You are 32 Weeks and 6 Days 50 days to go…
The days and nights fly by with a newborn, so it’s a good idea to start thinking about child care well before you need it.
Your baby today
This image may show the start of a smile. Your baby will often
be smiling inside, sticking his tongue out, and making all sorts of
faces. He may also still be experiencing hiccups that may be something
that you are now becoming aware of.
It may seem impossible
to believe that you should be considering child care before your baby
is even born, but it can be useful to think through the options while
you have the time. There are two main types of child care: in and out of
your home. In the first case, you can have a live-in or live-out nanny
or mother’s help, an au pair (which may be acceptable if you work from
home, for example, and can supervise), or perhaps a family member or
friend who is prepared to come to your house to take care of your baby.
If you choose outside child care, there are a number of options
including day-care centers, relatives or babysitters in their homes, or
on-the-job day care. Before you set your heart on one particular type of
care, it’s a good idea to investigate the costs and the availability in
your area. You may want to pay a visit to some of the nurseries or
other facilities close to you, just to get a feel for what’s available,
and establish now what you do and don’t want. Secondly, remember that
good-quality child-care facilities and babysitters are usually in
demand, and, even if you aren’t entirely sure when you will be going
back to work, it’s probably a good idea to put your baby’s name (or last
name, at least!) down for a few, to give you options when the time
comes.
… Dads
Being at the birth
Many dads-to-be are anxious
about being with their partners during labor and birth. This is often
because they will be witnessing their partner experience one of the most
intense things a woman can ever do and they may be unsure of how to
help.
There are plenty of ways
in which you can support your partner during labor: being aware of her
wishes, speaking for her if she is unable to, and repeating what doctors
have said if she didn’t hear clearly; passing her a drink; rubbing her
back; holding a warm cloth to her face; switching music on or off; being
encouraging and reassuring her.
Going to prenatal classes can be useful. You will learn more about labor and birth, and how to support your partner physically and emotionally.
Calcium intake
Your baby’s skeleton began
forming at the end of the first trimester, but the majority of your
calcium is transferred to the baby from your body in the third
trimester. This happens regardless of your calcium intake. If a
mother-to-be’s diet is low in calcium, it will be taken from the
reservoir in her bones, which can affect her bone density.
The recommended amount
of calcium in pregnancy is 1000 mg daily. Calcium needs to be
accompanied by vitamin D in order to be absorbed by the body.
Dairy products are a
rich source of calcium, and some, such as margarine and low-fat spreads,
are often fortified with vitamin D. Vegetarian sources of calcium
include tofu, leafy green vegetables, dried fruit, seeds, and nuts.
You are 33 Weeks Exactly 49 days to go…
Choosing who will be present at the birth with you is a big decision, so start thinking about it in good time.
Your baby today
Soon your baby will be approaching a time when the lungs can
fully support him after birth. At 33 weeks though, most babies would
still need some help with breathing if born this early. Your baby will
be regularly practicing these breathing movements inside.
You can choose whoever
you like to be your birth partner, though the doctors and nurses might
object if you have a team of people! If you do want more than one
partner, get approval ahead of the birth and put this in your birth plan .
You may want to ask your mom, sister, or close friend in addition to
your partner. You might also find that your partner is unable to be
there, for example if he is unavoidably going to be out of the country.
If you’re comfortable with it and feel that you will benefit from
someone else being there, then ask away. You can put who you want to be
your birth partner or partners on your birth plan. Of course, if you’re
going to ask someone else other than, or in addition to, your partner to
be present, discuss it with him first. He might not be so thrilled at
the idea of your mom being present, but explain why you would like her
there. Remember that this is a special occasion for him as well and he
may have his own preferences for who is or is not present at the birth.
Now might also be a good
time to discuss things like whether you want a video made of the birth,
but you may prefer that your partner supports you, rather than handling
the camera!
Active birth classes
The goal of active
birth classes is to make women feel good about their bodies and give
them the confidence that they have the mental and physical reserves to
have a successful birth experience. Classes are generally appropriate
regardless of fitness level, flexibility, and your stage of pregnancy.
Active birth classes teach you how to work with your body to deliver your baby more quickly and easily.
Active birth classes promote the benefits of yoga and exercise as both physical and mental preparation for childbirth.
Yoga strengthens the body, improves posture and circulation, and teaches how to use relaxation and breathing techniques to relieve stress.
Like prenatal classes, active birth classes allow you to meet other parents-to-be and share their pregnancy experiences.
The downside
is that these classes aren’t widely available, so they get booked
quickly and can be expensive. Ask your doctor about local classes. If
you can’t find a class in your area, read an active birth book or
consider taking a prenatal yoga class.
