35 Week of Pregnancy

Baby's Growth and Development When You are 35 Weeks Pregnant

During this 35th week of pregnancy, your baby's growth has been progressing at a remarkable pace as your due date draws near. But the next three weeks could bring your baby's most rapid weight gains.

• Your baby probably continues to gain at least a half a pound a week.
• During the 35th week of pregnancy, she already might be close to her birth length, near 18 inches from head to toe, and she continues to build up necessary fat, especially in her shoulders.
• Within your now-crowded uterus, your baby might shift her movements from kicks and punches to more rolls and wiggles.
• Her brain development continues to advance quickly.
• Your baby already might have settled into a head-down position in your pelvis, if this is your first pregnancy. This is the ideal position for delivery because your baby's head is the biggest part of her body.
• Position refers to your baby's placement in your uterus — whether he is facing right or left or is headfirst or feetfirst. Your baby floats in your uterus and changes positions often throughout early and mid-pregnancy. When you're between 32 and 36 weeks pregnant, your baby usually rotates to a head-down position for labor and delivery.
  
  
  
  • Headfirst position is called the vertex position.
  • Feetfirst position is called a breech position.
  • If your baby is breech but is not too far down into your pelvis, your doctor might try to turn your baby into the proper position a few weeks before your due date.
  • Lying-sideways position is called a transverse position.
  
  
  
  

40 Week of Pregnancy

Baby's Growth and Development When You are 40 Weeks Pregnant
Your due date arrives during the 40th week of pregnancy, but it might come and go without fanfare. Changes in your baby's body prior to birth include:

• A surge of hormones in your baby's body might play a part in initiating labor.
• Your baby weighs between 7 and 8 pounds and measures between 18 and 20 1/2 inches long. More or less is OK.

Labor and Delivery

Every woman is different, and every labor is different. That makes it difficult to know if you're really going into true labor, or if it's something else. To help you decide if you're beginning true labor, monitor your contractions. Time them from the start of one contraction to the start of the next. Read on to find out more, and learn about:

Baby's Changes During Labor and Delivery 

It's no secret. Labor and delivery are hard work for Mom and for baby. During childbirth, your baby's body goes through extraordinary changes. Some of these include:

• A surge in hormones, which might play a role in initiating labor. These hormones also help your baby maintain her blood pressure and blood sugar levels after birth.
• Your baby's head drops into your pelvis; this is called lightening or engagement.

Month 1 A Whole New World

Welcome to the sisterhood of mom! You've got a year of incredible firsts ahead for both you
and your brand-new baby. Expect a little bit of a roller coaster. You may feel elated and
anxious, overwhelmed and overjoyed.Get a head first his first month by exploring:

• Your Newborn Baby's Appearance
• Baby Sensorimotor  Development 
• Feeding Your 1-Month-Old Baby 
• Newborn Umbilical Cord Care
• First Baby Baths
  

Month 2 Who Are You ?

Not surprisingly, you may be convinced your baby knows you at birth. You're probably right. Babies use many of their senses to get to know their mothers while they’re still in the womb. And now, as your baby takes in information, she uses that information to communicate with you. As you get to know each other this month, we cover:

• Your Baby's Learning Style
• How Your Baby Communication 
• 2-Month-Old-Sleep Patterns
• Signs of Sensitivity to Milk
  

Month 3 Now, I Recognize You

By month three, your little guy will probably begin developing a personality all his own — and some new tricks. He may be reaching for objects, smiling spontaneously, and turning in the direction of that special voice — yours. What can you do to help him socialize? Try carrying him in a sitting position and showing him soft lights and bright colors. Also this month, learn about:

• Building Your Baby's "People Skill"
• New Baby Signals 
• 3-Month-Old Sleep Patterns
  

Month 4 Let the Good Time Roll

It's month four, and your baby may be getting to be a real comedian. By the end of the month, she may be laughing out loud and cracking herself up. And you'll probably laugh right along with her! Try imitating her, and talking right back to her — it's a conversation only you and she can understand. Also this month, learn how to:

• Help Her Develop Language Skill
• Get the Baby Vaccination She Needs
• 4-Month-Old Sleeping Patterns