Bumpdate: Week 36

Week 36 according to thebump.com:


How big is baby?:











Your baby's the size of a coconut! She's still in the 17.2- to 18.7-inch and 4.2- to 5.8-pound range and continues to beef up.


Your baby at 36 weeks:

Your due date is just four weeks away. Hasn’t time flown? Your once-poppy seed would probably be able to breathe on her own if she was born right now. (If not, she’d probably need some TLC, but she’d likely be okay.) Most of her systems are in working order at 36 weeks.

She's getting closer and closer to being able to breathe on her own. Her skin is getting smooth and soft and her gums are rigid. Her liver and kidneys are in working order. Circulation and immune systems are basically good to go, too.

She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Since baby really could decide to make his arrival any day now, try to put in a little prep work. For example, if you took a child birth class a few months ago, you might want to reread any materials you were given and practice some of the breathing techniques you learned with your partner. Go over your plan for getting to the hospital, and all the what-ifs (like, if you go into labor while you’re at work, will you go home first or straight there?). You might also want to remind your boss and colleagues of the status of all your work projects, so they know exactly where to take over if you’re suddenly out of the office. Week 36 is also a good time to enjoy a date with your partner. We’re guessing you won’t be up for dancing, but a nice dinner might be just what you two could use.

Week 36 according to me:

Symptoms: Heartburn, sore back and sore hips. Walking around is getting more and more uncomfortable, as is siting, lying down, and standing…basically everything. I’ve been feeling a tiny bit nauseous the past few days, but there has been a lot of sickness going around so that may not be pregnancy related. I’ve still been having some pretty painful cramps on a daily basis, but nothing consistent or indicative of labor.

Maternity clothes?: Yes, of course.

Sleep?: Not so great, but not so bad either.

Movement?: Yes, lots and lots. I feel like she is trying to break out of my stomach all vampire baby/alien style…it hurts!

Food cravings?: None in particular.

Food aversions?: Nope.

What’s different this time?: Baby is measuring a little on the light side, 38th percentile, but nothing to be concerned about. Last time I oddly became allergic to my platinum wedding rings (I would get a nasty, itchy rash on my finger within minutes of putting them on). Hopefully I’m not counting my chickens before they hatch, but so far, it hasn’t been an issue this time around!

Labor signs?: No.

I am loving: Enjoying our last few weeks as a family of three, the warm weather, and longer daylight hours.

What I miss: Taking the dog for a walk, running, biking, hiking, etc. Basically, as weather is getting warmer I’m finding myself wanting to be outdoors and active more and more. Sydney and I played outside after work the other night and even trying to do simple things like follow her around the yard and sit in the driveway coloring with chalk, were not exactly comfortable or easy.

What I’m looking forward to: Daylight savings time! Hopefully going into labor without being induced this time. I’m not against being induced again, especially if everything goes as smoothly as it did last time, I just think it would be neat (not sure if that’s the right word) to experience the onset of labor naturally this time.


What I’m freaking out about: Nothing really at this point. Just anxiously waiting and hoping for an easy, uncomplicated delivery.