Get ready to meet your baby!
The baby could arrive any day now! All of their organs are fully formed and working. By now, the baby's skin is thick enough to protect their internal organs and regulate heat exchange [1]. A growing subcutaneous layer of fat will make the baby round and plump [2].
The lungs are now producing more surfactant, which will help the baby breathe independently once they are born [3].
Respiratory activity has improved thanks to the development of the corresponding centers in the central nervous system. They will continue to develop even after the baby is born. Newborn babies breathe intermittently and irregularly and can pause for up to five seconds [3].
By this week, the baby has developed clear states of activity and rest. In the active phase, the eyes move quickly, while in the passive phase, they remain almost motionless. These periods are synchronized with the heart rate and movements of the head, arms, and legs.
After the baby is born, the doctor will assess their health using the Apgar scale, which takes into account heart rate, breathing rhythm, muscle tone, reflexes, and skin color [3].
If your partner is expecting twins
Twins should be brought to the breast as soon as possible after childbirth. Of course, it’s more challenging to manage two, so you need to be there for her. Support from family and medical staff is also essential. Each of the babies can have their feeding style and rhythm, one can nurse often and little, and the other longer but with noticeable spacing. In the first few days, it is better to put the babies at the breast in turns to focus on particular sensations and understand how well each child latches to the nipple and how actively they nurse [4]. Later, your partner can train herself to nurse them simultaneously. If, of course, she decides to do so, and the babies cooperate!
What we can see on an ultrasound
Here, we see the baby's head from above. The dotted line indicates its circumference and diameter. It now measures almost four inches (96 mm).
