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Your Pregnancy: Week 28

Hey, mom-to-be, you've just cruised into your seventh month of pregnancy!
 
Your baby

• This week your baby tips the scales at 1.1 kg (2.4 lbs) and she's about 40 cm (15.75 in) long from head to toe. Over the last four weeks, she has practically doubled in weight. She's becoming plumper and rounder.
• Around this point in your baby's development, her brain tissue begins to increase and its signature folds and grooves begin to take shape on its surface.
• The hair on your baby's head is growing longer and her eyebrows and eyelashes may be present now as well.
 
Sharing your weight gain: the placenta
Chances are you've gained about 17 to 24 pounds by this point. Helping that along is the weight of the placenta, which is growing as rapidly as your baby. At week 10, the placenta weighed a mere 20 g (0.7 oz) and, by week 20, it had ballooned to nearly 170 g (6 oz). By week 30, it will weigh 430 g (15 oz) and when it's expelled after your baby's birth, it will top about 650 g (1.5 lbs).
 
Moms-to-be love their cleavage!
We asked new moms on Todaysparent.com about the most unexpected bonus of pregnancy. Here’s what they told us:
Better cleavage – 24%
Lovely nails and skin – 22%
Beautiful, shiny hair – 20%
Happier mood – 12%
A livelier libido – 12%
New curves – 10%
 
Banish backaches
Are you starting to waddle a little? Now that the top of your uterus is sitting about halfway between your navel and your ribcage, your centre of gravity has shifted forward, over your legs, and your back may be aching because of it. Help alleviate back pain by wearing low-heeled shoes, making sure your back is supported while you sit, and (take advantage!) asking your partner for backrubs.
 
Let’s talk about sex
Did you know that can have sex right up until the birth, if you feel like it? Unless your doctor specifically advises against it, go ahead! With a little imagination and different positions, you and your partner can still have great sex as your belly gets bigger. In fact, you may find that your changing hormones make sex better, and anticipating the birth of your baby brings you and your partner closer.
 
Looking ahead
Who knew that cord clamping was even an issue? But researchers have found that there are benefits to the baby if hospital staff delay clamping your baby’s cord for a few minutes. You might want to talk this over with your caregiver, or write it into your birth plan.

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