Lara Percival

Month: May 2017

  • Into Week 37 – Small Watermelon

    Into Week 37 – Small Watermelon

    YOUR GROWING BABY

    If you go into labour at 37 weeks pregnant your baby’s lungs will most likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb. However, if you are intending to have a Caesarean section and are carrying only one baby your doctor will not usually plan the operation until around week 39. This will ensure the maximum development of the baby’s lungs, brain and other organs before birth.

    Many babies have a full head of hair at birth which can measure up to an inch and a half in length, whereas others may come out with only a peach fuzz.

    Your baby’s body fat is now around 8% – this will increase to 15% in the next three weeks in time for birth.

    Antibodies continue to transfer through the placenta to improve your baby’s immune system and after the birth your breast milk will continue to supply these antibodies. Colostrum, your baby’s first milk, is rich in nutrients and antibodies and the breast milk that follows is nutritionally balanced and will help protect your baby from infections and build immunity.

    WHAT’S HAPPENING TO YOU

    It may be harder than ever to get comfortable enough to sleep well at night and you may also be experiencing intense dreams. Anxiety about both labour and becoming a parent can cause your subconscious to go into overdrive.

    Braxton Hicks contractions may last longer and feel more uncomfortable and you might also notice an increase in vaginal discharge.

    You may experience what is known as a ‘nesting instinct’. This is when you have a sudden burst of energy and start cleaning everything in sight. Try not to overdo it, even if you feel on top of the world. You need to conserve your energy for labour and birth.

    NEED TO KNOW

    Things for you to consider during week 37 of your pregnancy:

    • Keep monitoring your baby’s movements and let your midwife or doctor know immediately if you notice any decrease.
    • If you are planning to have your baby in a birth centre or maternity unit you will be given the opportunity to look round before you go into labour. Ask you midwife if this hasn’t happened.
    • Try to take it easy through the day, as this may be your last chance to do so for quite a while.
    • Make up some meals for the freezer (you will be busy once baby arrives).
  • Hey Little One…

    Hey Little One…

    …it’s been a while. Been providing you with regular updates with what’s going on each week with the both of us, but not really sharing what’s really happening.

    Your Dad and I were at the hospital again today for a quick scan to make sure you’re ok. You are doing awesome. We walked out of there happy, and so excited to meet you. We paid the hospital a visit last week as you weren’t moving as much as usual and we were concerned. Guess you were just chilling. You gave us quite a scare. I was hooked up to an ECG machine to monitor your heartbeat and mine. You weren’t keen on the monitors on you, you kicked and kicked until it was taken off. Ha ha! Make your Dad and I laugh.

    Your Dad and I go to a car show every year with friends called Modified Nationals. We drive up Friday night, the show is Saturday and Sunday, and we come home after the show on Sunday afternoon. We had a great time but I think you and I were really tuckered out. With the heat and everything else, my hands really swelled up, to the point that I had to removed my engagement ring, which I almost couldn’t. Scary! On the plus side, we bought two gorgeous dresses, one of which you might be wearing on your Mum and Dad’s wedding day in a couple months.

    Our wedding rings that we ordered were ready to collect on Monday just gone, but my hands were still too swollen to try them on properly. Ha ha! Still looks beautiful though. VERY much looking forward to your Dad putting that on my finger our wedding day. We still can’t believe you will actually be there! Crazy!

    A couple of my friends were kind enough to throw us a baby shower, and they were so unbelievably generous. Your Dad and I were blown away by amount of awesome gifts we received for you. Pretty clothes, useful gadgets and loads of nappies and other bits.

    You are getting so big and strong. Your heartbeat and kicks are stronger than ever. Just a few weeks and we will get to meet you, and your Dad and I cant wait.

  • Into Week 36 – Honeydew Melon

    Into Week 36 – Honeydew Melon

    Your baby is the size of a head of romaine lettuce 2.7kg and measures 48cm (head to heel)…

    YOUR GROWING BABY

    At this stage you are likely to feel jabs from the elbows and feet and complete body rolls as your baby changes position.

    The downy hair that has been covering your baby’s skin until now is being shed and the waxy vernix, which has protected the skin, is also disappearing. These substances are swallowed by your baby in the amniotic fluid and result in the dark first bowel movement after birth called meconium.

    After this week your baby will be considered term and should be waiting in the head-down birth position.

