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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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