What's New
Our office is taking on a new look. We are excited to offer a more welcoming and comfortable setting for our patients. Our exam suites have been redecorated and have taken on a spa like feel. We hope that our patients can be more relaxed and feel at home. Check out the pictures of our newly decorated suites.
Additional Resources
Contact Us
1505 Eastland Drive, Suite 500,Bloomington, IL 61701
Phone: (309) 662-2273
Fax: (309) 662-2014
Pregnancy, Weeks 35-40
About you…
Well, you have finally made it to your last month! You have done a great job at being a mama already! You have a lot of decisions to make in this last month or so…where are you going to deliver, what kind of labor and delivery are you hoping for, to circumcise or not, to induce or not to induce…ohh the decisions. Well, our part in all of this is to educate you so you and your significant other can make an informed decision. So, ask us many questions! We will help as much as we can.
I'm sure by now, you are very ready for this pregnancy to be over—do not worry—soon, very soon! Does it feel like you have run out of room? That is because your uterus has grown all the way up under your rib cage! Hopefully this handout will be a good source of information for you in your last few weeks.
Non-stress test monitoring is a test that may be performed during your pregnancy. This is a test that can either be done in the office during office hours or if needed, we may send you to the hospital. This test evaluates how well the baby is tolerating life inside your uterus. Multiple reasons exist for ordering this test. If we order it for you and your baby, we will educate you on the reason for the testing. It is a very simple test that involves hooking you up to a fetal monitor to record the baby's heart rate and we also look to see if any contractions are occurring. When the baby moves, we have you push a button which then records a mark on the paper. This test usually takes about 30 minutes, sometimes a little longer. Depending on your pregnancy, we may only do this test once or perhaps we may order it several times or not at all.
Keep your labor options open. Do your own research and ask questions. These are some of the options to consider: epidural, IV pain medicine, position changes, walking, birthing ball, squat bar, rocking chair. You can also labor and deliver in the tub, do Lamaze breathing, hypnobirth, aromatherapy, massage, use acupressure points and have a doula.
This visit we will be checking your blood pressure, weight, baby's heartbeat, measuring your tummy, checking urine for protein and sugar and also obtaining the beta strep culture.
Group-B Streptococcus (GBS) is a normal bacteria found in a person's GI tract. It is not harmful to you as a woman, but can be harmful to your baby as it comes down and out the birth canal. When you reach 35-36 weeks, we will perform a vaginal/rectal swab and if it comes back positive we will treat you with IV antibiotics while you are in labor, if it is possible. If you test positive you will need to stay in the hospital at least 48 hours so the baby can be monitored.
About baby…
Your baby is preparing for its finishing touches. It has packed on the pounds and development is finished. Your baby has a well rounded tummy and breast buds (boys and girls). In the boys, both testicles should be in the scrotum. The fine hair (lanugo) has disappeared from the entire body and the baby’s nails have grown clear over the ends of the fingers and toes. Your baby will be anywhere from 20 1/2 to 21 1/2 inches long and will weigh between 5 1/2 and 7 1/2 pounds.