    Only 3-4% of babies are in a breech position at term and your midwife will discuss the risks and benefits of turning the baby and the best way for it to be born.

    WHAT’S HAPPENING TO YOU

    Small more frequent meals may be easier to manage as your stomach is being squashed by your growing baby. Hopefully, the heartburn has eased and your breathing is easier now that the baby has moved down into your pelvis.

    If baby is engaged you may feel extra pressure in the pelvic area. This could cause discomfort and walking might be uncomfortable for you.

    Braxton Hicks contractions are more frequent now in preparation for the real thing.

    At 36 weeks pregnant these last few weeks should be a straightforward waiting game, but if you experience any vaginal bleeding or if you think that the amniotic fluid is leaking you must seek medical help. Other warning signs to be aware of include constant abdominal pain, persistent or severe headache and blurred vision.

    NEED TO KNOW

    Things for you to consider during week 36 of your pregnancy:

    • Contact your healthcare professional if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above.
    • If you have any reason to be concerned about a reduction in your baby’s movements you should contact your midwife or healthcare professional immediately.
    • Antenatal checks are often weekly from now on until you give birth.
    • It’s perfectly normal to be having vivid dreams now.
    • If your baby’s head becomes ‘engaged’ this week – this means dropping down into the pelvis ready for birth – you will notice that your bump has moved lower down.
  • Into Week 35 – Honeydew Melon

    Into Week 35 – Honeydew Melon

    Your baby is the size of a honeydew melon 2.4kg and measures 47cm (head to heel)…

    YOUR GROWING BABY

    Your baby now has less room to manoeuvre around so somersaults may be a thing of the past. Kicking, however, remains very common! Keep a check on your baby’s movements – a change or loss of movement could indicate a problem, which should never be ignored as it could mean your baby is in distress.

    The nervous and immune systems are still finishing off their development but everything else is fully formed from the hair on the head to the tiny toenails. The kidneys are fully functional and the liver is now processing some waste products.

    The next few weeks are mainly about your baby putting on weight.

    WHAT’S HAPPENING TO YOU

    Your uterus is crowding your internal organs and this explains why you need to visit the loo so frequently. Your womb expands upwards under the ribcage causing heartburn or gastric discomfort for most women.

    If Group B streptococcus (GBS) is detected during pregnancy in a vaginal swab or in your urine, intravenous antibiotics may be offered to you during labour to prevent the bacteria being passed on to your baby. Your midwife or GP will be able to give you more information.

    The pregnancy hormone relaxin, coupled with the weight of your baby, causes your pelvic joints to expand in readiness for the birth. You are likely to be experiencing pregnancy related aches and pains in this area.

    NEED TO KNOW

    Things for you to consider during week 35 of your pregnancy:

    • You may want to discuss your birth preferences now with your partner and midwife.
    • If you need more information about how the birth will work in the place you have chosen to have your baby (home/birth centre/hospital) speak to your midwife.
    • Bags should be packed for labour and for after the birth. Even if you are having a home birth it’s a good idea to have everything you want in one place.
    • The measurement in centimetres from the top of your pubic bone to the top of your uterus is roughly equivalent to the number of weeks of pregnancy.
    • Keep practising your pelvic floor exercises.
    • Talk to your midwife about pain relief options. Even if you plan to have a drug-free birth it’s good to know what your choices are in case you change your mind.
    • If your breasts have started leaking, place breast pads inside your bra to mop up any further leaks.

  • Not so lazy Saturday 

    Hey little one, today we have packed our bag with everything we are going to need for you arrival.
    We have even unpacked and put everything away in your draws and wardrobe all your clothes and things we will need to look after you. 
    As you can probably tell me and your mummy are getting really excited about meeting you,you have been kicking loads after mummy has eaten, means you are getting big and strong  

  • Into Week 34 – Cantaloupe Melon

    Into Week 34 – Cantaloupe Melon

    Your baby is the size of a cantaloupe melon 2.1kg and measures 44.5cm (head to heel)…

    YOUR GROWING BABY

    The brain is working enthusiastically forming all of the millions of complex connections needed for learning in the outside world. While this is happening your baby may be sleeping much more and possibly even dreaming. This can be monitored by the rapid eye movement (REM) during sleep.

