36 weeks

Your Baby in Week 36 of Pregnancy

Your baby's skull isn't the only soft structure in his little body. Most of your baby's bones and cartilage are quite soft as well (they'll harden over the first few years of life) — allowing for an easier journey as your baby squeezes through the birth canal at delivery. At 36 weeks, the skull bones are also not fused together yet so that the head can easily (well, relatively easily) maneuver through the birth canal.   

So your little bruiser (who you've now learned won't be bruising you all that much with those soft bones) is now about six pounds in weight and measures slightly more than 20 inches in length. Growth will experience a slowdown now, both so your baby will be able to fit the narrow passageway to the outside and also so he or she can store up all the energy needed for delivery.

By now, many of your baby's systems are pretty mature, at least in baby terms —  and just about ready for life on the outside. Blood circulation, for instance, has been perfected and your baby's immune system has matured enough to protect him or her from infections outside the womb. Other systems, however, still need a few finishing touches. Once such notable example: digestion — which actually won't be fully mature until sometime after birth. Why's that? Inside his or her little gestational cocoon, your baby has relied on the umbilical cord for nutrition, meaning that the digestive system — though developed — hasn't been operational. So your baby will take the first year or two to bring that system up to speed.

My belly info:

Week: 36

Starting weight: 98

Weight now: 122

Fundal height (measurement, in centimeters, of uterus....usually round abouts equivalent to your gestation week): 32 (at my 35 week appointment)

Things of note:

First off, *sigh* I wish I could tell you that I'm all sunshine and rainbows and I'm happily enjoying the last weeks of my pregnancy, but that would be a big fat lie. I'm beginning to wonder if it's possible for Timothy to break my ribs? Surely that's what he is trying to do. I swear he's going to pop my ribs out of place with his feet. And I believe he has dropped even further into my pelvis because that all enjoyable pelvis and hip breaking pain has come back. Not to mention cramps and pain and Braxton Hicks from hell that tells me my body is doing it's job right and preparing for labor in the next couple weeks (but man oh man does it feel like he'll come any day!). I feel sorry for my family because I'm grumpy. lol But at least I'm not sick! ;)

I'm measuring small. Last Thursday at the birth class (I was 35 1/2 weeks then) my midwife and I had an appointment before the class. She told me I was measuring at 32 weeks. She didn't seem too worried....I mean, I am small and Anthony and Molly were only 6 and 7 pounds at birth respectfully, but it's in my nature to worry a tad. I also haven't been gaining much weight. I'm still on the weight gain rebound after the train wreck of sicknesses I was on. Hopefully my lack of weight gain isn't affecting Timothy. I suppose I wont worry about it unless my midwife gives me a good reason to. In the mean time I will eat anything I want, whenever I want. No PB&J or brownie is safe!

Anyhow, the birth class was good. There were about 5 other couples there along with my Midwife and her partner Midwife. We talked about the signs of labor, when to call the Midwife, the stages of labor, pain relief techniques, birthing in the birth tub, what happens after the birth, what the Midwife's roll would be, breastfeeding, etc. etc. I was able to get a few questions answered, but held off on others and will just have them answered at my appointment this week. I should be getting the birth tub delivered when she comes this week since I'll be 37 weeks on Sunday!

And now for the photo! 

With love,

Mama Hauck