Your baby is now 8¾ inches long and weighs about 1½ pounds. From her face to her feet, she truly looks like a fully formed child. She's still small and thin, but her body is well-proportioned.

While her lungs are still weak and immature, all of her other vital organs are ready for prime time. Her heart is strong, and her brain is buzzing. She can curl her fingers into a fist, and she continues to touch her face, the umbilical cord, and everything else within reach. She's even starting to get permanent teeth, although you won't be able to see them for another six years.

Your belly is really starting to bulge, and you may be feeling more uncomfortable than you were before. Your back may ache, and you may have trouble getting enough sleep, especially if your baby thinks 3 a.m. is the perfect time to try out for the Ziegfeld Follies.

Here are some tips to help get your much-needed sleep:

•Stay physically active during the day.

•Sleep on your left side. (This is good for both comfort and circulation.)

•Try putting a pillow between your legs and another one under your abdomen.

•Ask your partner to rub your back or neck before bedtime.

•Listen to soothing music at bedtime.

•Grab an afternoon nap.

If you still can't get enough sleep, talk to your doctor about other options.

-- Chris Woolston, M.S., a health and medical writer with a master's degree in biology, is a contributing editor at Consumer Health Interactive. He was a staff writer at Hippocrates magazine and has also covered science issues for Time Inc. Health and the Chronicle of Higher Education.

References

First published September 12, 2005
Last updated March 6, 2008
Copyright © 2005 Consumer Health Interactive

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