The Mom:
Relaxation techniques can help you alleviate some of the stress and
tension you may be feeling. They can also help you work during labor
by enabling you to work with the contractions instead of against them.
There are two types, physical and mental.
Physical relaxation requires you to find a comfortable position, make
sure your body is completely supported, pillows can help. Close your eyes
and concentrate on tensing and relaxing individual parts of your
body. Start at your toes and work your way gradually up to your head,
then back to your toes again. When you are done, you should feel nice
and loose all over.
Mental relaxation requires deep concentration, so you will need a
quiet room where you can be undisturbed. Once you find a place, make
yourself comfy. Empty your mind and concentrate on your breathing.
Breathe in deeply and hold your breath for a few seconds before
letting it out slowly. Once you have established a steady pattern,
relax your muscles all over, and let your mind float away. It may help
to imagine floating in calm water.
The Baby:
Because she is getting so big, you will probably begin to
notice her movements aren't as vigorous. She is probably
curled up into the fetal position, with her arms and legs
crossed. She weighs about 3 pounds, and is about 16.8
inches long now.
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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.