Fetal development
Week 30
Pregnancy is now approaching its end. Due to the increasing weight towards birth, edema, swelling in the feet, and difficulty in breathing may occur. Expectant mothers complain of low back pain and cramps. However, there may be complaints such as heartburn, constipation, gas accumulation, frequent urination due to the pressure of the uterus on the digestive and excretory organs.
The fine hairs that cover the body, called lanugo, begin to fall in the baby. As the lanugo disappears on the scalp, it begins to be replaced by hair.
Subcutaneous adipose tissue continues to increase. The roughness on the skin disappears. Vernix caseosa, the cheesy layer that covers baby skin, also decreases. The thin and transparent image no longer exists.
As the brain structure grows, the skull continues to expand. Gradually, brain functions begin to develop.
Finger and toe nails are growing.
Like the baby’s sleep pattern and movement pattern, his breathing is also regulated. The baby is now 40 cm tall and weighs 1500 grams.
His lungs are partially developed. In case of premature birth for any reason, there is a chance to survive in the external environment, but it is still early for it to breathe on its own.
Week 31
It is known as the dream week of pregnancy. The excitement of the upcoming birth, knowing that she is getting close to holding her baby in your arms, and the changing hormonal balances will push the expectant mother to dream a lot in her sleep. Her baby, whom she met with ultrasound images, arrives. Sometimes dreams can be so strange that they scare the expectant mother. There may be false labor pains. Fear of the onset of labor may excite the pregnant woman. Continuity bleeding of pain should be considered in terms of the risk of preterm delivery. During this period, controls should be made in terms of pregnancy poisoning. Blood pressure measurements of the pregnant are made. High blood pressure can put a strain on pregnancy, childbirth and the baby. Early intervention is important to prevent them.
Birth is approaching. In these periods when there is a risk of premature birth, the expectant mother should have information about post-pregnancy. How will she hold the baby, how will she breastfeed, how will she care for her, how will she protect her? You can easily get information about all these from the health team who follows it. It is the period when information about birth and baby care is collected from different sources.
The baby’s subcutaneous adipose tissue has now increased. Vernix caseosa decreased. Baby skin is smooth.
The baby is quite mobile in the womb. So much so that it has reached a level that can no longer keep the mother asleep. The expectant mother will not feel uncomfortable with the baby she will hold in her arms. The baby can turn his head from side to side. Muscle and bone structure is more developed. It is important to meet the increased need for calcium for bone development. This should be taken into account in the nutrition program of the expectant mother. Brain tissue is developing. Brain functions have started, it is sitting more and more every day. Sometimes it responds to stimuli such as sound, taste and light coming from outside, sometimes consciously and sometimes startled.
The baby is now 41 cm tall and weighs 1700 grams, well prepared to be born.
32. Week
The complaints of the expectant mother may have increased due to weight gain. Heartburn, edema, constipation, gas accumulation, back pain, cramps increase. Has trouble getting comfortable while lying down. He has to put a pillow between his legs to be comfortable. One pillow may not be enough, two pillows may be needed under the head.
These are the periods when the risk of preterm birth increases. During this period, bleeding etc. symptoms should be followed closely.
The baby is preparing for birth. The breech part is slowly turned up and the head part is turned down. The head has taken up position for his arrival. For babies who have not yet taken a head position, there is no need to worry. In a short time, it will take the necessary head position for birth.
The baby’s organ development is largely completed. However, brain development continues. It will be beneficial to apply an appropriate nutrition program to support the brain development of the expectant mother.
The baby’s hearing ability is also well developed. When he is very active, he recognizes the voice of his parents and calms down.
The baby’s height was 42 cm and weight was 1900 grams.
Week 33
The period in which pregnancy progresses and some problems due to weight gain are experienced is also a process in which the excitement of birth gains momentum. Edema, swelling in the feet, back pain, cramps, tingling in the hands and feet may occur. False labor pains can create excitement. During this period, nutrition control and plenty of walking are important. Prenatal checkups should not be neglected.
The baby is quite active. Sleep pattern is settled. Apart from that, it reacts to almost any stimulus coming from outside. He has taken his place as part of the family. It is necessary to be careful if the movement decreases or disappears during the period when it should be active other than sleep.
Lungs are developed. When there is a premature birth for any reason, the chance of living outside increases. However, there is still little chance of breathing alone.
Although the skull bones have not yet fused, the bones have hardened. Internal organs are developed. The liver begins to store iron. While the baby uses the iron from the mother until the sixth month after birth, it starts to use the stored iron after the sixth month.
The brain and nervous system have completed their development.
The baby’s height is 43 cm, and the weight has reached 2100 grams.
Week 34
Now, both the mother-to-be and the follow-up healthcare team begin their birth planning. Checks are made for a healthy birth.
Baby movements increase so much that it hurts the expectant mother. However, it should be enjoyed. Because after a few weeks these kicks will be over.
It is seen that the baby has begun to prepare himself well for the external environment. Fat tissue has developed under the skin. Adipose tissue provides temperature control to the baby’s skin in the external environment,
Bones are hardened. However, the skull bones are still not united. It is necessary for the skull bones not to unite and the skull structure to remain soft to facilitate the passage through the birth canal.
The baby is now 44 cm tall and weighs 2400 grams.