Dates and numbers:
There are 72 days until your due date on March 20, 2009.
You are 208 days pregnant.
You are 6.8 months pregnant.
You are in your 7th month of pregnancy.
Your 1st trimester: June 13, 2008 to September 11, 2008. (0 - 12 weeks)
Your 2nd trimester: September 12, 2008 to December 25, 2008. (13 - 27 weeks)
Your 3rd trimester: December 26, 2008 to March 20, 2009. (28 - 40 weeks)
At this point in your pregnancy, your baby's crown-to-rump length is approximately 10.4 inches and the total length of your baby is around 16.7 inches. Your baby weighs about 2.7 pounds and continues to grow every day. If you measure from your bellybutton, your uterus is 3.5 to 4 inches above it. Total weight gain at this point is usually between 19 and 25 pounds.
Babies that are born prematurely can be very tiny. Even a baby that is only a few weeks early can be very small. Your baby will grow rapidly from now until week 36, and then at a slower rate thereafter. Generally, boys weigh more than girls at birth. The average baby's birth weight at full term is 7 to 7.5 pounds.
You might notice some leakage of colostrums from your breasts around this time. Colostrums is a sticky, watery substance that provides your baby's first food if you choose to breastfeed. Milk does not come in immediately after delivery and colostrums is high in calories and enough for your baby's first few days of life. Your baby is stimulating the production of colostrums. The baby's body is ensuring that there will be a readily available food supply after delivery.
Your baby will continue to open and close his eyes in the womb and may be able to see silhouettes of objects or even people in the right amount of light. Your baby should be moving many times throughout the day. Some of your baby's movements will be predictable and if you notice a decrease in fetal movements, you should lie down and do a fetal kick count. You should feel your baby move approximately ten times in an hour. If you do not notice the proper amount of movements, you should contact your healthcare provider.
Research has shown that your baby is not only able to hear, but also able to recognize your own voice. This shows that your baby can already learn, remember and recognize.
Comments on week 29Comments 1-49 of about 1432 from week 29
54 messages have been added in the last 24 hours.
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Show latest comments from all weeksshellyl -
10 minutes ago
I have also heard about massaging with oil. My hubby also saw a documentry and it said you should start massaging the area to prevent tearing. xDulcianasMom -
1.2 hours ago
There was a poll on this site that i just happened to browse by one day and this woman was taking a poll on who 'oils' up their vag. She said that she did it and thought that it helped significantly. And when i say 'oiled' she seriously said that she rubbed olive oil on her privates. It sounds a little strange, but i guess it would be worth a shot! shordee -
2.9 hours ago
Well the dr I talked to this last time originally told me that I PROBABLY wouldn't tear as bad and they would just watch her weight and induce me up to two weeks early if need be, but once she heard he was already two weeks early and he was only 6 lbs 7 ozs and I tore that bad inside and out even she said that I'd probably be better off with a c section. If she didn't get such huge eyes and change her mind so quick I probably wouldn't feel so anxious but she was totally in shock that he was so small and I still tore that bad. She said 3rd degree tears is usually an optional c section or not but 4th degree they usually recommend it and since I was pretty much borderline 4th that's another thing that scares me. I dunno, I guess I'll find out more on Wednesday.nikki2kidsan1ondaway -
3.2 hours ago
weird that you cant use a birth pool after certain hours here we can use it when ever we like and at home as well cause even if we tear at home they can still stich us up lol. i freak out with tearing to but since i had a good one the second time round it is put to the back of my mind. i am going to start the massage next week lol more time then for it to soften yo can start it anytime really. i know what you mean about not putting socks on i get my hubby to shave my legs hahahahahaha and paint my toe nails he loves it i think of does a good job showing he does. but i know he will love to massage me hehehehehe i have heard to ky is good so the more you use while having sex the better.
owell good luck anywho.
