What's Happening to Me

• The urge to urinate frequently may decrease as the uterus rises and takes pressure off the bladder.
• Stretch marks or dark streaks may begin to appear on your abdomen, breasts or thighs. After delivery, these marks will slowly fade, though they may not completely disappear.
• You will continue to gain about 1.5 to 2 kg (3 to 4 pounds) a month.
• Tightening and relaxing muscles in your uterus (Braxton Hicks contractions) are preparing you for labor. If you have four or more contractions in 1 hour, call your health care provider.
• Your appetite is good and nausea is rare, although heartburn may follow heavy, greasy, or spicy meals.
• Your sex drive may increase or decrease, changing from week to week.
• You feel more involved with the baby growing inside you. You may think about problems that may occur during your pregnancy and how they might affect the health and well-being of your baby. Most women worry about this sometime during their pregnancy.
• As your abdomen grows, your center of gravity will change. Avoid situations that require careful balance, such as standing on ladders or stools. Also, avoid wearing high heels or pumps.

What's Happening to My Baby

• Your baby can open and close her eyes, frown squint, and hear sounds inside you.
• Her unique fingerprint and footprint patterns have formed.
• She can cough and hiccup, which you may feel as knocking movements. Your baby is big enough to be felt when your abdomen is examined.
• Her skin is still wrinkled and red.
• Your baby measures about 38 cm (15 inches) in length and weighs about 1 kg (2½ pounds).

Things I Need to Do

• Get your prenatal checkup on schedule, even if you feel great.
• If you haven't done so already, now is a good time to look into and register for childbirth education classes.
• Eat balanced meals with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Take needed rests, lying on your left side.
• Talk about childbirth experiences with other parents. Write down questions to ask your health care provider. Discuss feelings about your changing body.
• Start collecting things for the baby's first weeks. Ask for a layette list. Make a list for family and friends.
• Ask your health care provider for information on feeding your baby. Decide what feeding methods will work best for your baby and you.
• If you plan to breastfeed, be sure your health care provider examines your breasts and nipples to check for conditions that may need attention prior to delivery. If your nipples feel extremely sensitive and dry, try keeping them uncovered for an hour or more a day. Avoid using soap on your nipples.

Childbirth Education Classes

Childbirth education classes can help you learn what to expect during labor and delivery. Dad-to-be or any supportive person close to you can be taught how to coach you through the birthing process. Knowing what to expect can ease your fears and teach you ways of dealing with the demands of childbirth. Usually, a tour of the hospital is included as well.

Special classes to prepare you for labor and the birth of your baby are available through many hospitals and ob/gyn offices. These can be very valuable in providing answers to your questions.

Lamaze

Lamaze is the most common childbirth preparation method. It teaches you relaxation techniques, such as different breathing patterns, to relieve pain. This method conditions you to respond to labor contractions by relaxing your body. Your coach learns how to assist you during labor and delivery. Classes typically begin in the 7th to 8th month of pregnancy, but signing up earlier is recommended.

Consider a small childbirth class for individual attention and more group interaction. Attend a trial session before signing up. Talk to couples who have taken the class about whether the approach was right for them. If your pregnancy is high-risk and your activities are limited, you and your partner may want to consider a private class. Ask your health care professional for help in choosing the right class for you.

Hospital Services and Birthing Decisions

You should ask about the labor and delivery room or birthing room services offered at your hospital. Your health care professional will advise you of hospital policies and will also discuss choices for your baby's birth, such as whether medication or anesthetic will be used.

And you should ask if your doctor feels a small cut at the opening of the vagina, called an episiotomy is a possibility. The cut will be stitched after the birth and should heal quickly.

Special Situations

Any discussion of what happens during pregnancy, labor and delivery should include special situations that may arise. Some babies are born by cesarean delivery, an operation in which the baby is delivered through the abdomen. Some babies are born early (prematurely) or are low in weight at birth. Other conditions may occur that require special attention for mother and child. Be sure that trained professionals and specialized equipment are available to provide the finest possible care and support.

Working Outside the Home

If you're employed outside the home, you'll need to decide how long you'll work before your baby is born. This decision depends on several factors, including the nature of your job, how you feel, your health care provider's recommendation and the policies of your employer. If all agree and you are healthy, you can continue working until you're ready to give birth.

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.