Changes in you at this stage

• Fatigue has set in once again from those nights of interrupted sleep and physical strain.
• The milk producing glands continue to grow causing your breast size to be bigger.
• You may feel your baby drop some time this month, settling deeper into our pelvis. As a result you may feel hungrier since baby is no longer putting pressure on your intestines and stomach.
• Heartburn may become less frequent and less severe.

Good to Know in Week 34Baby Facts

• Researches have discovered that babies are probably dreaming as early as week 25 when REM sleep is first observed. Babies may also make faces in response to their dreams.
• In twin pregnancies, only one baby may be able to fit into the head down position while his twin fits around him as best as he can.

Side Effects of Epidural

• Many are not prepared to hear that epidurals can have side effects. You can vomit, get a bad headache or experience a drop in blood pressure. Sometimes baby's heart rate drops. This temporary problem is rectified with increased IV, position change and some supplemental oxygen through the nose. The worst happens once the epidural wears off; many women experience the shakes or intense shivering or itching which lasts for less than an hour. Don't panic at this information but it is important to stay informed

Wholesome Advice in Week 34

• Many hospitals offer walking epidurals which block the sensation of pain without affecting muscle control. This means you can be mobile or at least move your legs so your pushing will be more effective. You can check with your doctor on this.
• Invest in at least one good parenting book.

Your actions can impact your baby's growth at this stagePosition Matters!

• Labor is an active phase and not a passive event. The key to a more comfortable labor is position. Being able to assume different positions based on how your body feels and your baby will help your labor and generally allow an easier flow of things. Your body will guide you and you should follow these cues. Practicing them ahead of time will help strengthen those muscles and get your geared up mentally as well.

One such example is to Lean Forward

Leaning forward will help tip the baby into your pelvis. This can help lessen the odds of back labor; it can be done standing or leaning against a birth ball or a person. You can also do it sitting or leaning forward or kneeling, and expect to reap the following benefits:

• Promotes the chances of baby moving into your pelvis
• Induces relaxation
• Can be used in between or during contractions

Birth Ball

A good tool to invest in, a birth ball or physiotherapy ball is a fundamentally useful tool for labor. It can be used to ease the strain on your back and bottom, compels you to practice good posture which in turn aids your back. If you don't have one, get one now!

Common Concerns in Week 34Please explain the distribution of weight gained in all three trimesters.

• Not very much is gained in the first trimester: probably 6-11 pounds, most of which is water and materials required for baby's development. During the 2nd and most of the 3rd trimester, you will probably gain about a pound a week. Your weight gain might cease or slow down toward the end of your pregnancy.

Where will the weight go by the end of the pregnancy?

• Here is a typical weight breakdown for the end of your pregnancy quoted in pounds. Any remaining pounds are a general deposit of fat required by the body for breastfeeding and energy stores.
  1. Baby: 7.5 - 8.5 lbs
  2. Amniotic fluid: 2 lbs
  3. Increased blood volume: 4-5 lbs
  4. Placenta: 2 lbs
  5. Breast tissue: 1-2 lbs
  6. Uterine muscle: 2.5
  7. Water: 4
  8. Maternal stores: 8

Weekly Nutrition adviceOmega-3

Omega-3 fatty acids in a gist.. Omega 3 fatty acids are vital to your diet now. They are important to your baby's proper visual and neurological development. Secondly, through a biochemical mechanism, they impede the formation of factors that can lead to premature labor. And finally they protect your own brainpower. During pregnancy the mother's blood level of these fatty acids drops considerably - studies indicate that in the final trimester the mother's brain shrinks by 3% thus explaining the memory loss. These three factors demonstrate the importance of sufficient omega 3 fatty acids in your diet. Best sources are coldwater fish, flax seed, olive and canola oils. Work on getting 1000mg of these fatty acids per day. Here is how:

• Have tuna sandwich or salad for a meal. A 3oz serving of tuna provides 500mg of omega-3. Other ways include:
• Choose salmon or mackerel for a meal
• Add an extra dash of olive oil to your salad dressing
• Use olive oil instead of margarine to your bread
• Sauté poultry and vegetables in canola or safflower oil instead of butter or other types of oil.

At a Glance

• Omega-3 fatty acid (the more advantageous version of fatty acids) also called linolenic acid can be found in all fish and seafood.
• Egg yolks
• Leaves and seeds of many plants
• Soybeans
• Nuts
• Oils such as canola, flaxseed, olive, and walnut

Omega-6 fatty acid (the less beneficial version of fatty acids) also called linoleic acid can be found in

• Nuts including walnuts, peanuts and almonds
• Seeds such as sunflower seeds
• Oils such as corn, safflower, sunflower and soybean