Week 37

As promised, here is the week 37 update. I brought back the developmental update down below.. Two years ago when we hit 37 weeks with Perry we were at "full term". The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recently decided to change the definition of full term and to push it to 39 weeks. Now 37 - 38 weeks is considered early term, 39 - 40 is full term and 41 on is late term. Our OBGYN's take on the change is that planned C-sections were being scheduled as early as 37 weeks and there has been enough research conducted to lead to the conclusion that waiting just two more weeks makes a difference in the newborns overall outcome. Amazing to think that after almost nine months of gestation that two more weeks matter, especially when it comes to lung development. We had read during Perry's pregnancy that there is a chemical that is released by the baby when their lungs are fully developed which in turn signals to the mother's body that it is time to move into labor. Such a strong reason for us to try to go VBAC for this baby and be able to wait for her signal in order to let the magic of nature take place on its own.

Speaking of magic, Chris has been sustaining me with pastries over the last few weeks. He has made brioche cinnamon rolls, ginger raisin scones, chocolate croissants and cookies. I am still thinking about the cinnamon rolls. My god they were amazing. I do love it when he gets hit by the baking itch!

We are holding Perry's birthday party this Saturday, so more baking goodness is on its way. We are going with a western theme. I am excited to be able to give Perry a day that will be all about him before his little sister is on the scene.

Week 37 Developments -

Your due date is very close now, but doctors don't consider your baby "full term" until 39 weeks. Spending the next two weeks in the womb allows your baby's brain and lungs to fully mature. So if you're planning to have a repeat c-section, for example, your practitioner will schedule it for no earlier than 39 weeks unless there's a medical reason to intervene earlier. Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (about the size of a bunch of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz
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