How big are you?
Your uterus now sits about 16-20cm above your bellybutton and about 36-40cm above your pubic symphysis.
How big is your baby?
Your baby will be weighing in at around 3.288kg (7.25 pounds) and measuring 50.7cm (19.96 inches).
How is your baby developing and growing
Your baby will continue to gain weight although it has slowed down.
All the organ systems are now in place and capable of functioning on their own.
Umbilical cords, which carry nutrients from the placenta to the baby, vary in size but average about 22 inches (55 cm) long and half an inch (1-2 cm) thick. Sometimes the umbilical cord can become wrapped around a baby's neck. Generally, this doesn't cause problems, although a cesarean delivery could be required if it causes pressure on the umbilical cord during labor or delivery. A true knot in the umbilical cord is much less common, occurring in only about 1% of pregnancies.
Most of the vernix that covered your baby's skin has disappeared, as has the lanugo. Your body has been supplying the baby with antibodies through the placenta that will help the baby's immune system fight infection for the first 6-12 months of life.
Your body
Braxton Hicks contractions may become more pronounced. Also called "false labor," these contractions may be as painful and strong as true labor contractions but do not become regular and do not increase in frequency as true contractions do.
Another sign of labor, the rupture of your amniotic sac, could happen any day now. When their water breaks, some women experience a large gush of water and some feel a steady trickle. Many women don't experience their water breaking until they're well into labor. Others need to have their water broken by their health care providers to get their labor started or to speed it up. If you think your water has broken or you are experiencing regular contractions, contact your health care provider.
Your Nutrition
If you are going to be breastfeeding your baby, you may be concerned about your nutrition levels and what is best for you to eat. You may be advised to eat an extra 500 calories per day, as on average a breastfeeding mother usually secretes about 425 to 700 calories into her beast milk everyday.
The extra calories can be gained from eating the following:
- Bread/cereal/past/rice 9 servings/day
- Milk/cheese/dairy 3 servings/day
- Fruits 4 servings/day
- Vegetables 5 servings/day
You will also want to avoid foods that can cause gas, such as broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower and spicy foods.
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