Baby Boy #2 Update: Week 31
Friday, July 31, 2009
Now on my 8th month - everything seems to be harder.
- getting up from bed is a challenge.
- putting on my shorts/pants and underwear is a bigger challenge.
- I can't see my legs and feet.
- My back hurt all the time.
- I have cramps during the night.
- My round ligament pain is getting sharper and longer.
- I pee every hour.
- I have this awful black line called linea negra running down my belly.
- I walk like a duck.
- I eat like a pig.
- ....and God forbid I start leaking colostrum - I swear I'd be a like a cow!

Anyway, from Pregnancy Hut:
Baby’s Development
The baby is growing very rapidly and has reached 15 inches in length and weighs around 3 ½ to 4 pounds which is more than half of the size at birth. The baby continues developing a layer of fat under the skin and in the coming weeks the baby will put on a lot of weight. This week there is an incredible development in the baby’s lungs as they will be able to inflate properly from now onwards. The lungs start producing surfactant from this week preventing the baby’s lungs from collapsing as the baby starts breathing smoothly after delivery. The fetal ear is completely developed from the inside as well as outside and the baby can hear your voice as well as other familiar voices before she/he is born. The baby’s skin is pink in color instead of red at this point. The baby has well developed finger nails and might scratch itself in the womb. The baby’s bones are growing stronger and will require calcium to grow well. The baby is receiving all the nutrients through the placenta and the placental blood flow enables the baby to make urine. The baby urinates about half a liter of urine every day and the baby also swallows some of the amniotic fluid which is replaced a few times daily. The amniotic fluid needs to be measured as a routine to detect any problems. If there is too much fluid in the amniotic sac it could indicate that the baby is not swallowing properly or having a gastrointestinal difficulty. If there is less fluid in the amniotic sac it could indicate that the baby is not urinating enough nor has a problem with its kidneys.
Changes with your body
The average weight gain at this point is between 21 and 27 pounds. This weight gain is more due to the baby’s weight, placenta, fat, water storage, uterus and the amniotic fluid. The ligaments and muscles supporting the back relax and loosen to prepare for childbirth making backaches more severe now. You will notice changes in your breast size and shape as they get ready for lactation. A thick creamy yellowish substance might leak from the breasts called as colostrum or pre-milk which occurs during pregnancy and lasts for several days after the birth of the baby. Not all women experience this but it is considered normal either ways so there is no reason to fear if you experience this or even if you do not. Many women experience Braxton hicks contractions as the pregnancy period comes to an end. Some feel these contractions from the second trimester of pregnancy as well but generally they are more common in the third trimester. Hemorrhoids or piles are quite common during pregnancy and these occur in the third trimester due to the pressure on the rectum as well as due to the effect of constipation. Prolonged standing and advanced age of the women can contribute to the growth of hemorrhoids. They generally reduce or disappear after delivery. One can take the following steps to reduce their formation. The most important step is to avoid constipation, secondly taking warm baths with baking soda in the water, using tucks pads or using some lotions or creams to reduce the swelling or bleeding.
I just pray no complications will arise.
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Hubby and I were discussing about taking a nice relaxing getaway when he comes home on December with the family. If that pushes through then chances are we are going to a nice resort down north (Bantayan) or if were up to it, maybe a nice weekend in the island of Boracay. It is a nice plan, except I forgot about the fact that I just gave birth then and I may still look fat and bloated. Of course, this caused me to look around for a nice looking 










