The Baby Your baby is completely ready to be born, except for his lungs which will not mature until at least week 38. Even slow growers are now heavy enough to endure the birth without problems. Your little one is now over 6 pounds (2900 grams) and almost a foot and a half long (45 centimeters). There can be differences in length and weight, because how tall and how heavy he will be eventually also has to do with the functioning of the placenta, the size of your uterus and a bit of heredity. A big mother and father have a greater chance of having a big child.Your child's skin is still covered in vernix: a white, slippery layer that protects him from all of that amniotic fluid. Otherwise he would be completely wrinkled! That layer of vernix may come off during the last weeks before his birth, or he may be born looking like he is covered in cream cheese! Most of the time, though, it flakes off in the amniotic fluid. If you have questions about the upcoming birth or the growth of your baby, if you are worried about something, be sure to discuss it with your health care provider. Don't stew about it. Ask, if need be, if you can come more often for a check-up.
MotherIf you've stopped working, and you don't have so much to do, you have time to think over all sorts of things.- For starters, the birth. You start to orient yourself even more, read, talk and gather information. A Tips: don't let yourself be confused or frightened by scary stories from other people! Just walk away and stay positive! At your prenatal yoga or swim class, focus on the baby and having a beautiful birth.
- About your body: Will I stay heavier than I used to be? What will happen to my looks? How will breastfeeding go? Will my vagina be normal again after the birth? To answer the last question: no, your vagina will never be exactly as tight as it was before the birth. The opening of the vagina will often remain a bit wider - which your partner may or may not notice and may even enjoy. Remember those Kegel exercises you've been doing so carefully? They will also help your vagina snap back into shape after birth. Keep doing them - now and for the rest of your life. It helps prevent urinary and fecal incontinence as you age, too.
- You are thinking about your social life a lot now: How will it all go after the birth? The birth of your child will create a very chaotic time. Not only at home but also with regard to your friends and family. Your parents will be Grandma and Grandpa; there will be nothing more wonderful and beautiful for them than your baby, their grandchild. There will be changes in the family ties, especially if it is your first child. Your parents, brothers and sisters will take on a new role, usually with a positive result. In addition, there can also be changes in your circle of friends. Take note of it and don't be surprised.
- About your relationship: from a sexual as well as relational point of view, there will be many changes after the birth. In fact, you can already see that you two react differently to each other; how will that go once there is a little one? How will you be as a mother and how shall the new father fill his role? What can you two expect from each other, as new parents but also as a couple? How are you going to react to the baby? But first: how will the birth go and how will the daddy react to these exciting events?
There are many more questions, about your work, other children and the dog or cat. Will he be jealous? You will experience very soon how it will all really be, but one thing is clear: you must talk to your partner a lot and that is a good thing, isn't it?
On the other hand, all of these questions do not compare to the overwhelming feeling of happiness at having this new life inside of you. Being pregnant is wonderful. It is for a good cause and it will not last much longer!
Be glad that you can still enjoy your belly and that you have your baby happily inside. Once the baby is born, you will think back with a bit of melancholy on that wonderful feeling of being pregnant. A feeling that is hard to describe but that is so beautiful and overwhelming, you have to experience it to understand. Enjoy it while you can!
Bookmark page
Print this page
Tell a friend
