Week 36

Fetal Development:
Our baby is almost ready! He could drop into the birth canal at any time now. This week, the fat is dimpling on the elbows and knees as well as forming creases in the neck and wrists. The baby's gums are very rigid.

Maternal Changes:
Less than a month to go ~ you'll probably be visiting your care provider once a week at this point. The average weight gain now is between 25 and 30 pounds. You should be consuming about 2400 calories per day. Make them count! Your body is working hard now and needs quality fuel.

Signs of Labor:
Here are some of the signs that labor is approaching. You may not experience all of these symptoms or be aware of them:

• Lightening ~ aka the baby dropped
• Bloody Show ~ aka the mucous plug
• Rupture of Membranes ~ aka your "water broke"
• The Nesting Urge ~ aka you want to clean everything in sight
• Effacement ~ aka ripening of the cervix
• Dilatation ~ aka opening of the cervix
• Diarrhea ~ aka you know this one
• Contractions ~ aka OUCH those labor pains!

Inspirational Thoughts:
"A torn jacket is soon mended; but hard words bruise the heart of a child." ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow