Your Baby This Week A bouncing bundle of joy at 5 pounds (2.5 kg) and nearly 20 inches (51 cm), your baby's organs are almost fully matured with the exception of the lungs, which will continue to develop almost until birth. Though you can't see your baby, her skin is turning from red to pink. While her fingernails are fully formed, the toenails still need more time to grow. Some babies will even have a full head of hair by this point. Your Body This Week You're probably starting to give serious thought to ideas like breastfeeding, labor and delivery. Now is a good time to begin discussing all your options with your health care provider. Meanwhile, baby is snoozing a lot, letting you run the show for a little while longer. If you have been experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions already, they may become more frequent now (or you may start to experience them for the first time). These can be intense, but are much shorter in duration than the contractions you'll experience during real labor. Because your pelvis is rapidly expanding, it may begin to ache; your lower back is also feeling the strain of your growing baby. Getting off your feet as much as possible and lying on your left side will help a lot. Friendly Fiber Facts Fiber can be a pregnant woman's best friend. Especially one who is suffering from constipation or hemorrhoids. If you think fiber needs to taste like cardboard, you may be in for a surprise - peas, raspberries, apples, baked potatoes, whole wheat pasta and kidney beans are just a few delicious high-fiber options. BabyFit recommends that you get 20-35 grams of fiber every day. If you're not getting much now, build up your levels slowly and drink plenty of water. Get the facts about why fiber is so important and where to get it. Big and Beautiful You may be more aware of how your body looks now than at any time in your life. The changes and growth of the last several weeks may have you feeling self-conscious at best, like a beached walrus at worst. But big is beautiful for an expectant mother. It means you're doing what you can for a healthy pregnancy and giving your baby the best chance possible. Nothing is more wonderful than a healthy mother. So don't be afraid to continue with your strength training. You might be afraid it will cause you to bulk up even more, but that's not the case. If anything, strength exercises should help you tone up what you already have. Embrace how your body has evolved, and learn how to bounce your way to better fitness. |
Week 34: You're Big and Beautiful, Mom!
Your Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy
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