Week 37-40

Week 37

The baby: the baby now weighs nearly 6. 5 pounds. He measures 14 inches in CTR length and 21 inches in total length. He is still gaining weight and growing. By now it is likely that the baby's head is positioned above the birth canal.

The mother: the mother's uterus is likely between 6. 4 and 6. 8 inches from her belly button. At this stage a pelvic exam is typically administered to evaluate the progress of the baby's growth and the pregnancy. The physician will check for cervical effacement (thickness of the cervix - the thicker, the further away labor is).

Week 38

The baby: the baby now weighs approximately 6. 8 pounds. There is not much if any change in the CTR length of the baby and the total length should be around 21 inches. The white secreted coating that covered the baby is disappearing as is the lanugo hair. The baby's growth has almost completely stopped and he is gaining vital antibodies from the mother's body in order to help protect him from disease and infection.

The mother: At this stage the mother is probably as big as she are going to get. She is likely very uncomfortable because of her size. She should ensure that she is ready for labor at anytime. The mother's bags should be packed for her trip to the hospital.

Week 39

The baby: the baby weighs close to 7 pounds now and is approximately 21. 5 inches in length. The baby's organ systems are now fully developed and he is still gaining weight. By now the baby should be in position for delivery with arms and legs tucked in and his head at the opening of the cervix.

The mother: the mother's uterus is about as large as it will get during the pregnancy so she is likely very uncomfortable. Sleeping is likely a challenge and the mother will find that with her increased weight her balance is off and even walking is clumsy. The mother should be looking for signs of labor. Her water breaking, which will mean that she is leaking a fairly constant amount of fluid, and contractions that get stronger over time, as opposed to the Braxton Hicks contractions that she has felt over the last few weeks, are sure signs.

Week 40

The baby: At this stage an average baby is approximately 7. 5 pounds and 21. 5 inches long in total. Boys are typically heavier than girls. The baby's reflexes are fully formed. He can open his eyes, squint, make facial expressions, open and close his mouth, hear, and grasp things with his hands.

The mother: Again the mother is likely very uncomfortable and having trouble sleeping if she has not already given birth. Unfortunately this may not be her last week of pregnancy. While some women may have given birth to a healthy baby almost two weeks ago, the mother still may not give birth for another two weeks. If her due date passes, all she can do beyond having an induced labor is try to relax.

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