Pregnancy Diary

Archive for the ‘Pregnancy Week By Week’ Category

Your Baby Growth and Development

Now that you are 37 weeks pregnant, your baby is considered full-term! Your baby is anywhere from 19 to 20 inches long and weighs approximately 6.5 pounds. In fact, she will continue to develop body fat and will gain about one half an ounce each day of your pregnancy. You baby is now busy practicing her breathing. She can now respond to light and will turn towards it. She also has a fairly strong grip.

the position that he will be in when you give birth.The position of your baby right now is, At this time, your baby produces cortisone to aid his/her breathing. All of your baby’s organs are fully functional. However, the brain and lungs will continue to grow throughout the next several years of your baby’s life. The oh-so-important immune system is still developing and will continue to do so after birth.

Mom during Pregnancy Calendar Week 37

You may find that your vaginal discharge is heavier now and you will also notice more cervical mucus in your discharge. Symptoms during pregnancy calendar week 37 are similar to those throughout the third trimester of pregnancy. You may be experiencing heartburn, indigestion, headaches, backaches, constipation, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, an itchy abdomen, or occasional dizziness. You may be feeling irritable, excited, absentminded, or impatient.

During your weekly prenatal visit, your healthcare provider will check your cervix for signs of effacement or dilation. He/she may also attempt to estimate your baby’s size and position. If your healthcare provider hasn’t already discussed who to call when you think you are in labor, this information should also be covered.

Common Pregnancy Symptoms in Week 37

• Breast Changes: tenderness, fullness, darkening of the areola
• Frequent Urination
• Constipation
• Heartburn or Indigestion
• Headaches
• Stretch Marks
• Itching
• Round Ligament Pain
• Hemorrhoids

pregnant in week 37 have commonly asked Questions:

What is Effacement, Dilation and Station?

In most pregnancies, at about 37 weeks, your doctor or midwife will begin checking your cervix for effacement, dilation and station. She will then report back to you the results. You may feel very confused. Below are explanations of each stage of your body’s preparation for delivering your baby.Read more…

Is a pregnancy nine months or ten months long?

This is a popular pregnancy debate with many women across message boards and in pregnancy communities today. A pregnancy consists of the first, second and third trimester are known by most people. The definition of a trimester is “A period or term of three months”. If this is the case, why do so many people consider themselves pregnant for ten months?Read more…

Read Previous Week | Next Week

This is a popular pregnancy debate with many women across message boards and in pregnancy communities today. A pregnancy consists of the first, second and third trimester are known by most people. The definition of a trimester is “A period or term of three months”. If this is the case, why do so many people consider themselves pregnant for ten months?

The answer is simple, pregnancies are considered full term at 40 weeks, and many women count four weeks as a month while they are pregnant, making the result a ten month pregnancy. There are actually 4.33 weeks in a month, that a third of a week tends to get lost in the pregnancy shuffle for much of us.To many women, when asked how pregnant they are, to answer in weeks instead of months, because pregnancy is generally a count down. “I am 22 weeks, only 18 weeks to go!”

The Lunar calendar, which is the four weeks it takes for the moon to go from a new moon, to a full moon and back again, would make a pregnancy last for ten months. While those that live by the Gregorian calendar. Neither of these calculations is exactly accurate.
The most common way to figure out your due date is to add nine months and seven days to the start date of your last menstrual period, which would actually be a week before you would have ovulated with a 28-day cycle.

In most pregnancies, at about 37 weeks, your doctor or midwife will begin checking your cervix for effacement, dilation and station. She will then report back to you the results. You may feel very confused. Below are explanations of each stage of your body’s preparation for delivering your baby.

Effacement
As labor nears your cervix begins to shorten and thin out. This action is referred to as effacement. As your cervix begins to efface, the plug keeping the entrance to the uterus sealed is released. This is called your mucus plug and it may contain some blood.It is is generally measured in percentages by doctors and midwives from 0% to 100% which means not effaced at all to completely effaced and thin. When it is completely effaced it becomes a part of the uterine wall, allowing the baby to pass through.

Dilation
Dilation is the process of the mouth of the cervix opening and widening, which allows your baby to pass through. As the cervix dilates, some people describe cramping and pressure, similar to what you would feel during menstruation. If you begin dilating in the second trimester or at a rapid rate before the last month of your pregnancy it can be a sign of premature labor. If this is the case your doctor or midwife will advise you on what to do next.

