9.0 – Month Nine (Week 33-36th)

Sources:

1.     The Everything Pregnancy Organizer by Paula Ford-Martin

2.     http://www.babycenter.com/

3.     familyeducation.com

9.1            Checklist

1.     Make sure that your other children's teachers and care providers are aware of your impending hospital stay.

2.     Pack your bag and compile a call list for your partner.

3.     Line up postpartum assistance.

4.     Stock up the freezer with heat-and-eat meals or recruit postpartum kitchen help.

5.     Make a plan, and a back-up plan, for getting to the hospital.

6.     Put your feet up, relax, and take a deep breath. The rest is up to your baby!

9.2            Baby Development

Week 33rd - Baby weighs about 2kg, about the same as a pineapple - She measures up to 44cm from head to toe - She may already be getting ready for birth by turning upside-down - Her head should be pointing down, ready for her journey into the world - Some babies do decide to turn back round again - Baby’s skull is still quite bendy - The plates of bone that make up her skull have not completely fused - This makes it easier for her to fit through the birth canal - These bones don’t entirely fuse until early adulthood to allow room for your child’s brain to grow - The bones in the rest of her body are hardening - Baby’s skin is also gradually becoming less red and wrinkled as fat builds up underneath

Week 34th   - Baby weighs more than 2.2kg, like a cantaloupe melon - Baby measures 45cm from top to toe - She is filling out and getting rounder - She will need her fat layers later to regulate her body temperature once she’s born - At 35 weeks, baby’s hearing is fully developed - Some evidence shows that newborns pay closer attention to high-pitched tones - 99 percent of babies born at 34 weeks can survive outside the womb, most with no major problems - Although baby’s central nervous system is still maturing, her lungs are nearly fully developed by now

Week 35th - Baby weighs about 2.4kg, about the same as a honeydew melon - Baby measures around 46cm from head to toe - Her elbows, feet or head may protrude from your stomach when she stretches and squirms about - Soon, as the wall of your uterus and your belly stretch thinner and let in more light, baby will begin to develop daily activity cycles - Baby’s kidneys are fully developed now - Her liver can process some waste products - Basic physical development is now mostly complete - Baby’s main job over the next few weeks is to put on weight

Week 36th - Baby weighs nearly 2.7kg and is about 47cm, as long as a romaine lettuce -  By the end of this week, your pregnancy will be full-term and you could give birth any day - Babies between 37 weeks and 42 weeks are considered full-term - A baby born before 37 weeks is premature and after 42 weeks is post-term - Baby will probably be in a head-down position - If not, your doctor may suggest trying to turn your baby by hand using a technique called external cephalic version (ECV)

9.3            My Body

Estimated Due Date (EDD):

	Week 33rd	Week 34th	Week 35th	Week 36th
Date
Time
My weight

Check off which of the following symptoms you experience, note when they occur, and call your doctor with any questions:

	Groin soreness
	Backache
	As your cervix things and dilates (opens), the soft mucous plug keeping it sealed tight may be dislodged
	Increased need to urinate
	Feel shockwave through your pelvis as your baby settles further down onto the pelvic floor

9.4            Activities Recommended

Week 33rd
	Go to the cinema
	Have a drink
	Packing your hospital bag
	Wash your baby’s clothing and bedding

Week 34th
	Have an early night
	Take a Bumpie
	Make life simpler
	Read up on baby care

Week 35th
	Do your pelvic floor exercises
	Drift off
	Write a caesarean birth plan
	Go food shopping

Week 36th
	Research childcare option
	Enjoy a pyjama day
	Watch for signs of labor

9.5            Concerns and To Read

Week 33rd -       Is it safe to use flea spray? -       Health: How will I know when I’m in labor? -       Eating Well: Drink more water -       Your Life: Top tips for labor partners

Week 34th -       Is it safe to have a flu jab? -       Health: The stages of childbirth -       Eating Well: Vitamin K -       Your Life: Sneak in a power nap

Week 35th -       Is it safe to use insect repellent during pregnancy? -       Health: Caesarean section -       Eating Well: Cooking ahead: chicken and apricot casserole -       Your Life: Practise relaxing

Week 36th -       Is it safe to have my clothes dry-cleaned? -       Health: Pain relief in labor -       Eating Well: Cooking ahead: prawn and salmon fishcakes -       Your Life: Today is the first day of the rest of your life

9.6            At the Doctor’s Office

You'll see your doctor or midwife on a weekly basis now until you deliver. You should expect that your provider will:

·      Perform an internal exam with each visit to check your cervix for changes that indicate approaching labor.

·      Administer a group B strep (GBS) test one month prior to your estimated delivery date.

·      Take note of any descent or dropping of the baby toward the pelvis. This descent is called the pelvic station.

