This week in the fetal membranes is the largest amount of amniotic fluid (1 to 1, 5 l), in the future, this amount will be reduced. Such a large volume of fluid increases the abdomen, shortness of breath so this week may increase.

How is a woman in the 38th week of pregnancy

This week pregnant belly down in the majority of women, it became easier to breathe, but harder to sit. Efforts are also pain, participation urination. Normal is considered a small swelling of the feet and hands, pasty face. During this period, many pregnant women there is a kind of inhibited state, they go to, as if listening to what is being done inside their body. It is a time of rest - the body is slightly slowed down to a pitched battle - birth. Now a pregnant woman needs to just relax (it is better to do it in the open air), and away from all the household chores.

By this time the woman is already knows a lot about pregnancy and childbirth. Now comes the next stage - hands, when all the theoretical knowledge and development of skills to be applied during delivery, that is, to help herself and her child. Births take place in three phases.

I period childbirth - is characterized by the appearance of regular painful contractions of muscles of the uterus, which contribute to the disclosure of the cervix (the fray with every bit revealed the cervix). This is a long and difficult period, especially long he lasts in nulliparous women. A woman during labor is experiencing a lot of pain, but the fetus suffers from a lack of oxygen, as it reduces the muscle of the uterus and uterine artery is compressed block access of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues of the fetus. Since the baby's brain is very sensitive to lack of oxygen, the baby's health is largely dependent on the correct behavior of the mother during this period. The correct behavior of the mother in the I period includes:

• composure - at the first muscle contractions do not need to panic and go to the maternity hospital, it is necessary to wait for the moment when the battle will be frequent enough (4-5 per hour);
• if false contractions are concerned, you can take a walk in the fresh air - a child at the same time get more oxygen;
• at the height of the fight you need to breathe How to breathe correctly - modern and traditional techniques : Do slow breath through your nose, longer exhale through your mouth, hold your breath for a few seconds, and then repeat the whole cycle; sometimes it does not work, then we can move to the surface light breath - breathe like a dog; after the termination of the fight you need to go to a regular rhythm of breathing.
• labor pain can be reduced by special techniques of self-massage.

II stage of labor - it is a long muscle contractions of the uterus, or attempts to promote the expulsion of the fetus. Discipline and self-control in this period is particularly useful. Help yourself, you can, if properly (only on the team doctor) to make an effort (after exhalation need to hold your breath and push only). If the birth canal is not open, it is necessary to restrain the attempts to do this, first make a deep breath and exhale, and then three parts of the surface of inhalation and exhalation; After several breaths pass attempts.

III stage of labor - the birth of the placenta. This usually occurs within 30 minutes after the birth of the fetus and the pregnant woman does not require much effort.

The growth and development of the fetus in the 38th week of pregnancy

Baby gains weight and grows long: its growth is 47-48 cm, weight - 2800-3000 This week, the majority of children have finished ripening broncho-pulmonary system and the first surfactant - a substance that can help the baby's lungs after a deal first breath. The central nervous system is also ready to go into the light: it regulates all vital functions, including breathing and heartbeat. Strengthened the endocrine system, immunity Immunity - types and characteristics in children in adults Work well pancreas Diabetes and pancreas - the things you need to know   (it produces digestive enzymes and insulin The principles of action of insulin - the science of saving lives   - A hormone that plays an important role in energy metabolism), liver and kidney, but the development of these bodies is still ongoing.

Baby and mother - a single unit, they understand each other without words. Woman intuitively feels when her child is bad and tries to help him. But she manages to do it only if it was trained to leave school-based motherhood. Help the woman in labor is invaluable. But it can also harm your baby at this time, especially if you fall into a panic and did not hear a team of doctors. Why so much importance is attached to psychological preparation for childbirth and proper breathing.

The correct behavior of a pregnant woman during labor - is the basis of maternal and child health.

Galina Romanenko

In the 38th week of pregnancy, prenatal development is almost completed. Changes that occur with your child this week may seem insignificant compared to those that took place before, but they are very important. Thus, the child produced lung surfactant - a substance that will allow him to breathe normally when he finally came into being. Moreover, it continues to gain subcutaneous fat; the development of the brain and nervous system and is not yet complete - however, it will continue and when the child is born.

Fold stuff

When your child finishes the preparation for life outside the womb, your body is completing preparation for childbirth - in particular, runs the system, which is responsible for the production of milk. Part of this process is the allocation of colostrum - a yellowish liquid, which is the predecessor of milk. Colostrum already have antibodies that will protect the future of the child; it has more protein and less lactose than breast milk that is produced will start soon after birth. Colostrum can release in a fairly large number, so it is advisable now to lay a special bra pads are designed for nursing mothers.

38th week - it's time to lay down in the bag things you will take with you to the hospital. In addition, it is now necessary to think about what you'll do when you get back from the hospital. First of all, you need to fill a refrigerator products - this is especially important if you live and you will raise a child alone. But even caring husband can not buy those products which you need. Therefore, fill the refrigerator foods that can be stored for a long time, and easy to prepare. The first few weeks after birth, you will be very difficult to find time for cooking and shopping.

Signs of the 38th week of pregnancy

More frequent urination. In the last weeks of pregnancy the baby is more pressure on the bladder Urinary bladder - structure and function ; therefore, future mothers go to the toilet more often than usual, including at night. You may want to give up caffeinated drinks - it has a diuretic effect. However, the total amount of fluid intake should not be reduced - it is very important to prevent dehydration.

Heavy vaginal discharge The whole truth about vaginal secretions . In the 38th week allocation may be unusually strong; Some women in this period goes mucus plug that protects the cervix during pregnancy. This means that the cervix is ​​beginning to expand, but before delivery could be several days or even weeks.

Vaginal discharge with blood do not always appear in the 38th week, but their appearance is likely to mean that labor will begin soon. Not necessarily immediately go to the hospital, but should consult with your doctor on the phone.

Diarrhea. To facilitate delivery, you may need to empty the bowel - is a natural process. Therefore, if you have severe diarrhea began, possibly before birth remains very little time.

Itching of the skin of the abdomen. By the end of pregnancy, the skin on his stomach stretched particularly strong, and it can cause itching. The best way to handle this - oil rubbed into the skin with vitamin E. You can also take vitamin E capsules.

Sleep disorders Dreams: how to understand our dreams . At extreme stages of pregnancy expectant mothers tend to experience strong anxiety, which is why there are sleep disorders Violation of sleep - severe consequences of the usual disorders . Feel anxiety - normal, but do not feed him, looking at different websites about childbirth and their complications, and so on. You've probably already heard about childbirth everything there is to know about them in theory - now remains the only practice. Therefore, before going to sleep better to read easy books or watching movies - then it will be easier to sleep than after reading the description of the problems that may arise during childbirth.

Braxton Hicks contractions in the 38th week can be particularly intense. If earlier they were not, they can appear on this pregnancy.