Group B strep test | Parenting In the Loop

Pregnancy at 35 Weeks

Baby is the size of a honey dew melon.

Baby is now more than 18 inches long and it is getting crowded in utero. He probably is weighing it at over 5 pounds as well.

Now his kicks will be still the same but he will not be able to move around so much. For the next few weeks he be gaining weight before his eviction notice.

Your changing life at 35 weeks of pregnancy.

Your uterus is now above your rib cage and crowding your internal organs.
You may have gastrointestinal distress, heartburn and you may have to urinate more often.
Your practitioner appointments will be every week now

Sometime between now and 37 weeks, she’ll do a vaginal and rectal culture to check for bacteria called Group B streptococci (GBS). (Don’t worry — the swab is the size of a regular cotton swab, and it won’t hurt at all.) GBS is usually harmless in adults, but if you have it and pass it on to your baby during birth, it can cause serious complications, such as pneumonia, meningitis, or a blood infection. Because 10 to 30 percent of pregnant women have the bacteria and don’t know it, it’s vital to be screened. (The bacteria come and go on their own — that’s why you weren’t screened earlier .) If you’re a GBS carrier, you’ll get IV antibiotics during labor, which will greatly reduce your baby’s risk of infection.

Source: Your pregnancy: 35 weeks | BabyCenter

It is a great time to create your birth plan.
Who will be present?
What pain management would you like?
* Remember that a birth plan should be written in pencil so it is flexible as every childbirth really is different but it is very important that your caregiver knows what you prefer.

“To streamline a chore like filling out birth announcements, address and stamp your envelopes now while you’re still in control of your time.”

What you should do this week.

If you want a special experience check out these hospital gowns made by my friends at Annie & Isabel. They are perfect for after delivery and for future doctor’s appointments.

If you have not preregistered at the hospital you should consider doing this so you won’t have to do it when you arrive and you are in labor.
Get meals ready to eat after you come home with your baby. Make double recipes and freeze them or make a list of carry-outs and their menus. Keep them handy…you will be glad that you did this.
Be prepared in any way you can!

I will remind you again.

Do not forget your pedicure…you will be so happy to be able to finally see and reach your toes.

Enjoy your last weeks of pregnancy.

Pregnancy at 25 Weeks

Your baby is now about 13 1/2 inches long and weights approximately 1 1/2 pounds. He now has some baby fat on him and is starting to look more like a newborn. He has more hair with color and texture.

Your life at 25 Weeks Gestation

You may be finding it harder to get around at this point in your pregnancy. So be more careful when you are exercising and don’t work out when you are too tired, or have any pain. Your balance may be a little off and you definitely do not want to fall.
Do not lie flat on your back as the weight of your uterus impedes the flow of major blood vessels which can make you lightheaded and dizzy.
Drink plenty of water while you exercise.
Your hair will be thicker now…due to hormonal changes so enjoy your nice locks because you will lose the extra hair after delivery.
You will be having a glucose screening between 24-28 weeks.
Baby names should no be on your schedule too. Make this a fun time for you and your significant other.

“To ease constipation, add oat or wheat bran to anything you can think of — cereal, yogurt, smoothies, or even spaghetti sauce.”

Third Trimester of Pregnancy is Coming Up:

You will see your practitioner every two weeks during weeks 28-36 and then it will become weekly.
Your practitioner will be checking on you physically and emotionally. Physically, he will ask you about contractions, vaginal discharge, bleeding or headaches. Make sure to mention if you are anxious or depressed.
There will be questions about your baby’s movements. If you baby becomes less active you will be instructed to call your caregiver. You may be asked to start counting your baby’s movements for a set period each day.
Weighing-in at each appointment is important as is checking your urine for sugar and protein a sign of preeclampsia.
Your blood pressure will be monitored as well as any swelling of your ankles, hands and face.
Baby’s heartbeat will be monitored also. Your abdomen will be measured too, which is a way to estimate the size of your baby.

Usually you will not have an internal exam until maybe the last four weeks. Your caregiver will probably discuss the signs of early or preterm labor as you get closer to your due date. He/she will also discuss signs of preeclampsia.

You should make a list of questions for your caregiver.
You might want to discuss circumcision and feeding of your baby.

Here are a list of tests coming up for some of you.

Hemocrit/hemoglobin, which tests for anemia
Glucose screening will be done and a Glucose Tolerance Test will be ordered if you screening is abnormal.
Rh antibody screening will be repeated if you are Rh-negative. If you are Rh-neg you will receive an injection of Rhogam (Rh immune globulin) at 28 weeks. This will protect you from developing anti-bodies, which would pose a risk to future babies or even to this child. If you and the father of the baby are both Rh-negative then your baby will also be Rh-negative and you will not need Rhogam.
If you are at risk, now is the time to check again for any STDs including HIV.
Biophysical profiles and non stress tests which check on your baby will be done if you have any complications.

Group B strep test: Between 35 and 37 weeks, you’ll be checked for group B streptococci (GBS) in your vagina and rectum. You won’t be treated right away if the cultures are positive, because early treatment is no guarantee that the bacteria won’t return. Instead, you’ll be treated with IV antibiotics when you’re in labor. (If you’ve previously given birth to a baby who had GBS, you can skip this test because you’ll be given antibiotics in labor no matter what.)

Taking care of yourself and significant other:

Take time for you and your significant other at this time of pregnancy. The next weeks will seem to take forever but they will actually speed by and before you know it, you will have your baby in your arms. So enjoy your time together before the arrival of your child.

Source: | BabyCenter