Week 36

Week 36 from Baby Gaga:

The countdown continues… and in fetal developments: most of the bones (soft skull aside since softness is needed to squeeze out the birth canal) in their little body are now completely hardened, providing a solid structure from which they can now make their grand debut into the world. Yes, we are structurally ready for a secure launch! In physical fitness news: their muscle tone has also improved over these past few weeks, and you’ll definitely be impressed by their steel-like Ulnar grasp (a newborn reflex that occurs if you lay your finger in their palm), and the strength of their movements in uterero. Finally, in the fluids/excretion department: the amniotic fluid-to-baby ratio has fallen over these past weeks, although they’re still swallowing fluid (building up even more meconium for that historic first poop), and some vernix caseosa. They will be more than ready to swallow and digest milk after birth. Just in case you didn’t get it quite yet: you’ve got yourself an adorable and hungry baby—are you ready?

Sarcastic Journal

If you’ve paid attention to any pregnancy books, you’ll read that most babies are born between 36 and 41 weeks. You’ve heard that, haven’t you? I swear, it seems to me that every woman, especially first time moms, think that their baby is going to come at 36 weeks. Here’s a hint: Most likely, it won’t. I know, I know. I’m a mean person. How could I tell you that your baby isn’t going to come today? You know you’re thinking that. Wait- what was that twinge- is that labor? Ooh, maybe it was labor? Could it be labor? No. I know it’s hard to hear that, but the sooner that you learn to accept the cold hard truth that early labors happen to “other people,” the sooner you can get on with the rest of your pregnancy. Worrying about whether or not today will be the day isn’t going to make the baby come any faster. Trust me, I’ve tried. You’ve been looking in the mirror and you’ve wondered how you could possibly get any bigger. There’s no room for the baby in there! You just KNOW you have to go into labor early. Unfortunately, your body has other plans. It plans on keeping that baby in there forever! Think of it this way: Would you rather have the baby stay “longer” now, when it is a fetus in your belly, or move back in after college? At least now, if the baby is in your belly, people will feel sorry for you and bring ice cream and cake. When the kid moves in after college? They’ll just gossip behind your back and call you a bad parent. Staying pregnant for a few more weeks is totally worth it.

This story totally applies to me because Miss Angie, due the day after me, is currently laboring to deliver to own little girl in San Fran today that will probably be born tomorrow in time to share my birthday with me! Just a little jealous up here in the NW, but wishing Angie the best :D Virgos are special girls, and September is an awesome month to be born in!