Baby Growth

Have you ever thought that your baby have skills even before birth?
The first year of your baby's life is decisive in matter of brain development because it is then, that all the brain cells are completed and the most of the nerves connection is done. Stimulating your baby's brain well before birth has a positive effect on getting those cells to form quicker and getting the connections to be made in a healthy and effective way so that the baby can astonish you with his capabilities even few days after birth. To see how this miracle can be done follow those steps and you will be fascinated.
EditSteps
Trimester 1
1. 1
First, as soon as you know the sex of your baby give him/her a name this will help you to communicate with your beloved baby
2. 2
As your pregnancy progress, your fetus acquire more skills: he/she will be able to kick, move, see, hear, suck his/her thumb, have some taste selections for music and even food.
Trimester 2
1. 1
Here we get to step two: when the second semester arrives here were the magic begins:
2. 2
At around the fifth month of pregnancy, your baby can recognize your voice among other voices so begin to talk to him/her as often as you can, repeat his/her name several times, say to him/her that you love him/her and that you are waiting for him/her you can even cuddle your tummy you can say for example: (Edwin, Edwin, I am your mum, i love you so much and waiting impatiently to see you.)
3. 3
You can even play for him/her classical music. IT is proven that classical music helps in brain development.
4. 4
For your father, you get your voice on a tape and let your baby hear your voice through putting ear phones on mummy's tummy. This will help him/her feel secured, loved and waited for.
5. 5
Do this several times a day, you can even sing for him/her, tell him/her stories, etc...
At birth
1. 1
When the big day arrives, put in the baby crib a piece of mummy's cloths a scarf for example so the baby can get soothed when smelling his/her mother's scent.
2. 2
Tell the doctor to put the baby on mum's breast immediately after birth-this when the first interrelation bond is done between mum and baby.
First few months
1. 1
Perhaps we all know about these things but did you know that every single cuddle each smile we give play a part in the brain stimulation. But how to actively stimulate our little ones in a more effective way?
2. 2
First, your baby will tell you when he/she will be ready to receive the stimulation. Choose the time when your baby has ate and changed, and calm.
3. 3
Put your baby on your lap, his/her face in front of yours, he/she then will be searching your eyes and specially the iris, he/she will keep that gaze for some seconds and as far as he/she grow the gaze will be more intense and will last longer.
4. 4
Try to get him/her some black and white toys, because your baby at this age can only recognize strong opposite color like black and white, black and red. Put those toys and pictures in his/her crib, and in the diaper changing area, this will help him/her focus more and strengthen his/her brain development.
5. 5
Don't forget the classical music among other baby's song.
6. 6
Play, play, and talk to your baby often. Do a skin to skin contact with him/her cause this will give him/her a sense of warmth and confidence.
7. 7
Respond to every cry as quickly as you can and you will see that his/her cries will slowly disappears.
8. 8
Be consistent and patient and specially don't over stimulate your baby he/she will tells you when you have to stop. A little hint if you see that your baby has loosen his/her gaze, has became irritated and is crying, stop the stimulation. you will have another opportunity throughout the day.
9.
15 minutes a day can give you not only a smarter baby but an astonishing grown up later on.
8 Ways to Build a Brighter Baby

1. A SMART WOMB START Inhaling or ingesting substances called neurotoxins, such as cigarette smoke, excessive alcohol, and illegal drugs, have all been shown to harm brain development and increase the risk of a child having learning and behavior problems later. Besides the "don'ts" of drugs, alcohol, and nicotine during pregnancy, there are some "do's" that affect the developing fetal brain in a healthy way. A healthy diet is a must. While it takes very poor maternal nutrition to harm a baby's developing brain, in general, the better you nourish your body, the better you nourish your baby's growing brain.
SMART TIP A baby's brain develops faster during the nine months in his mother's womb than at any other time in the child's life, and the development of the fetal nervous system is affected for better or worse by what's in the mother's blood during the nine months of pregnancy. What's going on in mother's mind may also affect baby's mental development. While the science of fetal psychology is itself in its infancy, there is growing evidence that babies' brains are influenced by events outside the womb. For example, parents who sing and play Mozart to their baby in the womb increase the likelihood of their baby's liking Mozart later and being soothed by singing. There is a story that cellist Pablo Casals started to sight-read a new piece of music and soon realized he knew what was coming next, even before he read it. He later learned that his mother, also a cellist, had rehearsed this piece daily in the later stages of her pregnancy. A mother whose pregnancy is filled with a consistent unresolved pattern of fear or anxiety has a greater chance of producing an anxious child. Mother and baby share hormones, and an environment full of stress hormones may affect the wiring of the developing brain. Stress is inevitable in life, especially during times of change such as pregnancy. It's what you do about it that matters. A mother who eats well, gets regular exercise, and takes time to work through her own fears and anxieties will create a better womb environment for her baby. Other family members should be aware of the need to nurture mom, so she can be mentally as calm as possible to nurture the new life growing inside her. 2. A SMART NUTRITIONAL START Four reasons how breastfeeding can build better brains: 1. Increased nurturing. Studies show breastfed babies feed more often than do formula-fed babies who are also more likely to be fed on schedule. Also, because breastfed babies feed more often, they tend to be touched, held, and interacted with more.
SMART TIP The milk, in addition to the mothering, gives babies a head start. At least eleven scientific studies show that breastfed babies are smarter. And the more frequently and longer infants are breastfed, the greater this intellectual advantage.
2. Increased touch. Breastfed babies are more likely to sleep all or part of the night in the same bed with mother, a healthy parenting practice that further increases daily "touch time." Infant development specialists believe that touch and the lack of it has a powerful influence on a child's physical and intellectual development. Breastfeeding mothers may also be more sensitive to their child's signals; to be successful at breastfeeding a mother must watch her baby rather than the clock or the marks on the feeding bottle. This sensitivity carries over into other areas. 3. Increased brain-building nutrition. Breastmilk contains around 400 nutrients that are not found in formula. For example, mother's milk contains brain-building fats that provide the components for building myelin, the insulating sheath around nerve fibers that help messages travel faster. Human milk is adapted perfectly to the changing brain development of the human species; that is before modern science began tampering with infant feeding. Breastmilk contains a lot of cholesterol (not too much, not too little sort of a medium cholesterol diet), and cholesterol promotes brain growth. Infant formula contains little or no cholesterol; an executive decision probably based more on marketing than on sound nutritional principles, since people automatically avoid products that contain cholesterol. Consequently, babies do without this brain builder unless they are breastfed. Breastmilk is rich in other brain-building nutrients as well. Lactose, the main carbohydrate in breastmilk, is the sugar the brain prefers. Some formulas contain no lactose. Taurine is a brain-building protein appearing in human milk. Only recently have some formula manufacturers added taurine, but they are still uncertain about how much to add. 4. Increased responsiveness. We can't emphasize this enough: a parent's responsiveness to the cues of his or her child is one of the most healthy attitude builders. A breastfeeding mother is more likely to respond in a more nurturing and natural way to her baby's needs and cries because she has a hormonal head start. When her baby cries the blood flow to her breasts increase and she has an overwhelming biological urge to pick up and nurse her baby. The more often she nurses, the higher the levels of her maternal hormones (prolactin and oxytocin) biochemical messengers that travel throughout a mother's brain affecting how she acts toward her baby. These hormones are thought to contribute to the immeasurable, but vitally important, mother's intuition. (For more information, see "How Breastfeeding Builds Better Brains") 3. SMART CARRYING Infants who are carried more cry less. Infants who spend less time crying devote more time and energy to growing and learning. The neurological reason for this is that motion regulates babies. Carried babies show an increase in awake content time, called quiet alertness . This is the behavioral state in which an infant is most content and best able to interact with the environment. Newborns have disorganized nervous systems in their new environment; they must adjust to being outside the womb. Unheld, they flail their arms, arch their backs, and genuinely seem unsettled. Slings contain and settle babies by providing the motion and holding that babies need to be neurologically organized. Another result of being carried in a sling is that babies receive more attentive parenting and more interaction with the environment, causing more brain cell connections. In fact, researchers have reported that carried babies show enhanced visual and auditory alertness. Also, the behavioral state of quiet alertness gives parents a better opportunity to interact with their baby. When facing forward in the sling, a baby has a wide view of her environment she is able to scan her world. Baby learns to choosefocusing on what she wishes to look at and shutting out what she doesn't. This ability to make choices also enhances learning.
A baby learns a lot in the arms of a busy caregiver. A baby's brain grows and develops according to environmental experiences that stimulate nerves to branch out and connect with other nerves. Babywearing also helps the infant's developing brain make the right connections. Because a baby is intimately involved in the world of the caregiver and participates in what the caregiver is doing, she has practice attending to what her caregiver does and says. Her developing brain stores these experiences as thousands of tiny shortrun movies that are filed in the infant's neurological library, to be rerun over and over. Because we recognize the value of babywearing on a baby's intellectual development, every new parent that comes into our pediatric practice gets a demonstration on the art of babywearing. Babywearing parents often tell us "As soon as I pick up the sling and put it on, my baby lights up and raises his arms, as if in anticipation that he will soon be in my arms and in my world." (See ) 4. SMART TALK
SMART TIP How you talk to your baby has a profound effect on your baby's brain development, and here's where parents, especially mothers, really shine. Mothers, you don't have to learn how to talk to your baby. You're a natural. Mothers instinctively use motherese upbeat tones and facial gestures to talk to their babies. They raise the pitch, s-l-o-w the rate, and E-X-A-G-G-E-R-A-T-E the main syllables. Notice that when you talk to your baby you put your whole face into the act by over-widening your mouth and eyes while talking. You naturally slow down and speed up according to baby's attention. To make sure baby gets the message, mothers instinctively draw out their vowels - "Goood baaaby." How a mother talks is more important to a baby than what she says. Mothers also naturally show a brain-building phenomenon called turn taking. Mothers talk in slowly rising crescendos and decrescendos with bursts and pauses, allowing baby some time to process each short, vocal package before the next message arrives. Though you may feel that talking to your baby is a monologue, you naturally speak to your baby as if you are imagining a dialogue. Video analysis of the fine art of mother-baby communication shows that a mother behaves as if she imagines her baby talks back. She naturally shortens her messages and elongates her pauses to the exact length of time that coincides with the length of the imagined response from the baby, especially when she is talking to the baby in the form of a question. This is a baby's earliest speech lesson, in which the mother is shaping her baby's ability to listen. The infant stores these early abilities away and later recalls them when beginning to speak. Here are some exercises for mothers and fathers to use in brain-building baby talk.
