose a pediatrician to care for your baby after birth.

Travel During Pregnancy

The safety of travel during pregnancy generally depends on whether your pregnancy is high-risk, the stage of your pregnancy, and your personal comfort needs. If you are not sure whether travel is safe for you, ask your health care professional.

If you do travel during your pregnancy, follow these precautionary tips:

• Avoid the leg cramps and swelling that come from sitting for a long time and lessen the risk of blood clots during car or bus trips by planning to stop every hour to walk around. As a rule of thumb, limit your travel to 5 or 6 hours each day.
• Ask for an aisle seat if you're traveling by plane or train, so you can get up and walk around, but wear your seat belt at all times when seated.
• Take a copy of your medical records on any long-distance trips.
• Drink extra fluids and take time to eat regular meals.
• Wear comfortable shoes, support stockings, and clothing that doesn't bind.
• Make sure you check with your doctor if you plan to travel very late in your pregnancy. Going into labor away from home can be a problem.
• Continue to use your car seat belt throughout your pregnancy. Fasten the waist restraint low, below your abdomen. The shoulder belt should go across the center of your chest — between your breasts.

Getting Enough Sleep

Many pregnant women need extra sleep but find it difficult to get. If shortness of breath interferes with your sleep, lie on your left side with your head and shoulders propped up with pillows. Place a pillow under your belly and another between your legs.

A brisk walk outdoors followed by warm milk and a warm sponge bath or shower may help you relax and sleep more easily. If none of these suggestions work, you might try sleeping while sitting up in a recliner. Don't take any sleeping medicine.

Tips for Dad: Plan Vacation Time

Try to be around more, especially near your baby's due date and just after your baby is born. If mom-to-be has a cesarean delivery, she'll need more rest and support. Half-day vacations or paternity leave, work well for many expecting and new parents. Enlist as much support as you can from family, friends, and neighbors during the first week at home.

Tips:

• Just as each pregnancy is different, so is each birth. Labor may be lengthy or brief, a mother may deliver by cesarean, a baby may be born prematurely.
• Even though you may have some fears and anxieties, make sure you stay involved in every minute of your baby's birth.
• As you get ready for the big day, have fun thinking of names for your baby.

A portion of the information contained within this page has been taken from patient education material from www.medicalcenter.osu.edu. © the Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio. All rights reserved.

The information contained in the www.medicalcenter.osu.edu Web site is provided as a public service by The Ohio State University Medical Center. It is posted for informational and educational purposes only. This information should not be construed as personal medical advice. Because each person’s health needs are different, a physician should be consulted before acting on any information provided in these materials. Although every effort is made to ensure that this material is accurate and up-to-date, it is provided for the convenience of the user and should not be considered definitive.