Station
Station is referring to how far down his head has come into your pelvis. If your baby has dropped, but has not yet settled into your pelvis to begin his decent, it is measured in centimeters as a negative station goes from -3 to -1. Once your baby has settled into your pelvis, but before he starts his descent to the birth canal, it is referred to as a zero (0) station. Once your baby starts heading towards the cervix, it is referred to as a positive station from 1 to 3. During this time it is likely that you will feel an increase of pressure and pain in your pelvic bone and vaginal area.

Your Baby Growth and Development

He/she probably weighs somewhere between 6 and 7 pounds. He/she most likely measures between 19 and 20 inches long. Fat is deposited on the cheeks of your baby this week and powerful sucking muscles also contribute to your baby’s full face. Fat is also dimpling on his/her knees and elbows. Creases are beginning to form on his/her neck and wrists. Most of the lanugo and vernix caseosa will disappear. These substances will be swallowed by your baby and combined with amniotic fluid to form his/her first bowel movement. Most of the bones (soft skull aside) in their little body are now completely hardened, providing a solid structure from which they can now make their grand debut into the world.

The baby drops into the birth canal, readying himself for birth.

Mom during Pregnancy Calendar Week 36

Your appetite may return because the baby is no longer putting as much pressure on your stomach and intestines and, if you’ve been experiencing heartburn, the baby’s descent into the birth canal may somewhat alleviate it. Starting this week, you may begin to see your health care provider every week. Your doctor or midwife may give you an internal exam to determine if cervical effacement (thinning of the cervix) or dilation (opening of the cervix) has begun. It is time to take a tour of the hospital’s birth facilities, putting the final touches on the baby nursery and ensuring that your house is going to be safe for the new addition to the family. Use vinegar to dust instead of Lysol, and if you’re planning on painting the nursery, try to stay away from the industry-standard synthetic mixes.
Your baby could drop into the birth canal now at any moment(also known as lightening). So make sure you have your hospital bags packed and everything is organized for when the magical time comes.

You will most likely notice that your own weight gain slows after pregnancy calendar week 36. Continuing to eat a well-balanced diet will help you maintain your energy level while ensuring your baby’s proper development. You may notice a change in appetite, fatigue, frequent urination, increasing clumsiness, pelvic discomfort, backache, or an itchy abdomen. Some women also have problems with varicose veins, hemorrhoids, insomnia, or bleeding gums. If you have any questions about your pregnancy symptoms, it’s best to discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider.

Common Pregnancy Symptoms in Week 36

• Breast Changes: tenderness, fullness, darkening of the areola
• Frequent Urination
• Constipation
• Heartburn or Indigestion
• Headaches
• Stretch Marks
• Itching
• Round Ligament Pain
• Hemorrhoids

pregnant in week 36 have commonly asked Questions:

Difference between False Labor and Ture Labor?

Many women notice a sudden increase in Braxton Hick Contractions, during pregnancy calendar week 36. These contractionscan sometimes be difficult to distinguish from real labor. However, there are noticeable differences between false labor pains and real labor contractions.Read more…

Simple tips to make labor a little easier!

First of all there are three very honest realities about childbirth that your doctor, mother, grandmother, and maybe even your best friend will probably not tell you.Unless you have an exceptionally carefree attitude about life in general, you will be shocked if and when your water breaks.Unless you have an extraordinary ability to see into the future, you will be scared to death during the first hour or so of labor.Unless you have an extremely high tolerance for pain, you will feel excruciating, seemingly unending waves of pain.Read more…

8 Things Should Known Before Going to Delivery

1. Don’t waste time buying a nice outfit for the hospital. For after women give birth, they bleed,it is much more comfortable in the hospital gown and those undergarments they give you to wear. It is so much easier.Read more…

Read Previous Week | Next Week

1. Don’t waste time buying a nice outfit for the hospital. For after women give birth, they bleed,it is much more comfortable in the hospital gown and those undergarments they give you to wear. It is so much easier.

2. Don’t plan on sleeping while you are in the hospital. Nurses are in and out at all hours. If you’re nursing the baby, they will bring her/him in to nurse, etc. Don’t be annoyed. Their job is to take care of you and your new little gift, let them.

3. You are charged for all the stuff that is under the baby in the hospital bassinet, so take everything you could, including diapers, blankets, nasal aspirator (AKA “The Boogie Sucker”), the water jug, etc.

