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Pregnancy Week By Week
Week 26 and Week 27
What's Happening Inside You?
At the end of the seventh month, fat begins to be deposited on your baby. Your baby is about 14 inches long and weighs from 2 to 4 pounds. Your baby's hearing is fully developed and he or she changes position frequently and responds to stimuli, including sound, pain and light.
The amniotic fluid begins to diminish.
If born prematurely, your baby would likely survive after the seventh month.
Week 26
Baby: Your baby measures about 9.2 inches from crown to rump and weighs almost 2 pounds now. Its hearing is fully developed. As the fetus reacts to sounds, its pulse increases. Your baby will even move in rhythm to music. Lungs are still growing but are not yet mature. Patterns of your baby's brain waves appear like a full-term newborn. It also has patterns of sleeping and waking.
Mother: The baby's constant movements should be reassuring. You'll be putting on weight at the rate of about 1 pound per week now. You may be feeling some rib pain as your baby grows and pushes upward on your rib cage. The pressure may also be causing indigestion and heartburn. You may even be feeling stitch-like pains down the sides of your abdomen as your uterine muscle stretches.
Dad: Face your fears!
If you're like many expectant fathers, thinking about labor and delivery freaks you out. Delivery room scenerios play out in your head, most of which involve rushing, yelling, screaming, and name calling. Even though it's been on your mind for awhile, let's face it--you're facing uncharted territory! Even if this isn't your first child, you're probably still a little nervous.
We suggest a couple of things. First, study up on what to expect during labor and delivery. There are countless books on this subject. Talk to other men who've gone through the same thing, and listen to their stories. Then, talk to your partner. She's probably feeling a lot of anxiety too. Go over your birth plan to prepare you for the best possible delivery.
Do's and Don'ts: Your baby is relying on your body's iron stores, so do fill up on iron-rich foods, such as lentils and spinach, especially if you're a vegetarian. Your doctor may suggest supplementing your diet with iron pills to go along with your prenatal vitamins. Keep bottles of vitamins and pills out in the open where you can see them--it may help you to remember to take them.
Exercise: Your thighs help carry the weight of your uterus and baby, so consider giving them a break. Stretch your thighs by sitting on the floor and crossing your right ankle over your left knee. Keeping your right hand on the floor, pull the right thigh toward the left, and gaze outward over your right shoulder. Hold the position and then stretch in the other direction.
Tips for this week: If you're planning to return to work, you might want to begin checking out the availability of child care in your area. But keep in mind that you might change your mind after your baby arrives.
Week 27
Baby: Your baby measures about 9.6 inches from crown to rump and weighs a little more than 2 pounds. Hands are active and muscle coordination is such that he can get his thumb into his mouth. Thumb-sucking calms the baby and strengthens his cheek and jaw muscles. Your baby can cry now.
Mother: You may see stretch marks as your uterus continues to expand. Most women have gained about 16 to 22 pounds by now. Balance and mobility also may be changing as you grow larger.
Dad: Dry run.
If you haven't already, plan on touring your chosen birth facility with your partner. This will prepare you in many ways for the birth day. You'll know how to get there, where to park, where to go, and what to expect. Knowing these things will make the day much more managable.
Do's and Don'ts: Do keep a journal if mood swings leave you feeling exhausted and confused--writing can help you get a handle on your emotions, which, due to fluctuating hormone levels, might switch from joy to anxiety to excitement at any given time. Your body is morphing in ways you can't control, and so is your life. It's enough to unnerve any mom-to-be.
Exercise: Vigorous exercise keeps you strong during pregnancy, but it can be dangerous for women with certain pregnancy complications. Ask your doctor's advice about exercise if you develop preeclampsia (pregnancy-induced high blood pressure), are expecting more than one baby, are at risk for preterm labor (or have previously given birth prematurely), have an incompetent cervix, or have had some vaginal bleeding.
Tips for this week: During your last trimester you should talk to your doctor or midwife about the delivery. You'll learn such things as signs to predict labor and how far apart the contractions should be before going to the hospital or birth center. It's also the time to begin interviewing pediatricians and to take care of other logistics, like pre-registration and a birthing plan (what you envision your labor and delivery will be like). This plan should be written in your patient record or attached to it in the form of a birth plan.
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