4 WEEKS TO GO!

WEEK 36 Begins! The 9th Month begins NOW!

(According to www.3dpregnancy.com) Your baby is completely ready to be born, except for his lungs which will not mature until at least week 38. Even slow growers are now heavy enough to endure the birth without problems. Your little one is now over 6 pounds (2900 grams) and almost a foot and a half long (45 centimeters). There can be differences in length and weight, because how tall and how heavy he will be eventually also has to do with the functioning of the placenta, the size of your uterus and a bit of heredity. A big mother and father have a greater chance of having a big child.

Your child's skin is still covered in vernix: a white, slippery layer that protects him from all of that amniotic fluid. Otherwise he would be completely wrinkled! That layer of vernix may come off during the last weeks before his birth, or he may be born looking like he is covered in cream cheese! Most of the time, though, it flakes off in the amniotic fluid.

The Hospital Tour
Tuesday we had our tour of the maternity ward. It made things a lot more real. Especially when they showed us the "birthing suite", just thinking that I will be in one of those beds... YIKES..

It was also comforting to know where to go and what to expect when you get there. As most of you know I am going to attempt a "natural" birth - drug free... So it was neat to see the different options for soothing the labour pains, including the jacuzzi tub. Of course I am open to drugs if I can't hack it. I am going in there very opened minded, seeing how I have never done this before.

My favourite "feature" was the microchip. Each baby has an ID bracelet that matches mom and dad's, but the baby has an addition accessory that contains a microchip. If anyone tries to take the baby through an exit door the entire hospital goes into "lock down". A very scary thought, but it is nice that they have it covered.

Maternity Leave is Coming!
I am counting down to May 8th. I have decided to work until 10 days before my due date (May 18th). In three weeks I will be OFF WORK FOR A YEAR! I saved up my vacation days so the next three Friday's I have off, followed by an entire week off! Technically my mat leave begins Friday May 16, but I'll be on vacation starting May 8th! Can't wait!