Natural Childbirth is when you go through labor and birth without any medical procedures that intefere with the natural process of labor. This would include medications and fetal monitoring. If your provider wants to monitor the baby, and you don't want contanst fetal monitoring, ask if it's ok to only have monitoring every hour for 15 minutes or so. Find out if you will be able to walk about, and change positions. Keeping mobile helps contractions to be more effective. Being upright helps the baby rotate into the best postion for birth, and gravity helps with descent.

If you choose to have pain killers, such as Stadol, Demerol or an epidural, you will need to be monitored more closely.

If you need a Caesarean, a spinal or epidural is usually given for the anesthetic. This allows you to be awake for the delivery. You will usually be able to hold your baby right after delivery. Most Caesarean deliveries require a hospital stay of 3-5 days.

SYMPTOMS YOU MAY EXPERIENCE

• Breast Changes, tenderness, fullness, darkening of the areola
• Frequent Urination
• Constipation
• Indigestion or heartburn
• Occasional headaches
• Stretch Marks (cocoa butter can help with these)
• Itching
• Round ligament pains
• Hemorrhoids

The Baby:
Babies begin practicing sucking this week. In fact, some babies may even suck their thumbs or fists. Usually by this week, your baby will be opening his eyes. He can see light through your abdomen. He's about 14.25 inches long and weighs almost 2 pounds.

Ultrasounds and Pictures:

Third Trimester Ultrasound Pictures Third Trimester Belly Pictures

For More Information:

Third Trimester Childbirth Natural Childbirth Pain Relief in Labor Staydol Epidural C-section

Recommended Reading:

Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way The Birth Book : Everything You Need to Know to Have a Safe and Satisfying Birth

Pregnancy Week by Week:
Pregnancy Weeks 1 to 4 Pregnancy Week 5 Pregnancy Week 6 Pregnancy Week 7 Pregnancy Week 8 Pregnancy Week 9 Pregnancy Week 10 Pregnancy Week 11 Pregnancy Week 12 Pregnancy Week 13 Pregnancy Week 14 Pregnancy Week 15 Pregnancy Week 16	Pregnancy Week 17 Pregnancy Week 18 Pregnancy Week 19 Pregnancy Week 20 Pregnancy Week 21 Pregnancy Week 22 Pregnancy Week 23 Pregnancy Week 24 Pregnancy Week 25 Pregnancy Week 26 Pregnancy Week 27 Pregnancy Week 28	Pregnancy Week 29 Pregnancy Week 30 Pregnancy Week 31 Pregnancy Week 32 Pregnancy Week 33 Pregnancy Week 34 Pregnancy Week 35 Pregnancy Week 36 Pregnancy Week 37 Pregnancy Week 38 Pregnancy Week 39 Pregnancy Week 40

Each pregnancy, expectant mother, and unborn child is different. Your pregnancy may not progress the same as the information found here. The information here is based on the average pregnancy. It's not meant to be a replacement for any advice your may receive from your doctor. If you have any concerns about your pregnancy, we advise you to contact your doctor.