8 months
3rd Trimester
8 more weeks to go
With the uterus getting crowded, your baby’s kicks and movements are not as strong as in the weeks before this. But, remember, they will be there. So, continue counting the kicks. Lanugo, the soft, downy hair that insulates your baby, continues to fall off this week. Your baby's weight has almost doubled in the last month and will grow more now. From now on, your baby's weight will grow faster than its length. If your baby’s kicking is hurting a lot, lie down on your side or try the cat-cow yoga asana. Your blood volume has increased 40 to 50 %, so keep having an iron-rich diet. With your uterus pushing up near your diaphragm you will experience shortness of breath and heartburn. You also might begin to notice mild swelling in your hands, face, legs, ankles, or feet caused by the extra fluids in your body. While some swelling or edema is normal, keep it under observation and report to your doctor if it gets worse.
अष्टमे अस्थिरी भवति ओजः। तत्र जातश्चेन्न जीवेत निरोजस्त्वात नैरॄत भागत्वाच्च । (सुश्रुत शारीरस्थान)
Ayurveda says the body of the foetus is fully developed but due to lack of ojas (immunity) if delivery takes place then life becomes doubtful.
Very few babies are born ‘breech’ (that is, legs first). About 97% of babies are born head first. Hence, it is time for your baby to make that turn and position his head towards the cervix. By 32 weeks, 85% of babies are in the head-down position.
All major organs are fully developed. Except for the lungs. That is one organ that needs the baby to stay right inside the womb for the entire period of pregnancy.
A loud noise can make the baby throw his arms and legs away from his body then bring them back in. This is the Startle or Moro reflex that develops by this week. Babies are born with the startle reflex, but it disappears a few months after birth.
Studies have shown strong evidence of a regular cycle of the stages of sleep and wake times. The baby’s brain activity now shows active sleep.
The baby’s translucent skin through which veins were clearly visible, has now turned opaque, just like yours.
To stay warm after birth, your baby began putting on brown fat over 10 weeks ago. At 32 weeks, your baby's body has also increased production of a protein and an enzyme necessary for generating body heat, which means they can now regulate their body temperature better.
Most commonly at night, painful spasm in your calves could strike. It is possible that they are because of calcium and magnesium deficiency. Boiled sweet potatoes for breakfast is a good solution to fulfill the magnesium demand. Mild stretches at bedtime helps to reduce calf muscle cramps at night. Staying hydrated and active keeps the circulation active and avoids blood pooling in the lower limbs.
While nausea is common in the first trimester, only 22% of pregnant women experience heartburn in that phase. In the second trimester , that number goes up to 39% and in the third, to 72%. Some of those who are lucky to have not got it so far, may get it this week. Your pregnancy hormones that slow digestion make it easier for stomach acid to back up into the esophagus. In addition, your uterus is huge now and is compressing the stomach.
Pregnancy increases requirements out of your body, and one such is your blood volume. It has increased 40 to 50 percent since you got pregnant. The uterus is also big now and is pushing other organs, including the diaphragm. This may cause breathlessness.
You may have lower-back pain as your pregnancy advances. If you do, let your doctor or midwife know right away, especially if you haven't had back pain before, since it can be a sign of preterm labor.
Hemorrhoids or piles are actually varicose veins in the rectum. They can flare up because of pregnancy constipation and also if you are spending a lot of time sitting. Try sitz baths for relief.
The hormone ‘Relaxin’ is loosening your ligaments and the teeth also fall victim to it. As the ligaments relax, your teeth may feel looser. It’s just an uneasy feeling: it is highly unlikely that any tooth will fall, and this feeling will go away after delivery. You may also get mouth sores because your immune system is working overtime to remove germs from your mouth. These also go away after delivery.
The areolas darken a few shades because of hormonal changes. The exact reason is not known but could it be to make them more visible to the baby?
This is the right time to start the intake of shatavari kalpa. Shatavari is the Ayurvedic herb which helps in preparing the body for lactation, improves the uterine muscle strength, and improves the foetal weight.
Shatavari kalpa is the preparation which has the herb in granules or powder form with the combination of ela (cardamom) and sugar.
The appropriate way to take this preparation is with the milk. Add 1 tsp of shatavari kalpa and 1 tsp cow ghee in one glass of warm milk at bedtime.
Cow ghee helps to guide the apana vata (one type of vata, generally present in the reproductive and excretory system becomes predominant at this time in order to assist the child birth process)
The iMumz App has helpful tips in its feed section and the nutrient rich weekly diet plans backed by Ayurvedic science base to help you manage pregnancy fatigue.
Growth Scan
A growth scan also known as foetal biophysical profile is a prenatal test which combines fetal heart rate monitoring (nonstress test) and fetal ultrasound (growth scan) to evaluate a baby's heart rate, breathing, movements, muscle tone and amniotic fluid level.
