Week 38- Baby Boy Leek

How your baby's growing: Your baby has really plumped up. He weighs about 6.8 pounds and he's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). He has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold his hand for the first time! His organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb. Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If he's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If he's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time he's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after he's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

How your life's changing: For many women, the next couple of weeks are a waiting game. Use this time to prepare your baby's nursery or to take care of necessary tasks you may not get around to for a while after your baby's born. Take naps, catch up on your reading, and spend uninterrupted time with your partner while you can. Some swelling in your feet and ankles is normal during these last weeks, but call your practitioner without delay if you notice excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles, more than slight swelling of your hands, any swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes, or have a sudden weight gain. Also let her know immediately if have severe or persistent headaches; visual changes (such as double or blurred vision, seeing spots or flashing lights, light sensitivity, or a temporary loss of vision), intense upper abdominal pain or tenderness, or nausea and vomiting. These are symptoms of a serious condition called preeclampsia.

from BabyCenter

Baby: Congratulations! You've reached the final weeks in your pregnancy (if you haven't delivered already!) Your baby has probably reached his birth weight now. Most babies weigh somewhere between 6-8 pounds when they are born. Boys are usually longer and heavier than girls. All his internal organs are ready to support him in the outside world. He has also developed healthy amounts of baby fat over the past week and his immune system is developing and will continue to develop after he is born. His fingernails and toenails have reached the end of his fingers and toes and might even need a trim after he is born!

Mom: How are you feeling? Have you noticed any electrical tingles in your legs and inside of your vagina? These tingles are caused by your baby hitting nerves as he settles down into your pelvic area. Have you noticed any sharp, shooting pains? The baby is probably resting on your sciatic nerve. The best thing to do is try to get some rest and put your feet up!

You may also have been experiencing Braxton-Hicks contractions for weeks now, but how do you know when it's time to call your healthcare provider? If there is a change in the frequency of contractions, it's probably a good idea to call. You might also notice some brown, pink, or red discharge signaling the fact that you have lost your mucus plug, and your water may also break. These are all signs that labor is starting and it's a good idea to let your partner and your healthcare provider know that it's time!

Preparing for the Big Day. So...your bags are packed, you probably feel huge and want to get this show on the road. Many women find it helpful to mentally rehearse for the big day. You may want to set aside some time to review your breathing and relaxation techniques to help you manage the pain of labor.

Tired of rehearsing? Try doing something to distract you, like making some mix CD's! Many hospitals allow you to listen to your own music during labor. There's no way to tell how long your labor is going to be and if you're there for 6 , 12 or 20 hours, chances are you don't want to listen to the same CD on repeat! Load up your MP3 player or burn some CD's. It's a great way to pass the time and take your mind off backaches, tingles in your legs and intensifying contractions.

from Planning Family

Well, we went to the Dr. today. No dialation still (although i was dialated half a cm a few weeks ago), but I am "shortened" a bit. Also, i am measuring less than I was last time I was in. My doctor is taking her board exam next week, so I will be seeing another of the ladies in the practice. I just hope baby will decide to hold out until his due date now. We won't see my Dr. again until my due date- if he makes it that long, I'm hoping she'll just go ahead & take him. She did tell me though that she won't let me go longer than a week past.

We had our hospital tour last night. The hospital has been open for 3 weeks, is running smoothly, and is pretty much awesome. We have child birthing classes this weekend- which is an advantage to not being induced. I guess I'll now know what to do! I can't say Dave is as thrilled as I am, but whatever!

That's all the news for now!