All about baby
Your baby is in a tight spot and the level of amniotic fluid may begin to decrease. The average baby weighs around seven pounds by now although yours could be up to three pounds heavier or lighter at birth, with boys often heavier than girls.
You can rest assured now that your baby is fully developed and ready for life outside your womb. The bones in your baby's skull are ready for birth and wont fuse together until sometime after he's born. For now they remain quite soft and will slide over each other to allow the head to pass through the cervix without damage.
The creamy white vernix that covered much of your baby’s body is mostly gone now, but he may still have a small amount around the joints and folds of skin.
- Measures about 34.5cm crown to rump
- Weighs in at around an average of 7lbs
Over to you
As you get nearer to birth, your baby’s head will engage and your cervix will begin to soften and possibly dilate. Braxton Hicks contractions may become more frequent and uncomfortable, although unless they get longer, stronger and closer together, these are still not the real thing.
Your baby’s movements may slow considerably just before birth, as there’s simply not much room in which to move. It’s almost as if he’s saving his energy. However, it’s worth keeping track of your little one's activity level – and calling your doctor if movements seem dramatically reduced.
It might feel like the days are dragging by - especially if the phone hasn't stopped ringing because everyone wants to know if you've gone into labour! Take your mind off things and make an effort to treat yourself. Go see a film, have a facial, eat out, get a haircut. After all, it might be quite some time before you get the chance to spend some quality ‘me time’ again.
In the know
Help after the birth
If this is your first pregnancy, it may be hard to for you to imagine life with a new baby. As wonderful as it is to have a baby, it's also very tough in the beginning - which is why it's a good idea to think about the help you'll need in the early days and weeks after your baby is born.
Newborns rarely sleep for more than three or four hours at a time. Of the seven hours they spend awake during the day and night, about half of that time is spent crying. In other words, you’re likely to feel exhausted, stressed and emotional.
While you're keeping up with the round the clock demands of caring for your baby, your hormones will be shifting back to normal and your own body will be gradually recovering from the physical demands of pregnancy and birth. On top of that, after just two weeks' leave, it's likely that your partner will return to work. So an extra pair of hands will probably be very welcome!
Family support can be a lifeline and most couples with newborns call upon relatives to lend a hand, at least at first. But make sure you ask for the support you really need – your mum may be happier holding the baby than cracking on with household chores. So make a deal - she can have all the cuddles she wants if she puts on a load of washing!
Enlist willing friends and family to:
- Lend a hand with the housework
- Bring over a meal or two
- Do a bit of food shopping for you
- Watch your baby while you take a rest
- Entertain older siblings if you have other children - like treating them to a day out
- Help with pets if you have any - like taking the dog for a walk
- ...or just look after the baby while you have an hour to yourself!
Try to stagger visits and offers of help so that you know you'll have support when you need it - and for as long as you need it. As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child...
Go to next week's article: Pregnancy Week 40
Please note that the contents of this section are for information only and are not intended as medical advice or as a substitute to your doctor's advice. For medical care and advice, you should consult your doctor on a regular basis. If you have any problem which concerns you, consult your doctor immediately.