Look at the listener. Capture baby's eyes before beginning your conversation and you will be able to hold her attention longer and are more likely to get an appreciative response.
Be responsive. You may think that babies don't talk much until 1-to-2-years-of-age, but baby "talk" begins at birth. To a tiny baby, language is any sound or gesture that makes a caregiver respond. Early on, a newborn learns that her language is a tool for social interchange that she can use to get attention and satisfy needs. As a baby grows, so do her communication tools (facial expressions, body language, gestures, babbles, and eventually, spoken words). Also, a baby's vocabulary is growing, even before she begins to speak. By responding sensitively to your baby's cries, and by talking with your baby, you help her refine and develop communication skills. When babies "talk", parents learn to listen. When baby gives a cue, say a pick-me-up gesture, caregivers read and respond by picking baby up. Because baby's cues were appropriately read and sensitively responded to, baby is motivated to give more cues.
He stores more cue-response connections in his developing brain because he trusts he'll get an appropriate response to his cues. "My needs will be met," baby trusts. Not so with the baby whose caregivers are restrained in their responses. These babies fail to thrive. (See )
Address baby by name. While a baby may not associate the name with herself until later on in the first year, hearing it frequently triggers a mental association that this is a special sound she has heard before and signals that more fun sounds will follow much as an adult perks up to a familiar tune. Keep it simple. Use short, two- or three-word sentences, and one- or two- syllable words with lots of drawn out exaggerated vowels: "Preeetty baaaby." Keep it lively. Say, "wave bye-bye to cat" as you direct your waving bye-bye at the cat. Babies are more likely to recall words that are associated with animated gestures. Give your speech some spark with inflections at the end of the sentence. Exaggerate cue words. Babies become bored with the same old sounds.
Ask questions. "Suzy want to nurse?" Talking in questions will naturally amplify the sound at the end of the sentence as you anticipate baby's response.
Talk about what you are doing. As you go through your daily maintenance tasks of dressing, bathing, and changing baby, narrate what you are doing, much like a sportscaster describing a game, "Now daddy takes off the diapernow we put on a new one" It's normal to feel a bit foolish initially, but you are not talking to a stone wall. There is a little person with big ears and a developing brain processing every word she hears, storing it on an endless memory record. In my pediatric practice, I have noticed that infants of chatty mothers tend to become more talkative toddlers.
Read to baby. It's never too early to read to your child. Babies love nursery rhymes and poems with an up- and-down singsong cadence. Yet, there will be days when your adult mind needs more than Mother Goose. Read your favorite magazine or book aloud to baby, pepping up the story for a baby's ears. BRAIN- BUILDING DADS Babies learn to associate fathers with fun and play, which itself is a brain-building exercise. To a baby, play is learning. For most dads, a regular time to do something means it's more likely to be done. And routines can develop relationships. So, pick a regular night each week for "Daddy and me" reading time. Your arms, your lap, and male vocal intonations go a long way toward enhancing future reading skills.
Say it with music. Infant researchers believe that singing affects more of a baby's brain centers for language than do words without music. Even if you are not an opera star, you will at least have an admiring audience of one. Babies at all ages love familiar songs, either self-composed or borrowed. File away baby's top ten favorites and replay them frequently. Babies thrive on repetition.
5. SMART RESPONSES Not only how you talk to your infant, but also how you listen, helps build a brainy baby. Many studies show that the most powerful enhancer of brain development is the quality of parent-infant attachment and the response of the caregiving environment to the cues of the infant. A high-touch, high response style of parenting promotes baby brain development by feeding the brain the right kind of information at a time in the child's life when the brain needs the most nourishment. If you are beginning to feel important in
helping build your baby's brain, you are! Simply stated, the volumes of new research conclude that what parents do with babies makes them smarter.
SMART TIP Responding to baby's cues builds brain connections. Not so long ago, parents were bombarded with the wrong message that what they buy for their baby is more important for intellectual development than what they do with their baby. This parental overreaction to consumer over marketing resulted in nurseries looking like bedrooms for baby zebras. Infant stimulation classes mushroomed and brain-stimulation toys were promoted to parents seeking a head start to get their children into Harvard. There is no evidence that fancy toys and expensive classes make brighter babies. When researchers evaluated the influence of toys and programs on infant development, mothers still came out on top. In the keynote address at the 1986 annual meeting of the American Academy of Pediatrics, infant development specialist, Dr. Michael Lewis, reviewed studies of factors that build brighter babies. This presentation was in response to the overselling of the "super baby" phenomenon that emphasized the use of programs and kits that coaxed parents into the role of teachers rather than playful companions and sensitive nurturers. In summarizing the research, Dr. Lewis concluded that the single most important influence on a child's intellectual development was the responsiveness of the caregivers to the cues of the baby. Cues build connections. So, it isn't the stuff parent's buy or the cards you flash that give baby a smart start. Relationships, not things, build brighter babies. 6. SMART MUSIC
Music relaxes mind and body. New research is proving what parents have long suspected: music can make infants and children calmer and possibly smarter. The interest in music as a cerebral stimulant stems from the observations that premature infants in newborn nurseries seem to thrive better when exposed to classical music. Studies in schools have shown that the attention and performance of students improves when listening to background classical music. Music scientists theorize that music "organizes" the patterns of neurons throughout the brain, especially those associated with creative reasoning. Doctors theorize that music has a calming effect by stimulating the release of "endorphin" hormones, ) 7. SMART PLAY To a child, play and learning are the same. Babies learn about their world through play, and parents can learn about what their babies are thinking by watching them play. By observing and sharing in a baby's play, parents can begin to get a faint idea of all the decision-making and problem-solving processes going on in the baby's developing mind. BRAINY GAMES Games babies' play can stimulate those trillions of brain nerves to make smart connections. Be careful, though, when playing these games to respect your baby's needs to rest now and then, or end the game, by turning away from you. Face-to-face game. From two weeks to two month favorite games (and it doesn't cost you a dime) are facial games. When your baby is in the quiet alert state, hold her within the best focusing distance (around
8 to 10 inches) and slowly stick out your tongue as far as you can. When baby begins to move her tongue, sometimes even protrude it, you know you've registered a hit. Try the same game by opening your mouth wide or changing the contour of your lips. Facial expressions are contagious. You may catch your baby making you yawn. Mirroring games. In playing face-imitation games, you mirror your newborn's expressions back to her. When a newborn frowns, opens her eyes or mouth wide, or grimaces, mimic her expressions and exaggerate them. Baby sees her face in her mother's. Mirroring is a powerful enforcer of baby's selfawareness. Babies love to mimic your changing facial expressions. Like a dance, you lead, baby follows. Nothing can entertain a baby like a face. FUN AND GAMES WITH A FOUR-MONTH-OLD
Grab-and-shake games. Babies love games with rattles, rings, rag dolls, and small cuddly blankets.
Sit-and-hit games. Dangle an interesting toy or mobile within baby's reach. Watch him punch at it or try to gather it in his arms.
Kicking games. Kick toys are a favorite at this age. Pom-poms, rattles, and pleasant noisemakers can be attached to baby's ankles for her to activate with her kicking.
Finger games. Give your baby six-inch strips of yarn to play with. See how she uses her fingers, hands, and arms and how intently she focuses on the string. Note: Supervise your baby closely when you play any game with strings in order to avoid a choking hazard. FUN AND GAMES WITH THE SIX- TO NINE-MONTH-OLD
Play ball! Balls and blocks are and always will be some of the best baby toys. Babies can do so much with these simple toys.
Mirror play. Sit baby within touching distance of a mirror (floor-to-ceiling mirrors are the best). Watch your baby try to match her hands and face with the image in the mirror. When you appear alongside, baby becomes fascinated at your image next to his in the reflection.
Roll games. Playing on foam bolsters , which you can begin around four months, becomes even more fun at this age, because babies can crawl up and over these cushions and entertain themselves. Drape baby over a bolster cushion and place a toy just beyond her reach. Notice how baby digs her feet in, pushing and rolling herself forward on the foam cylinder in hot pursuit of the toy.
SIX TO NINE MONTHS FUN AND GAMES Babies in this stage are very curious about the relationship between toys how a big toy is related to a little toy and how a little object fits into a bigger one. This is the stage of container play, where baby can figure out play combinations of objects (like banging, stacking, and the ever-favorite fill-and-dump).
Banging games. Put cotton in your ears and bring out the pots and pans! Baby delights in the noise of banging and dropping.
Stacking games. Baby also delights in putting little pots into bigger pots. Plastic bowls and measuring cups are great for these games, too.
Fill-and-dump games. Give baby hand-size blocks and a shoe box or a large plastic cup and watch how little hands and minds work together to figure out how to put the blocks into the container and, of course, how to dump it out. While you are doing laundry, place baby in a large laundry basket half-full of small clothes, preferably socks and baby clothes. After baby takes the clothes out of the basket, put your little helper outside the basket and show her how to put the clothes back in, picking up a sock and putting it back into the basket for her.
Water play. Encourage bathtub and sink play, always under supervision, which gives the master dumper an exercise in filing and pouring. Scooping up a cup of water and pouring it out makes a big splash on baby's list of favorite games.
NINE-TO-TWELVE-MONTH FUN AND GAMES From nine to twelve months, the master mental skill that begins to mature at this age is the concept of object permanence the ability to remember where a toy is hidden. Previously, out of sight was out of mind. If you hid a toy under a blanket, baby showed little interest in finding the toy. Try this experiment. Let baby see you place a favorite toy under one of two cloth diapers lying in front of her. Watch baby momentarily study the diapers, as if figuring out which diaper is covering the toy. By the "I'm thinking" expression on her face, you get the feeling that she is trying to recall in her memory under which diaper the toy is hidden.
Play hide-and-seek. Baby's new ability to remember the place where a parent's bopping head was last seen makes this game a favorite. Let baby chase you around the couch. When she loses you, peer around the edge of the couch and call her by name. Baby will crawl to where she saw you peering. Eventually, she will imitate you by hiding and peeking around the couch herself.
Hide-and-seek with sounds. Next, add the game of "sounding."Instead of letting baby see where you are hiding, stay hidden but call her name. Watch her crawl, and later toddle, around the house in search of the voice she mentally matches with the missing person. Keep sounding to hold the searching baby's interest.
8. SMART TOYS
SMART TIP Interactions, not stuff, build brighter brains. Toys are the icing on the brain-building cake. Your relationship with your baby is the real cake. The developmental basis for baby toys is called contingency play, in which baby discovers the cause-and-effect relationship. Basically, a toy should stimulate as many senses as possible, so that baby can see, hear, feel, and do something with the toy.
While we have stressed the simple things in lifecaregiver interactions, not stuff makes brighter babies here are some fun and inexpensive toys that can stimulate your baby's brain development during the first year:

