Your provider will start measuring your belly from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus to check your fundal height. This measurement usually matches your number of weeks of pregnancy plus or minus 3 centimeters.

Your provider will again listen to your baby's heartbeat using a fetal doppler and will ask you about fetal movement.

During the 6th month, your baby will grow from the size of a spaghetti squash to the size of a cucumber.

Now your baby's face is fully formed, and your baby may weigh about 2 pounds.

Your OB provider may have you get this blood work at a lab before your 28-week prenatal visit, unless they are able to do this test in their office.

Although fasting is not usually required for this test, you should avoid any foods or beverages high in sugar or carbohydrates. Many OB providers recommend trying to eat a protein-rich breakfast before going in for this test. Eggs or low sugar nut butters are good choices.

In addition, you will have blood drawn for a complete blood count to screen for anemia and a repeat antibody screen if you were Rh negative.

It's important to check the temperature of your mood and emotional well-being both before and after childbirth.

Pregnancy and the birthing process can contribute to a weakened pelvic floor which can lead to problems such as urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, overactive bladder, and pelvic organ prolapse.

Kegels are simple contraction exercises for a woman’s pelvic floor that can prevent and cure conditions caused by weak pelvic floor muscles.

Contracting the pelvic floor muscles in a Kegel exercise is the same action as starting to urinate and then stopping while making sure the buttocks, thighs, and abdomen remain relaxed. If done correctly, you will feel the muscles in the vagina, anus, and bladder tighten and lift upward.

Squeeze and hold for 5 seconds and then relax for 5 seconds. Try to do at least 3 sets of 10 Kegels, at least 3 times a day.

Cord blood is the blood that is left in the umbilical cord and placenta after your baby is born. It contains special stem cells that can be used to treat more than 70 types of diseases, including diseases of the immune system, genetic disorders, neurologic disorders, and some forms of cancer, including leukemia and lymphoma.

If you decide to bank your baby's cord blood, plan ahead by obtaining the collection kit from the bank in advance and notify your doctor and hospital.