Maternal Changes: Welcome to the second trimester! This is the most comfortable and enjoyable stage of pregnancy. Most of the difficult early symptoms are over (or soon will be), and your tummy isn't getting in the way yet. If you're still feeling tired, listen to your body and REST. It's working hard right now! As your uterus stretches, you may feel some abdominal achiness. The ligaments that hold up your uterus stretch to accommodate your growing uterus. This is called "round ligament pain".
Ideas for Dad: Welcome to the second trimester Dad! The next few months are the easiest of the pregnancy. Mom is feeling better, the hormones have settled in, and she's not huge and uncomfortable yet. Celebrate the completion of your first trimester with a special date.
As our baby continues to develop, the vocal cords begin to form. The face is looking more and more human each day as the eyes begin to move closer together instead of being on the sides of the head and the ears move to a normal position. It would be possible now to determine the baby's sex by looking at the genitals. The intestines move farther into the baby's body; the liver begins to secrete bile and the pancreas begins to produce insulin.
By now, pregnancy hormones are levelling off. This means less nausea, less frequent urination and less exhaustion. What a relief! However, you may be experiencing some constipation since those darned hormones have relaxed your bowel muscles causing them to work slower and less efficiently. Your uterus is also pressing on your bowel. Be sure to increase the fibre in your diet if constipation becomes a problem. You may notice the veins on your chest and breasts are dilated and more noticeable. The areolas of your breasts may be darkening and growing in diameter. Your body has been preparing for breastfeeding since you became pregnant!
Dad,are you totally stressed out worrying about finances, working overtime and fretting about expenses? If so, stop and take a deep breath and then try to rationally assess your situation. Are your worries out of proportion to your family's real needs? Many times, men are expected to handle family finances which becomes dad's focus while he's actually hiding his true worries - fear of fatherhood and the pregnancy. Think about what your REAL worries are. Often putting your finger on them is enough to make them smaller
Our baby is a whopping 3 1/2 inches long and is 1 to 2 ounces. S/he begins to practice inhaling and exhaling movements. The eyes and ears continue to move and develop, the neck is still getting longer, and the baby's chin no longer rests on his/her chest. The hands are becoming functional, and the baby is beginning to learn to move/use them (probably more reflex than anything). At this point, our little one is receiving all of his/her nourishment from the placenta. If you haven't already, you should be able to hear the baby's heartbeat with a doppler. Don't panic if you can't an ultrasound can confirm a beating heart if it isn't heard through a doppler.
Your uterus will begin rising past your hipbones any time now. You can feel it about three to four inches below your navel. During your appointments, your care provider will be measuring "fundal height" to make sure your baby is growing consistently and adequately. Fundal height is the distance from the top of the uterus (fundus) to the pubic bone.
Make sure you hug mom often. Research tells us that the more hugs mom gets, the more she'll hug the baby (and you too)!
If you have an ultrasound now, you may notice your baby sucking his/her thumb. The bones are getting harder each day. The baby's skin is very thin and transparent; you can see blood vessels through the skin. Lanugo, a very fine hair, covers the body and will continue growing on the baby until around the 26th gestational week of pregnancy.
Do you have a stuffy nose or nosebleeds? As mentioned before, your blood volume increases 40% - 50%. This affects your oestrogen levels which in turn swells your nasal membranes. This increased blood volume also causes your heart to work harder to support your pregnancy. This isn't a problem for a healthy heart. Your ligaments continue to stretch, and you may be feeling achiness and pain in your abdomen. If you're planning to have an amniocentesis, it may be scheduled between 16 and 18 weeks.Breast tenderness has probably subsided along with the nausea. Your waistline is definitely a thing of the past, and your feet may be swelling by the end of the day.
Dad, do you have a life insurance policy and a will? It may sound morbid to think about now but this is a perfect time to get both. If something should happen to either of your baby's parents, the other shouldn't have to worry about mortgage payments, college tuition, etc.
If you haven't already, you may begin to feel movement as the baby's bones harden. If you are somewhat overweight, have a thick uterus, and/or if this is your first pregnancy, you may not be feeling baby yet or feeling baby regularly. Don't panic! You will soon. The legs are now longer than the arms, and s/he is moving those arms and legs frequently, especially since there's still lots of room to move within the uterus. Fingernails and toenails are growing too.
Your uterus is about 1 1/2 to 2 inches below your belly button. The baby is going through a growth spurt and chances are, you may be gaining too! Average weight gain is between five and ten pounds at this point.