im trying to get my girl out of my babies room but she wont sleep anywhere but there so how can i do that. without to much effort im lazy lol youre.in.my.system.baby -
3.6 hours ago
Also - re. the perineal massage, I have heard this is extremely beneficial and you should start between 34-36 weeks. I'm DEFINITELY doing it - or rather getting my boyfriend to do it since I can barely pull my own socks on - as I have chosen to attempt vaginal delivery again as opposed to a section. Also, I believe birthing in water can help tremedously with tearing so this is also something I;d quite like to look into - however, I opted for waterbirth with my first, turned up at hospital at 1am and was told sorry, but they don't use the birthing pools int he middle of the night LOL Again, the only issue there is that I feel I'd rather definitely opt for the epidural just IN CASE I did tear badly - then I wouldn't feel it. And they'd only end up having to give me a spinal or epi if I needed a major repair job like last time.. Decisions, decisions lol I guess with a section it does remove all of the uncertainty... But I just heard them say 90% chance of normal birth and figured that was the choice for me - major surgery scares the b'jesus out of me..youre.in.my.system.baby -
3.7 hours ago
I've created a nursery rooms section of the nursery so far. There are things in there that won't be in before Zach arrives and also we havent put the shelves up, or any of the other decorative items in that'll really finish it off. We're also replacing the carpet before he arrives as well, so it'll look a bit more polished when we're finished - but that's one of my projects whilst on maternity leave :)
nikki2kidsan1ondaway -
3.8 hours ago
i tore with my son very badly not sure what grade but it wasnt picked up till later as i was losing alot of blood it was inside mainly. i can still feel the scar tissue and im sure my midwife stitched me up to be a v again lol. i could still feel the scar when im haveing sex and sometimes it stings to go to the loo dont know why. but on a brighter note i gave birth without tearing the next time round so it can happen i have heard that if you massage the area with oil then that should soften it alot before birth hubby would love that lol and while the head is coming out you can put a warm flannel on there to help with the pain so you not pushing and just let the head come out on its own that way the area will strech naturaly and you arent focing something out of a small hole. the same with sex you dont just let it all in at once do you for some you have to ease it in there lol tmi i know but its true. and also there are different pos to try like squatting to open it up more and kneeling but i prefere the lay on your back feet together and knees floppy kind of like when you get a smear test lol dont know why i guess it just relaxes me and losens the area more. im sure you will all be find and it if they need to cut you then that is better than tearing so just let them they may even fix you up better like they did with my mum haileysmommy -
4.4 hours ago
shordee- I think only once you've gone through a tear can you really decide if a c section is best for you. Like you and I recovery was horrible and till this day if I sit sertain ways I can get sharp pains and even having sex can be painful. For first time mommy's I would try a vaginal delivery because you never know but as for me I've been leaning on the c section a bit more now. Scar tissue is not as stretchy as your regular skin and even my doctor kept telling me that you can not prevent tearing nor garantee that you will or will not tear. It's the having future problems and as a woman I don't want to think of surgeries reconstructing all my female parts. As long as my baby is fine and I'm able to take care of him abdominal pain sounds a bit more workable.free2be -
4.7 hours ago
Thanks peanutrocks!! I will have to start doing this. I have a doctor appt. tomorrow so I was going to ask him too. : )BABIGURL309 -
4.8 hours ago
HEY LADIES!!!! ANYONE ONE BABY BREECHED???? MY BABYGIRL DONT WANT TO TURN AROUND. ANYONE STILL ABLE TO SLEEP ON THERE BELLY?peanutrocks -
4.9 hours ago
My doc has told me to warm some olive oil im the palm of my hand and then massage the perinium (skin that runs between vagina and anus).... this should be done regularly to prevent any tearing. A friend of mine did this with both her babies and she is tiny and they were both big babies and she didnt even need one stitch....defo worth a try.free2be -
5.3 hours ago
I have heard of ways you can massage yourself so that you do not tear...to help prepare yourself. Has anyone been doing this? Or done this before? Does it help? What is the best method?shordee -
5.3 hours ago
haileysmommy & yourinmysystembaby I'm glad someone is talking about this stuff cuz I had extremely bad 3rd degree tears with my son, borderline 4th degree all inside and out. It took them longer to stitch me up than it did to actually push him out. My dr and I touched on it at my last appointment about maybe having a c secction and it was basically up to me, and I've been going back and forth on this for this whole month (my appointment is on Wed.) I had to sleep on the couch for over a month cuz I couldn't walk upstairs, I could hardly move without wanting to cry and sitting straight up was definitely out of the question. After the countless family and friends I have asked though they all say they'd think a c section would be a lot easier on me. I'm really anxious to go to my appointment on Wednesday to actually get to sit down and talk to my dr about it cuz I saw one of the other dr's last time instead of my actual one. I just hope I pick the right choice for me, which I'm leaning towards the section right now but I won't make up my mind for sure til I'm actually at the office and have talked to him about it.emmaclaredoyle -
