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How your baby is growing
Your little baby is not so little now and can't move too much anymore as its womb space has become very crowded. Most of the lanugo is gone as the baby prepares for its final days in the womb. The lungs are maturing and surfactant production is increasing (reducing the surface tension). The brain is still developing rapidly and the skin has become much paler in appearance due to a thick layer of fat beneath the skin. Your baby can't move too much anymore as its womb space has become very crowded.

The average baby is over seven pounds at this point but some could weigh as much as ten pounds. After nine months of growth and development your baby is almost ready to be born. Research has theorised that when babies are ready to be born they send a chemical signal to the placenta and this in turn increases the production of oestrogen which then leads to labour.

How your life's changing
These last few days will probably feel longer than the last nine months. Most doctors and midwives will wait 10 to 14 days after your due date before considering your baby overdue and inducing labour. In the meantime, you and your partner might try relieving the tension with a little love-making - sex has been known to get labour started. If it doesn't, your doctor may offer a membrane sweep to try to get labour started naturally. If this is your first baby, your labour may be long and slow, but there are ways to speed things up both naturally and by intervention from your doctor.

Be prepared
It's a good idea for you both to do practical things rather than just waiting for the day and try installing the baby's car seat before you need to use it. Some hospitals won't discharge a baby without one and you won't want to waste time working out how it fits in when you're anxious to get home. Another useful thing you can do together is to go over your partner's role during delivery. And if you've still to decide on names, try using our Baby Namer to find the perfect combination.

Having lots of visitors when you are just getting to know your newborn can be overwhelming so try to put some people off for a week or so, or suggest that they just come over for a cup of tea and don't outstay their welcome! 

If your mother is coming to stay when the baby arrives, let her make a fuss of you. And leave the housework to her (and your partner). Your first priority is yourself and your baby - you’ll need time to rest and recover. It's also a good idea to restrict who can hold your baby to close friends and family in the early weeks.

Pregnancy tip
"When I had a show, I expected to be in labour almost immediately. I didn't know I'd have to wait for nearly three days before my waters broke!"- Shefali M. Share your tips below or you can discuss with others on maya voice.

Plus
The last few weeks of pregnancy can be unbearable if you suffer from heartburn - find out what you can do to ease the discomfort.

Things to consider
Do you know what a newborn looks like? Would you like a preview? 

Don't be surprised if your baby spends most of the time sleeping and feeding once you come home. Find out how your newborn develops in the first few weeks. 

Be prepared about the post pregnancy depression. Hormonal changes a few days after the birth make a lot of women moody and weepy - it's normal and will pass. 

 

Not long now - soon you'll be able to kiss, cuddle, change and bath your baby!!