Your Body's Changes
The top of the fundus is halfway between your belly button and your breastbone, displacing your stomach, intestines, and diaphragm. Your breasts are heavier and more glandular and are getting ready to feed your baby. In this last trimester, your nipples may begin to leak colostrum, which is the yellowish, nutrient-rich fluid that precedes real breast milk. To reduce backaches and breast tenderness, make sure you wear a well-fitting bra (even to bed if it helps). If you are planning on breastfeeding, you may want to start buying the following few things now that can take you through the rest of pregnancy and right into the postpartum period in preparation for nursing:
Nursing bra: Try out the clasps for easy nursing access. Try to unfasten and slip the nursing flaps down with one hand.
Sports bra: Instead of a nursing bra, you may opt for the comfort of a sports bra that slides up easily.
Easy-access shirts: Button-up blouses, shirts with zippers, and other easy-access clothing will make nursing easier on a day-to-day basis.
Nursing pads: These pads, which catch leaks before they soak through your shirt, come in several different materials and configurations, including cloth, plastic, and disposable.
If you will not be breastfeeding but using formula or bottle-feeding breast milk instead, look for a bottle with these characteristics:
Low air flow: Designs that minimize air or can be de-aired prior to feeding may reduce your baby's gas.
Convenience: If saving time is a priority, features like presterilized disposable bag bottles are a big plus.
Easy to clean: Pick something with minimal parts that looks relatively easy to clean and sterilize.
Built for baby: Make sure your baby gets a newborn-style nipple with a smaller opening to start so he doesn't face a formula tidal wave. If his sucking reflex is weak, however, you may have to upgrade to a larger opening.
Your body is warming up for labor, and you may start to experience Braxton Hicks contractions. These painless and irregular contractions feel as if your uterus is making a fist and then gradually relaxing it. If your little one is fairly active, you may think that he is stretching himself sideways at first. A quick check of your belly may reveal a visible tightening.
Braxton Hicks can begin as early as week twenty and continue right up until your due date, although they're more commonly felt in the final month of pregnancy.
The list is growing. Other symptoms that may continue this month include:
__ Fatigue
__ Frequent urination
__ Tender and/or swollen breasts
__ Bleeding gums
__ Excess mucus and saliva
__ Increase in vaginal discharge
__ Mild shortness of breath
__ Lightheadedness or dizziness
__ Headaches
__ Forgetfulness
__ Gas
__ Heartburn
__ Constipation
__ Skin and hair changes
__ Round ligament pain or soreness
__ Lower back aches
__ Mild swelling of legs, feet, and hands
__ Leg cramps
