Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Week 40

The average birth weight for babies born at 40 weeks is about seven pounds, eight ounces and the average length is about 21 inches.
There are a number of surprising physical characteristics you may notice upon Baby’s arrival. You may not have realized the extent to which your hormones can affect your baby at this stage. Because of the presence of your hormones in your baby's system, your baby's genitals (scrotum in boys and labia in girls) may appear enlarged. Your baby boy or girl may secrete milk from the tiny nipples. This is another hormone-related occurrence that should disappear in a few days and is completely normal. Finally, hormones may cause some "infant acne" pimples on your baby's face. These, too, will disappear within a month or so of birth.
* Although many moms think of a baby's skin as "perfect," it can be very sensitive. When your baby is born, it's normal for her to have skin discoloration; blotchy, dry skin; or even rashes.
* Baby's trip through the constricting birth canal will temporarily mold her tiny head into a cone shape; this will round out within a few days of life.
* Babies are capable of crying at birth, but they are born with an underdeveloped tear duct system. You may notice that tears don't appear until one to three months of age.
* The umbilical cord between the placenta and fetus may be up to two feet long at birth. After the cord is cut, a remnant will remain attached to the baby's abdomen. It will drop off within the first month (verybestbaby.com)


I can't believe we're at this point. This pregnancy has seemed to drag on and on but now that it's almost over I can hardly believe it. Just 7 days to my due date! I'd love for him to come any day. I'm at the point where I feel huge and I'm ready to walk normally again and be able to sleep on my back! :) And I'm just ready to finally meet my baby boy! I'll keep you posted!

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