Mobiles Handheld toys: rattles, rings (3-4 inches in diameter), toy telephones, unbreakable mirrors Toys that have bright contrasting primary colors, like black and white and primary colors, and big squares or dots Cloth books Baby rolls (6-inch foam rubber rollers or cushions that are great props for floor play) Squeeze and squeak toys Blocks and balls (always a favorite) Grab and transfer toys, such as rings
WHAT MAKES A GOOD TOY One that fits your child's developmental level

One that encourages imaginative play rather than "doing" something for the child on its own One that encourages parent-child interaction One that will last and grow with your child One that is safe
8 Ways to Build a Brighter Baby

1. A SMART WOMB START Inhaling or ingesting substances called neurotoxins, such as cigarette smoke, excessive alcohol, and illegal drugs, have all been shown to harm brain development and increase the risk of a child having learning and behavior problems later. Besides the "don'ts" of drugs, alcohol, and nicotine during pregnancy, there are some "do's" that affect the developing fetal brain in a healthy way. A healthy diet is a must. While it takes very poor maternal nutrition to harm a baby's developing brain, in general, the better you nourish your body, the better you nourish your baby's growing brain.
SMART TIP A baby's brain develops faster during the nine months in his mother's womb than at any other time in the child's life, and the development of the fetal nervous system is affected for better or worse by what's in the mother's blood during the nine months of pregnancy. What's going on in mother's mind may also affect baby's mental development. While the science of fetal psychology is itself in its infancy, there is growing evidence that babies' brains are influenced by events outside the womb. For example, parents who sing and play Mozart to their baby in the womb increase the likelihood of their baby's liking Mozart later and being soothed by singing. There is a story that cellist Pablo Casals started to sight-read a new piece of music and soon realized he knew what was coming next, even before he read it. He later learned that his mother, also a cellist, had rehearsed this piece daily in the later stages of her pregnancy. A mother whose pregnancy is filled with a consistent unresolved pattern of fear or anxiety has a greater chance of producing an anxious child. Mother and baby share hormones, and an environment full of stress
hormones may affect the wiring of the developing brain. Stress is inevitable in life, especially during times of change such as pregnancy. It's what you do about it that matters. A mother who eats well, gets regular exercise, and takes time to work through her own fears and anxieties will create a better womb environment for her baby. Other family members should be aware of the need to nurture mom, so she can be mentally as calm as possible to nurture the new life growing inside her. 2. A SMART NUTRITIONAL START Four reasons how breastfeeding can build better brains: 1. Increased nurturing. Studies show breastfed babies feed more often than do formula-fed babies who are also more likely to be fed on schedule. Also, because breastfed babies feed more often, they tend to be touched, held, and interacted with more.
SMART TIP The milk, in addition to the mothering, gives babies a head start. At least eleven scientific studies show that breastfed babies are smarter. And the more frequently and longer infants are breastfed, the greater this intellectual advantage. 2. Increased touch. Breastfed babies are more likely to sleep all or part of the night in the same bed with mother, a healthy parenting practice that further increases daily "touch time." Infant development specialists believe that touch and the lack of it has a powerful influence on a child's physical and intellectual development. Breastfeeding mothers may also be more sensitive to their child's signals; to be successful at breastfeeding a mother must watch her baby rather than the clock or the marks on the feeding bottle. This sensitivity carries over into other areas. 3. Increased brain-building nutrition. Breastmilk contains around 400 nutrients that are not found in formula. For example, mother's milk contains brain-building fats that provide the components for building myelin, the insulating sheath around nerve fibers that help messages travel faster. Human milk is adapted perfectly to the changing brain development of the human species; that is before modern science began tampering with infant feeding. Breastmilk contains a lot of cholesterol (not too much, not too little sort of a medium cholesterol diet), and cholesterol promotes brain growth. Infant formula contains little or no cholesterol; an executive decision probably based more on marketing than on sound nutritional principles, since people automatically avoid products that contain cholesterol. Consequently, babies do without this brain builder unless they are breastfed. Breastmilk is rich in other brain-building nutrients as well. Lactose, the main carbohydrate in breastmilk, is the sugar the brain prefers. Some formulas contain no lactose. Taurine is a brain-building protein appearing in human milk. Only recently have some formula manufacturers added taurine, but they are still uncertain about how much to add. 4. Increased responsiveness. We can't emphasize this enough: a parent's responsiveness to the cues of his or her child is one of the most healthy attitude builders. A breastfeeding mother is more likely to respond in a more nurturing and natural way to her baby's needs and cries because she has a hormonal head start. When her baby cries the blood flow to her breasts increase and she has an overwhelming biological urge to pick up and nurse her baby. The more often she nurses, the higher the levels of her maternal hormones (prolactin and oxytocin) biochemical messengers that travel throughout a mother's brain affecting how she acts toward her baby. These hormones are thought to contribute to the immeasurable, but vitally important, mother's intuition.
(For more information, see "How Breastfeeding Builds Better Brains") 3. SMART CARRYING Infants who are carried more cry less. Infants who spend less time crying devote more time and energy to growing and learning. The neurological reason for this is that motion regulates babies. Carried babies show an increase in awake content time, called quiet alertness . This is the behavioral state in which an infant is most content and best able to interact with the environment. Newborns have disorganized nervous systems in their new environment; they must adjust to being outside the womb. Unheld, they flail their arms, arch their backs, and genuinely seem unsettled. Slings contain and settle babies by providing the motion and holding that babies need to be neurologically organized. Another result of being carried in a sling is that babies receive more attentive parenting and more interaction with the environment, causing more brain cell connections. In fact, researchers have reported that carried babies show enhanced visual and auditory alertness. Also, the behavioral state of quiet alertness gives parents a better opportunity to interact with their baby. When facing forward in the sling, a baby has a wide view of her environment she is able to scan her world. Baby learns to choosefocusing on what she wishes to look at and shutting out what she doesn't. This ability to make choices also enhances learning. A baby learns a lot in the arms of a busy caregiver. A baby's brain grows and develops according to environmental experiences that stimulate nerves to branch out and connect with other nerves. Babywearing also helps the infant's developing brain make the right connections. Because a baby is intimately involved in the world of the caregiver and participates in what the caregiver is doing, she has practice attending to what her caregiver does and says. Her developing brain stores these experiences as thousands of tiny shortrun movies that are filed in the infant's neurological library, to be rerun over and over. Because we recognize the value of babywearing on a baby's intellectual development, every new parent that comes into our pediatric practice gets a demonstration on the art of babywearing. Babywearing parents often tell us "As soon as I pick up the sling and put it on, my baby lights up and raises his arms, as if in anticipation that he will soon be in my arms and in my world." (See ) 4. SMART TALK
SMART TIP How you talk to your baby has a profound effect on your baby's brain development, and here's where parents, especially mothers, really shine. Mothers, you don't have to learn how to talk to your baby. You're a natural. Mothers instinctively use motherese upbeat tones and facial gestures to talk to their babies. They raise the pitch, s-l-o-w the rate, and E-X-A-G-G-E-R-A-T-E the main syllables. Notice that when you talk to your baby you put your whole face into the act by over-widening your mouth and eyes while talking. You naturally slow down and speed up according to baby's attention. To make sure baby gets the message, mothers instinctively draw out their vowels - "Goood baaaby." How a mother talks is more important to a baby than what she says. Mothers also naturally show a brain-building phenomenon called turn taking. Mothers talk in slowly rising crescendos and decrescendos with bursts and pauses, allowing baby some time to process each short, vocal package before the next message arrives. Though you may feel that talking to your baby is a monologue, you naturally speak to your baby as if you are imagining a dialogue. Video analysis of the fine art of mother-baby communication shows that a mother behaves as if she imagines her baby talks back. She
naturally shortens her messages and elongates her pauses to the exact length of time that coincides with the length of the imagined response from the baby, especially when she is talking to the baby in the form of a question. This is a baby's earliest speech lesson, in which the mother is shaping her baby's ability to listen. The infant stores these early abilities away and later recalls them when beginning to speak. Here are some exercises for mothers and fathers to use in brain-building baby talk.
Look at the listener. Capture baby's eyes before beginning your conversation and you will be able to hold her attention longer and are more likely to get an appreciative response.
Be responsive. You may think that babies don't talk much until 1-to-2-years-of-age, but baby "talk" begins at birth. To a tiny baby, language is any sound or gesture that makes a caregiver respond. Early on, a newborn learns that her language is a tool for social interchange that she can use to get attention and satisfy needs. As a baby grows, so do her communication tools (facial expressions, body language, gestures, babbles, and eventually, spoken words). Also, a baby's vocabulary is growing, even before she begins to speak. By responding sensitively to your baby's cries, and by talking with your baby, you help her refine and develop communication skills. When babies "talk", parents learn to listen. When baby gives a cue, say a pick-me-up gesture, caregivers read and respond by picking baby up. Because baby's cues were appropriately read and sensitively responded to, baby is motivated to give more cues. He stores more cue-response connections in his developing brain because he trusts he'll get an appropriate response to his cues. "My needs will be met," baby trusts. Not so with the baby whose caregivers are restrained in their responses. These babies fail to thrive. (See )
Address baby by name. While a baby may not associate the name with herself until later on in the first year, hearing it frequently triggers a mental association that this is a special sound she has heard before and signals that more fun sounds will follow much as an adult perks up to a familiar tune. Keep it simple. Use short, two- or three-word sentences, and one- or two- syllable words with lots of drawn out exaggerated vowels: "Preeetty baaaby." Keep it lively. Say, "wave bye-bye to cat" as you direct your waving bye-bye at the cat. Babies are more likely to recall words that are associated with animated gestures. Give your speech some spark with inflections at the end of the sentence. Exaggerate cue words. Babies become bored with the same old sounds.
Ask questions. "Suzy want to nurse?" Talking in questions will naturally amplify the sound at the end of the sentence as you anticipate baby's response.
Talk about what you are doing. As you go through your daily maintenance tasks of dressing, bathing, and changing baby, narrate what you are doing, much like a sportscaster describing a game, "Now daddy takes off the diapernow we put on a new one" It's normal to feel a bit foolish initially, but you are not talking to a stone wall. There is a little person with big ears and a developing brain processing every word she hears, storing it on an endless memory record. In my pediatric practice, I have noticed that infants of chatty mothers tend to become more talkative toddlers.
Read to baby. It's never too early to read to your child. Babies love nursery rhymes and poems with an up- and-down singsong cadence. Yet, there will be days when your adult mind needs more than Mother Goose. Read your favorite magazine or book aloud to baby, pepping up the story for a baby's
ears. BRAIN- BUILDING DADS Babies learn to associate fathers with fun and play, which itself is a brain-building exercise. To a baby, play is learning. For most dads, a regular time to do something means it's more likely to be done. And routines can develop relationships. So, pick a regular night each week for "Daddy and me" reading time. Your arms, your lap, and male vocal intonations go a long way toward enhancing future reading skills.
Say it with music. Infant researchers believe that singing affects more of a baby's brain centers for language than do words without music. Even if you are not an opera star, you will at least have an admiring audience of one. Babies at all ages love familiar songs, either self-composed or borrowed. File away baby's top ten favorites and replay them frequently. Babies thrive on repetition.
5. SMART RESPONSES Not only how you talk to your infant, but also how you listen, helps build a brainy baby. Many studies show that the most powerful enhancer of brain development is the quality of parent-infant attachment and the response of the caregiving environment to the cues of the infant. A high-touch, high response style of parenting promotes baby brain development by feeding the brain the right kind of information at a time in the child's life when the brain needs the most nourishment. If you are beginning to feel important in helping build your baby's brain, you are! Simply stated, the volumes of new research conclude that what parents do with babies makes them smarter.
SMART TIP Responding to baby's cues builds brain connections. Not so long ago, parents were bombarded with the wrong message that what they buy for their baby is more important for intellectual development than what they do with their baby. This parental overreaction to consumer over marketing resulted in nurseries looking like bedrooms for baby zebras. Infant stimulation classes mushroomed and brain-stimulation toys were promoted to parents seeking a head start to get their children into Harvard. There is no evidence that fancy toys and expensive classes make brighter babies. When researchers evaluated the influence of toys and programs on infant development, mothers still came out on top. In the keynote address at the 1986 annual meeting of the American Academy of Pediatrics, infant development specialist, Dr. Michael Lewis, reviewed studies of factors that build brighter babies. This presentation was in response to the overselling of the "super baby" phenomenon that emphasized the use of programs and kits that coaxed parents into the role of teachers rather than playful companions and sensitive nurturers. In summarizing the research, Dr. Lewis concluded that the single most important influence on a child's intellectual development was the responsiveness of the caregivers to the cues of the baby. Cues build connections. So, it isn't the stuff parent's buy or the cards you flash that give baby a smart start. Relationships, not things, build brighter babies. 6. SMART MUSIC
Music relaxes mind and body. New research is proving what parents have long suspected: music can make infants and children calmer and possibly smarter. The interest in music as a cerebral stimulant stems from the observations that premature infants in newborn nurseries seem to thrive better when exposed to classical music. Studies in schools have shown that the attention and performance of students improves
when listening to background classical music. Music scientists theorize that music "organizes" the patterns of neurons throughout the brain, especially those associated with creative reasoning. Doctors theorize that music has a calming effect by stimulating the release of "endorphin" hormones, ) 7. SMART PLAY To a child, play and learning are the same. Babies learn about their world through play, and parents can learn about what their babies are thinking by watching them play. By observing and sharing in a baby's play, parents can begin to get a faint idea of all the decision-making and problem-solving processes going on in the baby's developing mind. BRAINY GAMES Games babies' play can stimulate those trillions of brain nerves to make smart connections. Be careful, though, when playing these games to respect your baby's needs to rest now and then, or end the game, by turning away from you. Face-to-face game. From two weeks to two month favorite games (and it doesn't cost you a dime) are facial games. When your baby is in the quiet alert state, hold her within the best focusing distance (around 8 to 10 inches) and slowly stick out your tongue as far as you can. When baby begins to move her tongue, sometimes even protrude it, you know you've registered a hit. Try the same game by opening your mouth wide or changing the contour of your lips. Facial expressions are contagious. You may catch your baby making you yawn. Mirroring games. In playing face-imitation games, you mirror your newborn's expressions back to her. When a newborn frowns, opens her eyes or mouth wide, or grimaces, mimic her expressions and exaggerate them. Baby sees her face in her mother's. Mirroring is a powerful enforcer of baby's selfawareness. Babies love to mimic your changing facial expressions. Like a dance, you lead, baby follows. Nothing can entertain a baby like a face. FUN AND GAMES WITH A FOUR-MONTH-OLD
Grab-and-shake games. Babies love games with rattles, rings, rag dolls, and small cuddly blankets.
Sit-and-hit games. Dangle an interesting toy or mobile within baby's reach. Watch him punch at it or try to gather it in his arms.
Kicking games. Kick toys are a favorite at this age. Pom-poms, rattles, and pleasant noisemakers can be attached to baby's ankles for her to activate with her kicking.
Finger games. Give your baby six-inch strips of yarn to play with. See how she uses her fingers, hands, and arms and how intently she focuses on the string. Note: Supervise your baby closely when you play any game with strings in order to avoid a choking hazard. FUN AND GAMES WITH THE SIX- TO NINE-MONTH-OLD
Play ball! Balls and blocks are and always will be some of the best baby toys. Babies can do so much with these simple toys.
Mirror play. Sit baby within touching distance of a mirror (floor-to-ceiling mirrors are the best). Watch your baby try to match her hands and face with the image in the mirror. When you appear alongside, baby becomes fascinated at your image next to his in the reflection.
Roll games. Playing on foam bolsters , which you can begin around four months, becomes even more fun at this age, because babies can crawl up and over these cushions and entertain themselves. Drape baby over a bolster cushion and place a toy just beyond her reach. Notice how baby digs her feet in, pushing and rolling herself forward on the foam cylinder in hot pursuit of the toy.
SIX TO NINE MONTHS FUN AND GAMES Babies in this stage are very curious about the relationship between toys how a big toy is related to a little toy and how a little object fits into a bigger one. This is the stage of container play, where baby can figure out play combinations of objects (like banging, stacking, and the ever-favorite fill-and-dump).
Banging games. Put cotton in your ears and bring out the pots and pans! Baby delights in the noise of banging and dropping.
Stacking games. Baby also delights in putting little pots into bigger pots. Plastic bowls and measuring cups are great for these games, too.
Fill-and-dump games. Give baby hand-size blocks and a shoe box or a large plastic cup and watch how little hands and minds work together to figure out how to put the blocks into the container and, of course, how to dump it out. While you are doing laundry, place baby in a large laundry basket half-full of small clothes, preferably socks and baby clothes. After baby takes the clothes out of the basket, put your little helper outside the basket and show her how to put the clothes back in, picking up a sock and putting it back into the basket for her.
Water play. Encourage bathtub and sink play, always under supervision, which gives the master dumper an exercise in filing and pouring. Scooping up a cup of water and pouring it out makes a big splash on baby's list of favorite games.
NINE-TO-TWELVE-MONTH FUN AND GAMES From nine to twelve months, the master mental skill that begins to mature at this age is the concept of object permanence the ability to remember where a toy is hidden. Previously, out of sight was out of mind. If you hid a toy under a blanket, baby showed little interest in finding the toy. Try this experiment. Let baby see you place a favorite toy under one of two cloth diapers lying in front of her. Watch baby momentarily study the diapers, as if figuring out which diaper is covering the toy. By the "I'm thinking" expression on her face, you get the feeling that she is trying to recall in her memory under which diaper the toy is hidden.
Play hide-and-seek. Baby's new ability to remember the place where a parent's bopping head was last seen makes this game a favorite. Let baby chase you around the couch. When she loses you, peer
around the edge of the couch and call her by name. Baby will crawl to where she saw you peering. Eventually, she will imitate you by hiding and peeking around the couch herself.
Hide-and-seek with sounds. Next, add the game of "sounding."Instead of letting baby see where you are hiding, stay hidden but call her name. Watch her crawl, and later toddle, around the house in search of the voice she mentally matches with the missing person. Keep sounding to hold the searching baby's interest.
8. SMART TOYS
SMART TIP Interactions, not stuff, build brighter brains. Toys are the icing on the brain-building cake. Your relationship with your baby is the real cake. The developmental basis for baby toys is called contingency play, in which baby discovers the cause-and-effect relationship. Basically, a toy should stimulate as many senses as possible, so that baby can see, hear, feel, and do something with the toy. While we have stressed the simple things in lifecaregiver interactions, not stuff makes brighter babies here are some fun and inexpensive toys that can stimulate your baby's brain development during the first year:

Mobiles Handheld toys: rattles, rings (3-4 inches in diameter), toy telephones, unbreakable mirrors Toys that have bright contrasting primary colors, like black and white and primary colors, and big squares or dots Cloth books Baby rolls (6-inch foam rubber rollers or cushions that are great props for floor play) Squeeze and squeak toys Blocks and balls (always a favorite) Grab and transfer toys, such as rings
WHAT MAKES A GOOD TOY One that fits your child's developmental level

One that encourages imaginative play rather than "doing" something for the child on its own One that encourages parent-child interaction One that will last and grow with your child One that is safe
How to Make Your Baby Smarter

