Have You Decided How You’ll Feed Your Baby?
It’s normal to be concerned about how you’ll feed your unborn child as you approach delivery and enter the eighth month of pregnancy. Should you decide to breastfeed or use formula?
Every choice has advantages and disadvantages of its own. The mother’s emotional and physical health, as well as the needs of the infant, will ultimately determine the choice.
Advantages of Nursing
There are indisputable advantages to breastfeeding that formula feeding cannot completely replace:
- Antibodies found in breast milk fortify the infant’s immune system.
- It reduces infants’ risk of respiratory issues or stomach ailments.
- Your infant can be fed whenever they are hungry.
It is advised that you bring a nursing bra and loose-fitting, comfortable clothing if you intend to breastfeed.
However, you can switch to formula feeding or even combine the two if breastfeeding isn’t feasible, for instance, because you’re recovering from surgery or taking medications that could be passed on to the baby through breast milk.
Body changes
The top of the uterus has now risen approximately 12.7 cm above the belly button, and there is normally a 30 to 34 cm gap between the top of the uterus and the pubic bone.
Increased vaginal discharge is a common symptom that your body is preparing for labor. To avoid infections or offensive odours, it’s critical to practice extra caution when it comes to personal hygiene.
You can use daily panty liners or wear cotton underwear, changing them regularly. This also helps you track any changes in discharge that may require medical attention.
When do you need a cervical check?
Most women don’t get a cervical exam unless signs of labor appear. It’s a manual check to see if the cervix is starting to dilate or thin out.
However, your doctor might suggest an early exam in special cases, like a risk of preterm labor or if there’s a medical reason to induce labor.
Tips for week 32
Birth Essentials
Preparing your birth bag and essentials shouldn’t be delayed any longer. Since labor could happen anytime, it’s a good idea to start gathering your baby’s first-stage necessities, such as:
- Diapers and baby wipes
- Baby bottles
- Comfortable cotton clothing
- Infant formula (if needed)
Also, make sure to prepare a few basics for yourself and your home that can last at least a week:
- Essential groceries
- Daily hygiene products
- Pregnancy medications and supplements
- Postpartum care items
Pelvic Exercises
Pelvic tilts are one of the best exercises to do in the third trimester. They strengthen the pelvic, abdominal, and back muscles, ease pregnancy discomfort, and help prepare for labor.
You can follow these steps:
- Stand straight with your back against a wall.
- Take a deep breath and press the lower part of your back gently toward the wall.
- Exhale and repeat the movement for about 5 minutes.
Eye Health
The last few weeks of pregnancy may cause your eyes to feel drier or more sensitive. Sunglasses and moisturizing eye drops should be kept close at hand for protection when needed.