The Gift of Life

Your baby is still putting on weight — about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds and is a little less than 19 inches long. She’s shedding most of the downy hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the creamy substance that has protected her skin during its submersion in amniotic fluid. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, and they’ll stay in her bowels until birth. This blackish mixture, called meconium, will become her first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Babies born between 37 and 42 weeks are considered full-term; a baby born before 37 weeks is pre-term and after 42 weeks is post-term.) Most likely she’s in a head-down position by now, which is optimal for a smooth delivery, but if she isn’t head-down next week, your provider may suggest scheduling an “external cephalic version,” which is a fancy way of saying she’ll try to turn your baby manually, by pushing her from the outside of your belly.

You may begin to feel an increased pressure in your lower abdomen and notice that your baby is gradually dropping. This is called lightening or engagement, and your lungs and stomach will finally get a chance to stretch out a little — breathing and eating should become easier. However, walking may become increasingly uncomfortable — some women say it feels as if the baby is going to fall out. Also, you may still feel as if you need to go to the loo all the time. Stock up on those last minute nutrients.

Source: BabyCenter

Ugh! This belly of mine is getting pretty heavy by the day. I’ve been experiencing backaches more frequently these days and I often find that my feet are killing me by night time. It certainly helps a lot that J massages the aches away. Sleeping is also a challenge (which is something that isn’t new really). My dreams are now all about giving birth even in the most weirdest of scenarios.

I have gained a couple of pounds this past week. I presently weigh 62 kilos and my waist is 41 inches thick! I feel as if I’m about to burst any moment now. My fears about labor and giving birth though have actually lessened and am much more excited to see our baby. It’s all just a matter of time now.