Pregnancy calendar - week #29

Pregnant mothers - week #29

The good, the bad, and the bathroom breaks.

Well my dear, we have good news for you: You're in week 29. That means you've come a loooong way. Better yet, you're entering into 'light at the end of the tunnel' territory.

That was the good news.

Now the bad: Your body is going beserk! Your raging hormones are back. Your organs are crowded as baby takes over more of the space. You feel like throwing up again. Your body itches. You can't sleep well at night. Your breasts are oh-so tender. You get hot and sweaty from everyday activities--like pouring a glass of milk. You feel like you could save time by not leaving the toilet between pee breaks. Aaaaaaaah!

And now the beautiful: Your baby is getting bigger, healthier, and more independent. No matter how awful the pregnancy symptoms feel now, it'll all be forgotten the moment you meet your little one face to face. Hang in there, you're doing great!

Now that you've got that big, beautiful belly, the third trimester is the perfect time to make a pregnancy belly cast. Planning now will give you adequate time to gather supplies. If you wait too long something drastic might happen--your belly could disappear!

There are ways to make yourself feel better when your body is getting bigger. Because baby is getting bigger and taking up more space, other organs are giving up some space. Stand up straight, eat healthy, go out for a walk (or other exercise), and get some rest.

If you can, reserve a day totally for yourself. Veg out on the couch; sleep in until 10; order your favorite take-out; have daddy-to-be massage your feet. And if it's an option for you, take off work early some day. An extra 4 hours of rest or play-time can be just the thing to put that spring back in your step.

Also, make sure you're getting plenty of the key pregnancy nutrients. Iron, especially at this stage in your pregnancy, is very important. You should be getting between 30 and 60 mg a day. Iron can be found in most meats, fortified cereal, tofu, nuts, eggs, dried fruits, and vegetables. Also important at this time: calcium, folic acid, and protein.

Baby and fetal development - week #29

Cramped quarters.

As baby gets bigger and bigger (weighing in at 2 pounds, 9 ounces now), you may be wondering, 'how much bigger can I get?' The good news is: relatively speaking, not much bigger. Yes, you will grow, but the bulk of the weight gain is behind you.

As a result, quarters are getting more cramped for baby. You'll probably notice fewer kicks and movements as the weeks go by. Usually this is due to a lack of space (baby's going from a 3 bedroom/2 bath to a studio!) It's a good idea to do a fetal kick count. Simply count the number of kicks or movements per hour. If it's less than ten, you should talk to your doctor or midwife.

Baby's digestive tract is getting lots of practice. Now, he is urinating 1/2 a liter into the amniotic fluid. Your baby is starting to regulate his own temperature. His bone marrow is now producing red blood cells.

Pregnant dads - week #29

Nice to meet you...uh...Keanu.

Some parents choose to name their kids after their favorite celebrities. Sometimes, the name turns out to be a great fit. But more often than not, naming your baby after a celebrity can yield years and years of unwanted name association. Before you name your baby 'Oprah' or 'Elvis,' check out these celebrity baby boy names to avoid.