Week 28 ~ Third Trimester + Birthing Skirts

Your baby's the size of an eggplant!

Putting on layers of fat, your baby now weighs in around 1.5 to 2.5 pounds and measures about 13.6 to 14.8 inches. 

 

Welcome to the third trimester! Moms-to-be who are at 28 weeks and beyond are known for their lack of sleep. Remember if you find yourself up in the middle of the night, do something relaxing. This is not the time to vacuum the house from top to bottom -- even though you might feel the urge to do that at some point. Read a book, drink chamomile tea, listen to soothing music. Then try to get back to bed and get some rest! Being in the third trimester also means much of your and baby’s anatomy are ready to go -- she's prepping for breathing, and your breasts already have colostrum, which is what baby will eat the first few days until your milk comes in. You’ll also start feeling more Braxton Hicks contractions as your body gets ready for labor. Baby will keep getting bigger -- and smarter -- after week 28, and other than that, she just needs a few more finishing touches. www.thebump.com

See the bigger picture.

How your baby's growing:

By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.
Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

You're in the home stretch! The third and final trimester starts this week. If you're like most women, you'll gain about 11 pounds this trimester.
At this point, you'll likely visit your doctor or midwife every two weeks. Then, at 36 weeks, you'll switch to weekly visits.

 

And if the blood work done at your first prenatal visit showed that you're Rh negative, you'll get an injection of Rh immunoglobulin to prevent your body from developing antibodies that could attack your baby's blood. (If your baby is Rh positive, you'll receive another shot of Rh immunoglobulin after you give birth.)
For a video of weeks 28-37, click here.  I will warn you that even though this is digital, it does show a pregnant torso with no clothing at the end.  It is very informative and well made.
www.babycenter.com  


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Yay....i am so excited to officially be in the third trimester.  Although, sometimes i get a nervous feeling realizing that i only have 12 more weeks to go!  It's funny how that happens.  You spend the first half or more just wishing time would hurry up and quit going by so slowly.  Then you hit a point where time flies by so fast that labor and birth sneak up on you when you don't feel ready.  Does that happen to anyone else, or just me???

My baby decided to change positions this week and face outward which means i feel so much movement, finally.  I was beginning to think that this baby was just different from my others, maybe weaker or calmer because he/she just didn't seem to be very active. But, now i know it was just the position. 

This is the part I love most about being pregnant.  I guess it's kind of a bonding process for me.  Feeling every little leg stretch, hand punch, and hiccup reminds me of the little person in there growing and waiting to meet us.  My children have enjoyed feeling their sibling move too.  They can now imagine what the baby is doing in my belly because they can feel the body parts and movements.  It really concretes in our minds what is going inside.

I have decided it's time to start thinking about the birth.  I've been somewhat avoiding it to this point just because i tend to get wrapped up in reading and researching things which can be a major time consumer.  But i know i can't wait too late, or then i won't be prepared. 

So...last might i started my research.  After watching a few videos including a  water birth video, I googled "birth skirts."

Have you heard about these or maybe even used one or a dress/gown?

I love the idea as i seem to always not have something set aside and waiting specifically for the birth then i wind up wearing something i don't like or isn't useful.  With my last birth, i did have an outfit i chose which was just a white maternity tank and a non maternity knit, calf length skirt.  This worked out pretty well as the skirt was just lifted up for checks and delivery instead of all of my bottom half being exposed with no clothing at all.  Since my children were present, i wanted something that wasn't too exposing but stayed out of the way.

All of the birth skirts i found however, are pretty short  and pricey.  I then searched Pinterest and  found 2 tutorials  (here and click pic below for 2nd one) on making your own skirt, which i plan to do but in a longer length.  There are also birthing gowns available that tie down the front but they seem to maybe be too exposing on the front top side??  The skirt above is made with 3 panels which allow for leg movement on the sides.  This seems to be the best way to make them.

So... do you have any experience with these?  Any recommendations?  I'd love to hear them!