37 Weeks Along

37 Weeks Along

Our baby is ripe and ready at 6.5 pounds and 22 inches. The size of a winter melon! If he arrives sooner than expected, he won't be considered immature. However, it's best that he stay put. And if he's like most babies- he's likely to do. In the 3 weeks that he'll inhabit the uterine home, he'll manage to pack on another pound or more, rounding out his frame and rounding out his birth weight. Engagement or "lightening" occurs at or around this time. This means that he is "locked" and "loaded," ready for his departure. His "dropping" can initiate less movement by baby. In addition to the "dropping" he is "too squished to move" which can also decrease baby movement. Or he could be sleeping a lot more- long cycles of 20-40 minutes of shut-eye. In his spare time and to stay busy he's sucking on his thumb to practice his nursing skills; practicing for breathing by inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid; and blinking to protect his eyes when he's born. He's also busy accumulating more fat. 3-28-18