123 Third Trimester Weekly Pregnancy Calendar: Your Baby and Your Development

123 Third Trimester Weekly Pregnancy Calendar: Your Baby and Your Development

Third Trimester Weekly Pregnancy Calendar: Your Baby and Your Development

A pregnancy is, on average, forty weeks. Each and every week is a new and exciting experience. The following is a weekly pregnancy calendar to give a general idea of what to expect in the third trimester for each week of your pregnancy, as well as how your baby will be growing.
Month Seven, Week Twenty Eight:
How your baby is growing:
The lungs finish forming this week boosting the chance of survival even more. If born today your baby may even survive without medical aid. Your baby's tiny eyes are also now capable of opening after being fused shut for so many weeks. Your baby likely now weighs around two and a half pounds and may measure up to fifteen inches tall! The baby is beginning to put the finishing touches on all parts of it's body. After that it is only a matter of packing on the pounds. If your baby is a boy his testes are also now descending.
How you may be changing:
Your third trimester has now officially begun. You may think weight gain is all you have left to deal with, but many women actually experience the worst symptoms of pregnancy in the last trimester. Your growing size only makes things more uncomfortable. Now is a good time to start thinking about a labor plan, but don't think it to be set in stone. Labor and del can be full of surprises. It is always best to keep an open mind and be prepared for anything and everything. Also if it is currently the hot season in your area remember to stay out of the sun and avoid standing for long periods of time. This can cause dizziness, which could cause falling.
Month Eight, Week Twenty Nine:
How your baby is growing:
The brain makes a big leap this week and your baby can now regulate it's own body temperature and achieve rhythmic breathing. Brain activity increases, and some researchers even believe babies dream by week twenty-nine. The bone marrow is complete and has taken over full charge of red blood cell production. Your baby is now probably just under a whopping three pounds and stands between fifteen and seventeen inches tall. It can no longer twist and turn as space in the amniotic sack continues to diminish. By now, other than hard kicks, you'll notice movements becoming more subtle. You may even be able to tell if it is a foot or hand hitting you.
How you may be changing:
Your internal organs are now becoming very crowded. This can make for difficulty breathing and may cause all variety of aches and pains. It also means far more frequent bathroom breaks as the bladder becomes squished. Hang in there, you're nearly finished. This week the body also begins to release prolactin. Prolactin triggers the production of milk, so if you haven't been leaking already, you may notice a bit of clear, white fluid leaking out now, or in the weeks to come. This fluid, called colostrum is an extra rich type of milk that is packed with antibodies to protect your new baby.
Month Eight, Week Thirty:
How your baby is growing:
Brain development continues this week as well as plenty of body growth to match. Your baby is now around three pounds and will likely still be between fifteen and seventeen inches tall. After week thirty growth varies even more widely from baby to baby. The average baby is twenty inches long and weighs eight pounds at birth. Your baby is also becoming far more self aware and can now differentiate light from dark. It can also trace light with it's eyes. Some researchers believe using a flash light outside the womb for baby to trace with its eyes will stimulate brain development. You can try this in a dim room to see if you get a reaction. Stimulating or not, interacting with your baby while it is still inside you is fun.
How you may be changing:
Positioning is becoming important this week and your belly has now reached about the size of a watermelon. Positioning is important in more ways than one. Maintaining proper posture will help your breathing and cut down on back aches. New positions will have to be found in the bedroom as well. Continuing intercourse while pregnant will strengthen your relationship with your baby's father by challenging your comfort zone. You'll find sex is a whole new ball game with a beach ball between you, and you may find a few new positions you like. Just avoid those that place pressure on your abdomen.
Month Eight, Week Thirty One:
How your baby is growing:
Even if you're breathless your placenta is still providing plenty of oxygen to your baby which is fattening up this week. Length growth begins to slow down, but weight doubles in the final weeks. Your baby is likely around three and a half pounds by now. It's eyes continue to develop, and the irises are now capable of contracting and dilating. Your baby's finger nails have now reached the ends of those tiny fingers. Tiny fingers which are no longer translucent! Fat has now become sufficient enough in your baby that it's skin will appear like a normal newborn baby.
How you may be changing:
Your sleep has been cut probably more than in half at this point between bathroom breaks and sheer discomfort, but you can't bring yourself to sit still. This is because the "nesting" instinct often takes hold by week thirty one. The nesting instinct urges you to build a nest for your baby, so to speak, ensuring everything is ready for him or her when they arrive. Be careful not to over do it, and don't be ashamed to recruit help. You may also experience pelvic pain at this point as what little space there is between your hips stretches.