Posted: 01/28/2013 10:53 am
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1st Trimester , 3rd Trimester , Baby Einstein , Babies , Daddy App , Drinking While Pregnant , Iodine , Iq , Mozart , Nanny App , Dads , Pregnancy , Pregnant , Vitamin D ,Parents News
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Are you hoping for a Baby Einstein? You don't need to be a Tiger Dad to want the best for your kids, and being smart generally leads to an easier, happier life. But what are the facts and what are myths? Before you force your baby to listen to Mozart, check out the latest research to find exactly what will make a difference to a baby's future IQ. Even if you're not a competitive dad, you may want to try out these research-tested "Baby Smart Tips." Together, they could make big difference to your child's IQ. And they are so easy to do; you'd be an idiot not to: Baby Smart Tip 1 - Iodine Boosting your child's future IQ starts early. In the womb. Mom's diet can have a big impact on the developing fetus' brain. One of the most important micronutrients is Iodine. Deficiency during pregnancy, particularly the first 12 weeks, is linked to significantly lower IQ in children. A review showed that the introduction of iodine supplementation led to an increase in a child IQ's of between 12 and 17.25 points. So switch to iodized salt as soon as you start thinking about conception and make sure mom eats plenty of sea fish, milk, yogurt, cheese and eggs. (Note: avoid predatory fish such as tuna, shark, marlin etc. because they main contain high levels of mercury, which can be harmful.) Baby Smart Tip 2 - Vitamin D In a recent study, Spanish scientists measured the vitamin D levels in 1,820 pregnant women. Most of the women were in their second trimester, and 20% were vitamin Ddeficient. The Spanish team found that the babies of mothers whose prenatal vitamin D level was deficient scored significantly lower on both a mental test and a psychomotor test at about 14 months of age than babies of women whose prenatal vitamin D level was adequate. \ In the USA, the problem may be even worse. At this time, 40-60% of the entire U.S. population is vitamin D deficient, including pregnant women. Many people get adequate vitamin D from a combination of diet and sunlight, but even in sunny states, serum Vitamin D levels can be low in many people. Pregnant women are advised by the Office
of Dietary Supplements to get 15 mcg of Vitamin D a day from either food, sun or supplements. Baby Smart Tip 3 - Baby Signing The great babys signing debate has been raging for years. Some research claims that they have identified both improved language acquisition and a long term increase in IQ; others have claimed that baby signing may actually slow down speech development. But what does the research actually say? An article in the British Psychological Society's The Psychologist considered some of the claims made by baby signing supporters and concluded that there was "indicative, if not evidentially strong" evidence from baby signing research for its benefits, including "a reduction in problematic behaviors like tantrums resulting from frustration." The main problem is that most of the studies have been very small, so it's hard to draw any concrete conclusions. But if you're worried about the terrible twos, then baby signing might be the answer. Baby Smart Tip 4 - Fish Oil There is a growth spurt in the human brain during the last trimester of pregnancy and the first months of life after birth. This growth spurt sees a baby's brain take in lots of the acids found in fish oil. When scientists at the Department of Pediatric Research gave pregnant and breastfeeding women daily cod liver oil tablets, they found it did correlate significantly with "mental processing scores" at 4 years of age. Baby Smart Tip 5 - Alcohol The Dietary guidelines published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Servicesrecommends: "Alcoholic beverages should not be consumed by some individuals, including... women of childbearing age who may become pregnant, pregnant and lactating women." There is much evidence that alcohol can be very damaging, resulting in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, low birth weight, heart defects and miscarriage. But what about the odd glass of wine? Do one or two glasses a week really make a difference? Recent researchsuggests it depends on whether the mother has a gene variant which affects how her body mother processes alcohol. Moms with the variant, who drank between 1 and 6 units a week during pregnancy, had children with lower IQ scores at age 8. IQ was on average 2 points lower for each genetic variant they had. So should you drink any alcohol when you are pregnant? It depends on if you are feeling lucky... Baby Smart Tip 6 - Pick the Right Parents We've saved the biggest 'til last. The single biggest factor to influence a child's IQ is the IQ of its parents. Estimates vary, but a 2004 survey of the research concluded that the heritability of IQ is about 85% (where 100% is the maximum). Half of that is down to you and half down to mom. So, short of adoption, the best and easiest way to ensure your child is smart is to pick a smart mom. The easiest way to test this is to pull an IQ test sheet out on your first date and ask her to fill it in. If she avoids your calls after that, you can be pretty sure she's smart...
Baby intelligence is a little bit genetics and a little bit environment. Here's what science has to say about building a baby's brain before birth and after. It was once believed that a baby in utero was like an astronaut in a spaceship, completely insulated from the outside world. More recent research has found that not to be true: A fetus is influenced by environment -- even very early on. The three big factors for building baby intelligence in the womb are nutrition, protecting the fetus from harmful toxins, and exercise. The eight-to-twelve weeks of fetal development are a critical time when basic brain structures are forming. Throughout pregnancy, but especially during this time, it's vitally important to get enough calories (at least 2,000 - 2,200 a day) and enough essential vitamins and minerals. B vitamins, especially folate, are well known for promoting brain growth, and now recent research has found that iron in early pregnancy also plays an important role, too; so ask your health care provider if you should also take an additional iron supplement. If your pregnancy nausea is so severe that you are unable to eat, keep food down, or digest your prenatal vitamin for more than a day, contact your health care provider right away-don't try to tough it out. Protecting the fetus from toxins is also important, especially in the first trimester. Don't drink alcohol or smoke, of course, and be sure to ask your health care provider about the safety of any medications you plan to take. Excess heat and exposure to heavy metals like lead or mercury can also harm brain growth, so avoid hot tubs, stripping old paint, and eating species of fish that may have high levels of mercury, like tuna and swordfish. During the second trimester the baby's ear structure and hearing develop, and research has found that most fetuses are able to hear by week 27. After birth, babies recognize sounds that they heard in the womb, so talking a lot-to your belly or to other people, or even to yourself-will give your baby information about the language of the world he'll be born into. Choose music that you like, and it may help your baby appreciate it later. Studies have even found that three-day-old babies cry in different languages, with French and German babies crying with different "accents." After your baby is born, the most important thing you can do to build her brain is to keep her physically close to you. While it was once thought that breastfeeding boosted a baby's IQ, later research found that it may actually be the bonding time and interaction that provides the benefit. So as you feed, no matter what you feed her, look into her eyes, talk to her, and use feeding time to bond. Hearing you and other family members talk will also lay down the foundations of language. Research has found that babies kept in direct contact with a caregiver-held in a lap or carried in arms or in a hands-free carrier (like a Bjorn)-- have been shown to cry more than an hour less every day than babies who spend more time in playpens, cribs, or car seats. Holding her all the time won't mean that she'll never cry, of course; but the less she cries, the more time she will have for interacting and learning. Responding to cries also gives her the first lessons in cause and effect: She cries, you appear. Never try to enforce a sleep training or feeding schedule on a baby younger than six months of age (if ever), because stress hormones from extended crying can inhibit brain development. Keeping baby in motion also builds the brain. Babies develop physical skills more rapidly when they are exposed to movement and rocking stimulation, as opposed to being in a playpen or car seat carrier. Instead of pushing baby around the neighborhood in a stroller, use a soft carrier for walks (or if your baby is old enough to support her neck, a backpack) that lets baby move with the rhythm of your body. Tummy time is another way to help her develop the part of her brain that coordinates motion. If your baby hates being put on her tummy, try laying her on your (or dad's) chest. Should you invest hundreds of dollars in educational toys, or systems that promise to teach your baby to read? Probably not. Your baby will learn more from interacting with actual people than she ever could with any object, and "screen time" with DVDs or television has been linked to the development of attention deficit disorder later in life. Instead of using toys or DVDs, have a slightly older baby or toddler over to play-to babies, toddlers are rock stars. And when it comes to toys, simpler is usually better-a spoon, a box, a mirror, or a jingle bell is plenty. And when it comes to toys, parents are surprised to discover that their babies are more interested in the packaging that toys come in, or the ribbon and paper, than in the toy itself. That's not to say that babies
won't be briefly intrigued with a toy that they can gnaw on, bang, or make sounds with. But the most important thing to remember is that YOU are your baby's best plaything. By talking with her, hugging her, carrying her around, and helping her with the skills she's currently working on, you can truly help to build a smarter baby.
4 weeks pregnant
Congratulations! If you know you're four weeks pregnant, you found out the news earlier than most women probably do -- and you might be totally excited, or you might be still getting used to the idea. Either way, its likely youre not feeling any different (for now, at least), since most early pregnancy symptoms have not have kicked in yet. Be sure to celebrate this amazing news with your partner but don't tell the world yet. Your first call is to your doctor to schedule your first prenatal visit when they can confirm your pregnancy. And even though your baby-to-be is still tiny, hes already undergoing important development at week four of pregnancy, so start taking a prenatal vitamin. Look for one with at least 400 micrograms of folic acid and remember to take it daily. We know youve got a lot on your mind, but since folic acid is proven to help prevent birth defects, this is super important!
your baby's the size of a poppyseed!

At 4 weeks, your baby, now known as a blastocyst, is practically microscopic -- a teeny ball of cells. She's busy settling into her new home (your uterus), prepping for all the crucial development she'll be doing over the next six weeks.
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your baby at 4 weeks

The ball of cells is splitting into the embryo (your future child) and placenta. Baby's neural tube, the building block of his spine, brain and backbone, is already formed.
The amniotic sac and fluid are forming into protective cushioning for your baby.
pregnancy symptoms at 4 weeks

There's a chance you don't feel different at all yet, but brace yourself: nausea and vomitingmay be in your near future. Bloating, thanks to the pregnancy hormone, progesterone. Mild cramping and bleeding. Don't worry -- this is totally normal as your baby implants himself to the wall of your uterus. Mood swings, caused by your fluctuating hormones. These are most drastic during the first 12 weeks.
your must-do's

Take a pregnancy test (we assume you've done this already!) Buy a good prenatal vitamin. Calculate your due date. Find an obstetrician (OB) -- not all gynecologists are OB's as well!
your nice-to-do's

Start a healthy eating plan. Decide how and when to tell your family you're pregnant. Do something to pamper yourself. Massage? Nap? Hours of trashy T.V.?
5 weeks pregnant
Five weeks is a common time when moms-to-be find out theyre pregnant (though some wont discover it for a couple more weeks still). Thats because by now you probably realized youve missed your period. Plus, heightened pregnancy hormone levels may be giving you some symptoms that are tough to ignore, like sore breasts, nausea and fatigue. (Those same hormones are the ones your pregnancy test picked up to give you a positive result.) These are just the beginning of the slew of changes your body is about to go through. No need to worry though: many moms-to-be say the first trimester was the toughest part of pregnancy, so youre probably getting the rough stuff out of the way early. In the meantime, be sure to take care of yourself and get plenty of rest, eat right and test out some ways to deal with the queasies (eating small, more frequent meals is one good one). Maybe even ask your partner for a massage. After all, you might not have a big bump, but at five weeks pregnant, your body is working fast and furiously to grow baby, so you deserve a little TLC, right?
your baby's the size of an appleseed!
Your embryo is now measurable -- though at week five, it's a wee .13 inches -- and she's gearing up for much more growth. In fact, in the next week, she'll almost double in size. Grow baby grow!
The embryo doesn't look like much more than a tadpole right now, but at five weeks, she's already starting to form major organs (heart, stomach, liver, kidney) and systems (digestive, circulatory, nervous).

Those same hormones your pregnancy test picked up are likely starting to rear their ugly heads, causing some (not so fun) early pregnancy symptoms. The most common? Sore breasts, nausea and fatigue. You might also notice yourself having the urge to pee frequently early in pregnancy because of expanding kidneys.
your must-do's

Remember to take your prenatal vitamin. Schedule your first prenatal OB appointment. Confirm that any prescription drugs you're taking are safe during pregnancy. Stop drinking. Alcohol during pregnancy is a big no no.
your nice-to-do's

Start a pregnancy diary, to track your thoughts, feelings and baby's growth and movement. Join your birth club on The Bump to talk to other moms-to-be with your due date.
6 weeks pregnant
Has the news sunk in yet? At six weeks, your pregnancy is still new to you, so its normal to feel a little emotional. Add that to some pretty uncomfortable early pregnancy symptoms (which include hormone fluctuations that can feel like
PMS -- on steroids!), and its understandable to feel downright miserable. Thats probably why you have a whole nine months to adjust to pregnancy -- and also because baby needs all that time to get all her working parts in order. Whats amazing is that of many of the crucial areas of baby development have already started at 6 weeks including circulating blood and sprouting eyes. Now that you're pregnant, you probably have a million questions on your mind. Be sure to write them down so you have them ready to ask your OB at your first prenatal visit. Until then, we hope we can answer a bunch for you.
your baby's the size of a sweet pea!

The average embryo at week 6 is about .25 inches and will double in size again next week. Wow!

Obviously, she's growing like crazy! She's also circulating blood with her increasingly more sophisticated circulatory sytem. She's about to get cuter too, since she's starting to sprout a nose, eyes, ears, chin and cheeks. And she might even be wiggling her (paddle-like) hands and feet.
your pregnancy symptoms at 6 weeks

Exhausted -- your body's still getting used to your changing hormones, and that's why you're probably feeling so wiped out. Nausea. Hate to break it, but morning sickness doesn't just happen in the morning. It can be an all-day affair.
Sore boobs, thanks to increased blood flow. Can you believe your breasts are already starting to prep for breastfeeding? Moodiness -- yup, because of the hormones. Make sure you're getting extra rest and eating plenty to try to try to keep your mood (at least sort-of) in check.
your must-do's

Prepare for your first prenatal doctor's appointment. Find out what's safe to eat during pregnancy and what's not. Continue taking a prenatal vitamin, if you aren't already. Stop changing the cat litter, learn the other things that are
7 weeks pregnant
At seven weeks, youre probably gearing up for your first prenatal visit with your OB, and youre probably dying to know what to expect. Brace yourself to give a variety of samples (blood, urine and cervical cells -- yeesh!), get an ultrasound test that will confirm babys doing okay in there and get an est imated due date (yep, you might already have one, but the doc may adjust it a bit based on what she sees). It probably seems weird to go about your day knowing youre pregnant, when no one else can see it. Not to mention, wondering what it will be like when everyone else can see it. Caught yourself staring at your tummy in the mirror -- and even pushing it out to fake a baby bump, just to get a preview? Yeah, we did that too during week seven.
your baby's the size of a blueberry!