4. You might be modest before you go into the hospital, but it is a good idea to shed it before you check in. Everyone comes to check your “Belly” every hour or so, no shame left at all! Don’t be embarrassed, they do this everyday.

5. To tell friends not to come to the hospital – you are there such a short time and you need all the sleep and help from the nurses you can get!!!! You’ll have the rest of your lives to show off your new addition.

6. If you are nursing, ask to meet with a lactation nurse. These nurses specialize in making both mommy and baby successful in breast-feeding.

7. Use the nurses for all the knowledge that they have. Nurses do this everyday, all day. Therefore, use them for their knowledge. Ask them to show you how to correctly change the babies diaper, give them a bath and feed them. Even if this is not your first child, get a “refresher” course. If there is something that you forget to ask, call them!

8. Although things can get pretty uncomfortable, it all melts away once you see your baby. All the pain is worth it when you hear your baby’s first cry and hold them for the first time.

First of all there are three very honest realities about childbirth that your doctor, mother, grandmother, and maybe even your best friend will probably not tell you.Unless you have an exceptionally carefree attitude about life in general, you will be shocked if and when your water breaks.Unless you have an extraordinary ability to see into the future, you will be scared to death during the first hour or so of labor.Unless you have an extremely high tolerance for pain, you will feel excruciating, seemingly unending waves of pain.

But if you take the time to consider options to prepare yourself for that big day, you may benefit by being as ready as anyone can possibly be for the consequences of childbirth.The following recommendations valuable for reducing stress for you and your labor partner on the day you deliver your first baby.
Pack your bag to take to the hospital at least a month in advance. For Nobody can positively predict your exact due date and your baby is actually the person who decides when your delivery will occur.
Make a checklist for what you want to take: a mirror and your makeup bag, two or three nightgowns, a hair brush and hair dryer, an outfit to wear home from the hospital, Have a list of phone numbers of the people you can call anytime of the day or night for help.
Don’t worry about what other people will think about your dripping drawers when you get to the hospital. You’re about to deliver a baby -you’re not supposed to look calm, classy, elegant or graceful! Just concentrate on getting to the hospital safely. Do try to maintain your focus. Do try to preserve your precious energy (You will need it especially if you happen to be one of those poor souls whose pregnancy just won’t end and your labor lasts for longer than a day or two) Do listen to what your doctor and nurses tell you. Do listen to what your body is saying. Do listen to what your labor partner is commanding you to do. And finally trust your gut instincts, your doctor’s words of wisdom, your partner’s suggestions to soothe you and your ears when you hear the sound of your baby’s first cry announcing his official arrival into this world.

Believe your life will never be the same from this day on. Your new job as a mommy will be the most rewarding, most exhausting, and most challenging career of your life. Nothing in the universe can begin to compete with the passion, love, and wonder you’ll experience as you watch this tiny person grow and you feel like he’s really your own heart and soul with little arms and legs.

Many women notice a sudden increase in Braxton Hick Contractions, during pregnancy calendar week 36. These contractionscan sometimes be difficult to distinguish from real labor. However, there are noticeable differences between false labor pains and real labor contractions.

Real contractions are consistent, false labor contractions are irregular. There is no noticeable pattern between false labor contractions and the contractions can be felt in the back, pelvis, and lower abdomen. You may notice that your baby’s movements seem to intensify during these contractions. While in most cases, false labor contractions will subside if you move around or change positions. If you’re not sure if these are real contractions, drink some water, and lay down for a while.

Real labor contractions begin at the top of your uterus and spread through your lower back and into the pelvis. They become stronger and more frequent as time passes. While changing position may temporarily take away some of the pain, real labor contractions will continue to progress. It is often accompanied by diarrhea in the beginning of labor.

Most of the time during pregnancy, nature will take its course and your baby will eventually turn to where he is head down and waiting to drop into the pelvis and make his descent into the world. Occasionally however, a baby will remain in the head up position where his head is near your ribs and his butt is at the top of your pelvis. This is called breech presentation, often referred to simply as your baby being breech.

It can happen with twins or other pregnancies with multiplesas there isn’t enough room in the uterus all the time for the babies to flip around. It can also happen if there is a smaller than normal amount of amniotic fluid, a short umbilical cord, or other uterine abnormalities. If your baby has a congenital defect he is more likely to be breech as well.

