 |  | | | � | Hello Mum, I can hear you! CONSTRUCTION ZONE Your baby is a budding genius in the making! Inside your little one's skull, the brain is dividing into lobes, and the nerve portion is growing and folding over, making those wrinkles called gyri. All the neurons your child will ever need will be in place by the end of this month, although the connections between the nerves will take years to develop. Things are moving along outside the skull, too: facial features are becoming distinct, and eyelids and eyebrows are more defined. By the end of this month your baby will weigh around 900g, and measure approximately 23cm crown to rump. WHAT'S HAPPENING Your little one's hearing is already surprisingly well developed. Although the amniotic liquid has a muffling effect on sound, many noises still penetrate the womb. Your baby spends time listening to sounds from inside your body - gurgles, your beating heart - as well as those from the outside world. He startles to loud sounds that occur near to you -a beeping horn, a slamming door - and kicks his legs in response to pleasing ones, especially his favourite sound of all: Mummy's voice. From hereon, if your partner bends down for a little chat with the bump, he is likely to be answered with a few kicks and your baby may even change position to get closer to the voice! Amazingly, your little one is already learning the difference between your voice and other people's and is getting used to the special sounds of his mother tongue. BABY BACH If you choose a piece of music you like and play it every day when you're relaxing, by the end of the pregnancy your little one will have learnt to enjoy it just as much as you, and will even recognise it once he's born! You can't produce a musical genius with such early exposure, but you will start him on the road to music appreciation. Music is very stimulating to your baby, and calming for you both. So, now's the time to sing and talk out loud as often as possible as you go about your day-a habit you should you should definitely continue with your newborn, too. | � | |  | | |  | | | � | Strategies for getting the sleep you need THOSE ELUSIVE ZZZ'S Getting a good night's sleep during pregnancy can be tricky business, especially as your abdomen grows, making it difficult for you to find a comfortable position. Here are some tips to help you sleep better: If you can't get comfortable in your usual position, try lying on your side with a pillow between your knees for lower-back support. Cross the upper leg over the lower one for more stability. Some women find that reclining against a row of pillows can also provide soothing support. If frequent urination is interrupting your night, limit drinking before bedtime. (But don't cut back on fluids during the day. Staying well hydrated is very important during pregnancy.) Cut out caffeine. Exercise each day. Have a snack with a glass of warm milk last thing at night. For more sleep tips, click here. | � | | | | � |  | � |
| | | | | | � | Why you need so many antenatal visits ANTENATAL CARE By now you're used to being poked and prodded at your antenatal appointments. You look forward to hearing your baby's heartbeat, but you're probably getting sick of the never-ending tests! Keep in mind that these are only done to ensure all is well and to help your doctor and midwife stay one step ahead of any potential problems. From 28 weeks gestation onwards, the frequency of your antenatal checks will increase. At that stage you will start seeing your midwife every two weeks and then, from 36 weeks onwards, on a weekly basis. The main reason for these visits is to check your blood pressure and test your urine for protein in case you show signs of developing pre-eclampsia. During the last four weeks of your pregnancy - the home stretch! - your midwife will also be keeping an eye on the position of your baby: how your baby is lying and whether the head is becoming "engaged" in preparation for the big day! | � | | | | � |  | � |
| | | | | | � | The difference between "practice" contractions and pre-term labour BRAXTON-HICKS OR EARLY LABOUR? : JUST PRACTICING! During your third trimester, your uterus contracts occasionally as it "rehearses" for childbirth. These practice sessions are called Braxton-Hicks contractions, and they are completely normal. You may sense your uterus tightening and the muscles in your abdomen hardening, or the sensation may feel more like your baby is doing a somersault. Such contractions usually aren't painful and almost always stop after an hour or so. Although all women have Braxton-Hicks, some never feel them at all and remain completely oblivious to their body's little workouts! THE REAL THING About 10 percent of pregnant women experience pre-term labour contractions.. These are an indication that your labour is starting earlier than it should, before your baby is ready to be born. Pre-term labour can occur anytime between the 20th and 37th weeks of pregnancy. The contractions do not stop and may become increasingly frequent, regular, stronger and more uncomfortable over time. Call your midwife immediately if you are worried about, or experience any symptoms of, pre-term labour. These include menstrual-like, intestinal cramping and diarrhoea; strong pelvis, thigh, or groin pressure; dull, low-back pressure; increased or watery discharge. But don't worry unduly. Remember, the likelihood is that your little one will wait patiently until the end of his gestation, by which time you will be desperate for those real contractions to start! Read "Preterm Labour Alert" for more information. | � | | | | � |  | � |
| | |  | | | � | Should you top up your vitamins? PRENATAL VITAMINS A balanced diet should provide all the vitamins we need. Other than folic acid, most pregnant women will not require any supplements at all. If you are anaemic, however, are carrying twins, or have some special dietary need, your doctor or midwife may prescribe specific prenatal supplements. If you want to take additional vitamins make sure you purchase those specially designed for pregnant women, and always stick to the recommended dose. If you have any doubts, ask your midwife for advice. Remember, prenatal vitamins cannot replace a healthy, balanced diet. For more information about nutrition during pregnancy, read the article "Eating for Two." | � | | | | � |  | � |
| | |  | | | � | Am I over-stressed? STRESS RELIEF Pregnancy can be a stressful time. It is normal for you to occasionally feel anxious or fed-up, but if stress is causing symptoms like sleeplessness, headaches, loss of appetite, or food binges, then you need to find ways to relax and unwind. Remember, stress affects not just you but your baby, too. Try these stress-relievers:
- Evaluate your daily life and see where things could improve. Can you decrease your working hours? Can you get some help at home? Are there plans that should maybe be postponed until after the birth?
- Talk to someone. Sometimes just discussing things with your partner or a friend can help.
- Take a walk every day. Exercise relieves tension.
- Take a warm bubble bath and listen to soothing music.
Learn a relaxation technique, like meditation, that will help you clear your mind and soothe your body. If you're worrying about the birth, click here to learn methods that will help you stay calm and comfortable during labour | � | | | | |  | | | � | Can a man get morning sickness? PREGNANT MAN Some fathers-to-be may develop physical symptoms that mirror those of their pregnant partner: backaches, weight gain, and even morning sickness! This is perfectly normal, and not as strange as it may seem. One theory is that experiencing pregnancy symptoms is a way of allowing men to better understand what their partners are going through. If it happens to you, use your new insight to your benefit. You can connect even more closely with your partner now that you have an idea of how she is actually feeling. But don't expect too much sympathy from her - your partner is unlikely to consider your symptoms as genuinely comparable to hers. And she's probably not particularly in the mood to offer you a quick back massage right now! Click here for more tips on coping with the challenges of becoming a father. | � | | | | � |  | � |
| | |  | | | � | Blooming marvellous - enjoy your new look! BEAUTY BONUS Now that your pregnancy is really showing, why not celebrate your beautiful new look? Treat yourself to a haircut-choose a style that will be easy to maintain when the baby arrives-or have a relaxing facial, or a soothing pedicure. Whatever you choose, do something for yourself to mark this special time in your life. | � | | | |  |  | |  | To stop your subscription to Pampers newsletter and prevent further communication from Pampers in any form, please send an email to unsubscribe-ctg0aice2aag2gybmbkckbf4hwtcakba@email.uk.pampers.com
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