6.1 hours ago
I think I'm gonna just close my eyes and hope for the best - whatever will be will be with the birth.... I think I'll be having nightmares in the meantime lol!1sttimemom25 -
6.2 hours ago
haileysmommy--- that tear sounds terrible. i really hope that I dont tear. It sounds like you may also have a rough recovery time with a csection too. I only say because maybe your body takes longer to heal. That is why the recovery from the tear was so bad. I have two good friends one had a tear and the other a csection. The one that had the csection didnt want it but recovered normally and was still able to take care of herself and newborn. The other had a tear not sure what degree but the recovery was terrible. Maybe it is where it is located. Uggh it hurts thinking about it. I have got to start stretching myself now.haileysmommy -
6.9 hours ago
yourinmysystembaby- yeah, it's a lot to think about. Like you said we have 6 weeks to decide. Right now my scar is very swollen and my doctor said the more swelling there is the less the skin can stretch. The only problem I do have not from my daughters delivery is controlling my bladder. Especially right now that the new baby is heavier if I cough or laugh or sneeze I do leak a bit and it seems to be getting worse with time. My doctor said it's do to the stretching my urethera underwent from my daughter. My sister in law told me that her c section was very easy and she was able to start walking after 2-3 days. I remember it took me about a week and I couldn't sit in the cough or on the floor for about 2-3 months because I would get sharp pain.youre.in.my.system.baby -
7 hours ago
oh, and my tear DID go to all the way to my anus - and ripped deep into the sphinctal muscles - I havent had any issues... My perenium had to be completely stitched up and it tore clean in two, and two holes became one - so to speak...youre.in.my.system.baby -
7.1 hours ago
Yes haileymommy - I agree. Anal incontinence is NOT something I fancy having. It depends upon the damage done and repair job the first time around as well. But still - 90% of it NOT happening again is still huge odds... I know it's a scary prospect though, just in case... eep - I'd managed to forget that possibility, no I'm second guessing haha. Think I'll be searching for success stories again tonight to make me feel better :Phaileysmommy -
7.1 hours ago
yourinmysystembaby-Thank you so much for your info. The only reason I was really thinking about doing it is because after reserching I read that if you do tear worse and it goes all the way to the anus you can actually loose the function of going to the restroom. You have to go and have reconstructive surgery of the anus and your urethra. youre.in.my.system.baby -
7.6 hours ago
I say 2-3 weeks to fully heal - I was achey there for about 6-8 weeks, but it in no way impaired my ability to look after my son. My friend had a section beginning of november and she has lost lots of feeling around the incision and still cannot bend over properly and feels lifting is a strain - She couldn't even hold her daughter for a full feed for the first 2 weeks and her partner had to pick the baby up and hand her to her as she was just in so much pain. Obviously each section is different though - but she's the only firsthand experience that I personally have to go off - and it DEFINITELY helped me make up my mind LOLshellyl -
7.6 hours ago
I start my classes on Thursday but with my mum, my hubby works nights and can't take time off but my mum will also be there at the birth!!!youre.in.my.system.baby -
7.6 hours ago
Haileysmommy - I suffered a 3rd degree tear with my first son - 100 stitches inside and out, so I definitely know the pain you are talking about. I was also offered an elective section but declined. I was told the chances of it happening again was 10%. Now, call me stupid, but 90% chance of it NOT hapening are huge odds, and good odds. I have decided to go naturally again. It took me 2-3 weeks to heal fully from my 'war-wounds' - but a section can take much longer to heal from - 6-8 weeks! Yes, you could heal sooner and I'm sure some have, but it's classed as major surgery, it's not a small operation by any means and I can't understand why anybody would 'elect' to have that done, unless there was a sever medical need to do so.. Obviously it's personal choice.. but if you do some research on the internet you'll read ALOT of stories about women who have had very bad tears and gone on to deliver subsequent children with only grazing and not even needed stitches. I also read on a midwifery forum, that all midwives were against an elective section after a 3rd degree tear as it just wasn't necessary as most tears are due to the babies presentation OR assisted delivery where the forceps extend the tear - it's rarely the babies fault. As presentation of child cannot be predicted, there's every chance you'll have a smooth labour and delivery.. I can understand why you may have come to whatever decision you have - either way - but it's deffo worth doing some research and having lengthy discussions with all of your caregivers - midwives, OB/GYN etc and get a range of opinions.. Good luck with whatever you choose though - and remember, you have at least 6 weeks to make a final decision, aslong as you're armed with all of the facts, you can make the best decision for you..haileysmommy -
7.7 hours ago
no2intheoven- thank you for your info. Yeah, my sister in law told me about that and she said that gas was also a problem. I think a few seconds of pain for the cathider seem okay to the long months of pain down there from a tear LOL.no2intheoven -
7.9 hours ago
