Pregnancy Week By Week (Week 34)

Week 34 Fetus

Must-ask Questions this Week (Week 34)

What are the benefits of breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding offers a number of benefits to both the mother and baby. It is recommended that babies be breastfed exclusively for at least 6 months of its life. Breast milk contains antibodies, hormones that protect the infant against a host of problems namely SIDS, gastrointestinal infections, UTI, respiratory infections, middle ear infections, food allergies, eczema, tooth decay, pneumonia and meningitis. It also helps to promote normal development of the facial and jaw muscles. It is good for mothers too; breastfeeding triggers the release of oxytocin, the hormone that helps the uterus contract to prepregnancy size. It also promotes weight loss since 500 or more calories are required for this activity per day. It also has far reaching benefits to the mother as women who breastfeed are less likely to develop premenopausal breast cancer, ovarian cancer or osteoporosis. Other favorable points include:


• Breastfeeding is convenient: no bottles to prepare at odd hours, no teats to sterilize. You can feed your baby anywhere, anytime

• Breastfeeding is inexpensive: it is practically free. Other than packing in extra calories, you would need breast pads and a breast pump

• Breast milk is designed specially for baby: it contains the right balance of nutrients such as proteins, fats and carbohydrates for your baby

• Breast milk promotes bonding: this isn't to say that you cant feel close to baby through bottle feeding. It is just that skin contact and having your baby tucked against your breast creates a more intimate feeling

Having said that, breastfeeding isn't the choice for every mother, and you shouldn't allow anyone to make you feel like a second class mother because of your choice. Finally you have a choice of doing both; you may choose to do both if time or circumstance prevents you from breastfeeding exclusively although there is the risk of baby preferring the bottle as it is the easier way out. Nevertheless any amount of breast milk is better than none.









What is the expert view on circumcision?

This surgical procedure involves the removal of the foreskin or the sheath of tissue covering the penis head. It is becoming a common procedure on males. Here are the pros and cons from a medical standpoint.

Pros:

• Circumcised males are one tenth as likely to experience UTI as their non-circumcised counterparts

• Circumcised men are less likely to pick up sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis, genital herpes, genital warts and AIDS

• Males who are circumcised as babies almost never develop penile cancer and are unlikely to experience problems with phimosis or the inability to retract the foreskin by the age of five

• Circumcision prevents the emergency situation (paraphimosis) that occurs if the foreskin gets stuck when it is first retracted

• It is easier to practice good hygiene on a circumcised rather than uncircumcised penis

• Circumcision in infanthood is less expensive and risky as compared to adulthood

Cons:

• It is a painful procedure, a rather stressful event for the newborn

• Complications, mainly bleeding, occur in about 1 in a 1000 cases. It is not recommended for a baby who is unwell, who is premature or has any sort of penile abnormality

• It is not a necessary procedure; with proper hygiene and safe sexual habits phimosis, paraphimosis, penile cancer, STDs and other health problems associated with the uncircumcised penis can be prevented

• Some opine that circumcision results in decreased sexual pleasure for the male person and that the procedure amounts to genital mutilation

Some Basic Pointers (Week 34)

Incompetent Cervix

In normal situations the cervix remains closed so that the fetus remains in the uterus and doesn't fall into the vagina. If the end of the cervix canal is open, it is described as an incompetent cervix. The most usual causes of such a condition are either late surgical termination of pregnancy (after 12 weeks) or cone biopsy of the cervix; both damage the muscle fibers that hold the cervix closed. This problem remains hidden until the first miscarriage occurs. The cervical canal starts to open around 14 weeks and at 20 weeks it is dilated to about 2.5cm (1 inch). There is usually a sudden loss of water, followed by a miscarriage with a little pain. A special stitch is inserted around the cervix to tighten it and is usually performed before or during the next pregnancy under a general anesthetic. This procedure is called a Shirodkar or purse string suture. it has a high success rate and most pregnancies proceed normally. Around 36-38 weeks the stitch is removed, with labor following shortly either naturally or through induction but some pregnancies do go to term.

The last few weeks of pregnancy: week 34

• You will have started antenatal classes

• Make sure you have an adequate night's rest and two hours of nap in the afternoon

• Exercise 3 times a week to suit you

• Visualize your baby and communicate positive thoughts

• Eat iron rich foods

Your Nutrition (Week 34)

Omega-3 Fatty Acids in a Gist

Omega 3 fatty acids are vital to your diet now. They are important to your baby's proper visual and neurological development. Secondly, through a biochemical mechanism, they impede the formation of factors that can lead to premature labor. And finally they protect your own brainpower. During pregnancy the mother's blood level of these fatty acids drops considerably - studies indicate that in the final trimester the mother's brain shrinks by 3% thus explaining the memory loss. These three factors demonstrate the importance of sufficient omega 3 fatty acids in your diet. Best sources are coldwater fish, flax seed, olive and canola oils. Work on getting 1000mg of these fatty acids per day. Here is how:

Have tuna sandwich or salad for a meal. A 3oz serving of tuna provides 500mg of omega-3

• Choose salmon or mackerel for a meal

• Add an extra dash of olive oil to your salad dressing

• Use olive oil instead of margarine to your bread

• Sauté poultry and vegetables in canola or safflower oil instead of butter or other types of oil

At a Glance

Omega-3 fatty acid (the more advantageous version of fatty acids) also called linolenic acid can be found in All fish and seafood

• Egg yolks

• Leaves and seeds of many plants

• Soybeans

• Nuts

• Oils such as canola, flaxseed, olive, and walnut

Omega-6 fatty acid (the less beneficial version of fatty acids) also called linoleic acid can be found in

• Nuts including walnuts, peanuts and almonds

• Seeds such as sunflower seeds

• Oils such as corn, safflower, sunflower and soybean