Have you felt any fluttering in your uterus? You may be feeling your baby move any time now if you haven't already!
Mom may be feeling the baby moving within her but you may not be able to yet. She may yell for you to quickly put your hand on her tummy, but you feel nothing. Don't worry - the baby has nothing against you. They play games very early! Humor mom, place your hand on her tummy and one of these days, you'll feel your little one - and your heart will be stolen forever.
This is a period of rapid growth as the fat begins to form underneath the baby's skin. Baby and placenta are about equal in size now. The tiny heart is pumping as much as 25 quarts of blood a day! The reflexes are probably in place now as the baby sucks, swallows and blinks.
Feeling dizzy, lightheaded or faint are normal during pregnancy. These symptoms aren't harmful unless they occur frequently or severely. "Postural hypotension" is low blood pressure due to a change in position and happens frequently in pregnancy because your cardiovascular system doesn't react as fast.
Your uterus is just below your belly button now.
If you're having an ultrasound to verify fetal age or for other reasons, your careprovider will probably schedule it between now and 20 weeks. It's often possible to determine your baby's sex at this stage, and you'll be able to tell arms from legs and all sorts of delightful details!
Are you a "Mr. Fix-It" kind of guy? It's common for dads to feel very protective of moms. Often, Mom will need a big shoulder to cry on and get out all of those crazy pregnancy emotions. Dad can feel rather helpless listening to Mom carry on, and in his frustration, try to do what he can to "fix" whatever she's grumbling about. Dad, relax. Nine times out of ten, Mom just needs to vent and really doesn't expect you to act upon her complaints. As hard as it may be for you, just LISTEN! Give her your undivided attention. This is the best gift you can give to Mom.
Our little one is nearly half a pound now and very human looking. Pads are forming on the fingertips and toes, and the eyes are looking forward rather than out the sides of the head. Meconium, the baby's first bowel movement, is accumulating within the bowel. If your baby is a boy, his prostate gland is beginning to develop.
If you notice your belly making jerky movements in sync, don't panic; your baby may have the hiccups!
You may be noticing several skin changes. These are hormone-related and will disappear after delivery. You may have the "mask of pregnancy" - blotchy patches on your forehead, cheeks, nose and chin. Itchy skin is also very common. Your skin may be dry and flaky in certain areas and many pregnant women develop rashes, particularly on the stretched skin. You can't prevent stretch marks but lotions or oil can ease the dryness and itching. Drinking lots of water and eating a healthy diet will go a long way in reducing dryness
You've felt your baby move within Mom's womb, and BLAM! It hits you like a ton of bricks - YOU'RE GOING TO BE A FATHER! You're excited and then terrified. You may be questioning yourself as to whether you're ready to be a father or whether you'll be a good dad. If you didn't have a good role model as a child, you may be even more concerned. You may be wondering if you can take care of a family or if you can provide for one. This one little kick can open a Pandora's Box that you weren't prepared to handle. If you find yourself preoccupied with such thoughts, don't worry. You're experiencing a normal reaction to impending fatherhood. Mom is probably having similar thoughts about herself in her role as mother. Go ahead and discuss these feelings with Mom. Read up on pregnancy, childbirth and parenting. And - give yourself a break when you need one. The fact that you're here reading this already says a lot about the kind of parent you'll be!
Along with the lanugo, vernix caseosa forms on your baby's skin. Vernix is a white cheesy substance that protects your baby's skin from its aquatic environment ~ imagine how your skin would look if you sat in water for nine months! The placenta continues to grow and nourish the baby.
Your uterus is at your navel now. You may experience some tenderness as your belly button becomes an "outtie" from the uterus pressing on it. The line between your navel (linea nigra) and pubic hair has darkened; it will fade after delivery
You're probably feeling the baby frequently now as the movements become stronger. If you're having an ultrasound to verify fetal age, it will probably be scheduled around this time. It's a good time to look into childbirth classes
Mom may be checking into the various childbirth classes available in your area and reporting to you with dates, times, styles of childbirth and all kinds of things you may have never heard of before. This is important to Mom (and to you too) so jump in there and be ready to head off to class! Some dads feel reluctant to go while others are very excited. If you're feeling a little reluctant, remember that you'll get to ask the instructor lots of questions and meet other dads who probably feel just like you do; all of which can go a long way to squelch your fears.