haileysmommy-Some people seem to think that Csections are so horrible but I had one with my first and the recovery wasn't bad at all. I was in the hospital for 5 days so they can monitor me (and because I was scared to go home because I was a first time mommy LOL) but once I got home, I was up and walking around in a few days. I have to have one with this baby and really I prefer to have one because I get more time off for maternity leave with a section! LOL The one thing I will prepare you for is the cathider (sp)! They didn't tell me when they were inserting it and I literally kicked the nurse in the chest! You have to warn a girl when you do that!haileysmommy -
8.2 hours ago
Okay so I need everyones advise please :-) Has anyone had a normal vaginal delivery and a section with their next baby. After a 3rd degree tear from my first daughter my doctor has given me the option of doing a c section for this one. She said there is a big chance that I can tear the same or worse meaning all the way to the back (ouch...!!!) Recovering from my 3rd degree tear was very hard and I was not able to get up and take care of my baby girl like I wanted to. I just want to know how a c section recovery will be. My doctor told me that after tears like that I can have problems going to the restroom and having to go through more surgeries to reconstruct everything. Please, give me some info Thanks :-)1sttimemom25 -
8.7 hours ago
i was just thinking to myself how quickly this pregnancy has flown by. i remember at 20 weeks dying to show and now i am like ahhh this baby is too big. i wonder how silly that thought will be in 9 weeks. LeLe0307 -
9.2 hours ago
Hey Ladies - Today is my last in week 29. I can't believe we only have 10 weeks left.. I am sooo ready to meet this little creature! : ) Hope everyone is doing well!!! LeLe0307 -
9.3 hours ago
highonlife85 - I start my childbirth classes at our hospital tonight too.. I am super excited!! : )suzm -
10 hours ago
Hi ladies -- I am with all of you. The groin, back hip pain - hobbling around - not sleeping. I can barely put on my socks myself these days. People keep telling me I am huge. I am ready for baby. This week we tour the hospital, and then next week is my shower and breastfeeding classes, and we end the month with a weekend of birthing classes. I think January will fly by... and I hope February does to!shellyl -
10.4 hours ago
I am so excited, I have booked a 4D ultrasound scan for Sat. I get a
Supply of 3D back & white prints, 4D DVD scan recording, CD Rom of still images, Gender confirmation, picture frames, teddy bear, pen and gift bag.
highonlife85 -
10.5 hours ago
Oh...Hubby and I start childbirth classes tonight at the hospital...I'm so excited!highonlife85 -
10.5 hours ago
Yeah my last appointment was 2 weeks ago and I go back tomorrow. When she told me I start going every 2 weeks at my next appointment I couldn't believe it! It does make it go pretty quick though as it seems like I was just there! youre.in.my.system.baby -
11.2 hours ago
mommy, baby is probably pressing against a nerve.. I wouldn't worry, I get the odd shooting pain and twinges, but by the next day, baby has moved and the twinges etc have gone. If any of your pains are constant though - makesure you speak to your healthcare provider :)mommy 4 the 2nd time -
11.3 hours ago
Hello everyone.
I had a question for all you mommies 2 be. I have been having sharp shooting vaginal pain that comes and goes. It began late last week. Has anyone had this happen?peanutrocks -
11.4 hours ago
Franeil....no none of the movements hurt///they can be a bit uncomfortable when she is tap dancing on my bladder or ribs but other than that there is defo no pain. Were are you feeling the pain?franeil -
11.4 hours ago
Does anyone else have painful fetal movement, when my little one kicks it really hurts1sttimemom25 -
11.9 hours ago
almost 30 weeks i cant believe it...i started to set up my nursery this weekend. i walk by and look at it every chance i get. i am just praying for a healthy baby so i can see my son in there and not an empty nursery...i hope i get to see my doc every 2 weeks after this appt. i think it will make these last 10 weeks go by quicker. youre.in.my.system.baby -
12.2 hours ago
I'm not back at the midwives until week 34... I was given the option of going back at 31 weeks or 34 weeks.. I chose 34.. kinda felt like I'd be putting her out if she saw me at 31 weeks too haha - not that she made it come across like that at all, it was my decision... Plus, less interference the better, neither of us forsees any issues - going by the history of my first.. Also, I worked all over the christmas holidays - on a weeks holiday this week and then maternity leave starts next week :] No more work until october, oh joy :D :DJanetN -
12.4 hours ago
I have a doctor's appt. today. After this appt. I will be going every 2 weeks, that is so hard to believe. I also get my 4D when I go back next time, I can't wait. I am not having any pain in my groin area but it feels kinda sore there when I wipe....back to work today since holiday break and it sucks!!caseyc -
12.4 hours ago
No I said screw it and didnt work the rest of the day... we all just sat around and talked smack. I will start in the morning when I am fresh and hopefully wont feel like ripping his eyes out then. I am in the military and he out ranks me by two pay grades.... I pretty much well pushed and sealed that envalope and dont need any more drama. But yes I still secretly hope he stubs his toe.shellyl -
12.5 hours ago
Caseyc-Some people just don't think! I hope he has done some serious grovelling!!xpeanutrocks -
13.2 hours ago
Caseyc....talking shit bout him while he is right there...you go girl!!!! Least he knows what ya think of him.....A-HOLE.