Prenatal Visit Notes

My Weight
Week of pregnancy
Fundal height
Blood pressure
Baby’s heart rate
Tests	Results
Additional Notes:

9.7            Gearing Up for the Big Event

Since a baby’s timetable is somewhat unpredictable, start getting your affairs in order at the beginning of this month. Make sure to:

-       Double-check with your doctor that a copy of your birth plan has been put into your chart.

-       See that your birth plan includes any changes you might have made to it since your first review together.

-       Provide your labor coach with an extra copy of your birth plan just in case the original is misplaced.

-       Take up friends, family and neighbours on their offers of assistance. Make a list and schedule assignments

-       Give friends who are good in the kitchen cooking detail, so you can have a supply of frozen, home-cooked meals on hand for easy dinners.

-       If you have other children, charge your husband or partner with making sure their school, extracurricular, and social schedules are covered.

-       Sound out the idea with your partner of asking a mommy-expert, maybe even your own mom, to come for a visit.

Task	Individual Volunteering	Times Available to Help
E.g. take pets for walks, pick up groceries, help look after baby’s siblings etc

9.8            Packing Your Bag

1.     Pain-relief tools for labor: Include things like massage balls, a picture for focusing on through contractions, water bottle, and so forth.

2.     Music to labor by: Check with hospital if a small portable stereo is acceptable. If not, bring your personal headphones.

3.     Snacks for the coach: Make sure it’s something that won’t turn your stomach if you see or smell it during labor.

4.     Stopwatch, clock or watch with a second hand: To time your contractions.

5.     Camera: For capturing baby’s arrival, don’t forget the batteries and memory card

6.     Phone numbers: Make sure your partner has names and numbers of the folks you’ll want to clue in immediately on the new arrival.

7.     Several nightgowns: Bring some with button or snap fronts if you’re going to nurse.

8.     Extra underwear: Make them comfortable but not your best. They’ll probably end up with some post-partum bloodstains.

9.     Sanitary pads: The hospital will provide you with some, but extras are good to have on hand.

10. Picture of the kids: If you have other children, taping a picture of big brother or sister to your newborn’s bassinet is a good way to emphasize your first child’s important new role in the family.

11. Glasses or contacts: Make sure you can see the baby after she’s finally here.

12. Warm socks and/or slippers: Those hospital floors can be cold.

13. Bathrobe: You’ll want this for hallway walks to the nursery.

14. Toiletries: Remember toothbrush, toothpaste and other basics.

15. Shower supplies: You’ll be given an opportunity to shower at the hospital, so pack shampoo and other necessities.

16. Going-home outfits for both you and your baby: Pack a set of newborn clothes and make sure you bring something loose and comfortable to wear yourself.

17. Baby’s blanket: You’ll want to swaddle your baby for her return home. Let your partner bring the car seat on discharge day so you aren’t overwhelmed with luggage.

18. Nursing bras: If you don’t have any yet, a bra with a front fastener will work well as a stand-in for now.

19. Box of nursing pads: These will be handy for when your milk comes in.

20. Vitamin E oil or lanolin ointment: Pack them for sore or cracked nipples.

9.9            Outfitting Your Baby

3 x undershirts that snap

10 x onesies and/or one-piece sleepers

5 x bibs with waterproof linings

3 x hooded bath towels

7 x booties or socks

10 x towels or clothes diapers for dealing with spit-up

4 x snap-up jumpsuits for daywear

2 x baby hats

Nightlight

Baby monitor

4 x crib/bassinet sheets

4 x receiving blankets

Baby nail clippers

4 x face cloths

Q-tips and/or cotton balls

Baby oil

Changing pad

Baby’s strength sunscreen (SPF of 50 or higher; check with your doctor)

9.10            Items for Leaving the House

Stroller, jogging stroller, diaper bag, backpack or convertible backpack/frontpack, car seat, toy for car seat, sling, sunshade

9.11            Alerting Family and Friends

Name	Mode of contact	Successfully contacted?

9.12            Baby’s Gifts

Be sure to record the sender and gift item for all baby gifts you receive. That way you will have an easy reference for when you are well-rested and ready to send out thank you cards!

Gift item	Sender	Date thank-you card mailed out

9.13            Labor and Delivery

Time of first contraction:

Where you were when labor began:

Date admitted:

Time admitted:

Delivery date:

Delivery time:

Baby’s length:

Baby’s weight:

Any complications during labor and delivery:

Additional information about delivery:

9.14            Milestones and Memories

Here is a place for you to record the thoughts, feelings, and physical changes you experience during your first month of pregnancy.

Time until due date: Firsts: Concerns: Looking forward: Questions for the doctor next month: Reflections from the Heart: How I’m feeling these days Baby’s kicks feel like I’m having Braxton-Hicks this often The best advice I’ve gotten about labor What about childbirth excites me What about childbirth makes me nervous My craziest “nesting” moments I predict I’ll go into labor on Dad predicts Things I’ve done to try to bring on labor My message to baby Dad’s message