We're halfway through the pregnancy, and the baby has as much sleep and awake time as a newborn. The scalp hair begins to grow. If your baby is a girl, her uterus is starting to develop
Over halfway there, and you're probably showing now. Your uterus is about 1/2 inch above your belly button. The average weight gain is between 10 and 15 pounds at this point. If you're eating a healthy diet, don't count pounds and calories too strictly. Emotionally, you're probably feeling more stable and comfortable.Your ankles and feet may be swelling, particularly at the end of the day. Drink lots of water and rest with your feet elevated.
With the second trimester being the easiest, this is a good time for planning and preparing together. The "pukiness" of the first trimester is (hopefully) a memory, and the heaviness of the third trimester is yet to come. Now is a good time to do something special together like taking a vacation or a weekend away (check with your caregiver first about travel). If you can't get away, use the time to grow closer and spend quality time together
The rapid growth phase begins to slow down this week. The heart grows stronger this week, and the legs are reaching their relative proportions
Your uterus is nearly an inch above your navel. You'll probably be gaining weight more steadily now as your baby continues to fill out. The extra weight may begin to take its toll on your back. Wear low heeled shoes (flat shoes can strain your back as much as high heeled shoes) and avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time. When you sit, use a footstool to raise your knees higher than your hips.
Some parents have no problem agreeing on a name for their baby. Other parents go through World War III. Here are a few ideas . . . make a list of ten of your favorite names (if you don't know your baby's gender, make a list of boys' names and a list of girls' names). Have mom do the same thing and then exchange lists. Cross off the names on her list that you absolutely hate while mom crosses off her least favorite names on your list. If any names survive the process, start playing with those in various configurations. This may be one of those areas where compromise is a gift.
The baby is probably close to a pound and very thin but very developed. The eyelids and eyebrows are now formed, and the brain begins rapid growth. If your baby is a boy, his testes have begun their descent from the pelvis to the scrotum.
Your baby still has room to move around so you're probably feeling kicks, jabs, flips and flops. You may even see your abdomen move. Your uterus is about 1 1/2 inches above your belly button.
If you're having some wild mood swings, don't fret. They're normal even if they don't feel normal. Try to be good to yourself when you're feeling blue.
Do something nice and totally unexpected like doing the laundry without being asked or bringing home dinner after work. Let mom know how special she is and show her how special you are.
Your baby weighs about a pound now! The body is becoming better proportioned each day, and the bones of the middle ear begin to harden. If born now, your baby has a chance for survival. Let's hope, however, that the baby stays put for several more weeks!
Between weeks 24 and 28, your care provider may order a glucose tolerance test to determine if you have gestational diabetes. Your uterus is 1 1/2 to 2 inches above the navel.
Take lots of pictures of Mom. Even though she may not like it at the time, she will treasure the photos later. They will make a wonderful keepsake.
The baby gains about 6 ounces this week as the body begins to fill out. This weight is in muscle, bone mass and the growing organs and tissues. The weight could top 1 1/3 pounds by the end of the week.
You may be feeling like a "Soccer Mom" now that your uterus is the size of a soccer ball. Your growing uterus places pressure on your back and pelvis and may cause periodic shooting pains in your lower back and legs. When you experience this, rest, change your position, take a warm bath or apply ice to the sore area.
Now is a good time to start thinking about your work schedule when your baby arrives. If you want to take a leave, check with your employer about your options. Your company may qualify for the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993. Most companies still do not pay for maternity/paternity leave, some do but do not announce that information unless you ask, while other companies have a whole range of benefits.
You may have other options available such as telecommuting (working from home), job sharing and/or flexible work schedules. Start your research now and do some soul-searching about how much time off you wish to have.
The structures of the spine - 33 rings, 150 joints and 1000 ligaments - begin to form. The blood vessels of the lungs are developing and the nostrils begin to open.
Your uterus is about 2 1/2 inches above your belly button. If you feel your uterus suddenly tighten and then relax, don't panic. You're experiencing "Braxton Hicks" Contractions. These are normal, usually painless or feel similar to menstrual cramps and happen at irregular intervals. They are your body's way of practicing for the real thing and help to tone up your uterus for the tough job of labor.
You need about 300 extra calories now.
How is the nursery coming? Not everyone prepares a nursery before the baby arrives. However, if you are planning to have everything ready, now is a good time to start. Paint the nursery (and keep Mom away from the fumes), put the crib together and have fun preparing for this new little family member with Mom. These are a few of the things you can do for your baby while Mom is gestating.
