Your baby
Your baby is now full term and mostly putting the finishing touches on growth, adding a bit more fat and strengthening the immune system as antibodies pass from you across the placenta. The lungs continue producing surfactant, a substance that helps the air sacs work properly after that first breath. Your baby is ready to meet the world and is simply gaining strength while waiting for labor to begin.
Your body
You may feel significant pressure low in your pelvis, frequent urination, and stronger or more regular contractions as your body readies itself. Backache, loose stools, and a renewed bloody show can all show up in the days before labor. Many people feel anxious or eager at this point, which is completely understandable.
This week
Watch for the signs of true labor: regular contractions that get closer together and more intense, your water breaking, or persistent low back pain. Keep your provider's number handy and know when they want you to call or come in. Rest, eat well, and lean on your support people; it is okay to ask for help and to take this final stretch one day at a time.
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Book your prenatal visitAbout this guide
This page is general educational information, compiled from publicly available guidance from trusted medical sources, including the NHS and MedlinePlus. It is not medical advice from Garden OB/GYN or its providers, and it is not a substitute for care from your own clinician. Every pregnancy is different, so always talk with your OB/GYN about your specific situation. See our full medical disclaimer.
