28 week update

Seen that pouch underneath the left side of the uterus? Yeah, that's the bladder and the reason why I'm off to the toilet every 15 minutes!

You're in the home stretch. The third trimester typically starts at week 29 and lasts until week 40 and sometimes even beyond. (Don't worry -- 42 weeks is the maximum! After that, a woman usually is induced to give birth.) Most women gain an average of 11 pounds/ 5 kilograms during this trimester. By this week, your baby weighs nearly 2.3 pounds/ a little over 1 kilograms and may measure 14.8 inches/ 38 centimetres from top to toe. At about this time, your baby can open his eyes and turn his head in utero if he notices a continuous, bright light shining from the outside. His fat layers are forming and his fingernails appear.





By the 7th month, her key organs are already developed: The nervous system has matured to the point that it controls respiratory functions and body temperature, the lungs would be capable of breathing if she were to be born at this point. Her movements are more organized, and her muscles stronger. She exercises by kicking and stretching. Calcium is being stored and fetal bones are hardening.

I have been well but feeling the effects of carrying a growing being in my belly. I am so thankful that I am not working and can rest whenever I feel I need to. Because I never sleep through the night anymore, it's great to be able to lay down during the day. I think my greatest struggle has been the drastic change to my activities. I watch runners enjoying their workout on the pathways and feel twinges of envy and listen to Charles wake up early to meet others for a long day hike while I fall back asleep. I have been walking but only very short distances; I find once I am fatigued my belly becomes quite sore and it feels like the baby is going to fall out! Very strange sensation. I try to do my yoga every other day but have yet to get back into the pool (I stopped when I was put on bed rest). I think I just need a good kick in the bum but it would be nice to have a pool buddy.