Your baby could weigh about two pounds now and be around 9 inches long (crown of the head to the rump). As the blood vessels in the lungs began last week, the air sacs in the lungs begin this week. The lungs begin to secrete surfactant which covers the inner lining of the air sacs which then allows the lungs to expand normally during breathing
Besides the active lung growth, the brain kicks in with brain wave activity for the visual and auditory systems
Congratulations! At the end of this week, you will have finished the second trimester already!
You may be experiencing some shortness of breath. Your uterus is close to your rib cage now, and your lungs may not be able to fully expand. Don't worry though. Your baby isn't lacking oxygen and your circulatory system is actually working more efficiently thanks to those pregnancy hormones that have caused you so much discomfort.
Nope, it's not labor . . . it's cravings! She's craving weird things, and you just want to sleep. She's insistent and you know there'll be no sleep until you go and get the snacks she wants. What's a dad to do? Keep the slipper and car keys handy.
During this week, the brain continues its rapid growth, and the lungs continue to grow. Eyelids begin to open, and the retinas begin to form. The baby will grow over 1/2 inch this week and will be about 1 1/3 feet long (from crown of head to the toes or 9.6 inches from crown to rump)!
Welcome to the third trimester ~ the period of leg cramps, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, itchy skin, aches and pains, swelling, heartburn, indigestion and . . . your baby's arrival!
Your uterus is around 3 inches above your navel; average weight gain is between 17 and 24 pounds at this point. If you haven't had a glucose tolerance test yet to test for gestational diabetes, your care provider may order one this week
It's the last trimester! Go out and celebrate with a special date to shop for something for the baby or a few maternity outfits for Mom. Treat Mom to an olive oil tummy massage or foot massage This isn't an easy trimester for Mom. Dad's support can go a long way to make it easier. Stay involved Dad! You're needed more than ever now
Our little miracle is growing and developing at an astonishing rate! Eyebrows and eyelashes are now present, and the hair on the head is growing. The eyelids open, and the eyes are completely formed. The body is getting plumper and rounder (weighs about 2 pounds) and is composed of around 2 to 3% body fat. Muscle tone is gradually improving. The lungs are capable of breathing air but if the baby is born now, it would struggle to properly breathe. Be sure to talk to your baby a lot because s/he can recognize your voice now!
Do you feel like you've been pregnant forever? Are those discomforts of pregnancy getting to you? This is the time when itchy skin, shortness of breath, hemorrhoids, leg cramps, heartburn and indigestion and achy muscles takes a toll. What do you do? Remember that these annoyances are temporary.
This is also a good time to start thinking about a birth plan.
Read our birth plan information and help Mom work on a plan. This will help educate you (and Mom) about labor and delivery and give you a pro-active role. Your input and support to Mom is invaluable and a special way to parent your unborn baby.
The baby's head is in proportion to the rest of the body. Fat continues to accumulate under the skin. The brain can control primitive breathing and body temperature control, and the eyes can move in the sockets. The baby is becoming sensitive to light, sound, taste and smell. Now, I wonder how experts know a baby can smell in utero?
The best sleeping position for a pregnant woman is on her left side. Your aorta and vena cava are slightly to the right of the center of your back, so laying/sleeping on your left side as much as possible ensures an unobstructed blood flow to your organs and extremities. You may be having some trouble sleeping now. Try one of the many maternity pillows or full-body pillows on the market. Sleeping in a recliner chair might also help, especially when the heartburn gets nasty.
The decision on how to feed your baby is mostly up to Mom. However, it's very important for Dad to be supportive of the method chosen. Discuss your feelings with Mom and learn together about the pros and cons. Then lend your full support and encouragement for whatever she decides. If Mom is intending to breastfeed, don't feel left out!
Our little one is nearly three pounds already and growing like a weed.
The early lanugo is disappearing, the eyelids open and close, and the toenails are growing. The bone marrow is now responsible for red blood cell production
Your abdomen may be aching frequently now as your uterus is stretching more and more. Your uterus is about 4 1/2 inches above your belly button with ten weeks to go.
As your baby's bones harden and grow, your calcium needs are even greater. Be sure your diet is adequate in calcium, protein, iron and folic acid
It's the third trimester and now, more than ever, Mom needs you. She may complain a lot with the growing discomforts of pregnancy. Listen to her with your undivided attention. Help her relax in the evening by rubbing her back and feet. We've talked about this in previous weeks but Mom just needs you to be there for her. As simple as this sounds, it can be difficult at times. Remember that doing what you can for Mom is also your first parenting steps for your child
Growth begins to slow a teeny bit, and the brain goes through a period of rapid development. The only major organ left to fully develop is the lungs. If your baby is a boy, his testes begin to descend from the body cavity to the scrotum.
