Third Trimester 1^stTrimester     2^ndTrimester

The baby spends much of his time asleep. Like children and adults, babies have a sleep pattern that includes a "dreaming" stage, when rapid eye movements (REM) can be recorded.

Some 25 percent of babies are lying bottom first at this stage. Most of them turn before the end of pregnancy.

At 31 weeks the average crown to heel length is 15.2 in (38.6 cm) and the average weight is 2.5 lb (1.1 kg).

The legs may be crossed or even curled up on top of the head at times but there is still space for them to be stretched out fully.

The blood in the umbilical cord contains stem cells, which have the ability to develop into specific body cells such as those forming blood, or brain, or muscle tissues.

You may have firm thoughts about what you consider to be the ideal birth experience. However, keep an open mind because many factors can influence where and how your baby is born. There's nothing unusual in a woman changing her mind, even after her labor has actually started. Your health-care team will expect you to ask a lot of questions about childbirth, so take advantage of their experience and expertise.

Excerpted from Pregnancy Day by Day.
Copyright © 2009 Dorling Kindersley Limited.
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