Pregnancy Guide for Couples: Week 36
Four weeks to go! Today, we’re discussing your weekly prenatal appointments and how Dad can prep for baby in several ways.
What’s Going on with Baby
At Week 36, your baby is the size of a kitchen cutting board!
Remember when we talked about that lanugo hair and vernix caseosa that covers baby’s body? Most of this hair is starting to come off in preparation for birth. Sometimes, the hair doesn’t come off until shortly after birth. Either way, shedding lanugo hair is a normal part of the transition from fetal to newborn life and does not typically indicate any health concerns.
What’s Going on with Mom
With only four weeks left until your due date, you will be expected to attend weekly prenatal appointments until you deliver your baby. You may or may not be asked to have an ultrasound done, depending on your situation. Doctors may suggest to have an ultrasound done to:
Estimate baby’s growth and size - remember this is an ESTIMATE and this late in the game tends to be fairly inaccurate. Take this measurement with a grain of salt.
Check position of the baby
Check amniotic fluid levels
Evaluate the condition and location of the placenta
Check cervical length
What’s going on with Partner
We’re really in preparation mode during these last few weeks of pregnancy. This week, start preparing for baby care. Here are some ways you can do this:
Install baby’s car seat
Take a newborn care class - you need to know exactly how to soothe, bottle feed and burp your little one. Our class can help you with this.
Ensure Mom’s nursing and pumping things are together (if she plans to do this)
Finish prepping freezer meals
Have baby’s clothes cleaned, folded, and put away
Taking a newborn care class can be the best way to learn how to properly care for an infant and build Dad’s confidence before your little one arrives! Check out our class below.
RESOURCE OF THE WEEK
Become a confident parenting team
The Newborn Class for Couples covers newborn care from the first moment you lay eyes on your little one until 4 months of age. We cover feeding, diapers, sleep tips, developmental milestones, soothing, infant CPR and choking... and so much more.
Click the link below to sign up!
