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Only a few weeks left: our baby is gaining strength – and so are we! – for the big day! Last preparations, last exams: childbirth is fast approaching.
Our 35th week of pregnancy: we start the 9th and last month with baby in the womb
Baby weighs approximately 2 kg, and measures approximately 400 cm from head to heels. It loses its wrinkled appearance. The lanugo, this fine down that covered his body, gradually disappears. Baby start its descent into the basin, which allows us to be a little less breathless. The placenta alone weighs 500 grams, with a diameter of 20 cm.
How much weight does a baby gain at the end of pregnancy?
On average, baby will take the latter 200 additional grams every week. By birth, his intestines store what he has been able to digest, which will be rejected after birth. These surprising saddles – meconium – may surprise but are quite normal!
Can we give birth at the beginning of the 9th month?
We can feel tightness in the pelvis, due to the relaxation of the joints. We take patience, the term approaches and from the ninth month, the baby is no longer considered premature: we can give birth at any time!
Our 36th week of pregnancy: various symptoms, nausea and severe fatigue
At this stage, the lanugo has completely disappeared, and our baby is a beautiful child weighing 2 kg for 650 cm from head to heels. He move less, for lack of space, and patiently finishes its intrauterine growth. His respiratory system becomes functional and baby even trains breathing movements!
How to sleep at 9 months pregnant?
Our backs can hurt us, sometimes a lot, due toincreased weight on the front of the body : our spine is all the more affected. Our baby press on our bladder and we’ve never spent so much time in the little corner! We can also become a little awkward, because of the change in center of gravity to which we are not yet used. Putting on our socks becomes an achievement: we try to remain patient and kind to ourselves – despite our mood swings due to hormones – during these last trying weeks! To sleep, health professionals advise lying down on our left side, and you can use a nursing pillow to find a more comfortable position.
Our 37th week of pregnancy: the last prenatal check-up
Baby stand head down, arms folded over chest. He weighs on average 2 kg, for 900 cm from head to heels. He doesn’t move much anymore, but keeps kicking and nudging us! The vernix caseosa that covers the skin begins to peel off. If we must have had a strapping, we’ll do the strapping this week. It’s also time to do our last compulsory prenatal examination, the seventh. Our suitcase with the necessary for maternity is ready, and we are also ready to leave at any time!
Non-exhaustive list of what may be useful to us in the maternity ward : things to take care of (music, reading, phone with charger, etc.), snacking and drinking (especially change for a little warmer drinks!), our important papers, a toilet bag for us and for babies, what to dress baby (bodysuits, hat, pajamas, socks, sleeping bag, bibs, bath cape, outfit and blanket for discharge from the hospital) and us (t-shirt and shirts more practical if we are breastfeeding, sprayer, vests, slippers , underwear and towels, socks, scrunchies …) but also if you wish, a camera for example!
The inconveniences of pregnancy have not yet disappeared: we are still juggling heaviness, back pain, swollen legs and ankles, constipation and hemorrhoids, acid reflux, sleep disorders… Courage, only a few more days!
Our 38th week of pregnancy: end of pregnancy and contractions!
Childbirth is very close, at 38 weeks, the baby is considered to be full term and can be born safely at any time! The body prepares itself with physiological contractions in particular, but also a neck which begins to soften, articulations of the pelvis which relax, tense breasts… One can either feel extremely tired, or be in a frenetic state!
What are the signs of a near delivery?
We don’t run to the maternity ward if we just feel a few contractions, but we go if they are regular and / or painful. And if we lose our waters, we also leave, but without hurrying if it’s a first baby and there are no contractions.
At birth, baby weighs on average 3 kg for 300 cm. Be careful, these are only averages, nothing serious if the baby’s weight and height do not meet these criteria!