Premature babies are more likely to be breech as they have not had enough time to turn around. At 28 weeks of pregnancy 25% of babies are still in the breech position while less than 5% of babies are breech when a full term labor begins. They include actually four different versions of breech presentation in babies:

• Frank Breech where your baby comes out bottom first and the feet are up by your babies ears, the most common way a breech baby will be presented.
• Complete Breech where your baby is sitting cross-legged and comes out bottom first
• Footling Breech where your baby’s bottom is higher in the uterus, but his feet are at the opening of the pelvic bone, set to come out first
• Kneeling Breech where your baby is in a kneeling position at the top of the pelvic bone. Both the Footling Breech and the Kneeling Breech are very rare positions.

If the baby cannot be turned, or the couple chooses to not try turning the baby, then a c-section will often be scheduled in order to deliver a breech baby. There are risks to delivering a full term breech baby, Including a prolapsed umbilical cord, oxygen deprivation, the baby’s head getting stuck since the bottom is softer and may not dilate the cervix as much as it should, as well as possible injury to the baby’s brain and skull. Because of these risks, doctors will generally not agree to do vaginal breech births, and will instead insist on delivering the baby by c-section as it is safer for both the mother and the baby.

At the end of this month you will be holding your precious baby in your arms. But are you ready for all that labor and delivery will bring?You have probably had at least one baby shower. Before you bring the baby home there are severalessentials that you want to make sure you have waiting for you:

Infant/Convertible Car Seat:If you have your baby in a hospital then you will not be allowed to leave the hospital without having your newborn secured in a car seat. There are two types of car seats you can buy for your baby. One is an infant car seat that specifically designed to hold babies up to approximately 22 pounds and 26 inches, and being portable so you do not have to disturb a sleeping baby to get him out of a car. They are also convenient because you can strap your baby in while in the house and then just lock the car seat in the base. The other type of car seat you might buy is a convertible car seat. This kind stays in your car all the time, but is designed to face backwards until your babies first birthday, and then sit forwards until your baby is about 40 pounds. Some convertible car seats can hold your baby till they are about 60 pounds.
Supplies: So that you do not have to run to the store immediately. Make sure you have plenty of diapers, diaper rash ointment, baby powder, diaper wipes, wash cloths, scratch mitts, and gowns for your baby to sleep in, for you will be tired upon arriving home from the hospital so having the supplies close at hand will help save time and save your energy.
A Place for Baby to Sleep: You may choose to co-sleep with your baby in your bed. If so you might want to buy a sleep positioner to help keep your baby safe. Other choices for sleeping arrangements include a crib, a bassinet or a travel yard. Bassinets are designed to keep your baby close by you and can often be moved throughout the house. The majority of babies are placed in a crib at some point, whether it is when they are first brought home, or when they outgrow a bassinet.
Baby Bath Tub: Newborns are too small to be placed in your bath tub and they will need support to keep from falling over. If you choose to use the kitchen sink, you will want an infant bather to set the baby in, so that your baby doesn’t fall over. There are several different types of baby bath tubs normally ranging between $10 to $40.

Cesareans are performed if the mother suffers from kidney disease, a respiratory disorder, or another condition which would make a vaginal birth difficult. Often necessary for babies to safely make their way into the world. In the event of fetal distress, a prolapsed umbilical cord, a ruptured uterus, or other complications, a cesarean is often the best choice for a safe delivery. often necessary for babies to safely make their way into the world. In the event of fetal distress, a prolapsed umbilical cord, a ruptured uterus, or other complications, a cesarean is often the best choice for a safe delivery.

While most women won’t know if a cesarean is necessary until they are in labor, some cesarean births are scheduled in advance. If your healthcare provider recommends a scheduled cesarean, ask for an explanation and any available alternatives to a surgical delivery. However, many experts are concerned about the recent rise in cesarean births. In the United States, over 25 percent of babies are born via cesarean. While a large portion of these cesareans were medically necessary, others were performed largely for convenience or to protect against possible malpractice lawsuits.

Most Cesarean Births women will require a three to four day hospital stay and have a longer recovery time for for a vaginal birth. Cesarean infants usually have a more pleasant appearance, since their heads haven’t been pushed through the pelvis. Apagar scores measuring an infant’s condition after birth are similar for both cesarean and vaginal births.