You may be visiting your care provider every two weeks at this point. Your uterus is measuring about 5 inches above your navel and is pushing your organs every which way causing heartburn, constipation, indigestion and breathlessness. Drink lots of water and eat adequate fiber to ease the constipation and eat frequent small meals to help the heartburn and indigestion.
If you've chosen not to find out which gender your baby is, you may be trying to guess based on Old Wives Tales. Or, your friends and relatives may be telling you what they think your baby is. Some of these theories can be really fun. For example, if Dad is more nervous, a daughter is on the way. If he's more relaxed, it's a boy. If Dad is getting lots of household projects done, a boy is coming. If Dad isn't doing more projects, it's a girl. If Dad gains weight with Mom, it's a boy. If he stays the same weight-wise, it's a girl. So Dad? What's it gonna be?
The baby is up to four pounds now and all five senses are functional. The toenails are completely formed and the hair on the head continues to grow.
You'll be gaining about a pound a week. Mild edema is normal but if you experience severe headache; seeing "spots" or "flashing lights" while at rest; sudden increase in swelling, such as over 2-3 days, especially of the face; abdominal pain; and nausea, vomiting, and feeling sick, contact your caregiver immediately. You could be developing pre-eclampsia which is characterized by swelling, high blood pressure and protein in the urine. It is a very serious complication of pregnancy
Mom has probably been working on a birth announcement list. If you haven't helped out and given her a list of those you want to receive an announcement such as relatives, friends and co-workers, now is a good time to get started
At this point, the amniotic fluid is at the highest level in the pregnancy. The amount will remain constant until delivery. Rapid brain growth has increased the baby's head size approximately 3/8 of an inch this week. Fat continues to accumulate which turns the baby's skin colour from red to pink
You've probably felt some Braxton Hicks contractions for the past several weeks but they may intensify now. They are usually painless and non-rhythmical. These are preparing your body for the real thing
Mom is feeling huge and clumsy now. She may be weepy and vulnerable or extremely moody. Tell her how beautiful she is and what a wonderful mom she'll be. Serve her breakfast in bed and help her feel like the special woman she is
The baby responds as a newborn with its eyes open while awake and closed while sleeping. S/he is developing immunities to fight mild infection. Those sharp little fingernails are at the ends of the fingertips already, and you might need to clip them during the first few days after birth.
Your care provider may begin regular checks of your cervix some time in the next few weeks for signs of effacement and dilation and to see what position your baby is in. Your baby cannot pass through a normally closed cervix. The process of labor is the stretching, thinning (effacement) and opening (dilation) of your cervix to allow the baby to pass through. Your cervix is fully dilated when the opening measures 10 centimeters
It's well into the third trimester. Mom is huge and tired; Dad is nervous and tired. Your sexual habits have probably changed somewhat (a great deal?). Mom's tummy lends itself to discovering new, more comfortable positions for love-making. And since it's hard for Mom to get comfortable at any time, sex may be something confined to your fantasies, Dad. Then again, you may not be in the mood much either. Everyone is different.
What do you do when she's not in the mood? How about being close without sex? Hug a lot, hold hands, sleep in the spoon position, and kiss. Give Mom a back rub or a foot massage and remain close. Do something special like polish Mom's toenails. She can't see or reach her toes, and she'll feel nice going to the hospital with pretty toes. These little things will keep you close.
The average sized baby is around five and a half pounds now! The fat accumulations plump up the arms and legs this week. The baby has gotten big enough to take up most of the uterus, and there's less room to move around. The testes have completed their descent in males
About a month to go ~ you'll probably be visiting your care provider once a week at this point. The average weight gain now is between 25 and 30 pounds. You should be consuming about 2400 calories per day. Make them count! Your body is working hard now and needs quality fuel
We do not have all the answers. However Dad, there are a few basics you need to know.
Yes, you WILL be nervous about picking up a human being that is slightly larger than a football knowing that it is YOUR child.
You will NOT be asphyxiated when you change Baby's poopy diaper.
Baby's vomit is not toxic waste, and you will NOT die of poisoning when Baby spits up an entire feeding on your new shirt.
