Fatherhood

Week 29

Week 29 starts the eighth lunar month of pregnancy. Baby now measures over ten inches, crown to rump. He is almost sixteen inches, head to toe. Baby weighs in at almost three pounds. He will gain about two pounds this month.

Backaches and general achiness are common during this time. Mom should stay off her feet, elevate them while sitting, and avoid overexertion. Backaches may also be due to poor posture or poor muscle tone. Regular stretching and exercise may help (check with your doctor before beginning an exercise regimen). I feel much better after I do my prenatal Pilates. I’ve also adjusted my chair at work. As the curvature of the spine changes you may wish to try a lumbar support. Even placing a pillow behind your back may give you some relief.

Mom should expect some clumsiness as her center of gravity shifts. Remember your joints are also loosening and baby’s changing positions can affect your balance. As the uterus practices for birth, mother may feel some Braxton Hicks contractions (if she hasn’t already). I think I’ve had three or four. Calcium, protein, iron, and folic acid are more important now than ever. As baby’s internal systems and tissues continue to become more sophisticated, make sure you are providing the building blocks he needs. With the ossification of baby’s bones, calcium is in greatest demand now. If prenatal vitamins induced morning sickness earlier in the pregnancy, you may be able to take one now.

I went to the local health food store this week to try to find something to relieve my heartburn. I bought crystallized ginger and aloe vera juice. The ginger is too strong of a flavor for me. The aloe isn’t bad. I drink a couple ounces a day. They also recommended papaya, bananas, or a slippery elm supplement.

I bought Andrew the book Fatherhood by Bill Cosby. He loves it! It has made him laugh so hard, he cried. He has always been a Bill Cosby fan and I knew he would enjoy it. The book was copyrighted in 1986 and the stories are still very easy to relate to today. I’m going to read the book as soon as he is done.

On Wednesday I took a breastfeeding class at the hospital. There was lots of good information. It surely motivated me to try to breastfeed as long as I can. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for six months and continued breastfeeding for a minimum of one year. Clinical research shows that small full-term babies who are breastfed score an average of eleven points higher on IQ tests than formula fed infants. For moms that have to return to work, it is reassuring to know that it is illegal to discriminate against a woman because she is breastfeeding.

I had gotten a sample of formula recently and was shocked to find that it was over 40% corn syrup! I wouldn’t drink that, neither would I want to feed it to my baby. If you do have to formula feed, check the labels. Some mothers make their own formula or supplement with goat’s milk, which is suppose to be easier to digest.

Breast milk contains more than 190 different fatty acids. Most formula contains only DHA and ARA. Only breast milk contains enzymes that aid in digestion, growth hormones, and antibodies. Be sure to find a Certified Lactation Consultant for the support and information that will help you succeed at breastfeeding.

This week I found myself overwhelmed thinking about all the responsibilities that come with parenthood. Andrew was very patient and understanding that I “freaked-out” a little. Overall I think I’ve been relatively stable and levelheaded. I have had my moments of pregnancy brain, clumsiness, and crying. I read that a woman is 15% more forgetful when she is pregnant than she is at other times. Ten percent of women experience depression in pregnancy.

Saturday Andrew’s employer put on a picnic and baseball game for the employees. My belly was compared to the beer bellies of Andrew’s coworkers. I think one of the male coworkers must be having twins! Hopefully I’ll lose my belly just as quickly as I’ve been gaining it. I gained two pounds this week. I am up 19 pounds from pre-pregnancy. I weighed in at 136 yesterday.

Please view my other blogs:

• Terra’s athletic baby
• Stretching, squats and entertainment
• How much bigger will I get?
• Health insurance changes mid-pregnancy
• Terra’s Own Birth Day
• Our wiggle worm
• Crafting, sports, pilates and…waddling?!
• Things are a’changing!
• It’s a boy!
• Communicating with your big belly
• Keepin’ it all straight
• Terra’s Announcement
• Terra’s Trip to the Midwest
• My Little Secret
• Terra’s First Few Weeks

Please view my profile on Mommy.com here .