| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
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Plan your route to the hospital or birthing center, even if you are planning a home birth. Suggested viewing: Getting Ready for Baby
| 2
Increase in discharge is common now. Be aware that this is not leaking of fluid. Ask provider about a simple Ph test to determine difference.
| 3
Stick with those daily fetal movement counts. When baby is most active (like when you want to sleep!), baby should move 10 times in one hour. If not, drink juice and count for one more hour. Call provider if baby hasn't moved 10 times in 2 hours.
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4
Suggested reading: The Baby Book, by Dr. William and Martha Sears. Talk to your baby today!
| 5
Braxton-Hicks contractions continue to occur but without regularity or pain.
Are varicose veins making you crazy?
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32 wks gestation
34 wks from Last Menstrual Period
Length: 30 cm crown to rump (about 41 cm or 16 inches head to toe). Weight: about 2100 gms or 4 lbs. 11 oz.
| 7
Fingernails reach the tips of the fingernails.
| 8
Skin is pink and smooth. Baby begins to develop sleeping patterns. Start to put delivery pain in perspective.
| 9
If baby is born now, if healthy, he or she would have an excellent chance for survival with provision of warmth, respiratory support and good care.
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Expectant fathers also have needs; they sometimes doubt their parenting skills. Support and communication are very important.
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11
Remember you ARE beautiful, womanly and motherly. You may feel bulky but you are full of life. Find out if sex is dangerous this late in pregnancy.
| 12
Sex can still be fun and safe, unless there is risk of pre-term labor, infection or premature rupture of the membranes. Read: Making Love During Pregnancy.
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33 wks gestation
35 wks from Last Menstrual Period
Length: about 31 cm crown to rump (42.5 cm or 16 1/2 inches head to toe). Weight: 2300 gms or about 5 lbs.
| 14
Don't forget to get a car seat for baby. If labor started, it probably wouldn't be medically stopped as baby has an excellent chance now.
| 15
Some cultures have baby showers; others have parties for mom but wait until baby is born to buy her/him gifts.
| 16
Baby is putting on fat and things are getting cramped inside. Almost time to come out! Here's some advice about discomfort.
| 17
Your hemoglobin (iron) is coming back up. Baby is done taking most of the iron she needs from mother.
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18
Dreams about the baby are common; Fears about baby's health and your mothering are normal. Read: Pregnancy is a journey.
| 19
Start planning for the postpartum experience. Get some support teams in place for housekeeping, meals, and laundry.
| 20
Lunar Month X
34 wks gestation
36 wks from Last Menstrual Period
Length: 32 cm crown to rump (44 cm or 17 1/4 inches head to toe). Weight: 2500 gms or about 5 lbs. 9 oz.
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The last month of gestation begins! Becoming a mother is a life transition. Here are some mental exercises to prepare.
| 22
Baby gains weight most rapidly during this month: about 1/2 - 3/4 lb. per week. Report symptoms of pre-eclampsia, excessive water retention, headaches, visual disturbance, or abdominal pain.
| 23
Baby settles into mom's pelvis, a process called lightening or engagement which makes mom's breathing easier; baby's new position doesn't stop him/her from kicking and punching.
| 24
Make sure that you discuss labor and delivery options/routines with your provider. Issues could include IVs, fetal monitoring, positions, episiotomy, drugs, shaves, and enemas. Consider a birth plan.
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25
Dad: Accentuate the positive. Remind her she is beautiful and that you will both make good partners and parents.
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Cervical checks may become frequent, although labor is hard to predict. Cervical thinning (effacement), softening and some early dilatation may be occurring.
| 27
35 wks gestation
37 wks from Last Menstrual Period
Length: 33 cm crown to rump (about 45 cm or 17 1/2 inches head to toe). Weight: 2700 gms or 6 lbs. Earliest date of full-term birth: get ready!
| 28
If planning a hospital birth, discuss analgesia/anesthesia options with your provider. Also ask about induction and natural ways to encourage labor.
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