    Your baby’s brain is not the finished article at birth and will triple in size in the first year. At the age of one your baby’s brain is three-quarters the size of that of an adult.

    The lungs are maturing well and healthy babies born now are at less risk of needing extra help with their breathing, but may still need extra care after birth and require monitoring in the neonatal nursery.

    WHAT’S HAPPENING TO YOU

    By this week, fatigue has probably set in again and your tiredness is perfectly understandable. Now is the time to take frequent rests and conserve your energy for the big day.

    Your vision may seem blurry and a decrease in tear production can leave your eyes dry and irritated. An increase in fluid in the eye can change their shape so you may find you are more near-sighted or far-sighted than usual. These changes are temporary and your eyes will return to normal after you’ve had your baby.

    Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that occurs only in pregnancy when the body can’t make or use enough insulin to meet the extra demands of pregnancy. Gestational diabetes can be controlled by keeping physically active and making healthy changes to the diet such as cutting down on sugary foods and replacing them with starchy foods like pasta and rice and eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. But, for one in five women, medication and/or insulin injections are required during the rest of the pregnancy.

    NEED TO KNOW

    Things for you to consider during week 34 of your pregnancy:

    • See your midwife every two weeks from now on to assess your wellbeing.
    • Contact your midwife/maternity unit immediately if you experience any vaginal bleeding.
    • If you wear contact lenses you may find glasses more comfortable these days.
    • If you have gestational diabetes you have a two-in-three chance of developing gestational diabetes in a future pregnancy. You are also at higher risk of developing diabetes later in life so you should have an annual blood check which you GP can arrange.

  • Been a while 

    Hey little one, been a while since I’ve posted and said hi. I’ve started to talk to you more and sometimes lay on mummy tummy but you kicked my in the head as you didn’t like me laying on you. 

    You have been very stretchy and very wriggley lately as you continue to grow. Mummy is now struggling to sleep and lay on her front so we have broken out the noodle to help mummy sleep and can honestly say last night was a good night for sleep. 
    In the outside world it’s the same old both me and mummy continue to work so we can buy you nice things, we have your room setup and clothes blankets baths etc are ready and waiting for your arrival, we will be going shopping at the weekend for more essentials. 
    And as always we can’t wait to meet you 

  • Into Week 33 – Pineapple

    Into Week 33 – Pineapple

    Your baby now weighs about the same as a pineapple 1.9kg and measures 43.7cm (head to heel)…

    YOUR GROWING BABY

    Your baby is gaining is about 220g (8 oz) a week and the skinny, wrinkled look is becoming a thing of the past.

    Your baby’s skeleton is continuing to harden but the bones in the skull will not fuse together. This is to allow them to move and slightly overlap whilst travelling through the birth canal. (The pressure during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a cone-shaped head). These bones don’t entirely fuse until around two years of age.

    Your baby has probably moved into the birth position with the head downwards and may descend further into your pelvis at any time within the next six weeks.

    During the last 12 weeks of pregnancy, antibodies, which help fight infection, are passed from you into your baby through the placenta. Babies born prematurely are at greater risk of infection, as they have not had the same transfer of antibodies to them in the last weeks of pregnancy.

    WHAT’S HAPPENING TO YOU

    As your baby fills out it may become more and more difficult to find an easy position to sit and sleep in. You may also be doing rather a lot of waddling and bumping into things.

    If your hands and fingers swell, pressure may be put on the carpal tunnel that houses the tendons and nerves that run to the fingers.

    This can result in pins and needles and numbness in your fingers and may cause pain to radiate from the wrist to the forearm. In severe cases you may need to see a physiotherapist who may suggest that you wear splints on the wrists at night.

    NEED TO KNOW

    Things for you to consider during week 33 of your pregnancy:

    • Try sleeping with your hands raised on a pillow to prevent fluid from building up.
    • Take frequent breaks if you work at a keyboard so that you can flex the fingers and rotate the wrists to exercise them.
    • Make sure you include omega-3 fatty acids (DHA) in your diet. Found mainly in oily fish such as salmon and mackerel, DHA is crucial for your baby’s brain and vision development. Up to a maximum of two portions of oily fish per week is recommended in pregnancy.
    • If you are finding it hard to sleep at night, develop a winding-down routine before bedtime. Try a candle-lit bath with some lavender oil added to make you sleepy, listen to relaxing music and have a milky drink before you go to bed.