Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With her sense of movement
well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that she's
more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango),
you may be able to see her squirm underneath your clothes. Blood
vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the
sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her
for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now —
such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably
won't faze her when she hears them outside the womb.
You may notice
that your ankles and feet start to swell a bit in the coming weeks or
months, especially at the end of the day or during the heat of summer.
Sluggish circulation in your legs — coupled with changes in your blood
chemistry that may cause some water retention — may result in swelling,
also known as edema. Your
body will get rid of the extra fluid after you have your baby, which is
why you'll pee frequently and sweat a lot for a few days after
delivery. In the meantime, lie on your left side or put your feet up
when you can, stretch out your legs when you sit, and avoid sitting — or
standing — in one place for long periods.
Also,
try to exercise regularly to increase circulation, and wear support
stockings (put them on first thing in the morning) and roomy,
comfortable shoes. You may be tempted to skimp on liquids to combat
swelling, but you need to drink plenty of water because staying hydrated
actually helps prevent fluid retention. While a certain amount of edema
in your lower extremities is normal during pregnancy, excessive
swelling may be a sign of a serious condition called preeclampsia.
Be sure to call your midwife or doctor if you have severe or sudden
swelling of your feet or ankles, more than slight swelling of your
hands, swelling in your face, or puffiness around your eyes.
As for me, no real changes this week. We have finalized the name though, and he will be Elisha Samuel Mangerchine. Named after two great prophets, just like his daddy.
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