Physical Changes
Your baby is growing quickly, doubling his weight, during these weeks.
You may:
- notice you feel more tired
- notice it's harder to move
- develop hemorrhoids
- notice shooting pain in your vagina
- have sudden pain in your groin
- feel short of breath
- develop heartburn. 65% of women feel some heartburn
- develop varicose veins
Your body is changing to prepare you for labour and birth.
You may notice:
- your joints continue to feel more relaxed, especially your pelvis
- you need to pee more often as the baby moves down farther into your pelvis. When this happens you can breath easier too.
- your uterus gets hard and then soft. These are practice contractions, which are also called Braxton Hicks.
You are getting closer to labour beginning.
You may notice:
- soft stools
- more energy
- other changes. Some are new and others continue from before.
- difficulty sleeping. This is because you have to pee more often, it's hard to move and turn, and you have a lot to think about.
- a stuffy nose
- stretch marks on your breasts and tummy. These are a reddish colour during pregnancy, and they may feel itchy.
- your legs cramp or throb
- upper and/or lower back pain. You may want to visit Antepartum Back Classes at BC Women's Physiotherapy. Call 604-875-2126 to book an appointment.
Emotional Changes
You may notice you:
Getting ready for labour:
Waiting for labour
It's normal to find it difficult to wait for labour. Very soon your baby will be here. There is a lot going on in the last weeks for both you and your baby. You are both getting ready for labour.
You can use the wait time to enjoy and learn by:
Get to know your baby by:
- paying attention to her movements
- massaging her
- noticing how she responds to your touch, singing, voice.
- noticing how she responds to music and other sounds. What music quiets her? Maybe this music will help after she is born too.
Reviewed on: March 2, 2010
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