This week begins your baby's most rapid period of weight gain — about 8 to 12 ounces (226 to 340 grams) each week! Fat is being deposited all over your baby's body, especially around the shoulders. The vernix coating on the baby's skin is becoming thicker, whereas lanugo hair is almost completely gone.
This increasing size means that your baby is now cramped and restricted inside the uterus — you might feel fewer movements, but they may be stronger and more forceful. If in a headfirst position, your baby's head will rest on your pubic bone in preparation for labor.
Your bond with your baby will be even stronger once your little one is here. Bonding doesn't only happen right after birth. It may happen later or develop over time. Bonding makes parents want to protect their baby and shower him or her with affection, and it builds a baby's sense of security.
While we are ranked among the best children's hospitals in the country, it's our compassionate approach to treatment that makes us truly exceptional. Through a combination of revolutionary treatments and extraordinary patient experiences, our care does more than heal. It brings the entire family together for emotional support and understanding across multiple locations to reach you in the community where you live. Learn more...