Your .51-inch embryo doesn't exactly tip the scales just yet but she's developing like crazy. She's already doubled in size since last week.
Let your friends and family know about your baby's latest growth

She's generating about one hundred new brain cells each minute! Not only is her brain becoming more complex, but her heart is too. Also important: She's developing a permanent set of kidneys Her arm and leg joints are now forming.

Nausea. Hang in there. Your hormones will become more normal in the second trimester. Food cravings and/or aversions. It's okay to give in here and there, but remember to choose healthy options. The urge to pee -- constantly! Even though you probably dont look pregnant yet, your uterus has doubled in size. Zits. Thanks, hormones. Extra saliva (gross!) -- likely, this is also hormonally triggered. Emotional -- not only are your hormones out of whack, but you're likely still getting used to the idea of being pregnant.
your must-do's

Have your first prenatal checkup, if you haven't already. Check out health insurance options, or update your existing plan. Find an OB (if you haven't found one yet). Learn what hospital you'll give birth at.
your nice-to-do's

Make a list of questions to ask your doc. Create a healthy eating plan. Start saving up for baby.
8 weeks pregnant
Ew, what stinks? Your hormones are doing some pretty freaky things at week eight, likely heightening your sense of smell and making your stomach do flip-flops. And dont get us started on those wacky pregnancy dreams. Whats interesting is that while one of your senses is in overdrive, one of babys -- her sense of taste -- is getting its start, too. Can you believe at 8 weeks shes starting to grow taste buds? If youre feeling nauseated, extra hungry or extra tired right now, remember that its all because babys growth is in overdrive -- and because your bodys still adjusting to all
those hormonal changes -- it will be worth it. (Especially in the second trimester, when most moms-to-be feel more energized.) If youre experiencing severe nausea at eight weeks, it might be tough to keep down foods, let alone eat right, so try to find some options you can actually stomach.
your baby's the size of a raspberry!

Now she weighs in (yay!) at about .04 ounces and measures about .63 inches. This week, she's growing about a milimeter each day.

You can't feel it yet, but she's moving those arms and legs like crazy! Her fingers and toes are now only slightly webbed, and her tail (yes, she had one) is gone. Fun fact: your baby's taste buds are now forming.

Bigger, heavier, sore breasts, as milk producing lobules in your boobs start to expand. Fatigue and/or nausea (yup, still). Early pregnancy cramps -- the ligaments in your abdomen are stretching as your uterus expands. Other tummy issues: constipation, indigestion, bloating or heartburn. A heightened sense of smell. Weird dreams -- get used to them; they're totally normal throughout pregnancy.
your must-do's

Have your first prenatal checkup, if you haven't already. Schedule prenatal testing.
your nice-to-do's

Make sure you're drinking plenty of water. Pull out your "fat pants" or buy a pair because you will need them. Buy a BellaBand maternity band to help clothes to cover.
9 weeks pregnant
At nine weeks pregnant, you and baby have made two big accomplishments: Youve made it to month three, and shes no longer an embryo -- now shes a fetus. Basically that means shes becoming more and more baby -like, and youre inching closer and closer to leaving the nasties of the first trimester behind you. Just one more month to go! By now, youve probably visited the OB, and maybe even seen babys tiny heartbeat on the ultrasound. Exciting stuff, huh? Youre also probably starting to think about how life will change when babys in the picture. Around week nine, you might want to start looking for ways you and your partner can budget, so you have some extra cash when she arrives. You also should consider checking out your companys handbook to see how mat ernity leave is typically handled. That way, when it comes time to break the news to your boss, youll be prepared to discuss your expectations -- and begin a potential plan -- with her.
your baby's the size of a green olive!

She's gaining steam! At 9 weeks, your fetus measures around .9 inches and weighs about .07 ounces.

This is a milestone. She's no longer an embryo -- now she's a fetus! She's developing more distinct facial features. And she might now have a strong enough heartbeat to be picked up by a fetal doppler.

Moody. Those hormones just keep raging. Sorry mama-to-be -- but they should tone down in the second trimester. Morning (or all day) sickness. Do trial and error to see what makes you feel better. Frequent peeing, fatigue, nasal congestion and/or headaches (thanks again, hormones). Weight gain. You'll likely gain between 1 and 5 pounds during the first trimester.
your must-do's
Have your first prenatal checkup, if you haven't already.
your nice-to-do's

Decide how and when to announce your pregnancy. Research your employer's maternity leave policies.
10 weeks pregnant
Now that youve reached 10 weeks, you can stop wondering when youll start to actually look pregnant. Its probably right around now, as your baby continues her rapid growth and your tummy starts to develop some extra curve (of course, you still might be the only one who notices). In the process, your ligaments and muscles are starting to stretch, so dont be surprised if you start feeling some aches and pains. While, some moms -to-be dont really get them, others find these sensations -- called round ligament pain -- well, downright painful. Your breasts have probably gotten bigger too, since theyve been prepping for breastfeeding for weeks already! Thats why week 10 is probably a good time to stock up on some new, looser clothes -- and maybe your first round of maternity wear. Dont go too crazy though. As your body continues to change, youll likely want to get some more essentials along the way.
your baby's the size of a prune!

Now, she's about 1.2 inches long and weighs about .14 ounces. Her body length will almost double in the next three weeks.

Baby has working arm joints, and her cartilage and bones are forming. Her vital organs are fully developed and they're starting to function. Her fingernails and hair are starting to appear, too. Plus, she's swallowing and kicking in there. (Can you believe it?!)

You may have aches and pains in your abdomen, as baby's putting a pressure on your organs, veins, muscles and ligaments. You're probably still feeling nauseated and emotional. Tired! Not only is your body working really hard to grow baby, but your sleep might be distrupted by some pretty weird dreams. An increase in vaginal discharge (ew!) Bigger belly and boobs -- this is around the time you probably can start to see some real changes in your body.
Visible veins -- those blue streaks are carrying a ton of extra blood to baby.
your must-do's
o o o
Have your first prenatal checkup, if you haven't already. Take your nuchal translucency test. Schedule your CVS test and/or amnio, if you decide you want them.
your nice-to-do's
o
Shop for maternity clothes -- your normal clothes probably aren't fitting you right.
11 weeks pregnant
Around 11 weeks, youll probably notice some subtle changes, like an increase in vaginal discharge and a dark, vertical line appearing down the center of your belly (known as the linea nigra). Its probably tough to feel calm right now, s ince your hormones are still haywire and you may still be feeling pretty nauseated. But know theres a light at the end of the tunnel -- just two more weeks left in trimester one! Week 11 is a great time to start planning a babymoon: a romantic getaway with your partner. Just about everyone recommends you do this in the second trimester, since thats when youll likely feel most energized (and we doubt youll want to do a lot of traveling once you hit trimester three). A babymoon isnt just a cool way to celebrate your anticipation for babys arrival; its a great way to bond with your partner before baby starts taking up a ton of your time and attention. Hey, maybe youll also get to relax a little! So take your mind off your queasiness and start scouting some babymoon destinations. And if you need another diversion, imagine your growing baby, doing just fine in there, becoming more and more mature every day.
your baby's the size of a lime!

Your fetus is about 1.6 inches long, and she's got about a 1:1 head to body ratio. She now weighs in at about .25 ounces.

You can't see it, but she's moving fluidly and gracefully in there. Her skin is see-through, but she's on her way to looking more like a baby. Her fingers and toes aren't webbed anymore. Tooth buds, hair follicles and nail beds are forming.

Fatigue and nausea. Don't worry, you should start to feel more like yourself soon. Gas (like farting and burping -- sorry!) Are you getting used to it? Mood swings. Try some mind/body exercises, like yoga, to help you feel more Zen. Leg cramps, which can strike at night and interfere with your sleep. A dark line may have started to appear on your belly. It's called the linea nigra and it's totally normal during pregnancy.
your must-do's
Schedule your monthly prenatal visit to the OB.
your nice-to-do's

Plan a babymoon getaway for the second trimester. Get some new bras and underwear, but don't go too crazy. You'll likely have to stock up again later on, too.
12 weeks pregnant
Things are changing fast. Youre reaching the home stretch of the first trimester (we know, finally!) at 12 weeks which means your hormones are likely to tone things down a bit -- which might make you feel a little less emotional! And it will probably help the symptoms subside a bit, too. One warning though: your morning sickness and fatigue might get replaced by headaches and dizziness. But we think thats a reasonable trade -off. The other big change? Babys almost done developing her bodys important systems and parts, which means, its mostly about getting bigger and more mature from here on out. Around week 12, you might want to know more about baby, so youre probably having genetic testing done to determine her risk of birth defects or other problems. This can be a little scary -- and confusing -- so be sure to ask your OB plenty of questions, and know that its much more likely babys A -OK than anything else.
your baby's the size of a plum!

The average fetus at 12 weeks is about 2.1 inches long and .49 ounces. Now that she's got pretty much all her parts, her main job is to keep on growing.

Most of her critical systems are fully formed! She's about to enter the growth and maturation stage, in which her organs and tissues will grow and develop rapidly. She's now developing her reflexes -- if you poke her body, she'll likely move. She's opening and closing her fingers and curling her toes, too. Her brain is developing fast!

Your hormones should calm down a bit -- if not now, soon. That means less nausea and fatigue (yay!). More vaginal discharge, to protect your, um, lady parts from infection. A noticeably bigger belly. Do you look pregnant now? Headaches and dizziness may start to intensify around this time, which could be caused by hormones, vision changes, drops in blood sugar, dehydration or stress.
your must-do's

Schedule your monthly prenatal visit to the OB, if you haven't already. Understand the signs of dehydration, or make sure you are sufficiently hydrated.
your nice-to-do's

Tell your friends and family you're pregnant (if you haven't already revealed it!). If your ready, tell your boss, and talk about how your duties will be covered while you're on maternity leave.
13 weeks pregnant
Yay! Its the last week of the first trimester and you did it. Were not just talking about getting through those work meetings without falling asleep (or puking!), were talking about how youve completed one whole third of your pregnancy -- and the reputed toughest one at that. Youve grown a fetus that has vocal cords, teeth and even fingerprints (wow!) and you probably kept this incredible news (mostly) secret while you constantly wished you could shout it from the rooftops -- or, at the very least, use it as an excuse for getting to work late. Its about this time that many parents-to-be start spreading the word (to more people than just close family and friends) that theres a baby on the way. But know that there are no hard and fast rules about when you should divulge your secret. It could be after your next prenatal doctor visit, once you start showing or at a big family event where everyone will be gathered. Or maybe everyone already knows! Thats totally your call.
your baby's the size of a peach!

She's about 2.9 inches long and weighs about .81 ounces, and -- proportion-wise -- her head's now about 1/3 the size of her body (remember? It used to be bigger!).

Can you believe she's forming vocal cords and teeth?! And even though she's still teeny, she already has fingerprints. Her intestines are moving from the umbilical cord to their more permanent place, in her tummy.

Visible veins, thanks to your increased blood flow. Less fatigue and nausea, as you enter the second trimester, which is known to be the least symptomatic. Maybe an increased sex drive -- enjoy!
your must-do's
Schedule your second trimester tests.
your nice-to-do's

Celebrate -- one trimester down, two to go! Start planning maternity leave Make sure you're exercising! You'll probably feel more energized during the second trimester, so take advantage.
14 weeks pregnant
Hungry much? Now that youre not feeling so queasy, youre probably enjoying eating. A lot. Plus, youre fueling babys growth -- which is happening at super speed at 14 weeks. Be sure to keep plenty of healthy snacks by your side just in case you get the munchies. Its important -- for you and for baby -- that you dont indulge in too many greasy, fatty foods, so youre both getting the right nutrients. (Of course, the occasional bowl of ice cream is totally okay.) And we just wanted to remind you: eating for two does nt mean doubling your calorie intake. Not only have you gotten your appetite back at week 14, but youve probably also gotten some of your energy back, too. If you found yourself shying away from exercise during trimester one, its time to get back on tra ck. Go take a walk!
your baby's the size of a lemon!

At week 14, your baby is 3.4 inches and 1.5 ounces, he's almost doubled in weight since last week and keeps on growing.

He's probably sucking his thumb and wiggling his toes in there! His kidneys are making urine, and his liver and spleen are doing their jobs, too. And he's growing lanugo, a thin, peach-fuzz-like hair, all over his body -- it will help him keep warm!

As you emerge from the nasties of the first trimester, you're probably getting your energy back. You're probably feeling some aches and pains, as your muscles and ligaments stretch to accomodate your growing baby. Hungry! Once the queasies of the first trimester subside, you might find your appetite on overdrive. You might notice your hair getting thicker and shinier, one of the (few) attractive side-effects of pregnancy.
your must-do's
Have your monthly prenatal visit to the OB.
your nice-to-do's

Start coming up with ideas for the nursery. Buy some maternity jeans, if you don't have them already.
15 weeks pregnant
While babys moving a ton on the inside, you might be moving a ton -- between the sheets. Now that youre at 15 weeks, youre probably feeling very high energy, and that means high libido, too. Your partner isnt feeling nearly as frisky? Thats totally normal too. Lets face it, the thought of baby being so close while you two are, um, doing the deed, can freak a guy out. Remind him that baby has no idea whats going on -- and, as long as your OB hasnt given you any activity restrictions -- sex wont hurt baby or threaten your pregnancy. Of course, you might be dealing with some notso-sexy pregnancy symptoms during week 15, like nosebleeds, stomach issues and swollen gums, so if youre not feeling up to sex, its completely understandable.
your baby's the size of a navel orange!

The average fetus at 15 weeks weighs 2.5 ounces and measures 4 inches -- and his proportions are becoming even more normal, since his legs now outmeasure his arms.

