Pregnancy : 34 Week

We have answered a lot of your questions about childbirth over the last few weeks but we haven’t really touched upon c-sections. According to the National Center for Health Statistic’s latest reports, approximately 31% of moms giving birth in the United States will have a cesarean. With that in mind, we feel that it is very important for moms, especially first-time moms, to know more about c-sections. In this week’s newsletter we are going to tell you what you can do to reduce your chances of needing a c-section and also discuss some of the reasons for cesarean births. If you have had a c-section before you may be having a repeat c-section or you may be attempting a vbac (vaginal birth after cesarean). We are going to have some information for all you vbac girls in this newsletter as well.

Baby: Baby’s crown to rump length is around 33 cm (13 inches). Your baby weighs about 2350-2550 grams ( 5.2-5.6 pounds). Your baby should be turned head down by now. His lanugo, very fine hair that keeps your baby insulated, should be disappearing now. His skin may be covered with vernix, a waxy white colored protective substance that covers newborn babies skin.

Mom: Now that you are close to delivering your baby, it would be best not to travel far from home. You should have a rear-facing car seat for your baby and know how to assemble it. You may be getting more anxious or irritable as you get closer to the day you will deliver.

This week’s Pregnancy Checklist

• Write out a childbirth cheat sheet for dad.
• Purchase a photo album for baby.
• If you have other children, prepare a bag with everything they need in it for when you go to the hospital.
• Make sure to have comfortable shoes or slippers for your hospital bag.
• Purchase sanitary pads for the hospital or when you go home from the hospital.
• Take a new belly picture for your scrapbook or journal.