Pregnancy calendar - week #28

Pregnant mothers - week #28

What's in a name? Everything!

If you haven't already started to think about names for your baby, what are you waiting for? For many moms and dads, this is one of the most exciting parts of pregnancy. A name carries so much weight and will stay with your baby her whole life. You want to make the right choice, but where do you start?

Lucky for you, YeahBaby.com is the internet's premiere baby naming website (we're not bragging--it's just that you won't find a better resource for name finding!) Most baby naming websites and books give you one looong list of names, starting with 'Aadi' and ending with 'Zytka.' We have gone a lot further, compiling hundreds of categorized lists of baby names. You no longer have to read through thousands and thousands of mediocre names to find one that fits. And that, folks, deserves one big 'Yeah Baby!'

With your belly getting bigger and movement becoming more awkward, you're probably well aware of some of the uncomfortable third trimester symptoms. For one, your legs may be cramping, which could be restless leg syndrome. You may be constipated, as an increase in progesterone makes the bowels move slower. If you're constipated, try increasing your fiber intake, drinking more water, and staying active.

As your body prepares for breastfeeding, you may find that you've started to leak colostrum. This early milk is perfect for baby's first few days of feeding--it contains everything your newborn will need. Soon after birth (3 or 4 days), your body will produce mature milk. You start producing this when baby produces his or her own androgen and estrogen. These hormones stimulate your own, and then magic happens: milk production starts.

As you get closer and closer to labor and delivery, your doctor or midwife will probably want to see you more often, perhaps every 2 weeks. He or she will check to see if a Rh immune globulin is needed (if you and your baby's Rh factors are incompatible.)

It's a good time to map out a birth plan. Birth plans are made to communicate to your health care professional how you want the birth to go. In making your birth plan, make sure to include every aspect of the birthing process: from the first signs of labor to postpartum.

Baby and fetal development - week #28

I spy with my (very) little eye...

Things are getting exciting in baby's little world. For one, she's getting bigger all the time, weighing in at 2 pounds, 2 ounces.

Also, she's probably experiencing her first moments of vision. Her eyes are functioning around the 28th week. Not only is she capable of seeing, but she can also move her head. Now it really is a 'womb with a view.'

At your next prenatal appointment, your doctor might be able to tell if your baby is in the breech position. If she is, don't worry too much; there's still an excellent chance she'll change positions on her own. Most doctors won't intervene until 36 or 37 weeks.

When baby has moved, you may feel a pressure on your lower abdomen and cervix. This usually indicates that she has flipped and is counting down the days until you meet.

Baby's also accumulating more fat and hair.

Pregnant dads - week #28

The name game.

What role do you have in choosing baby's name? Some couples prefer the mother naming the girls, and the father naming the boys. Others choose one parent to name all the children, with some input from the other parent. We think it's great to jointly choose baby's name. With so much emphasis put on naming your baby, we think two minds are better than one!

Check out our awesome baby naming lists for some great baby name tips and ideas!