Week By Week Pregnancy Guide Weeks Thirty Seven To Forty
Week Thirty Seven
By now the baby weighs around six pounds, S/he will be practicing breathing movements to prepare for life outside the womb. They are able to grasp and will turn towards the light.
This week twins are considered “term.” Their lanugo will start to disappear.
Vaginal discharge may be heavier now and will contain more cervical mucous as your body prepares for labour. Your baby will generally be delivered in whatever position they have adopted now. If your baby is in breech position, a caesarean might be recommended or your abdomen might be manipulated in such a fashion that the baby turns head down.
Your baby might be ready to be born at any time. Are your plans in place and your hospital bag packed?
Week Thirty Eight
The baby is still gaining weight, perhaps as much as an ounce per day, The intestines are accumulating meconium and the circumference of the babies abdomen and head are about the same.
False labour contractions are irregular and might be painful. You might feel them in the back, pelvis or lower abdomen. True contractions start at the top of the uterus and spread down through the lower back and into the pelvis. The contractions will become stronger and more painful and won’t be alleviated by a change of position.
Week Thirty Nine
By now, most of the lanugo has disappeared, The lungs are maturing and surfactant is increasing. Space in the womb is very cramped and your baby is unable to move too much. Your baby probably weighs around seven pounds.
As the baby settles into the pelvis, so your centre of gravity changes and this may make you feel off balance. As the uterus presses on the bladder, you may feel the need to run to the toilet more frequently, Your uterus is nearly twenty centimetres above your navel.
Week Forty
This should be the final week. The average size of a new born baby is forty five centimetres long and weighs seven and a half pounds. Fifteen per cent of the body is fat and the chest sticks out.
Your EDD, or estimated due date is only an estimate. Your health care professional will only suggest induction if they feel that the pregnancy has gone on long enough.
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