WEEK 2 You have missed a period, do a pregnancy test. If positive and if not already taking Folic Acid 400mcg daily start now. Stop smoking and alcohol intake.
WEEK 6 You may feel pregnant now, breast tingling and tenderness. You may go off certain foods and have a metallic taste in the mouth. Your bladder will need emptying more frequently. Visit your doctor for the first appointment.
WEEK 8 Nausea and vomiting (morning sickness) may peak at this time due to raised hormonal levels. Try and eat small frequent snacks to keep your blood sugar level up. Your baby now measures 25 mm in length.
WEEK 12 Sickness should be subsiding now (not everyone suffers from morning sickness) you should have your first scan by week 12. Usually your blood tests are taken by now. You can stop taking folic acid at the end of week 12. Your baby now is 7.5 cm in length and weighs 18 grams.
WEEK 16 You now should have received all your blood results, it is important for the pregnant woman to know her blood group. Constipation may be a problem, increase your fluid, fruits and fibre intake. Your baby now measures 16cm and weighs 135 grams.
WEEK 20 This is an exciting mid-way point. You will have an anomaly scan at around 20 weeks. This scan is important as it is looking in detail at the development of your baby’s vital organs. You may also discover the sex of your baby- if he is accommodating! You will look pregnant now and probably feel in very good health. Some women report feeling their baby move at 20 weeks, however, it may be 22 weeks before you are aware of “flutters” in your tummy.
WEEK 24 If you are working in Spain now is the time to ask your Doctor for your maternity certificate. Women are entitled to 16 weeks Maternity leave and the amount of benefit you are paid will depend on your social security contributions. Heartburn may be problematic, due to the hormonal influences on the digestive system, ask your midwife for advice. Your baby has grown a lot- 33cm long and weighs 570 grams. You will feel your baby move every day.
WEEK 28 Your 28 week check-up may entail a further scan to check your baby’s growth .A second lot of blood tests will be carried out to ensure you are not suffering from anaemia (low iron) and also a glucose challenge to rule out gestational diabetes. You may be experiencing some discomfort in your abdomen as the womb is growing so much the broad ligaments in the uterus are stretching and this is completely normal.
WEEK 32 You should be starting your parenting education classes, these classes are vital preparation both physically and Emotionally for the birth. The Centro de Salud run an excellent programme of classes which you will be automatically booked in for, however, they are in Spanish, so to benefit from these classes, your Spanish needs to be at a high level. Otherwise you can book classes in english privately- via myself or if you prefer N.C.T, classes contact Cherrl Kennel 679140204.Cherrl lives in Comares and is an Antenatal Teacher.
WEEK 34 Most women who are working, may discontinue at this stage. it is not advisable to work past week 36. Now is the time to focus on exercises including pelvic floor exercises which you have learned in class. Ensure your diet is nutritious and you are resting plenty. Ensure your baby has a minimum of 10 kicks a day. if you have any concerns about your baby’s movements contact your midwife or doctor.
WEEK 36 Make sure you have your bag packed for the hospital. If you are planning a homebirth the midwife will make a home visit and a preparation list will be given. You may wish to hire a tens machine for pain relief for the birth, ask your midwife. It’s a good idea to make a birth plan, one copy in English and another in Spanish. Most women suffer discomfort at night, with some pain in the hips, tossing and turning from side to side. Another disturbance during the night is the frequent Need to empty the bladder. You may start to feel Braxton Hicks contractions, these are not painful, and women describe them as a tightening or a gripping sensation in the abdomen/back passage. Not every woman will feel these. Your baby’s head will start to descend into the pelvis. Your baby now weighs approx. 2.5 kilos.
WEEK 38 If you are planning a Hospital birth, you will have an Appointment to attend the labour ward (parto) for Monitoring of the baby. Every woman has her baby monitored for about 20 minutes, to assess the baby’s heart pattern. You also will be seen by the Gynae and you will be subjected to an internal examination and a swab will be taken from the cervix to check for any Infection/bacteria. Ensure you are walking daily and having plenty of fresh air.
WEEK 40 You will have another appointment to attend the Hospital for another session of monitoring. Women, who are giving birth at home, require an antenatal check usually in the home. Ensure your baby is kicking 10 times a day. The majority of babies come late, so keep yourself busy to take your mind of things. You may be hungry at this stage as your baby is putting on brown fat. You may have a show, which is a mucous plug covering the cervix (neck of the womb).This is a very early sign and labour may not start for another few days. When the contractions start, keep a record of their frequency and duration. Make sure you have someone with you for company. Suddenly your waters may break, without feeling any Contractions at all. The waters should be clear, contact your midwife or the Hospital.
WEEK 41 Don’t worry if your baby is late, your baby will decide when He is ready to come. Your midwife will carry out a 41 week check to ensure that both the mother and baby are in good health. The Hospital will recall you for further monitoring and most likely give you a date for induction of labour. For women who are opposed to the idea of being induced, there are other alternatives- your midwife can do an internal Examination and carry out a sweep of the membranes, to stimulate Contractions. Other alternatives include reflexology and acupuncture. Some women will continue their pregnancies to week 42, providing their babies are moving well and the mother is feeling well, this is normal.