Month Eight, Week Thirty Two:
How your baby is growing:
The wrinkles are ironing out! This week your baby's skin begins to become smooth as, well, a baby's bottom. Your baby may also already have a full head of hair. Other than that baby is simply continuing to gain weight this week, likely reaching the four pound mark. Taller babies may already be pushing eighteen inches while others will still be back at fifteen to sixteen. Babies born at this point have almost a one hundred percent survival rate, though they may have issues suckling due to an immature neuro-muscular maturity. You may want to begin keeping a kick count of your baby's activity as a decrease can indicate approaching labor.
How you may be changing:
Many women begin to experience Braxton Hicks contractions this week, if they haven't been having them previously. Braxton Hicks contractions are harmless contractions of the abdominal muscles that prepare the cervix for your approaching birth. Braxton Hicks contractions will likely not hurt really and if they do the pain will go away with time or a change of position. If your contractions don't go away or become frequent and rhythmic, occurring five minutes or less apart, call your prenatal health care provider. You should also call your provider if you experience sudden swelling of the hands or feet. All women experience swelling and bloating during pregnancy but a very sudden onset can be a sign of preeclampsia which can cause labor complications.
Month Nine, Week Thirty Three:
How your baby is growing:
Your baby now weighs a little over four pounds and will continue to put on about eight ounces a week from now on. It may have reached the height it will be born at by now, or it may even grow more. Many babies "drop" this week or turn and allow their heads to slip into the pelvis if they haven't done this already. If your baby has dropped you'll be able to breathe easier and your baby's brain will get better oxygen for it's final touches. Your baby is also beefing up it's immune system now compliments of your blood.
How you may be changing:
Your steady weight gain continues and you may begin to feel anxious or impatient for your baby to be here. Remember to keep good communication with your significant other, because they are likely feeling the same way. You are in this together and it is almost over.You may feel rhythmic twitches in your abdomen from now on. These are hiccups! Not your hiccups, but your baby's. Many babies begin to practice using their diaphragms around week thirty three which can lead to hiccups. It really is a bizarre sensation you have to experience to describe.
Month Nine, Week Thirty Four:
How your baby is growing:
Your baby's brain is now making the final nerve connections and is growing everyday, it is even learning from the womb! Your baby's brain won't ever finish growing, however. His or her brain will triple in size from birth to one year old, and will continue to grow for the rest of their life. Speaking of growing, your baby is likely four and a half to five pounds now and urinating almost a pint a day! Good thing amniotic fluid refreshes every three hours. Just imagine how many diapers that will be in just a few short weeks.
How you may be changing:
Early labor is a real possibility now. You'll want to obtain and install a rear facing car seat in your vehicle in order to be ready to take your new baby home. If you haven't finished your labor plan or packed your hospital bag this is also a great time. Keep in mind, even after delivering your baby you'll likely still look about three months pregnant, so choose sizes appropriately. Expect to stay in the hospital at least three days if this is your first baby. Don't forget amenities like a tooth brush and tooth paste. As uncomfortable and anxious as you may be, relaxing is the best thing for you and your baby this week.
Month Nine, Week Thirty Five:
How your baby is growing:
Most everything is complete from the vital organs to the toes nails and your baby is ready for the grand finally now. Your baby is just putting the finishing touches on it's immune and nervous system while gaining more weight. Past this week little is left to do but put on fat. Even the baby's hair is growing and it may be over an inch long by birth. Your baby is now probably around five pounds and may be even longer than twenty inches. Weight gain may slow now to about five ounces a week rather than eight.
How you may be changing:
You're probably thinking you can't get much bigger, but you can and will. If you're still employed you may want to consider beginning your maternity leave as labor could occur at any time. If you do decide to keep working avoid standing for long periods or time. If you work in an office and sit all day be sure to get up and walk around every few hours to reduce swelling and stiffness. If your significant other works now is also a great time to arrange child, pet and home care while you're in the hospital. These things shouldn't be left to the last minute. You'll have enough to deal with while in the hospital.
Month Nine, Week Thirty Six:
How your baby is growing:
Your baby is now complete! Well, in the sense that pretty much all that is left to do is gain weight. If you go into labor now you are considered full term and the labor won't be slowed or stopped. Your baby likely weighs between five and six pounds now and is twenty or more inches long. Your prenatal care provider will feel your abdomen and attempt to estimate it's exact size to be sure it won't pose labor complications. If your baby begins to become too large to exit the womb naturally you may be induced early.