The biophysical profile (BPP) is offered after 32 weeks for high-risk pregnancies and those experiencing complications. It’s also sometimes given to pregnant people who have passed their due date.
Growth scan gives the information about
You will have to come after eating a meal to stimulate the baby's movements. The ultrasound technician will do a detailed ultrasound to check your amniotic fluid levels, the baby’s muscle tone, and movement of their body and breathing.
Post this, you will be given a non-stress test to check the baby's heart rate and possible uterine contractions.
Your doctor might instead call for a "modified biophysical profile," which is a combination of the non-stress test (NST) and a measurement of the amniotic fluid. After reviewing the results of the BPP or modified BPP, your doctor will determine if it’s in your (and your baby’s) best interest to deliver earlier than planned.
Foetal Non-Stress Test
This test, commonly called NST, monitors the baby's heart rate as the baby moves around. A belt will be strapped around your belly and attached to a monitor. The baby's heart rate should go up when they move, but sometimes it takes a while to observe this pattern if the baby is sleeping.
When the test is reactive or shows two or more increases in heart rate in 20 to 40 minutes, it is a good sign that the baby is doing well. If the baby's heart rate doesn't go up or it goes down during the test, your provider will likely order more testing.
Doppler of Umbilical Artery
Again, this would be offered in high-risk cases. It is an ultrasound of the umbilical cord to check the blood flowing to the baby. This umbilical artery brings oxygen and nutrients to the baby. An issue with blood flow might indicate a problem with the pregnancy or the baby's growth.
Pregnancy constipation and slowed digestion is a problem many women face. Adding dietary fibre to the diet is a great way of managing this situation. Let’s focus on high-fibre this week. Oats are among the healthiest grain foods on the planet. They’re very high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They contain a powerful soluble fiber called beta glucan, which has major beneficial effects on blood sugar and cholesterol levels Chia seeds are tiny black seeds that are immensely popular in the natural health community. They’re highly nutritious, containing high amounts of magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium.Chia seeds may also be the single best source of fiber on the planet. Almonds have high fibre, too.
Take small bowl of oats and cook it in almond milk.
Once cooked, add 2 tbsp of sliced almonds.
On some days, you can make things more exciting by adding slices of banana, dried figs, or strawberries, too!
Enjoy this fibre-rich breakfast!
iMumz provides micro nutrients week by week for your pregnancy nutrition. Diet charts and recipes are made by mothers to give your daily dose of health for your baby and you.
Any kind of bleeding or spotting during any phase of pregnancy can be either harmless and dangerous. Confused? Well, that is the unfortunate truth. Only a doctor can examine and confirm what is causing it and whether the reasons are unrelated to the wellness of the baby or not.
A small amount of spotting or blood tinged mucus can be normal during the second half of pregnancy. Here are some normal reasons this can happen: Bloody show: Most women have a small amount of pinkish, brownish, or blood-tinged mucus at the end of the pregnancy, but not likely at Week 32.
Bleeding often happens as the lower part of the uterus thins during the third trimester of pregnancy. This causes the area of the placenta over the cervix to bleed. The risk of bleeding is higher if a lot of the placenta covers the cervix. Your doctor will check the position of the placenta and advise rest.
Pelvic pain during thirty-second- week can be normal because it might indicate that the baby is settling into the head-down position. In this position, it exerts a bit more pressure on your pelvis. However, if this pain is severe, you need to ask your doctor.
Baddha konasana (the butterfly pose) eases the pelvic girdle pain by strengthening the thigh, groin and pelvic floor muscles.
The iMumz App has yoga exercises and webinars that can help you in this condition.
Cord around the baby’s neck indicates caesarean delivery.
Not necessarily. Nuchal cord is the term used by medical professionals when your baby has their umbilical cord wrapped around their neck. This can occur during pregnancy, labor, or birth. In most cases, a cord around the neck is not dangerous and should not be a cause of concern. In a few cases, if the cord is short, the blood vessels may be compressed or the cord may get stretched in labour. This can be detected by your doctor during routine care in labour.
Deep Breathing
Deep breathing or breathing for two is a way to calm your nerves, deliver more oxygen to you and the baby, and it even gently strengthens and tones the abdominals. It’s also a perfect way to connect and bond to a baby.
Here’s how:
When you do this simple-sounding exercise, you are connecting with the baby and sending waves of love and positive energy.
iMumz has a variety of yoga asanas and breathing techniques which benefit both the pregnant woman and the baby.
Download the iMumz app now to practice prenatal yoga along with the experts.
The award-winning iMumz App is helping 350,000 + women make their pregnancies healthier and happier.
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