You probably can't feel it yet, but she's squirming a ton! She might even be hiccuping in there.
She's making lots of progress: her joints and limbs can all move now.

Nosebleeds, thanks to increased blood volume and sensitive nasal passages. Heartburn, gas and/or indigestion. More to blame on the hormones. Frisky! Take advantage of the increased libido. Swollen gums, another pitfall of those pregnancy hormones. Make sure you're taking care of your teeth, and see your dentist for your regular checkups.
your must-do's

Schedule your amniocentesis, if you're having one. Schedule your multiple marker screening, if you're having it.
your nice-to-do's
Do some pregnancy pampering!
16 weeks pregnant
Stay on the lookout for some fluttering sensations in your abdomen. It might not be right at 16 weeks, but pretty soon youll start feeling baby moving around in there. At first those moves might feel like gas or a muscle twitch, but over time, as baby gets bigger and stronger, theyll be unmistakable. Of course, feeling those movements comes with other issues, like having your lungs crowded by your growing babe. That could make it seem tough to catch your breath from time to time. Dont worry: There are some positive symptoms you might be having at week 16. For example, some moms-to-be find their hair and nails grow faster. (Your hair might actually look thicker and more lustrous and your skin might look radiant, too. Woo hoo!) Another cool fact? Babys starting to be able to hear your voice -- and shell recognize it at birth -- so feel free to chat her up.
your baby's the size of an avocado!

Now, she's about 4.6 inches long and weighs about 3.5 ounces, and she's big enough that your doctor may be able to hear her heartbeat.

She's listening to your voice, thanks to tiny bones forming in her ears. She's growing hair, lashes and eyebrows. And she's forming taste buds.

You might start feeling baby move! Back aches, another effect of pregnancy hormones. Make sure you're exercising, that you're sitting and standing up straight and do some stretches. bigger boobs -- they should be ready for breastfeeding by the end of the second trimester. Constipation, as your uterus starts pressing on your intestines. Forgetfulness (a.k.a. pregnancy brain). No one knows for sure what causes this! Faster hair and nail growth (a great excuse for a new cut and manicure). Dry, itchy, sensitive eyes. Blame the hormones once again. Glowing skin (finally -- that pregnancy glow that people are always talking about!)
your must-do's
o o
Schedule your monthly prenatal visit to the OB Schedule your mid-pregnancy ultrasound
your nice-to-do's
o o o
Take photos of your growing bump Start a baby name list (if you haven't already!) Talk to baby
17 weeks pregnant
Try not to get freaked out by the numbers on your scale. At 17 weeks, babys working on getting stronger, and your bodys working on getting bigger. That means putting on some pounds and -- we hate to break it to you -- getting some
stretch marks. Make sure you document your growing bump by taking lots of photos. Sure, you might not always feel so pretty, but one day youre going to look back at pregnancy and reminisce (really -- we promise). Youll also want to start figuring out some plans, like whether or not youre going to find out babys gender (you should be able to soon!), and what kind of childbirth class youd like to take. As you start making these decisions, the pregnancy will feel even more real, which is probably super exciting, but part of you is probably feeling a little nervous. After all, youre at week 17; thats almost halfway there and theres still a lot left to do. Chill! Youll get it done. Just remember not to try to do it all yourself -- ask for help!
your baby's the size of an onion!

Baby continues to beef up. Now she's about 5.1 inches long and weighs about 5.9 ounces.

Her rubbery cartilage is now turning to bone. And she's growing some meat on those bones -- putting on some fat. She's growing a stronger, thicker umbilical cord, too.

Vaginal discharge, sweat, mucus and more bodily fluids. They're in full force, because of your increased blood flow. Weird dreams. This might be hormonal, but it might also be the result of your nerves and anticipation.
Itchy boobs and bump -- as they're growing, your skin is stretching thinner. Rapid weight gain. You've probably gained about five to 10 pounds by now.
your must-do's
Sign up for a childbirth class.
your nice-to-do's

Decide whether or not to find out baby's gender. Shop for nursery furniture. Watch out for baby's first kicks. If you haven't felt them yet, you will soon!
18 weeks pregnant
What the heck is baby doing in there at 18 weeks? A lot! Hes working his muscles and practicing all kinds of moves. (Can you feel them yet?) Over the next few weeks, you should make sure to start sleeping on your side. Thats because baby (and your uterus) are getting big enough to press against large veins in the back of your abdomen, which can reduce the amount of blood going to your heart, making you feel lightheaded, or worse, lowering your blood pressure. Of course, your veins arent the only things that are prone to pressure -- you might be too! Not only are you super busy, but you might be having some not-so-fun symptoms, like swollen feet or hands, backaches, leg cramps and nosebleeds. And the stress and discomfort might be keeping you up at night around week 18. Be sure, in your hectic schedule, that you plan some time to unwind. (Great excuse for some pregnancy pampering! Can you say prenatal massage?!) Its important to give your body and your mind a break for a little while. That just might help you get the sleep you need, too.
your baby's the size of a sweet potato!

She's about 5.6 inches long and about 6.7 ounces now and she keeps on growing rapidly. (That's why you're probably feeling so hungry.)

Can you believe she's yawning, hiccuping, sucking and swallowing? And she's twisting, rolling, punching and kicking, too -- and she's big enough that you might be able to feel her doing it!

Baby's kicks -- they're getting stronger! Swollen feet and/or hands. An annoying pregnancy symptom, but nothing to worry about as long as the swelling isn't sudden or severe. Back aches. Baby's putting a lot of pressure on your insides. Leg cramps. They can be a sign of dehydration, so drink up! Varicose veins, a product of all that extra pressure on your circulatory system. Trouble sleeping. Your mind is working overtime and you're getting more and more uncomfortable. Increased pressure on the veins in your nose may be causing nosebleeds.
19 weeks pregnant
At 19 weeks, youre probably getting psyched for your mid-pregnancy ultrasound. Most parents-to-be think of this test as the chance they get to find out babys sex. But you actually will see a lot more than babys boy or girl parts. The ultrasound technician will scan pretty much scan all of babys body to make sure everythings developing properly. Dont leave the place without getting some printouts from the scan to take home with you and show off. Of course, going in for your test isnt the only thing you should be planning ahead for around week 19, you should also probably start the search for a pediatrician. Start by asking some family and friends for recommendations and then make a few appointments to meet with the docs. So what do you think it is -- a boy or a girl?
your baby's the size of a mango!
At about 6.0 inches long and weighing in at about 8.5 ounces, she's getting there!

Developing a protective coating over her skin, called vernix caseosa. It's greasy and white and you may see some of it at her birth. Working on her five senses. Nerve cells for her sense of taste, hearing, sight and smell are developing in her brain.

Aches and pains in your abdomen, caused by your muscles stretching to accommodate baby. Dizziness or lightheadedness Leg cramps: one way to ease the pain: Extend your leg and flex your ankle and toes toward your knees. Or enlist your partner for a calf (and back!) massage. Hip pain. If it bothers you at night, try sleeping on your side with a pillow between your knees.
your must-do's
Mid-pregnancy ultrasound, coming up!
your nice-to-do's

Start searching for a pediatrician Sign up for breastfeeding and/or infant CPR classes
20 weeks pregnant
Congrats! You almost reached the halfway point. Making it to 20 weeks probably feels pretty darn good. After all, your energys high and as long as your partner is up for it, things are probably happening between the sheets. Of course, it wouldnt be pregnancy if you werent experiencing some annoying symptoms. Right now, its likely swelling, heartburn and leg cramps, but all of that probably feels insignificant now that youve got ultrasound photos of your rapidly developing baby. How cute is that nose? I f you found out babys sex, youre in a completely new mindset, are we right? Now, those baby names youre throwing out are more likely to end up as babys, and when you find yourself in a baby store, those little blue or pink outfits arent just adorable, theyre must-haves. And since now you can add clothes and other boyish or girlish things to your wish list, week 20 is the time you probably want to start putting together your baby registry too. Happy shopping!
your baby's the size of a banana!

Baby weighs about 10.2 ounces and measures about 6.5 inches. She's still got a lot of growing to do though. Can you believe you're halfway done?

She's got working taste buds. Now, she's gulping down several ounces of amniotic fluid each day -- that's significantly more than before.

Vaginal discharge. You can expect this to keep increasing until delivery. Leg cramps. Be sure to do stretches and drink plenty of water.
Heartburn and/or indigestion, as baby starts to crowd your digestive sytem. High energy -- and libido (grrr) Mild swelling. Don't worry. This should subside after delivery. In the meantime, put up your feet. Shortness of breath. As your uterus expands, it pushes against your lungs.
your must-do's

Have your mid-pregnancy ultrasound (a.k.a. biophysical profile) Schedule your monthly prenatal visit to the OB
your nice-to-do's

Reveal baby's sex (if you're finding out) Celebrate -- you're halfway done!
21 weeks pregnant
Pressures on. Have you found the perfect baby name yet? It seems like parents -to-be either come up with babys name quickly and easily, or agonize over it all the way up until the birth. Either way, once you find one that seems perfect, youll probably think its even more perfect once you get to know (and fall in love with) the little bundle of joy wholl go by it. At 21 weeks, not only are you likely to be looking anywhere and everywhere for baby name ideas, but you might be getting a sneak preview of some third trimester symptoms, such as leaky boobs, Braxton Hicks contractions and heartburn. While your body preps for babys arrival, youre probably hard at work getting your home ready too. Of course, things like baby bouncers and changing table pads can be tough to choose from, but try not to stress. Baby wont care if you pick out a playard that clashes with the area rug.
your baby's the size of a pomegranate!

At 10.5 inches and about 12.7 ounces, she's big enough now that you've probably been feeling her movements.

As her digestive system preps for the outside world, she's manufacturing meconium -- the tarry black substance you'll find in her first dirty diaper (ew)! If it's a girl, she's already got a lifetime's supply of eggs in her womb -- about six million of them!

Some heartburn and/or indigestion. Avoid spicy and greasy foods and other triggers. Braxton Hicks contractions. Your uterus might occasionally feel tight as it practices for labor. Leaky boobs. Your milk ducts will be fully developed by the end of this trimester. Dry, itchy skin, from all that stretching over your growing bump. Stretch marks. You skin gets pulled thinner as baby grows. Don't worry, they should fade significantly after birth.
your must-do's
Schedule your glucose screen test (for weeks 24-28)
your nice-to-do's

Start your baby registry Talk to your partner about possible baby names. Start thinking about a baby shower
22 weeks pregnant
During week 22, babys invading your space, which is why it might be tough to catch your breath and why your back might be killing you. Hey, as she grows, she may be expanding your belly so much (so fast) that you might have some stretch marks -- and you might even have a newfound outtie! Whats not so cool is that the stretch marks may never fade, but we promise theyll fade in color after delivery. And your outtie will go back to an innie, we promise. As for sex, all these body changes, along with another fun one -- discharge! -- might be messing with your mojo, but some momsto-be actually find they have an increase in libido around 22 weeks. Thats because your hormones are pretty much raging at this point. This is also a good time to schedule a maternity portrait session. Youll want to aim for the third trimester -- but not so late that you risk going into labor before your appointment.
your baby's the size of a papaya!

During month five, the average fetus measures about 10.5 to 11.8 inches and weighs about 12.7 to 20.8 ounces.

Now that he's got more developed eyes and lips, he's looking even more like a newborn. He's sleeping in cycles -- about 12 to 14 hours per day (hint: they're probably those times you're not feeling any kicks!).

Increased libido. (We hope you're enjoying it!) Stretch marks and maybe even a brand-new "outtie." These come with the explanding belly territory. More vaginal discharge, a result of increased blood flow down there. Steady weight gain -- about 1/2 pound each week from here on out. Minor swelling in your hands and feet. Back aches, due to extra pressure from baby and carrying around the extra weight. Hair growth (maybe in strange places -- sorry!). Thank you hormones. Trouble catching your breath, as baby continues to crowd your lungs.
your must-do's
Remember: Schedule your glucose screen test (for weeks 24-28)
your nice-to-do's

Start looking into childcare options Consider taking maternity photos
23 weeks pregnant
At 23 weeks, babys really getting ready for her big debut, listening in on whats going on in the outside world. And youre getting ready too. Just remember: While having the nursery painted and stocking it with diapers is important, there are some other pressing things you should have on your radar. Namely, financials. Around week 23 is a good time to call your and your partners insurance agent to check how youre currently covered and decide what adjustments youll want to make for baby. You might also want to start thinking about writing a will, if you dont have one, or updating your current one. Hows babys savings account going? If youre like, what savings account? thats okay. But decide whether or not you want to start one for her. One study found that kids who have their own savings account are more likely to go to college, and another one estimated the average cost of raising a baby until age 18 to be over $226,000. Whoa!
your baby's the size of a grapefruit!

At about 10.5 to 11.8 inches and about 12.7 to 20.8 ounces, baby's not just getting bigger, she's getting even cuter.

She's forming little nipples (yeah, really!) Her face is fully formed now -- she just needs a little extra fat to fill it out. She's listening to your voice and your heartbeat -- and even to loud sounds like cars honking and dogs barking.

