Mother:
You can now probably distinguish the baby's knee from and elbow, even though the movements are smaller. You may also notice small bumps that appear to be rhythmic in your uterus. This is probably caused by the baby having hiccoughs and isn't cause for alarm. Continue learning all you can about labor, birth, postpartum, and newborns!
Baby:
Your baby has surfactant, which helps baby breathe after birth, coating the alveoli in the lungs. After this week, if your baby is born, you have less of a chance of apnea of prematurity. S/he weighs about four pounds (1.8 kilograms).
There are almost 2 pints of amniotic fluid in your uterus. You may have been told that you have polyhyrdamnios, or too much amniotic fluid. The opposite of which would be oligohydramnios, often associated with Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR). However, it is important to keep in mind that everyone has varying amounts of amniotic fluid.
Dad:
Don't forget to spend some time practicing relaxation with mom. Try putting on some nice, quiet music and giving her a massage and working on practicing relaxation for birth.
Twin Tips:
Average birth weights for twins are 5 lbs 5 oz, triplets weigh in averaging 4 lbs, and quadruplets average a bit over 3 lbs. Are you ready for labor with multiples?
Suggested Reading:
Keys to Becoming a Father by Dr. William Sears
A fathering book that encourages dads to take an active role, including helpful hints for busy fathers.
Click Here to Order
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