By the end of this week, my wife pregnancy hit 38 week. This week she is on medical leave; requested from the doctor during the check up on last Saturday. This coming Saturday, we will go for weekly check up until the final week. Last Saturday was a brief check up and the doctor said the baby still not engage to the pelvis.
Let’s see what BabyCentre said about 38 weeks pregnant.
How your baby’s growing
Your baby is now ready to greet the world. At this point, the average full-term newborn is still building a layer of fat to help control body temperature after birth. Most babies are between 2.7 and 4.3kg / 6 and 9 1/2lb at birth, and boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls. All your baby’s organs are developed and in place though his lungs will be the last to reach full maturity.
Can you tell if you’re carrying a boy or a girl? One hint may come from the size of your baby – boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls. Babies at week 39 weigh about 6.8 to 7 pounds / 3 to 3.2 kilograms and continue to build the fat stores that will help regulate body temperature after birth. Your little one’s organ systems are fully developed and in place, but the lungs will be last to reach maturity. (Even after your baby is born, it may take a few hours before she establishes a normal breathing pattern.)
Wondering what colour your baby’s eyes will be? Most Asian and African babies usually have dark grey or brown eyes at birth – their dark eyes becoming a true brown or black after the first six months or year. Multi-racial children often turn out to have the most beautiful coloured eyes. Most European babies are born with dark blue eyes and their true eye colour – be it brown, green or blue – may not reveal itself for weeks or months. The colour of your baby’s eyes in the first minutes after birth won’t last – exposure to light changes a baby’s initial eye colour.
How your life’s changing
You may be feeling huge and uncomfortable during these final weeks. Try to take it easy – this may be your last opportunity to do so for quite a while. See a film, read a book that has nothing to do with pregnancy or babies, have your hair or nails done, or just spend time with your husband. Neither of you will have much time for cooking in the few weeks after your baby’s born, but you could prepare some home-made frozen meals to enjoy when you need them. What else can you do? Make sure the car’s filled up with petrol, and read our fun baby star signs.
Your husband should try to relax, too, and enjoy some activities there won’t be time for after the baby arrives. Suggest some inspirational reading – he may need it when you go into labour. Is he worried about how he’ll cope with a new baby in the house? Read our new dad’s survival guide and debunk five myths of fatherhood.
Be prepared
This is a good time to have an in-depth conversation with your doctor about pain relief in labour. Also consider other natural methods of pain relief as an alternative.
On the practical front, make sure you know where to park and which entrance to use to get to the labour ward quickly and ask about what happens when you arrive at the hospital, if you don’t already know. Make sure your mobile phones are fully charged. If you have other children, make back up plans for childcare.
Pregnancy tip: hospital survival kit
Pack a cool bag with your husband’s favourite foods and snacks to take to hospital – he should be responsible for this. Bring a video camera if you like (and if your hospital and doctor allow), a camera, extra batteries and film (or digital camera), presents for siblings from the baby, massage oil, a radio, your address book and something ‘fun’ to read to pass the time during a long labour. – Anonymous
Things to consider
Are you ready to feed your baby? Follow our tips on starting breastfeeding and make sure you’ve got everything you need if you’re planning to bottle feed.
At one minute and five minutes after the birth, your newborn’s health will be scored according to the Apgar scale – find out what this means.
