Obstetrics - Pregnancy 36-40 Weeks

Your Baby:

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• Eyes are dark

• Organs are maturing

• Baby will be able to breathe on its own after birth

• Head is in a down position and may be moving down into the pelvis

• Approximately one quart of amniotic fluid surrounds the baby

• Weight is approximately 6-1/2 to 7-1/2 lbs. and is approximately 20 inches long

Your Body:

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• You may feel extremely fatigued

• You may have pressure in the lower pelvis

• Braxton Hicks contractions may become more frequent (false labor)

• Lightening occurs (when the baby drops down into the pelvis)

• You may become quite uncomfortable and irritable

Office Visits Include:

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• Blood pressure and weight check

• Urine dip

• Fundal height

• Listening to fetal heart tones

• Cervical check for dilation, thinning and position start between 36 and 40 weeks

• If Group B Strep culture was not obtained at 35 weeks, obtain Group B Beta Strep culture (GBBS)

• Review signs of labor

• Schedule any necessary procedures, testing and/or delivery options