Pregnancy calendar - week #36

Pregnant mothers - week #36

Should I just sleep in the bathroom?

Just when you thought things couldn't get any larger and more crowded, something happens. Around week 36, you may experience lightening, when the baby drops down into the pelvis, in preparation for her birthday exit. This will give your stomach a little break, and will also allow you to breath easier--both much needed, for sure! Unfortunately, with the pro comes a con. The 'dropping' baby essentially 'lands' right on your bladder. That's right, more pee breaks for you.

Starting now, you'll start seeing your doctor every week. While continuing to check growth and development, your doctor is also likely to administer a group B streptococcus test (gbs.) This screening detects the presence of bacteria that can cause birth defects.

Your doctor might also check to see if any effacement or dilation has occured. If so, your body is prepping for labor!

As pregnancy seemingly lingers (and lingers and lingers!) you may be hoping for an early delivery. Starting in week 37, your pregnancy is considered full term. Since the due date is at best an estimate, baby's birthday is anyone's guess at this point. Most deliveries actually occur after the due date, and very few women deliver on the due date. Do you have a certain date in your mind?

Baby and fetal development - week #36

Retractable roof.

Baby weighs about 6 pounds now. This is very close to the average weight of a newborn, 7.5 pounds. It's getting close!

Baby's scull, in pregnancy and in the first months, is unfused. The plates of a baby's skull are pliable, allowing easy passage through the birth canal. Newborns have soft spots on their heads that eventually mold together. Often times babies' heads are pointy or cone-shaped after birth. This usually passes in a few hours or days, when the shape assumes a rounded position. In some instances, special helmets or headbands are adminstered by a doctor, if the skull is not assuming a regular shape on it's own.

At this point, baby's liver is almost completely formed, and is already processing waste.

Pregnant dads - week #36

Were we supposed to be taking notes?

If you've been attending childbirth and prenatal classes, you're somewhat aware of what your duty is during delivery (hope you paid attention!) If you're planning on being there for mom (which we definitely recommend) it's a good time to review what's expected of you. Yeahbaby.com's packing for the hospital checklist is a great place to start.