Pregnancy calendar - week #37

Pregnant mothers - week #37

Term!

Congratulations, your pregnancy is now considered term! In most situations, nothing would be done to stop labor right now. That's much needed encouragement, as your big belly, achy back, and fatigue make you feel like a beached whale. We encourage you to stay strong; things will happen so fast that you'll soon forget these last glorious weeks of pregnancy.

Now that there's light at the end of that long, long tunnel, it's a good time to try to get some extra rest and down-time. Go to a movie. Order in food. Listen to some relaxing music while taking a warm bath. Take it easy!

Now is a great time to prepare for an easy transition from hospital to home after baby arrives. Here are some great ideas for making this transition as easy as possible:

• Prepare meals and freeze for easy preparation.
• Go grocery shopping. Buy more than you usually do, so you don't have to worry about making a trip when you're busy at home.
• Make final preparations on baby's nursery. Wash bedding, blankets, and clothing. It's good to make sure these are clean, as they may have been handled by many people in the store.
• Stock up on health & beauty items like soap, shampoo, sanitary pads, and toothpaste.
• If you have other children or pets, make arrangements for their care.
• Install a car seat.
• Pack your hospital bag.

These last weeks of pregnancy are trying for your body. You're carrying around between 25 and 30 extra pounds, and you're likely gaining some extra muscle in your body as a result. If you're incorporating activity and exercise into your already hectic schedule, you'll likely come out of labor and delivery an energetic and healthy mother.

You may be effacing now, which is a great indicator that labor is coming soon. Your mucous plug may also break soon, discharging what is known as 'bloody show' because the substance is often tinged with blood. The writing is on the wall--you're getting close!

Since you're so close, it's important that you recognize the difference between prelabor and labor-labor (real labor.) Prelabor is characterized by contractions that:

• Happen sporadically
• Don't become stronger
• Produce little or no pain
• Can become less intense by moving, walking, or allieving pain on your own

On the flip side, real labor is characterized by:

• Regular contractions following a pattern
• Progressive contractions that become stronger and closer together
• Contractions that vary in type of pain and discomfort
• Contractions that don't change by lying down or changing position
• Contractions that may intensify by walking

Many first-time mothers worry that they won't be able to tell when it's 'time.' Their concern is certainly warranted, but as a rule, when it really happens, there's no mistaking it.

Baby and fetal development - week #37

Remember when...?

Before baby arrives, remember to take time to bask in your last days of pregnancy. Remember your baby's kicks, touch and feel your glorious belly, and talk to your baby. As trying as pregnancy can be, you will always cherish these moments.

In week 37 and beyond, baby's main task is gaining weight. She will continue to gain about a half an ounce a day until birth. How much do you think your baby will weigh?

Pregnant dads - week #37

Buckle up daddy!

Placenta. Amniotic fluid. Prelabor. Fetus. By now, you probably know what all these pregnancy terms mean. Are you surprised? As a father who's been supportive of your partner throughout her pregnancy, you should be very proud. You'll be a great dad. Continue to show her your love throughout the next weeks, because she's going to need it. You are and have always been half of the equation, and now's the time to really show it.