36 Weeks

The baby is still gaining weight, about an ounce a day - now at about 6lbs. The baby is measuring about 19 inches from head to toe. At this point, there is an increased pressure in the lower abdomen, this is called lightening or engagement, where the baby drops toward the cervix. This gives me a little more breathing room, but walking will become more difficult.

The good news is that by the end of this week, the pregnancy is considered full term, and I could give birth any day now! Babies are considered full term between 37 and 42 weeks, before 37 is premature and after 42 is post-term. At the weekly doctors appointment, the doctor may check for dilation (when the cervix opens) and effacing (when the cervix thins). The baby's position will also be checked, to estimate how far teh baby has dropped into the pelvis.

I had my OB appointment today, the last of the 2 week appointments, I'm in every week now :) We did my swab for Group B Strep and I'll get those results before my next appointment. Group B Strep (or GBS) is a bacteria that about 30% of women carry. It poses no risk to the mother, but there's a risk of infection to the baby. So, should the results come back positive, they recommend antibiotics after the water breaks.

Aside from that, we also did a surprise internal exam, the baby is head down and firmly pressing against my cervix. Hopefully, this means that I'll go into labour sooner rather than later (after all, I'm full term at the end of the week!) A couple people said it looked like I dropped, but personally, I think the baby is getting higher! It may just be a tall baby stretching out...

Anyways, we're on our way!