36 Weeks

How your baby's growing:

Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. He now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a Crenshaw melon . . . really, is that the best we can do?) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. He's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered his body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected his skin during his 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 his 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.)

See what your baby looks like this week:

How your life's changing:

Now that your baby is taking up so much room, you may have trouble eating a normal-size meal. Smaller, more frequent meals are often easier to handle at this point. On the other hand, you may have less heartburn and have an easier time breathing when your baby starts to "drop" down into your pelvis. This process — called lightening — often happens a few weeks before labor if this is your first baby. (If you've given birth before, it probably won't happen before labor starts.) If your baby drops, you may also feel increased pressure in your lower abdomen, which may make walking increasingly uncomfortable, and you'll probably find that you have to pee even more frequently. If your baby is very low, you may feel lots of vaginal pressure and discomfort as well. Some women say it feels as though they're carrying a bowling ball between their legs!

You might also notice that your Braxton Hicks contractions are more frequent now. Be sure to review the signs of labor with your practitioner and find out when she wants to hear from you. As a general rule, if you're full-term, your pregnancy is uncomplicated, and your water hasn't broken, she'll probably have you wait to come in until you've been having contractions that last for about a minute each, coming every five minutes for an hour. Of course, you'll want to call right away if you notice a decrease in your baby's activity or think you're leaking amniotic fluid, or if you have any vaginal bleeding, fever, a severe or persistent headache, constant abdominal pain, or vision changes.

Even if you're enjoying an uncomplicated pregnancy, it's best to avoid flying (or any travel far from home) during your final month because you can go into labor at any time. In fact, some airlines won't let women on board who are due to deliver within 30 days of the flight.

Comments for Colleen:

The Good: We had a quick ultrasound yesterday to determine the position of baby. His head was down, looking to the side, with the booty up to one side and all the limbs on the other side up by the ribs (like this!). He hasn’t stayed exactly like that since yesterday; I think he is spinning on his head, which the doc said he might do. But, I am excited that he is in a good position. In fact, I was so excited, I forgot to ask how big he was(!) . . . . maybe that is better though! I don't think I want to know. Also, a few days ago when I got up, it definitely felt as though baby had "dropped.” Maybe it is ALL just my imagination (Patrick says he can’t tell), but three people in a row at work the next day said I looked like I had as soon as they walked in the door. I've been assuming baby will be late (since both Patrick and I were), but now I'm thinking maybe not . . . we’ll see!

The Bad:Gross, swollen ankles and feet when I work.

P.S. I have definitely been having Braxton Hicks contractions for months; I just didn't know what they felt like! But, I had one last week while being examined, so that cleared up any question there.

See all belly pix here - http://uw.thebump.com/view/520507687505092/4921363/?msdvisit=1