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Week
38
How Big is the Baby at 38 Weeks
Pregnant?
Your baby is rapidly approaching 7 pounds during
pregnancy at 38 weeks. The length will remain about 21 inches from now until
birth even though you continue to develop during your pregnancy week by week.
Your Baby's Growth and
Development
Your baby is still focusing on putting on weight
during pregnancy 38 weeks. Did you know that after delivery your healthcare team
will conduct an Apgar test on your baby? Many parents become obsessed with the
Apgar score their child receives after birth, so it is worth a mention or two.
The Apgar score is simply a way that your doctor can evaluate the
overall condition your newborn is in just a few minutes after birth. This score
may sometimes be helpful for evaluations that occur later.
An Apgar
evaluation is given one minute after birth and then again after five minutes of
birth. Your doctor or nurse will make note of the following
things:
- Your baby's color after birth
(bluish or pink).
- Your baby's respiration.
- Your newborn baby's heart rate.
- Your newborn baby's muscle tone.
- Your baby's
reflexes
The one minute score
reflects how easily your baby handled the birthing process. A high score
generally indicates that your baby will do well in the postpartum period. A low
score might indicate that your baby requires observation or further tests to
make sure that everything is ok.
The second test is given to measure how
well your baby is handling his new environment outside the womb.
Your
baby is given a score based on the following parameters:
- Color - 2 points for pink body, 1
point for close to pink with blue arms or legs, 0 for blue or pale coloring all
over.
- Respiratory - 2 points for a
strong cry, 1 point for a slow or weak cry, 0 points for no crying.
- Heart Rate - 2 points for heart
rate greater than 100 beats per minute, 1 point for a heartbeat under 100 beats
per minute, 0 points for no heart beat.
- Muscle Tone-- 2 points for
vigorous movement, 1 point for small flexing of the limbs, 0 points if the baby
is still.
- Reflexes - 2 points if your baby
cries during the test, 1 if your baby makes a little bit of a fuss, 0 if your
baby doesn't make any noise during this exam.
Generally
a high score, or a score between 8 and 10, means that your baby is in very good
condition. A lower score might necessitate some further testing.
Your Growth and Development
Your belly
size will remain pretty constant from 38 weeks pregnant and beyond, though you
may notice your belly appears lower than before, particularly if the baby has
dropped a bit further into your pelvis.
Changes in You
At 38 weeks pregnant you
may start to worry about the labor and delivery process. If you haven't already,
you should visit the birthing facility you plan to deliver your baby at so you
have time to find out where everything is.
Have you packed your hospital bag
by pregnancy week 38? If you haven't you better sit down and do it
today.
You could go into spontaneous labor at any point in time as you
continue your pregnancy week by week.
Not sure what to pack around
pregnancy week 38? There are many schools of thought regarding the hospital bag,
but here are some of the more common items that moms to be
pack:
- Robe or other cover up if you
plan on walking during labor.
- Slippers or warm socks.
- Lotion or massage oil.
- Lip balm (your lips will get
very chapped during the pushing phase).
- Snacks or drinks (in case you
deliver at 3 am and find yourself ravenous).
- Watch with a second hand (to
time your contractions).
- Camera and video recorder so you
can stop time for a few moments while delivering.
- Magazine or book to read.
- Personal toiletries such as a
brush and toothbrush.
- Nursing bras.
- Breast pads.
- Change of clothes to go home in.
You
might also consider packing a change of clothes for your partner sometime during
pregnancy weeks 38 and beyond. When packing the clothes you plan to go home in,
be sure you pack something that is the right size. You will need to bring
clothes that fit you when you were about five months pregnant, as you will not
magically lose all the weight you gained simply by giving birth. Your belly will
still be a bit round for a while after delivery.
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