Me @ 36 WeeksThe focus for this week on What To Expect is the beloved "waddle". The pregnant waddle is due to the connective tissue softening and loosening. While the flexibility is necessary to prepare for the arrival of Baby Schneider, there are definitely some downsides (besides looking like a penguin when I walk): discomfort in the pelvis and hip. Add to that the pressure from the baby's head (burrowing deeper and deeper into your pelvis now) and a heavier uterus ... it simply becomes a bit of a pain to walk around. What To Expect suggests a few tips to relieve the pain: relax with your hips elevated, do some pelvic exercises, take warm baths, apply warm compresses, get a massage, or try some complementary and alternative therapies.
Sounds like a plan! I think I deserve a massage this week :)
The Baby @ 36 Weeks
Height: 18.66 inches
Weight: 5.78 Pounds
According to What To Expect, the baby's systems are pretty mature and just about ready for life on the outside. Soem systems still need a "few finishing touches", such as the digestive system that won't be fully mature until sometime after birth. This is because Baby Schneider has relied on the umbilical cord for nutrition, meaning that the digestive system (though developed) hasn't been operational. It takes the first year or two to bring that system up to speed.
