What to expect when you're expecting (121 page)

Distraction.
Even if you’re not the type to try hypnosis (or you didn’t plan far enough ahead), you can still try to get your mind off the pain of labor by using distraction techniques. Anything—watching TV, listening to music, meditating—that takes your mind off the pain can decrease your perception of it. So can focusing on an object (an ultrasound picture of your baby, a soothing landscape, a photo of a favorite place) or doing visualization exercises (for example, picturing your baby being pushed gently by contractions, preparing to exit the uterus, excited and happy). Keeping your pain in perspective is also key to an easier labor. Staying rested, relaxed, and positive (remember that the pain of a contraction is actually accomplishing something—each one getting you closer to your baby—and keep telling yourself that it won’t last forever) will help you stay more comfortable.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).
This technique uses electrodes that deliver low-voltage pulses to stimulate nerve pathways to the uterus and cervix, supposedly blocking pain. Studies aren’t clear on whether TENS is really effective at reducing labor pain, but some do show that it leads to a shorter first-stage labor and less need for pain meds.

You now have the lowdown on pain relief options for labor and delivery—the information you’ll need to make an informed decision. But before you decide what’s best for you and your baby, you should:

Discuss the topic of pain relief and anesthesia with your practitioner long before labor begins. Your practitioner’s expertise and experience make him or her an invaluable partner—though not usually the deciding vote—in the decision-making process. Well before your first contraction, find out what kinds of drugs or CAM techniques he or she uses most often, what side effects may be experienced, when he or she considers medication absolutely necessary, and when the option is yours.

Consider keeping an open mind. Though it’s smart to think ahead about what might be best for you under certain circumstances, it’s impossible to predict what kind of labor and delivery you’ll have, how you will respond to the contractions, and whether or not you’ll want, need, or have to have medication. Even if you’re absolutely convinced that you’ll want an epidural, you may not want to close the door completely to trying some CAM approaches—either first, or on the side. After all, your labor may turn out to be more manageable (or a lot shorter) than you’d thought. And even if you’re sold on an all-med-free delivery, you may want to think about leaving the medication window open—even if it’s just a crack—in case your labor turns out to be tougher than you’d bargained for.

Most important of all, remember, as you sort through those pain relief options, to keep your eye on the bottom line—a bottom line that has a really cute bottom. After all, no matter how you end up managing the pain of childbirth—and even if you don’t end up managing it the way you planned to or the way you really hoped to—you’ll still manage to give birth to your baby. And what could be a better bottom line than that?

I
N THIS NEXT-TO-LAST MONTH
, you may still be relishing every expectant moment, or you may be growing increasingly weary of, well, growing—and growing. Either way, you’re sure to be preoccupied with—and super-excited about—the much-anticipated event: your baby’s arrival. Of course, along with that heaping serving of excitement (the baby’s almost here!), you and your partner are likely experiencing a side of trepidation (the baby’s almost here!)—especially if this is your first foray into parenthood. Talking those very normal feelings through—and tapping into the insights of friends and family members who’ve preceded you into parenthood—will help you realize that everyone feels that way, particularly the first time around.

Week 32
This week your baby is tipping the scales at almost 4 pounds and topping out at just about 19 inches. And growing isn’t the only thing on the agenda these days. While you’re busy getting everything ready for baby’s arrival, baby’s busy prepping for that big debut, too. In these last few weeks, it’s all about practice, practice, practice, as he or she hones the skills needed to survive outside the womb, from swallowing and breathing to kicking and sucking. And speaking of sucking, your little one has been able to suck his or her thumb for a while now
(okay, maybe it’s not a survival skill, but it sure is cute). Another change this week: Your baby’s skin is no longer see-through. As more and more fat accumulates under the skin, it’s finally opaque (just like yours!).

Your Baby, Month 8

Week 33
Baby’s gaining weight almost as fast as you are these days (averaging out to about half a pound a week), which puts the grand total so far at more than 4½ pounds. Still, your baby has plenty of growing up (and out) to do. He or she may grow a full inch this week alone and may come close to doubling in weight by D-day. And with that much baby inside your uterus now, your amniotic fluid level has maxed out (there’s no room for more fluid now). Which explains why those pokes and kicks are sometimes extremely uncomfortable: There’s less fluid to cushion the blows. Antibodies are also being passed from you to your baby as your little one continues to develop his or her own immune system. These antibodies will definitely come in handy on the outside and will protect your baby-to-be from many of those playground germs.

Week 34
Your baby could be as tall as 20 inches right now and weighs about 5 pounds. Got male (a male baby, that is)? If you do, then this is the week that his testicles are making their way down from his abdomen to their final destination: his scrotum. (About 3 to 4 percent of boys are born with undescended testicles, which is nothing to worry about; they usually make the trip down south before the first birthday.) And in other baby-related news, those tiny little fingernails have probably reached the tip of his or her fingers by this week, so make sure you have baby nail clippers on your shopping list!

Week 35
Your baby stands tall this week—if he or she could stand, that is—at about 20 inches, and continues to follow the ½-pound-a-week plan, weighing in at about 5½ big ones. While growth will taper off when it comes to height (the average full-termer is born at about 20 inches), your baby will continue to pack on the pounds up until delivery day. Something else he or she will be packing on in the few weeks that remain are brain cells. Brain development continues at a mind-boggling pace, making baby a little on the top-heavy side. And speaking of tops, it’s likely your baby’s bottom is. Most babies have settled into a head-down, bottoms-up position in Mom’s pelvis by now, or will soon. That’s a good thing, since it’s easier on you if baby’s head (the biggest part of his or her body) exits first during delivery. Here’s another plus: Baby’s head may be big, but it’s still soft (at least, the skull is), allowing that tight squeeze through the birth canal to be a little less tight.

As always, remember that every pregnancy and every woman is different. You may experience all of these symptoms at one time or another, or only a few of them. Some may have continued from last month; others may be
new. Still others may be hardly noticed because you’ve become so used to them. You may also have other, less common, symptoms. Here’s what you might experience this month:

A Look Inside

An interesting bit of pregnancy trivia: Measurement in centimeters from the top of your pubic bone to the top of your uterus roughly correlates with the number of weeks you’re up to; so, at 34 weeks, your uterus measures close to 34 cm from the pubic bone.

Physically

Strong, regular fetal activity

Increasing vaginal discharge

Increased constipation