Your Little One's Progress
As the once-skinny, little embryo has now turned into a plump and chunky little baby, he is filling up your fetus giving him almost no room to roll around in there.  You will still feel his movements as frequently as before they just may not be as strong, since he doesn’t have as much space to wind up that jab!

What’s Happening in Mommyland?
As your pregnancy weeks dwindle away, you might start feeling sad about leaving your pregnancy life behind and nervous for what is ahead. You might start to think about your other non-human family members who are affected, such as your feline or canine friends. Stress is very common in the next couple of weeks. You want to make sure you are prepared for the parenthood journey ahead.

In addition, you might be feeling anxiety about leaving work. Talk with your employer or human resources department before you go on leave. Make sure you have all the proper forms filled out, and that work projects are delegated or done. In addition, prepare your workstation for leave, delete unnecessary messages and information on your phone or computer.

Keeping hydrated is very important to keep swelling at bay, as is a good, healthy diet. Eating smaller meals will help keep your squished insides more comfortable.

You are now heading to your prenatal appointments about once a week and may even be getting checked soon for effacement and dilation. This will tell your healthcare provider how you are moving along.  Sometimes it can give a good insight to whether or not your baby will be on time or a little late.  None-the-less, your little one is the only one who knows his birth date.

If you are seeing a midwife, you may not be getting checked for effacement or dilation every week. Be sure to ask your healthcare provider any questions or concerns as you approach your final weeks of pregnancy.

If you are choosing to breastfeed and it’s your first time, then it is a good idea to take a class, as the art of breastfeeding is much more than it seems, and commitment is directly tied to proper education. From technique to all the handy accessories out there, it’s a whole new world to discover. Ask your healthcare provider where local classes are taking place or you can go to la leche league’s web site to find out more information.


What’s Going On With Your Partner
Can you believe it? You and your partner have only about five weeks left! For some women, it may be less, and for others, it may be a little longer.  Is your partner starting to get impatient? Now that the big day is almost here, you are most likely not as active, which means you are not really in the mood to accommodate your man, which results in doing less for him.

The average man not used to doing all of these extras normally handled by the woman may make his days feel longer and often, more stressful. Coming home after a long day of work, helping you around the house, cooking food for the two of you and taking out the trash are now part of your partner’s added daily routine. One thing you can do to help make things easier for these last weeks of your pregnancy is to order out meals to be delivered or spend some time together in the kitchen cooking healthy meals, so you’ll have meals ready to go for the rest of the week! 

Also, make sure to enjoy these last weeks and days together as just the two of you! If this is your first child together, things are going to change quite a bit, and it may be a while before you have this kind of time alone. If this is your second or third child, you already understand how precious your last moments of being alone really are! Yes, as much as you will love and adore your child, you will reflect back on – and sometimes pine for –  the time you had together, pre-baby! 

Featured Topic – Thoughts of Motherhood
For specific symptoms regarding post-partum depression versus baby blues, please visit www.sweetpeababyplanners.com/wordpress. 
Contributed in partnership with Sweet Pea Baby Planners™ “The Nation’s Premier Baby Consultants” www.sweetpeababyplanners.com
Written by April Beach, Founder & Kellie Mejia, Palm Beach Director

As you are approaching the end of your pregnancy, you’re probably starting to fantasize about what it will be like once the baby is born. In this media-driven world, images and messages from television, friends and family create the illusion that the minute your baby enters the world, you will be madly in love with her and bonded for life. While it’s true that you will already love your baby by the time she is born and that you are bonded for life, it’s important to know that it’s ok if you do not instantly bond with her. In reality, it will take time for you and your baby to get to know each other. Several women report feelings of guilt and thinking something is wrong with them because they don't bond immediately. Rest assured, you will learn over the first few weeks what the sound of each cry means and exactly how to meet your baby’s needs.

As your baby grows, baby will become more predictable and you will become more confident. Your love and bond will grow as this happens; the same way that your love for your spouse grew as your relationship matured. Remember, as you are learning all about caring for your baby, you will also be dealing with post-pregnancy hormones. Having a baby is a major life change.  Be true to yourself and understand that some relationships and transitions take time.

There a few things you can try to begin bonding with your baby.
•    Skin to skin contact:  When you and your baby are cuddled together,
     skin-to-skin (this could be during breastfeeding) and just relaxing. Turn down
     the lights, noise and other stimulation, and get in a comfortable place. Use a
     blanket over top of the baby if you are worried she is cold. This intimate
     experience allows baby to hear your heart beating and smell you, she feels
     warm and safe; for you, it’s an opportunity to feel, smell and look at your baby
     (eye contact) and this begins to build the important trusting relationship.

•    Infant Massage: Massaging your infant is not only a great way to bond, but
     has been shown to relieve colic, aid in healthy sleep, increase baby’s
     intellectual development and more.

•    Communication: Talking to and reading to your baby throughout the day is a
     great way to develop a deeper relationship. The more that your baby hears
     your voice, the quicker she will begin to respond to it. Once your baby begins
     responding to your voice, your bond will strengthen naturally, and you will feel
     the deeper connection that’s forming. Turn off the TV, radio or music and just
     talk…

•    Co-Sleeping: Sleeping alongside your baby is a great way to build your
     relationship (and establish a great milk supply). Rest your baby in the crook of
     your arm, lay on your side and have someone support your back with pillows.
     Overall, co-sleeping can be safe as long as all safety precautions are taken.
     Talk with your pediatrician, doula or lactation consultant for assistance with
     safe co-sleeping.

The bottom line: You probably won't have it all figured out that first night, and that's ok. You will bond with your baby eventually. However, be aware that if you do not feel that you are beginning to bond with your baby by the time you go in for your 6-week post-partum check up, you should speak to your doctor about it. According to the Mayo Clinic, approximately 10 percent of women experience true post partum depression. 


Fitness Tips – Birgitta Lauren
• Increase amount of time spent relaxing, meditating or napping to get ready for birth and motherhood.  De-stressing and quitting work are crucial to ensure a full term gestation.  Moms that continue to work usually deliver early due to the stress. Baby needs your body’s and minds full attention at this time.

HB Pregnancy Checklist 
√ If you haven't already, have your partner, friend or family member, assemble and check out all your baby gear to make sure everything is functioning correctly.
√ Assemble your baby's crib, dresser, stroller, swing, or anything else that may need to be put together.
√ Be sure to double-check all the locks, clamps, wheels, or anything that could cause a problem with the functionality of each piece of equipment. Sometimes certain pieces could become damaged in the shipping process, as most companies release their products with some sort of warranty for their replacement, and sometimes companies may send you a new piece to replace a damaged one.