Pregnancy calendar - week #32

Pregnant mothers - week #32

Nesting: not just for the birds!

The pregnancy train is making it's way closer and closer to the final destination. If your pregnancy goes the full 40 weeks, you're looking at another 2 months. But if you go into delivery in week 37, 38, or 39, health care professionals usually won't do anything to stop it. That means your baby could be coming very, very soon!

A lot of women, especially those in their first pregnancy, are confused as to how they're supposed to recognize the signs of labor. Here are a few ways:

• Lightening, dropping, or engagement. This occurs when the baby settles deeper into your pelvis. This occurs near the end of pregnancy, but may happen weeks before labor and delivery.
• Effacement. Effacement is the thining of the cervix. You won't be able to feel effacement, but your doctor will be able to check for signs. The cervix needs to be 100% effaced before a vaginal birth can occur.
• Dilation. The opening of the cervix. Once the cervix is open to 10 centimeters, you're fully dilated.
• Bloody show. When the mucus plug (the thing that protects bacteria from entering the uterus during pregnancy) is discharged (due to dilation of the cervix) you might notice a discharge from the vagina, sometimes tinged with blood. This is called 'bloody show' and usually indicates that labor is near.
• Water breaking. The breaking or leaking of the amniotic sac. This can occur as a gush or slow trickling of fluid.
• Contractions. When Braxton Hicks contractions are replaced by real contractions, labor is starting.

You may also notice that you have a strong urge to clean, organize and prepare your abode for baby: You're disinfecting everything from light switches to door knobs; you're scrubbing the bathtub with a toothbrush; you're spending hours organizing every aspect of baby's nursery.

If you find yourself doing this, you may be experiencing 'nesting.' This preparatory activity is just your instincts kicking in again, and happens to females of most species. Nesting usually starts around the 5th month, but sometimes experiencing these symptoms close to week 40 is sign of labor. So if you get the sudden urge to disinfect every pen and pencil in the house, labor could be on the way!

If you're planning on a home birth, it's a good idea to strategize a backup plan now. Check with a local hospital or birthing center to secure registration there. Many successful births occur at home with assistance from a midwife or other support person, but having a backup plan will provide peace of mind if something unexpected happens.

With your pregnancy symptoms still going strong, it's important to relax and have some time to yourself or with your partner. Check out our list of great pregnancy activities

Baby and fetal development - week #32

Growing, and growing...

If humans gained weight as steadily as a fetus does in the last weeks of pregnancy, we'd all be huge! Baby's up to 3 pounds, 12 ounces this week. Expect more weight to come!

Babies that are born preterm often have difficulty suckling and nursing. A premature baby's suck is usually weaker than a term baby, and as a result, breastfeeding can take a long time. Preemies need to take breaks during breastfeeding, as they get tired easily.

Pregnant dads - week #32

Time off = time well spent.

It's important to talk to your employer about any paternity leave or other benefits that you may have coming to you. There is even a growing number of companies that offer paid time off to new fathers. Take advantage of all that you could be getting! Check out this Yeahbaby feature on paternity leave for men for more information.