Seriously, it is nerve-wracking to hold a squirming baby, especially when their little necks are so floppy. The more you hold and handle your baby, the more comfortable you'll become. You should be able to do whatever Mom does for the baby, except of course, breastfeed. You'll develop a deeper bond with Baby and s/he with you by being involved
With four weeks to go, our baby is almost ready. S/he could drop into the birth canal at any time now. This week, the fat is dimpling on the elbows and knees as well as forming creases in the neck and wrists. The baby's gums are very rigid.
Vaginal discharge may be heavier now and will have more cervical mucous in it as your body prepares for labor. What position is your baby in? Is it head down or butt first? Whichever position your baby is in now is generally the way s/he will stay. If your baby is breech, you may need a cesarean or your care provider might recommend an external version in which your abdomen is manipulated in such a way that it turns head down. This is successful 60 to 70% of the time.
The baby could come at anytime. Is your hospital bag packed yet?
Remember the Boy Scout motto "Be Prepared"? Unexpected things happen during labor and delivery so try to plan for as many things as possible while keeping in mind that flexibility is important. Try to have all the little details completed beforehand so you can handle the unexpected events. Just what are these little details? How about . .
Average size is around 6.5 pounds now! The baby practices breathing movements preparing for life outside the womb. His/her grasp becomes firm, and s/he will turn toward light
As the baby settles into the pelvis, you may notice a few twinges. This could be from the baby's head resting on nerves, or it could mean that your cervix is beginning to dilate.
Babies' movements often slow considerably just before birth. Keeping track of your little one's activity level may be a good idea at this time. If movement drops off considerably, call your doctor.
Around this time, you may also lose your mucus plug, which seals the opening of the uterus. Not all women experience this loss. The expulsion of the plug may indicate that labour will start immediately or within the next week or two - more evidence that you will soon be giving birth.
You catch a glimpse of Mom's profile and see that big belly . . . and you feel instantly guilty. She's tired, cranky, sick of pregnancy, can't sleep because she has to get up every 30 minutes to go to the bathroom, has chronic heartburn and indigestion, and her mood is reflective of these late-pregnancy discomforts. You feel responsible, and you know what? You ARE responsible!
But let's think about that for a minute. Mom can't conceive without Dad, and Dad can't without Mom. That makes pregnancy a team effort. It's true that you don't have to go through the physical discomforts of pregnancy, but you do have your share of worries and a myriad of conflicting thoughts ~ and you have to watch someone you love change before your very eyes
What's a Dad to do? You know already and that's why you're reading this guide. Just be there for Mom. It's a big job, and you're the best one to do it! You can't bear the brunt of pregnancy physically, but you can help Mom lighten the load considerably. And what do you do when Mom screams at you that "this" is all YOUR fault? Calmly remind her that you couldn't have done it without her part . . . and then run for cover!
The baby may be gaining an ounce a day now. His/her intestines are accumulating lots of meconium (baby's first bowel movement). The circumference of the head and the baby's abdomen are about the same size.
Are you feeling huge and clumsy? As the baby settles into your pelvis (lightening), your center of gravity shifts which may make you feel off-balance. The good news is, the uterus isn't pressing on your diaphragm so it's easier to breathe. The bad news is, your uterus is pushing on your bladder so you may be running to the bathroom every two minutes
Congratulate yourself Dad! You're almost a father (or father again), and you've survived (almost) the pregnancy. You're probably a nervous wreck or in denial that anything is about to happen, but that's okay. In a few days (weeks), you won't remember what you had for breakfast (or even IF you had breakfast) let alone the anxiety you're having right now. Enjoy these last moments with mom as a couple or as a family of 3 (or 4, whatever your situation is) and pat yourself on the back for being a great dad.
Most of the lanugo is gone as the baby prepares for its final womb days. The lungs are maturing and surfactant production is increasing
The baby can't move too much anymore as its womb space has become very crowded
The average size baby is over seven pounds at this point.
This may seem like a long week. Keep in mind that your baby's due date is only an estimate, and every baby is born in its own time. Be good to yourself and try to relax. You're not actually "post-due" until you hit 42 weeks. Just think about the poor elephant who is pregnant for 23 months
This is it Dad! Try to get some sleep in the last few days because you're going to need it before you officially join the ranks of the sleep-deprived. If Mom is overdue, every day can seem like an eternity. Every twinge is scrutinized in the hopes of "it" being the real thing. Hang in there Dad! No pregnancy lasts forever! And congratulations! You've made it and have been a wonderful support for Mom!
The last week (or is it?). The average size newborn is 7.5 pounds and 20 inches long. At this point, most of the vernix is gone, 15% of the body is fat and the chest sticks out
SHOW for Mum