Get ready for parenthood! In the next few days you will become a new parent.
This experience will be one of tremendous joy, and also of tremendous change. Be prepared and read as much as you can about labor and delivery so you know what to expect when you go into labor.
Your baby is fully developed in preparation for birth. Most of your baby's lanugoThe soft downy hair that covers the fetus while it is in the womb. Lanugo is almost entirely shed by the time the baby is born.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. will now have been shed.
Your baby is still being supplied with all of its nutrients through the umbilical cordA flexible structure that connects the fetus to the placenta during pregnancy. It carries blood, oxygen, nourishment and waste to the placenta. It is first formed during the fifth week of pregnancy and contains the yolk sac and body stalk.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions., which is now half an inch thick. Ultrasound may reveal the umbilical cord wrapped around your baby or knotted in places, but don't worry this is normal.
The amniotic fluidThe liquid, which is produced by both the fetal membranes and the fetus that surrounds the baby during pregnancy. The liter of fluid at term serves to protect the fetus during pregnancy and also provide active chemical exchange.
The amniotic fluid consists of maternal and fetal plasma in varying concentrations. The pH of the fluid is almost neutral and clear, although lipids and desquamated fetal cells can make it cloudy.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. is filled with waste cells and lanugoThe soft downy hair that covers the fetus while it is in the womb. Lanugo is almost entirely shed by the time the baby is born.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. and is now being replaced every three hours. The placentaThe placenta is a large disk shaped membrane responsible for providing nourishment to the fetus during pregnancy. It consists of three parts, the fetal part made up from the chorion membrane surrounding the fetus, the maternal part, formed from the decidua basalis layer of the uterine lining, and the intervillous space between the two plates. It is connected to the fetus by the umbilical cord and consists of tissue from both the mother and the embryo.
Its function is complex. It has been described as a simple organ that combines the functions of a kidney-dialysis machine, heart and lung machine and intravenous drip. It consists of enormous numbers of blood vessel branches that permit the exchange of nutrition and oxygen, from the mother's bloodstream to the fetus and the removal of wastes to the mother to be excreted. The placenta's remarkable quality is that it does so without the blood of the mother mixing with that of the baby.
It also is responsible for the production of vital hormones including, estrogen, progesterone, and human chorionic gonadotropin. After birth, the placenta is delivered, and is sometimes referred to as the afterbirth.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. is allowing some of your antibodiesA protein immunoglobulin which is produced naturally by the body and is essential to the immune system by working to combat foreign bodies, germs or bacteria. They are produced by thelymphoid tissue and consist of different classes each of which is designed to fight specific antigens. They include agglutinins, bacteriolysins, opsonins and preciptin.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. to enter your baby's bloodstream so that its immune system will be prepared for birth until it's own is fully operational. Your antibodies will disappear in six months.
After your baby has engagedThe term used to describe the final portion of pregnancy during which the baby's head (or other presenting part) has settled into the pelvic cavity.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. your cervixThe part of the uterus that protrudes into the vaginal cavity. It is separated from the bladder by the parametrium. The vaginal end of the cervix contains the cervical canal.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. will thin and widen. This process, known as ripening, is in preparation for labor.
You will continue to feel increasing pressure on your bladder. Unlike false labor, true contractions are stronger, more regular and frequent and get worse when you move about.
Amniotic fluidThe liquid, which is produced by both the fetal membranes and the fetus that surrounds the baby during pregnancy. The liter of fluid at term serves to protect the fetus during pregnancy and also provide active chemical exchange.
The amniotic fluid consists of maternal and fetal plasma in varying concentrations. The pH of the fluid is almost neutral and clear, although lipids and desquamated fetal cells can make it cloudy.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. may leak, called the breaking of the waters, as the amnionA membrane that surrounds the amniotic cavity, covering the fetal side of the placenta and the outer surface of the umbilical cord. It also becomes the outermost layer of skin on the developing fetus.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. ruptures. At the same time the mucusThe viscous secretions of the mucus membranes and glands. Mucus contains mucin, white blood cells, water, salts and exfoliated cells.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions., which has plugged your cervical canal, may become dislodged. If so, you are in labor, so call your doctor or midwife.
This week your baby is no longer premature, but simply preterm. There are no complications usually expected from preterm babies, so even if it's a little early, you can look forward to see your new baby a little sooner, and put the discomfort of pregnancy behind you earlier!
Fill out your health insurance paperwork so that it is all prepared for when you go into labor. Fill your car up with gas! Since you can go into labor any time in the next three weeks, be sure that you are ready and complete any last minute chores.
If you haven't yet bought a car seat, you should consider buying it this week. Next week your baby will be at term, so labor may begin at any time.
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