Swollen ankles and feet (it's totally normal, but call your doc if it's extreme or sudden!) Braxton Hicks contractions. Be sure to drink plenty of water and change positions frequently to stay comfortable. Aching back -- sorry, but this will likely linger for a while. Bleeding and/or swollen gums, common because of (you guessed it) pregnancy hormones.
your must-do's
Schedule your glucose screen test, if you haven't already.
your nice-to-do's

Check your and your partner's life and disability insurance and update your coverage if needed. Write or update your will, if you want. Make sure you're budgeting for baby.
24 weeks pregnant
Drink up! Around 24 weeks, your doctor will order a Glucose Tolerance Test -- one of the more memorable prenatal tests -- to see if youre at risk for gestational diabetes. Basically, the test is designed to see how your body processes sugar, so youll be asked to drink a cup of a sweet drink called Glucola (which reminded us of Gatorade) and then hang out for an hour. Once the hour is up, youll have your blood drawn and then it will be tested to see how your body has processed the sugar. You know whats also sweet? Those movements and kicks youve been feeling. They seem to get stronger every week. At week 24, babys progress isnt just about internal stuff, its about her looks too. With pinker, more opaque skin, shes looking more and more, well, like a baby. You, on the other hand, are probably experiencing some of the discomforts of the later months of pregnancy at week 24 -- leg cramps, backaches, swollen feet. Hang in there, mama-to-be!
your baby's the size of a cantaloupe!
Your 10.5-to-11.8-inch fetus weighs about 12.7 to 20.8 ounces and every week she gets closer and closer to being ready to survive (and thrive!) in the outside world.

Her see-through skin is gradually becoming more opaque. And it's got a new pink glow, thanks to the small capillaries that have recently formed.

Swollen ankles and feet. Be sure to elevate them while you're sitting. Leg cramps, which can be sign of dehydration. Back aches -- yup, still! Linea nigra. That's the dark line that runs up the center of your belly. It will fade after baby's born. Stretch marks, which may continue to appear as your skin stretches even more.
your must-do's

Glucose screen test Schedule your monthly prenatal visit to the OB
your nice-to-do's

Start babyproofing your home. Start writing your birth plan.
25 weeks pregnant
Youre 25 weeks pregnant and its probably dawned on you that soon youll actually have to deliver this baby. (A little scary, but exciting!) Whats cool is that most hospitals will let you preregister, which means you can put in your paperwork early, so the day you go into labor, you dont have to stand around filling out a bunch of forms before you get
admitted. Maybe youre getting nervous about delivery, or maybe its your haywire hormones, but you might start to have trouble sleeping around week 25. This is a common complaint of many moms-to-be. Some people will tell you thats just your bodys way of prepping you for sleepless nights with baby, but those comments wont help you get the rest you need! Experiment with different strategies for getting some sleep. One idea is to drink extra water early in the day, so you can start tapering off your intake as you get closer to bedtime. That way, you might need less bathroom breaks during the night and can keep sleeping. After all, now that babys crowding your bladder, youve got to pee. A lot.
Your baby's the size of a cauliflower!

During month six, the average fetus measures about 13.6 inches to 14.8 inches and weighs about 1.5 to 2.5 pounds.

She's enjoying her new sense of equilibrium -- she now knows which way is up and which is down. She's growing more fat and more hair too!

Constipation. Be sure to eat plenty of fiber-rich foods! Hemorrhoids -- baby is putting a ton of pressure on your digestive tract. And the constipation certainly isn't helping. Gas and bloating. Your hormones are slowing down digestion, creating excess gas.
Heartburn. Since baby is pushing on your digestive system it can push stomach acid up your esophagus. All-over aches and pains, thanks to hormone fluctuations. Trouble sleeping. It's tough to get comfy with that big belly in the way!
your must-do's
Schedule your glucose tolerance test, if you need one.
your nice-to-do's

Preregister at your hospital, if you can. Pick out some new maternity clothes.
26 weeks pregnant
Wow! Can you believe baby has eyelashes at 26 weeks? And shes amping up to start batting them soon. At this point, it probably feels like this baby (who you havent even met yet) has taken over your life. Shes interfering with your sleep. Shes messing with your brain. (Forget much?) She might even be giving you a stress headache or two. Its normal to be experiencing some mild swelling, but around week 26, its important to watch out for swelling severe or sudden -- it could be the sign of a dangerous condition called preeclampsia. Notice your belly occasionally feeling really tight? Thats a contraction. Yup, already. Dont freak out though -- your body is just practicing some tightening in preparation for labor. As long as the contractions arent steady or severe, youre not in labor.
Your baby's the size of a head of lettuce!

She's still growing in the 13.6- to 14.8-inch and 1.5- to 2.5-pound range, and developing her senses, features and talents!

Her eyes are forming, and his eyes will soon start to open. And her eyelashes are now grown, too. She's getting her immune system ready for life on the outside by soaking up your antibodies. She's taking breaths, too. They're of amniotic fluid, not air, but it's still good practice.

Trouble sleeping. The closer you get to your due date, the tougher it might be to get some rest! Swelling. This also might not let up for a while. Headaches, due to hormone fluctuations or stress. Pregnancy brain -- is it getting tricky to remember stuff? Braxton Hicks contractions. These are different from labor contractions because they're irregular and milder. Slightly higher blood pressure. That's normal at this phase of pregnancy.
your must-do's
Schedule a maternity ward tour
your nice-to-do's
Take a babymoon, if you haven't already!
27 weeks pregnant
At 27 weeks, baby is breathing (its amniotic fluid, not air, but it still counts) and even showing brain activity. Youve go t a lot on your brain, too, from wondering what labor and delivery is going to be like to trying to find the best pediatrician for baby. The annoying symptoms youve been having probably arent going away, but at least youve probably found some ways to deal with them -- and hey, maybe youre used to them right now. As you say good bye to the second trimester, you can look forward to some pretty embarrassing stuff (like having to pee all the time -- and maybe even when you dont mean to at all) thats all par for the late -pregnancy course. Its time to head down the home stretch. Are you ready?
Your baby's the size of a rutabaga!

At 13.6 to 14.8 inches and 1.5 to 2.5 pounds, she's not just getting bigger, she's getting smarter.

She's practicing inhaling and exhaling with her rapidly developing lungs. It's official: Baby's showing brain activity! And her brain will keep on getting more complex.

The same leg cramps, backaches, constipation and hemorrhoids of previous weeks. Skin, hair and nail changes -- they might be thicker, grow faster or be more brittle. Snissing (that's peeing when you sneeze). Baby is putting a ton of pressure on your bladder. Make frequent pit stops.
your must-do's

Choose a pediatrician. Tell your doctor if you're experiencing any unusual symptoms.
Schedule your third trimester tests.
your nice-to-do's

Take a breastfeeding class Practice labor exercises
28 weeks pregnant
Welcome to the third trimester! Moms-to-be who are at 28 weeks and beyond are known for their lack of sleep. Remember if you find yourself up in the middle of the night, do something relaxing. This is not the time to vacuum the house from top to bottom -- even though you might feel the urge to do that at some point. Read a book, drink chamomile tea, listen to soothing music. Then try to get back to bed and get some rest! Being in the third trimester also means much of your and babys anatomy are ready to go -- she's prepping for breathing, and your breasts already have colostrum, which is what baby will eat the first few days until your milk comes in. Youll also start feeling more Braxton Hicks contractions as your body gets ready for labor. Baby will keep getting bigger -- and smarter -- after week 28, and other than that, she just needs a few more finishing touches.
Your baby's the size of an eggplant!

Putting on layers of fat, your baby now weighs in around 1.5 to 2.5 pounds and measures about 13.6 to 14.8 inches.
She's starting to develop more fat, so her wrinkly skin will start to get smoother.
Her lungs are mature enough that she'd probably survive if she was born now. Wow!

Trouble sleeping. As you get closer to your due date, you'll likely have more and more trouble with this. It could be hormones or nerves -- or both! Shortness of breath, as baby continues to crowd your lungs. Aches and pains -- the third trimester can be really uncomfortable due to hormone fluctuations and the toll on your body. Braxton Hicks contractions -- these might be getting stronger or more frequent as your bod gets ready for labor. Leaky boobs. Your breasts may already be producing baby's first food, a yellowish substance called colostrum.
your must-do's

Schedule your prenatal visit to the OB -- they're bi-monthly now. Start counting baby's kicks, if you haven't already.
your nice-to-do's
Do a happy dance -- you made it to trimester three!
29 weeks pregnant
Youre probably already getting a little preview of babys personality, the more your feel him move. You might get some playful kicks and jabs, and start to feel little hiccups, too! At 29 weeks, hes not just moving a lot, hes also plumping up. And as he continues to put pressure on your digestive system, youre going to feel the effects: hemorrhoids, heartburn, pelvic pain and frequent urination are all common at this stage in the game. Week 29 is a good time to start finalizing stuff, like stocking the nursery with baby care essentials and checking out a few potential day cares. Youll also want to start packing a few things you know youll want with you at the hospital at babys birth. Leave it by the door, so you can add stuff you think of along the way -- and so you can grab it at a moments notice.
Your baby's the size of an acorn squash!

Baby already measures about 15.2 to 16.7 inches long. Right now, we weighs about 2.5 to 3.8 pounds but he's still got a ways to go -- can you believe he'll triple in weight before birth?

He's getting a little cramped in there, since he's growing so fast. But you probably already realize that, since you're getting all those jabs and kicks. He's growing white fat deposits under his skin, and his energy is surging because of it. Feel a subtle twitch? It might be baby hiccupping.

Lots of kicks! (All that crowding.) Headaches and/or lightheadedness, possibly due to difficulty sleeping, but it could be from low blood sugar too, so make sure you're eating at regular intervals. Itchy belly. Your skin is stretching thinner, making it more sensitive. Back, leg or pelvic pain. Hemorrhoids. Baby's putting pressure on your digestive system, and hormones may be relaxing your intestinal muscles. Eat plenty of fiber. Constipation. This isn't really helping the hemorrhoid situation, is it? Trouble sleeping -- still! Gotta pee -- again! The more your uterus expands, the more you'll probably have to hit the restroom. Varicose veins. Don't worry! These should fade after delivery.
your must-do's
Make sure you're getting plenty of rest.
your nice-to-do's

Stock up on essentials you'll need when baby comes home. Interview child care providers / tour daycare centers. Pack your hospital bag.
30 weeks pregnant
At 30 weeks, your bellys doing more than just making it tough to find a comfortable sleeping position. Its made itself a conversation piece. Everywhere you go, someone seems to have a comment about your physical appearance, which isnt always so fun. And no doubt, youve encountered quite a few people who dont think before they speak and say something embarrassing or hurtful (whats up with that?) Try not to take those comments seriously, but know which ones should be taken to heart. Like when they tell you youre glowing, believe them! And take advantage of some of the perks (when someone offers you their seat on the train -- take it!) At week 30, your dreams might be getting even weirder -- if youre actually sleeping, that is. That could be a result of anxiety, so consider doing some prep work to help you rest easier. One idea? Do a test drive to see exactly how long it really takes you to get to the hospital. Then maybe youll stop having nightmares about giving birth in your car.
Your baby's the size of a cucumber!

Your 15.2- to 16.7-inch, 2.5- to 3.8-pound baby continues to grow.

His skin is getting smoother. But his brain is getting wrinklier -- to make way for all that essential brain tissue. He's now strong enough to grasp a finger!

Heartburn, which might be making sleep hard to come by. Swelling -- it's totally normal, as long as it's not sudden or severe. General discomfort, thanks to your big belly. Shortness of breath. Those lungs just keep getting more crowded, right? Trouble sleeping, which leads to another issue: Fatigue. Weird, vivid dreams. One word (a familiar one): Hormones.
your must-do's
Schedule your bi-monthly prenatal visit to the OB.
your nice-to-do's

Start practicing kegel exercises, if you haven't already. Do a test drive to see how long it really takes you to get to the hospital.
31 weeks pregnant
Welcome to week 31. Can you believe all five of babys senses are fully developed? He also keeps getting smarter. Thats probably good to know, since you might actually feel a little dumb. Youre not! Its just that many moms -to-be find themselves acting absentmindedly during the third trimester. Some say that pregnancy brain isnt a proven physical ailment, but can you think of another time in your life when youve had more on your mind than now? Were guessing no. That right there is enough of a reason to be so forgetful. From 31 weeks on, youre bound to feel a lot of the same symptoms -- some may get worse, some may become bearable. And you might start to have more trouble getting around as you get heavier and feel more and more short of breath. Remember not to push yourself too much. Its good for you and baby to get some exercise, but definitely take breaks to rest as much as you need.
Your baby's the size of a pineapple!

He's about 15.2 to 16.7 inches long and weighs about 2.5 to 3.8 pounds this month. He's getting so big, he's probably crowding your lungs.

He's going through major brain and nerve development. Eye development, too. His irises now react to light! All five of his senses are in working order.

Out of breath, since baby keeps squishing your lungs. Dry, brittle nails, thanks to all that extra nail growth. Braxton Hicks contractions. Be sure you're drinking plenty of water and changing positions often. Leaky boobs. That's baby's first food, called colostrum. Frequent urination. Your bladder's just as crowded as your lungs. Back aches. Be sure to keep stretching. Difficulty sleeping. Aches and pains, your big belly, pregnancy hormones, heartburn andanxiety are probably all contributing.
your must-do's
Don't forget to schedule your bi-monthly prenatal visit to the OB, if you haven't already.
your nice-to-do's

Make sure you have a plan for getting to the hospital once you go into labor. Buy a baby book.
32 weeks pregnant
At 32 weeks, babys birth still seems kind of far away, but you and baby are physically ready in a lot of ways, just in case theres an early arrival. Baby may have turned so shes in the head -down position by now, poised for her trip down the birth canal. And you may have noticed your nipples looking darker. Thats so a preemie can see them for breastfeeding -- isn't your body so amazing? Intensity might be building in the symptoms department, as heartburn and contractions intensify around week 32. But were guessing youre so excited about babys impending arrival, theyre not slowing you down much.
Your baby's the size of a squash!

Still growing, your baby weighs in at about 2.5 to 3.8 pounds and measures about 15.2 to 16.7 inches.

She's getting ready for her descent -- she's likely in the head-down position now. And she's probably feeling a even more cramped.

