7th Month
weeks 28 to 32
Your BabyYour baby now measures about 16 inches long and will weigh a little over 2 1/2 to 3 pounds by the end of the month
Its body is now covered with fine, soft hair called "lanugo"
Its fingerprints are set
It will have definite periods of sleeping and waking
It moves frequently with noticeable kicking and stretching
It practices thumb sucking
Its brain and nervous systems now mature rapidly
It starts to store iron and will continue until time to be born
If a boy, its testicles will start to descend into the scrotum
Your BodyYour uterus is now moving closer to your rib cage; you may be conscious of kicking against your ribs
You can watch your abdomen move as your baby moves about
Another person may be able to hear the heartbeat by placing an ear on your abdomen
Your breasts may leak enough to need to wear padding in your bra
You may notice some swelling of your feet, ankles, and hands by the end of the day--especially if it has been hot or you have been on your feet a lot during the day
Your weight may tend to increase faster than you expect; this begins the period of greatest growth for your baby
You may begin to tire more easily these days
You may begin to feel a bit more awkward in moving about; your may also notice a bit of light headedness as you get up from lying down position
You may begin to be aware of loosening in the pelvic bones when you walkYour Responsibility
Get your prenatal check-up this month
It is late to be starting prenatal classes so you need to hurry if you have put it off
Eat a balanced diet with plenty of protein and iron rich foods like liver, eggs, and meat
Continue to drink 6 to 8 glasses of fluids a day
Practice relaxation and breathing exercises each day
Tour the labor and delivery section of the hospital you plan to use for delivery
Start thinking about items you will need the first six weeks at home--convenience foods, paper dishes, disposable diapers or diaper service
Plan some special times with your partner
Take some extra time for yourself to do things you want to do
Continue to talk about your feelings, being pregnant and the responsibilities that face both you and your partner
If you are working, discuss with your health care team how close to delivery you will want to work
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