MONTH SIX

Week Twenty-four

Your Baby
Your baby is now around 23 centimetres and weighs around 425 grams. Their muscles are beginning to fill out and their bones increase in density.

You
You should now be able to sense when your baby is awake or asleep. Water retention may leave you feeling a little uncomfortable at this time. Your health care professional may like to order a glucose tolerance test (between weeks 24-28) to determine whether or not you are suffering from gestational diabetes.

Week Twenty-five

Your Baby
Your baby will start practicing their breathing and it is possible for them to get the hiccups now - you may notice your belly moving up and down in synchronised movements. The structures of the spine begin to form and the blood vessels in the lungs develop. Their hearing will now be fully developed and some experts feel it is beneficial for you to sing or play music to them.

You
You may experience periodic shooting pains in your lower back and legs due to the added pressure your growing uterus places on your back and spine - make sure you rest up or try taking a warm bath. Stretch marks may also begin to appear (as is the case with 80% of women). There is no cure for this, but applying an oil or body lotion to the affected areas may help reduce their size and appearance.

Week Twenty-six

Your Baby
Your baby now weighs about 680 grams and is increasing in size by about 1 centimetre a week. Their fat stores continue to form and their air sacs begin to form in their lungs. The lungs will now begin to secrete surfactant - by coving the inner lining of the air sacs it will allow your baby's lungs to expand normally during breathing.

You
You may feel your uterus tighten suddenly and then relax. This is completely normal and is referred to as Braxton Hicks and is your body's way of practicing and toning up your uterus for the process of labour. These contractions aren't painful, but your belly may be feeling quite hard at times.

Week Twenty-seven

Your Baby
During this week your baby's eyes will begin to open and their retinas will form and this means that they will be able to see light from the outside of the abdomen. Your baby's brain and lungs continue to develop and their heart is now beating between 120 to 140 beats per minute, which is twice the speed of yours.

You
Your uterus is now pushing up against your rib cage and your lungs will have trouble expanding and for this reason you may be experiencing some shortness of breath. This will not affect the baby at all as your circulatory system is actually functioning more efficiently.

SLEEPING

One of the most important ways to stay relaxed (and not stressed from being tired) is to get plenty of sleep - especially in your last trimester. The first reason behind sleep problems during pregnancy is the increasing size of the foetus which can make it hard to find a comfortable sleeping position. If you've always been a back or stomach sleeper, it may be difficult to get used to sleeping on your side (as doctors recommend). Also, shifting around in bed becomes more difficult as the pregnancy progresses and your size increases.

The urge to urinate as your kidneys work harder to filter the increased blood volume and the pressure on your bladder from the growing baby may keep you awake as you make more frequent trips to the toilet during the night. Leg cramps and backache caused by the extra weight you are carrying can also cause stress and disturb your sleep. Many women also experience heartburn which occurs when the stomach contents reflux back up into the oesophagus and may prevent you falling asleep.

Many pregnant women report that their dreams become more vivid than usual, and some even experience nightmares. Stress can interfere with sleep, too. Maybe you're worried about your baby's health, anxious about your abilities as a parent, or feeling nervous about the delivery itself. All of these feelings are normal, but they may keep you (and your partner) up at night.

If you find that laying on your back after week 24 makes your breathless, light headed or dizzy, it means that your baby is lying on one of your major blood vessels called the 'vena cava'. This blood vessel can become compressed and blood flow to your body can slow. It is best to avoid lying on your back for longer than 5 minutes at a time. Lying on your right or left side or sitting in an upright position will avoid this.

Early in your pregnancy, try to get into the habit of sleeping on your side. Lying on your side with your knees bent is likely to be the most comfortable position as your pregnancy progresses. It also makes your heart's job easier because it keeps the baby's weight from applying pressure to the vena cava that carries blood back to the heart from your feet and legs. It also allows your baby to get into an optimal position for birthing.

Try experimenting with pillows to discover a comfortable sleeping position. Some women find that it helps to place a pillow under their abdomen or between their legs. Also, using a bunched-up pillow or rolled-up blanket at the small of your back may help to relieve some pressure.

Hints and Tips for getting some sleep:

• Eliminate caffeinated drinks like colas, coffee, and some tea from your diet as much as possible
• Avoid drinking a lot of fluids or eating a full meal within a few hours of going to bed at night
• Get into a routine of going to bed and waking up at the same time each day
• Avoid rigorous exercise right before you go to bed. Instead, do something relaxing, like soaking in a warm bath for 15 minutes or having a warm, caffeine-free drink, such as milk with honey or a cup of herbal tea
• If a leg cramp awakens you, it may help to press your feet hard against the wall or to stand on the leg. Also, make sure that you're getting enough calcium and magnesium in your diet, which can help reduce leg cramps
• Take a class in yoga or learn other relaxation techniques such as meditation to help you unwind after a busy day.
• If fear and anxiety are keeping you awake, consider enrolling in a childbirth or parenting class. More knowledge and the company of other pregnant women may help to ease the fears that are keeping you awake at night.

Month Seven