How far along: We are currently in week 36. As of today, we have 28 days to go! She is going to be here very soon. Almost any day! Maria hopes it will be sooner than later that Alayna makes her entrance in this world.
How big: Depending upon which baby app I reference…..She now weighs almost 6 lbs like the weight of a Crenshaw melon. I guess we are still in the melon stage. Eventually, we will graduate to an actual baby very soon. Alayna currently measures over 18.5 inches from head to toe. She is almost to my guess of 20 inches
We are a day away from our 36 week ultrasound and we cannot wait! Alayna will be in 3D as well during the ultrasound where we will be able to see her facial features. I will be asking to make sure we are still having a girl and not an Alan!!
Developments and Milestones: Alayna is still packing on the pounds!!! She is gaining approximately an ounce a day. Hmm that’s how I feel every day. I have gained a few pounds since Maria has been pregnant.
Alayna is shedding most of the downy hair that covered her body, as well as the vernix caseosa. This is a waxy substance that protects the skin during its nine month bath in amniotic fluid. Alayna actually swallows these substances, along with other secretions, and they form a tar like black substance called meconium. The meconium is what Alayna will pass in her first bowel movements. So this is what that first diaper is made of!!! No wonder why its an awful diaper. Looks like daddy will be changing that diaper.
For the most part all of her crucial internal organs and systems have formed except for her digestion. Alayna has relied on the umbilical cord for nutrition, meaning that the digestive system though developed hasn’t been operational. Alayna will take the first year or two to bring the digestive system up to speed.
At the end of this week, Alayna will be considered full term!!!! Babies born before 37 weeks are considered pre term while babies born after 42 weeks are post term.
What Mom and Dad Notice: Alayna continues to move and the movement is very low these days. She has been kicking Maria’s bladder. I wonder why you have to go to the bathroom more! The Braxton Hicks have been continuing this week as well. I have felt Alayna performing hiccups or what they call practice breathing. It is really neat to feel this as I will never be able to feel what it is like to carry a baby. Also, from these Braxton Hicks Maria’s belly has been rock hard. Literally its like a rock!!!
As many of you can guess Maria cannot wait to deliver. She is experiencing pain and sleepless nights. Heartburn is another trend and it is not triggered by spicy food. Actually its almost anything Maria eats that will trigger heartburn. For example she ate Doritos and had heartburn.
We are very excited to see her in the upcoming ultrasound tomorrow!!! We will be making sure we are still having a girl. Lets keep our fingers crossed as the baby room is complete. I know I promised pictures of the room and I will post them this week so stay tuned.
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