More Braxton Hicks contractions. Are they getting more intense? Darker nipples, so baby can see then better when it comes time to breastfeed. Shortness of breath. Don't worry: baby is getting plenty of air. Heartburn. Go ahead and pop an antacid. Enlarged breasts that may leak! Vaginal discharge. Your body is preparing for delivery by preventing infection down there.
your must-do's
Schedule your bi-monthly prenatal visit to the OB. Call your health insurance company and find out how to make sure baby's covered.
your nice-to-do's

Contact the cord blood bank, if you're planning to use it. Get any items you still need for baby.
33 weeks pregnant
Wed tell you to take a deep breath and relax, but its probably tough to do either of those at 33 weeks. Its probably tough to be comfortable at all, since you might be feeling overheated on top of your other symptoms, too. But youre probably getting super excited to meet baby, and we cant blame you. Week 3 3 is a good time to make sure you have a safe car seat for baby -- go ahead and install it already. Sure, you might not see baby for another month, but if you have an early surprise arrival, thats the one thing you really need to have ready.
Your baby's the size of a durian!

He weighs about 4.2 to 5.8 pounds and measures about 17.2 to 18.7 inches. And he may grow up to a full inch this week -- amazing.

He's keeping his eyes open while awake. He's also starting to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing.
His bones are hardening. And he going through (more) major brain development -- that's one smart baby!

Hot! Your metabolic rate is through the roof, and that may leave you feeling overheated. Headaches, due to hormone fluctuations, stress or dehydration. Shortness of breath -- though you're probably used to it by now. Forgetfulness and clumsiness, also known as baby brain. This is totally normal.
your must-do's
Install baby's car seat, and get it checked by a professional.
your nice-to-do's

Stock up on postpartum supplies. Read up on newborn care. Call your hospital to find out if there's an in-house lactation consultant and ask how you can be sure to have her help after delivery. Get the nursery in working order.
34 weeks pregnant
Watch what you say! Your curious baby is listening in to your conversations at 34 weeks -- and might enjoy a lullaby or two -- so go ahead and sing to him. Some say that baby will recognize songs mom sings while hes in the womb, and may even be more easily soothed by them if hes used to them once hes on the outside. At week 34, you might breathe a little easier, since baby may descend lower into your pelvis and give your lungs some space. (Ahh!) Of course, some babies dont do this until the day theyre born, so were not making any guarantees. The pitfall of this descent, of course, is even more pressure on your bladder, so be prepared to make even more trips to the ladies room over the coming weeks.
Your baby's the size of a butternut squash!

At less than two months to go, he weighs in at about 4.2 pounds to 5.8 pounds and measures about 17.2 to 18.7 inches.

He's recognizing and reacting to simple songs, if you're singing them. (If you're not, start! He may find them soothing after birth.) He's also urinating about a pint a day.

Blurry vision, created by a combination of hormones, fluid buildup and lack of sleep. Fatigue. Now, if only you could sleep at night! Constipation and hemorrhoids. Make sure you're getting plenty of fiber. Swollen ankles and feet. Put up those feet, mama-to-be! As baby prepares for her arrival, you might feel pressure down lower in your pelvis, and even more frequent peeing.
your must-do's
Schedule your prenatal visit to the OB, which is now weekly.
your nice-to-do's
Wash baby's bedding and clothing.
35 weeks pregnant
Growing, growing, growing. Yup, baby and you. Youve reached 35 weeks, and your uterus has grown about 1,000 times its original size, a number that might sound exaggerated to everyone else -- but to you it probably feels more like a million. You can expect to gain about a half-pound a week before birth, and babys beefing up, too. At 35 weeks, some moms-to-be feel like they have a ton of stuff left to do before babys arrival. Others can barely wait for baby to make his debut. Either way, try not to stress. Baby will show up when hes ready, and he wont care if you havent checked every little detail off your list.
Your baby's the size of a coconut!

He's about 17.2 to 18.7 inches. From here on out, he won't get much longer, but he's plumping up. He's now about 4.2 to 5.8 pounds, and he'll put on a pound or more of baby fat before birth.

Now, his hearing is fully developed, and he responds best to high-pitched noises. If it's a boy, his testes have probably fully descended.

Frequent urge to pee. Yup, your bladder's getting pressed by baby. Constipation -- make sure to get plenty of fiber. A continuation of all those aches and pains -- and maybe even a few new ones. An increase in the amount of contractions you're having.
your must-do's
Schedule your weekly prenatal visit to the OB.
your nice-to-do's
Address your birth announcement envelopes.
36 weeks pregnant
Your due date is just four weeks away. Hasnt time flown? Your once -poppy seed would probably be able to breathe on his own if he was born right now. (If not, hed probably need some TLC, but hed likely be okay.) Most of his systems are in working order at 36 weeks. Since baby really could decide to make his arrival any day now, try to put in a little prep work. For example, if you took a child birth class a few months ago, you might want to reread any materials you were given and practice some of the breathing techniques you learned with your partner. Go over your plan for getting to the hospital, and all the what-ifs (like, if you go into labor while youre at work, will you go home first or straight there?). You might also want to remind your boss and colleagues of the status of all your work projects, so they know exactly where to take over if youre suddenly out of the office. Week 36 is also a good time to enjoy a date with your partner. Were guessing you wont be up for dancing, but a nice dinner mig ht be just what you two could use.
Your baby's the size of a honeydew!

She's still in the 17.2- to 18.7-inch and 4.2- to 5.8-pound range and continues to beef up.

She's getting closer and closer to being able to breathe on her own. Her skin is getting smooth and soft and her gums are rigid.
Her liver and kidneys are in working order. Circulation and immune systems are basically good to go, too.

Better ability to breathe. Baby might soon descend into your pelvis, giving your lungs some extra space. Pelvic discomfort -- for the same reason! Difficulty sleeping. Find some ways to relax even if you aren't getting much shut-eye. More heartburn and ankle-and-foot swelling.
your must-do's

Schedule your weekly prenatal visit to the OB. Schedule your nonstress test, if your doctor recommends it.
your nice-to-do's

Finalize your maternity-leave plan, if you can. Brush up on labor basics and breathing techniques. Have date night with your partner.
37 weeks pregnant
Get excited. At 37 weeks, your baby has reached full term. That means hes developed his most crucial functions. Of course, hell get even healthier and stronger over the next few weeks, so dont get too impatient. Around week 37, many moms-to-be find themselves organizing cupboards and scrubbing their floors. Thats the nesting instinct kicking in as your body senses baby will be here shortly. It also might be your brains way of making sure youre prepared for just about anything, so you can feel like you have an extra edge on this whole new parent thing.
Your baby's the size of a winter melon!

Yay! Baby has reached full term. He likely measures around 18.9 to 20.9 inches and weighs about 6.2 to 9.2 pounds. He's gaining about 1/2 ounce each day.

He's practicing some skills: inhaling, exhaling, sucking, gripping and blinking. He's getting his first sticky poop (called meconium) ready for his first diaper.

The urge to "nest." this instinct might make you want to clean house in preparation for baby. Heartburn, since baby continues to put pressure on your digestive system. Spotting. But call your doctor if it's heavy bleeding. Stretch marks -- sorry, but new ones might appear each week from here on out. Increased pressure on your abdomen (and greater urge to pee!), since baby may have dropped. Trouble sleeping. Be sure you're getting plenty of exercise during the day, drinking lots of water and limiting your caffeine intake.
your must-do's
your nice-to-do's

Have sex. Remember: you won't be able to for about five weeks after delivery. Get together with a friend for a girl's night before baby arrives -- time's running out!
38 weeks pregnant
Yow! If you feel a sort of lightening bolt running up and down your legs (and in your crotch), dont freak out. At 38 weeks, babys probably sitting pretty low in your pelvis, which means hes bumping into all kinds of nerves down there -including some pretty sensitive ones you might not know you had. Be on the lookout for signs of labor, including contractions that come on stronger, at more regular intervals, and the bloody show. It could happen any day now -- or it might not be for a few weeks. Until then, try to relax.
Your baby's the size of a pumpkin!

Baby is about 18.9 to 20.9 inches long and weighs about 6.2 to 9.2 pounds. Her head is now about the same circumference as her abdomen.

She may have about an inch or so of hair already. She's slowly shedding that white goo on her skin (called vernix caseosa) but you might see some of it at birth.

"Lightning crotch." As baby bumps against nerves in your pelvis, you might feel shooting sensations down your legs and even inside your vagina. You're probably still having Braxton Hicks contractions, difficulty sleeping, vaginal discharge, an itchy belly and swollen feet and ankles. You might have had a slightly bloody, mucus discharge, known as bloody show. This is a sign labor is coming. You might also have some diarrhea, which could also mean baby is coming soon.
your must-do's
your nice-to-do's

Do something to destress. Read a book, listen to soft music or have a pedicure. Stock your fridge and freezer for the first few weeks with baby.
39 weeks pregnant
Are we there yet? Youre probably feeling like you want to get this baby the heck out of you. Were not sure, but the impatience and discomfort many moms feel around 39 weeks (and beyond!) might be natures way of getting you mentally prepared for delivery. Remember how freaked out you used to be about it? Now, at week 39 you probably dont care what you have to do, you just dont want to be pregnant anymore!
Your baby's the size of a watermelon!

Baby keeps growing, despite being so crowded in there. He probably weighs around 6.2 to 9.2 pounds and measures about 18.9 to 20.9 inches.

He's probably able to flex his limbs now. His brain is still rapidly developing -- he's getting smarter by the week!
His nails may extend past his fingertips.

False labor. Usually these pains start in the front of your body and ease up when you switch positions. You'll know it's real labor when they start at the top of your uterus and become more frequent. Water breaking. Call your doctor if you suspect yours has broken, or if you think you could be leaking amniotic fluid. More heartburn, hemorrhoids, pelvic pressure and trouble catching your breath. The urge to nest. Don't stress though -- you'll never get everything done.
your must-do's

Schedule your weekly prenatal visit at the OB. Watch out for early signs of labor.
your nice-to-do's

Brush up on your newborn care basics Pay attention to baby's movements, and call your doc if anything is out of the ordinary. Go to the movies! You probably won't have the chance for a while after baby's born.
40 weeks pregnant
Happy due date -- you made it! Since 40 weeks was the deadline you set for baby, youve probably already made sure the bassinet is made up, the car seat is installed and your hospital bag is by the door. Now, do some little things you might have forgotten, like making sure your cell phone is fully charged before you go to bed and the car is filled with gas. Some moms-to-be also choose to put a waterproof mattress cover on their bed, just in case their water breaks in the middle of the night. Its not a must-do, but its not a bad idea either, especially because once baby comes, there might be other messes on or around your bed. Week 40 can be mentally rough, since youll probably be constantly wondering when baby will decide to finally make his entrance and question every twinge you have. Try not to stress, and rest assured that baby will arrive when hes ready -- and your body will give you the right signals that its time.
Your baby's the size of a jackfruit!

In month nine, the average fetus is about 6.2 to 9.2 pounds and measures about 18.9 to 20.19 inches (wow!). But you really won't know exactly how big your baby is until his birth.

He's continuing to grow hair and nails. And he's keeping up that lung development, too.

A continuation of the symptoms of the last few weeks: leg cramps, pelvic pressure. trouble sleeping, fatigue and contractions. Anxious! Don't worry. Baby will be here soon.
your must-do's

Schedule your weekly prenatal visit to the OB. Install the car seat, if you haven't already. Look out for signs of labor.
your nice-to-do's

We know it's tough, but try to get plenty of rest! Read up on induction, in case your doctor orders one.
41 weeks pregnant
You might not have envisioned yourself ever being 41 weeks pregnant, but rest assured that plenty of moms-to-be go past their due date. Your OB may start to discuss the option of having a labor induction at this point, since babies that go too far past their due date may be at higher risk for problems. Make sure you ask the doc plenty of questions about whats involved and what the risks are. And know that getting induced does have some positives (like not having to rush to the hospital while in labor!). At week 41, your doctor may also order a nonstress test, to be sure babys still doing okay in there. This will probably help both of you make a decision whether or not to induce.

Because of your baby's extra time in the womb, he'll likely be heavier and more alert at birth than a baby born earlier.

As you await his arrival, he's plumping up a bit more. And he's growing his hair and nails even longer.
pregnancy symptoms at week 41

More pelvic discomfort and hemorrhoids, as baby continues to put pressure on your pelvis. Difficulty sleeping. It's the hormones -- and your nerves! Frequent bathroom trips. Baby's pretty much sitting on your bladder. Plenty of contractions!
your must-do's
Talk to your doctor about induction options. Have a nonstress test, if your doctor orders it.
your nice-to-do's

Take a walk. It's not proven to bring on labor, but it certainly can't hurt! Have sex. For the same reason.
42 weeks pregnant
If youre reading this, youre one of the rare mamas -to-be who makes it to 42 weeks. And while you might be feeling like youre going a little crazy, rest assured that as long as your doc is monitoring baby closely, shes seeing to it that babys doing just fine in there. Its super rare for a baby to be born after week 42, so youll get to meet baby really soon -- we promise!

Yup, she's still growing! But don't worry, she's unlikely to be too big to deliver.

Because she's probably shed the vernix caseosa (that filmy stuff she had), her skin is probably getting a little dry. She's doing just fine in there -- don't worry, she'll be here soon! 98 percent of babies emerge by the end of this week.

The same stuff you've been feeling the past few weeks, maybe just more intense. Stressed! It's tough going past your due date, but try to stay calm. Baby's comfy in there, but she can't stay in forever.
your must-do's

Have your (last?) prenatal visit to the OB. Talk to your doctor about induction options. Have another nonstress test, if your doctor orders it. Do fetal kick counts, and let your doctor know if you notice anything out-of-the-ordinary.
your nice-to-do's
Make sure your gas tank is filled and your bags are fully packed! At this point, is there anything you haven't prepped? We doubt it!
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