Pregnancy calendar - week #38

Pregnant mothers - week #38

To each her own.

Whether you're a new parent, have 2 kids, or operate a baby farm, you know that each parent has his or her own style of parenting. Some opt for shopping 2nd hand, while others only buy boutique products. Some play classical music for their kids in hopes of making them smarter, some prefer the musical stylings of Barney. One thing is for sure though: new parents learn fast. What you think is best in the first months may quickly be substituted for an easier, smarter, or more economical alternative. Just keep in mind that great parents are made, not born. You'll be fine!

If you deliver a baby boy, have you decided whether or not to have him circumcized? According to one stat we found, 56% of all baby boys born in the United States are circumcised. Circumcision in the U.S. is very common, but in other parts of the world (namely Europe, Central and South America), it's not. Many parents base their decisions on religious beliefs, while others consider hygenic, social, or cultural reasons. Whatever your stance, do your research. There are pros and cons for each.

A late pregnancy symptom that you may be experiencing now is nerve related. As baby gets bigger and drops lower into the pelvis, he may be hitting certain nerves. These feel like little electric buzzes and can occur up and down your legs and even in the vagina. What next?!

Baby and fetal development - week #38

Week 38, and you're doing great!

Your week 38 baby is weighing in at 6 pounds, 6 ounces. Do you know how much you weighed when you were born? In this late stage of pregnancy, baby's growth has slowed. In fact, there's not much difference in size between a baby delivered at 38 weeks and one delivered at 41 weeks.

When baby arrives, he will soon have a bowel movement. This first substance is called meconium. Meconium isn't a typical bowel movement because it's composed of many random waste materials. It contains a mix of amniotic fluic, shed intestinal cells, skin cells, lanugo, mucus, and bile. Be prepared for a sticky, tar-like feces that's hard to remove from baby's bottom.

Also in week 38:

• Almost all bones have completely hardened
• In females, labia have completely developed
• In males, testicles have descended to scrotum

When baby arrives, most parents are overwhelmed by the tiny human they created. The first moments with baby will likely involve touching his or her little hands. Baby will naturally grasp on to mom or dad's finger. This reflex is known as ulnar grasp. You'll know it as, 'he's holding my finger!'

Pregnant dads - week #38

Snip, snip!

In the United States and in many other Western cultures, the umbilical cord connecting mother to baby is cut by the father. This is a great way for fathers to be a physical part of the birth and after-birth process. Your doctor or other health care professional will guide you through the steps.