How you may be changing:
Ninety-six percent of babies have dropped by week thirty-six, sitting head down and ready to go. If you do go into labor this week don't feel bad. A due date is just a general date of arrival. Some women go into labor weeks before and some weeks after. If your prenatal health care provider says everything is okay, it is. You'll also be tested for Group Strep B this week to ensure you won't be infecting your baby on it's way into the world. Check-ups will now be weekly.
Month Nine, Week Thirty Seven:
How your baby is growing:
Your baby now spends more time practicing breathing than kicking, partially due to a lack of space. As your baby breathes in amniotic fluid it is also swallowing some which will later become your baby's first bowel movement or meconium. Meconium is a black, tar-like poop that will pass within the first twenty-four hours of birth. If it doesn't this could indicate a bowel blockage. Meconium is made up of amniotic fluid, dead skin cells and shedding lanugo. That's right your baby is also shedding this week, and by birth the majority of the fuzzy skin coating will be gone. Although, many babies retain hair on their face and ears.,
How you may be changing:
This week you may lose the mucus plug you formed in your cervix. Sometimes this plug is accompanied by blood and hence referred to as "bloody show". Some women lose their mucus plug more slowly over time. Either way once the mucus plug is lost it is a sign that labor is fast approaching. You will also feel sort of loose this week as the hormone relaxin causes joints relax, hence the name. Relaxin's purpose is to allow the joints of the pelvis to more ease of passage for your baby. You'll be thankful for this later!
Month Ten, Week Thirty Eight:
How your baby is growing:
Baby's growth redoubles the week and can become as much as an ounce a day! Your weight gain however will likely slow down or stop altogether. How is that possible? The baby is exchanging weight for amniotic fluid. Some babies have to be induced early at this point because they have consumed too much of their amniotic fluid. Not to worry though, excluding complications that could occur with any labor, your baby has a one hundred percent chance of survival and won't likely need any extra medical care.
How you may be changing:
Some women experience tingling, numbness or electric-like pains running down their legs this week. This is caused by your baby's head putting pressure on nerves as it settles lower into your pelvis. You may be feeling extremely anxious to meet your baby at this point but avoid silly induction practices such as castor oil or herbs. In the end these methods will only add to your discomfort. Your baby will come when it's ready, and if it doesn't your prenatal health care provider will provide a safe induction. Try and be patient.
Month Ten, Week Thirty Nine:
How your baby is growing:
Not much is happening now. Your baby has likely reached it's birth weight and height by now. It is just continuing to practice breathing and may gain small amounts of weight. Hair, nail, and brain growth will continue. Researchers believe that sometime this week or in the next couple of weeks your baby will actually decide to be born. Your baby will simply send an electrical signal to the placenta which will trigger the necessary hormones to begin your birth. The miracle of life really is amazing! If researcher's are correct then your baby really does choose to come out or stay in.
How you may be changing:
Even if you are tired try to keep busy this week. If you sit around just waiting for your labor to occur it will seem to take forever, only adding to your anxiety. Since you're wondering though, there are a few hints that could indicate the baby will be here soon. Such as; loss of mucus plug and/or bloody show, increase in nesting urge drive, weight loss, appetite increase, and loose stools. None of these guarantee a labor is imminent, but they may be an indicative.
Month Ten, Week Forty:
How your baby is growing:
What's going on with the majority of babies can be seen at this point, because they've been born! While only four percent of labors take place on their actual due date, many occur before the forty week mark. If your baby hasn't been born it will continue to gain weight and lose it's fuzz this week. You may have daily examinations at this point to ensure that your babies amniotic fluid remains sufficient. Many babies end up being induced if they surpass the fortieth week for health reasons.
How you may be changing:
You're either recovering from labor now or suffering through what could be two more weeks of pregnancy. If you've had the baby you're likely exhausted. Take advantage of this period of restfulness in your baby and sleep. Plenty of people are going to want to see the little bundle of joy, but don't feel bad in asking them to come another time. If you haven't had the baby, hang in there! It has to come out eventually one way or another. Try to stay positive and remain busy unless your practitioner has indicated you must be on bed rest.
If you've had your baby congratulations, if not feel welcome to read the final weeks of your pregnancy in my next article, post-term pregnancy weekly calendar. If you have had your baby check out my profile for tons of helpful information on baby care.