Any other NORMAL human being would be so mortified and offer to help in any way they could.... what makes that douche exempt. Have ya started re-entering the data you lost?gabbana08 -
14.1 hours ago
LOL, I have a habbit of looking ahead to see what the mothers farther along are saying and I remember being 20 weeks and checking in on 29 and 30. I remember thinking OMG those poor ladies!!! Now here at 29 weeks and 30 tomorrow, I am one of those ladies hehehe. I guess at this stage we all have aches and pains! We will get through it. 10 more weeks.... :o)caseyc -
14.1 hours ago
Peanutrocks- yeah, not a chance on offering to help... not even a I am sorry or my bad. Freaking douche, I hate the military... the guy out ranks me but he it a total jerk. I talked shit on him to everyone in the office while he was right there, wrong I know but now i feel better.peanutrocks -
14.4 hours ago
Caseyc....what a prize A-hole your work colleague is... I hope he is feeling really bad right now too. How you did not claw his face of I do not know.LOL.... the way my hormones are at the mo I would have cried too, but not before i bitch slapped him accross the head.LOL
He needs to offer to help you re-do all the stuff that you lost...if he has any decency. xcaseyc -
14.5 hours ago
OMG!!!! I am so upset! I am at work and have been working on test sets for over three hours, I left my office for 5 minutes and some asshole who shares an office with me autherized them to shut down the power and do a generator check with out even checking or asking them to wait 10 minutes! I even said that I would be right back... when I came in and saw tha black screen I just started to cry, i feel a little better now... nothing that I could do about it I even called my husband the computer guru and asked him what I could do and he said nothing so them I cried harder.... I hate people who only think about themselves. I would have never let them cut the power with trying to track down the 4 people I share an office with. I hope he feels like shit!shellyl -
16.8 hours ago
Hi All, I never meant that no one should moan and everyone should be grateful. I was just saying I also feel crap, I am not sleeping, i'm full of bruises from daily injections. I have been really ill and I have now pulled a muscle in my back! I just love it, it makes me feel pregnant and I am so glad I am here to moan. When I said other people TTC would also love to be feeling shitty, I never meant anything by it, I was just saying. I remember being there and feeling desperate. I also take comfort knowing other people feel crap and it is not just me. The support on here has helped me get to 29 weeks without cracking up! After loosing 9 babies I love even having the chance to moan.emmaclaredoyle -
18.2 hours ago
Groin pain - definately! Leg pain - absolutely! No sleep -oh yes! I walk with a constant limp now - work colleagues are laughing at me all the time! I don't care it'll all be worth it in the end....
On the other note of complaining - I really didn't mean to offend anyone, but it really helps to have this forum to vent the frustrations I'm going through - especially to others who are in the same place! Thanks to all of you for listening!!b4dawn -
20.9 hours ago
highonlife85 - that's really funny because I SOOO feel your pain. I have a 10 lb tabby that just loves to sleep with us an wedges himself in the nook between my belly and the body pillow. Every time I get up to go to the bathroom he rolls down into my spot then I have to hoist him back up onto the pillow so I can lay back down. Sometimes it is so uncomfortable with his extra weight, but sometimes he wedges himself just right and puts some nice support on my back. I love my kitty so much I just can't bring myself to kick him out of bed.expecting greatness -
21.8 hours ago
Is it just me or has anyone else lost their mind searching all things baby? LMAO