Your Body

What to expect
You may be feeling excited as your due date approaches, or quite nervous! You can get breathless. Sleep is problematic because of leg cramps and needing to go to the toilet frequently. You are also prone to urinary tract infections. You may find it difficult to maintain your balance and stumble. You may also have quite leaky breasts.

Baby size

What to expect
Your baby is the size of a large "Green Phulgobhi" (roughly 38 cms and 1.2 Kilos)

Your Baby

What to expect
Baby at this stage is perfectly formed, getting fatter and his/her organs are maturing. Baby’s bones are hardening and muscles are getting stronger. Baby begins to smile when asleep. Baby is also very active with lots of movements.

Taking care

Tips
Have less fatty, spicy and fried dishes to prevent distressing heartburn. Prevent reflux by not lying down straight after a meal. Keep check on foetal movements and ask your doctor if all is okay. Don’t buy expensive creams for stretch marks! There are no miracle cures for it. Stretch marks fade over time. However, use creams and lotions if you are itchy or scratchy. Ask your husband to tap on your belly and your baby may kick or poke back at that same spot! It’s a nice game to play with your baby.

Ask your doctor

Questions
  1. I can’t feel my baby’s movements often. Is that normal?
  2. What are the signs of premature labour?
  3. What are the things I should do to reduce pain during labour?
  4. I keep feeling I will go into labour any minute! Is that normal?
  5. I get frequent vivid and scary dreams, which make me anxious. What should I do?

Your to do list

Action points
  1. Count foetal kicks.
  2. Check timings for Kushal wellbeing workshops.
  3. Have your folic acid supplement and prenatal vitamins
  4. Book antenatal appointment with my doctor
  5. Make a list of things to pack for my hospital bag.

Questions you may have

“When you get to know and are aware of what happens at labour you are likely to feel more relaxed and better placed to cope with pain. That is because it helps you feel more in control and less frightened. Learn how to relax, stay calm and take deep breaths. There are breathing exercises in yoga which can help. Your position can make a difference too – try kneeling, walking around or rocking back and forth.”

“It's a myth! It's not true that a light skinned baby results from what you eat or do when you are pregnant. That's an old wives tale. Skin colouring or tone is down to genes. Type of food does not make any difference. Just eat healthy and take your prenatal vitamins. Coconut water helps with hydration!”