06-9-2009 - 32 Weeks Pregnant

My mood while writing this blog: Ok

This is the eight month of your pregnancy and some of you might be experiencing early contractions which could indicate false labor symptoms in most cases as the body starts practicing for true labor. You could practice a few things to reduce the contractions which become quite uncomfortable after some time. Changing positions is very useful in most cases and tend to reduce the discomfort. Taking a warm water bath can help some women, drinking water or eating small meals might also reduce the contractions. You can by now start discussing about what can happen when you go into labor with your family or partner as this will help in preparing you mentally for the oncoming period. The third trimester symptoms will still exist and as the weight of the uterus increases with the weight of the baby you can feel rather uncomfortable especially while breathing, sleeping, sitting or walking. You need to be careful of feeling faint as in the last few weeks the blood tends to pool in the lower limbs resulting in low blood pressure. You need to change your body position slowly and carefully to avoid falling or feeling faint. The baby’s brain develops rapidly in this stage and the bones also continue growing and becoming stronger hence you need to continue eating a healthy diet to make sure the baby gets the proper nourishment it needs. The folds in the baby’s skin start disappearing and the baby begins to look chubby. Try to be relaxed during this period as the nearing of the delivery period can make some women quite nervous.

Your baby shower is next Sunday. I am writing this a little early in case I get busy this week. Mom has another doctor's appointment this week. She is going to ask the doctor about some nasty headaches she has been getting. She is slowing down a bit and not so hung up in getting everything ready for you. She seems tired and a bit weepy. I am watching her closely until she goes to the doctor on Wednesday. We have had a lot of responses from your baby shower RSVP. If everyone comes that said they are it will be bigger than most. Canadian cousins cannot come because of passport issues with thier children. They send their best for you. Great Aunt Sue wants to come we are a long way from Madison, Wisconsin. We are going to throw a great shower because grandma has been working hard to prepare for it. As you can see from the picture you are becomming really crunched inside. You will want to be out soon. You just have about 7 or 8 more weeks and we'll be able to meet you for the first time. Hang in there and Cook baby Cook.

The baby keeps maturing as weeks go by. There is a 50% chance of surviving if the baby is born during this time. The baby can change its position to a head down position at this time getting ready for the delivery. The baby’s length is around 16 inches and the weight about 4 ½ pounds. The skin is red and wrinkly with less of downy hair and more of vernix which is the protective layer covering your baby. The baby’s brain is developing well so be sure that you eat well at this stage. The baby will gain at least two pounds before the end of the eight month. The movements of the baby might reduce because of its increasing size and its tight fit in the uterus. The baby’s lungs are still developing though the rest of the body is pretty well formed by now. The eyes start functioning and are able to focus and blink by now. The umbilical cord is coated with a gelatinous substance so even if the baby turns and twists the cord is protected from kinks and knots. The baby’s skeleton is completely formed by now but the bones are soft and flexible and will harden later. The baby’s toenails and fingernails have formed and the baby might even scratch itself. Experts have found that the baby now develops sensitivity to temperature and you can a swift kick if you place a hot pad on your growing belly.