It’s hard to say for sure how big your baby will be, but the average newborn weighs about 7 1/2 pounds (about the size of a small pumpkin) and is about 20 inches long.
Your baby’s skull bones are not yet fused, which allows them to overlap a bit if it’s a snug fit through the birth canal during labour. This so-called “molding” is the reason your baby’s noggin may look a little conehead-ish after birth. Rest assured – it’s normal and temporary.
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Common Symptoms
[common-symptoms]
- More frequent Braxton Hicks contractions
- Slowdown in fetal activity
- Heartburn or indigestion
- Cervical dilation or effacement
- Diarrhea or nausea
- Pelvic pressure and discomfort
- Leg cramps
- Difficulty sleeping
- Fatigue or extra energy
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To-Do List
[to-do-list]
- Pack any last-minute items into your hospital bag.
- Practice any childbirth breathing techniques you learned in childbirth class.
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[fun-tip]
Pack super-absorbent sanitary pads in your hospital bag because the ones at the hospital haven’t changed in a century. After labor, you will be experiencing lochia, a heavy bleeding as the uterus lining, mucus and tissue are dispelled from your body.
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Image: Essential Baby
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