Your Pregnancy Week By Week

Fetal Development: Week by Week – Week 27

This is officially the end of the second trimester and the third trimester now begins. Your baby is probably about 2 pounds now and if he or she were born today, they would have an 85% chance of survival in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. During this second trimester, your baby has tripled or even quadrupled their length since the 12 week mark. Congratulations!!!

Celebrate the end of your second trimester by going baby shopping. Now is a perfect time to browse strollers, car seats and cribs for the best ones. While you don't have to run out and purchase any today, be aware that some furniture companies have a delivery time of 2-3 months! Also, if you are considering having a baby shower, you may want to begin registering for the big day.

Fetal Development – Week by Week: Pregnancy Week 28

While your baby is growing in leaps and bounds, he or she is also running out of room in there. Right now it may seem like you are going to give birth to a future soccer star, but over the next several weeks, those kicks and jumps will get a little less often as your baby begins to lose space! Your baby's fine lanugo hair is beginning to disappear now, and your baby's muscle tone is improving weekly.

While some of the early pregnancy symptoms have disappeared, they have been replaced now by a new set of pregnancy symptoms. From reflux to back aches, pregnancy symptoms can begin to slow you down daily. Try to listen to your body and rest whenever possible and always let your doctor know if the symptoms become severe.

Fetal Development – Week by Week: Pregnancy Week 29

Your baby now weighs in at a remarkable 2-3 pounds---quite a far cry from the first trimester! While he may be running out of space, his elbow and foot jabs can often take your breath away as they kick up into your ribs to stretch out. His skin is less wrinkly now and he will begin to gain weight quite rapidly in preparation for birth.

If you haven't already considered taking a Lamaze class, now is the time to sign up. Lamaze breathing techniques and childbirth classes are a must for new mommies even if you plan on getting an epidural. In most cases, you need to get close to 4cm before you can get an epidural and the breathing techniques learned in childbirth classes can help you get through the pain during the first part of labor.

Fetal Development – Week by Week: Pregnancy Week 30

Until your baby is born, he or she will be gaining weight at an amazing rate----up to a half a pound a week. Sometimes in the last few weeks, babies can gain almost a pound a week! If your baby gets the hiccups now, you can feel them easily. These rhythmic movements often feel like small kicks at first, but they happen regularly.

Another Fun Pregnancy Symptom:

Got Bleeding Gums? The extra blood flow, hormones and circulation can cause many pregnant mommies to have bleeding and swollen gums. This pregnancy gingivitis can damage gum tissue and your teeth, not to mention cause unnecessary pain and discomfort. Try swishing with the good ol' fashioned Listerine, brushing 2x a day and flossing regularly. If your pregnancy gingivitis gets worse, contact your dentist for an appointment.

Fetal Development – Week by Week: Pregnancy Week 31

Your little baby now weighs about 3 ½ pounds and is probably close to 17 inches long. In addition, your baby's regular sleep cycles have made way for dreams. Experts believe that babies in later stages of the second trimester and third have begun to dream, although exactly what they dream about will remain a mystery! Your little boy's testicles may still be descending into his scrotum during this week and his fat stores are building up rapidly!

Now may be a good time to consider a baby shower. If someone is planning you a baby shower, the next several weeks may be a good time. New mommies often go through a period of nesting just before the baby comes and it helps to have all the baby's clothes and gear all ready to go. Baby Showers are a fun way to celebrate the arrival of your new baby and you can even plan fun and unique baby shower games at them! For a list of unique baby shower games check out our baby shower games page!