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Pregnancy Week 39 ~
It is now 38 weeks from your
last menstrual period. Your baby is now at 36 weeks gestation and
is almost 13 1/2 inches long from crown to rump (18 1/2 inches from
head to toe) and weighs about 6 1/2 pounds.
Your baby's lungs are mature
and the baby continues to practice breathing in preparation for
his or her first breath of air. The umbilical cord is about 20 inches
long and will support your baby through birth until the lungs take
over.
Advice
for Mom
Rest, rest, rest! You'll appreciate why in a couple of weeks.
Worried about your membranes
('water') breaking in public? Try to relax -- the rupture of membranes
before labor begins occurs in less than 15% of pregnancies. When
they do break, the flow of amniotic fluid is not likely to be heavy
since the baby's head acts a bit like a cork in a bottle, blocking
the opening to the uterus.
Having trouble sleeping now?
It's quite common at this stage of pregnancy.
Prepare a list of phone numbers
- family and friends you will want to call with your news. Be sure
to pack it in your labor bag.
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