Dates and numbers:
There are 9 days until your due date on August 03, 2008.
You are 271 days pregnant.
You are 8.9 months pregnant.
You are in your 9th month of pregnancy.
Your 1st trimester: October 28, 2007 to January 26, 2008. (0 - 12 weeks)
Your 2nd trimester: January 27, 2008 to May 10, 2008. (13 - 27 weeks)
Your 3rd trimester: May 11, 2008 to August 03, 2008. (28 - 40 weeks)
Your baby continues to grow this week and weighs about 6.8 pounds. His crown-to-rump length is still about 14 inches and total length is around 21 inches. Most women do not grow any larger during the last few weeks of their pregnancy. From the top of your uterus to your bellybutton is about 6.5 to 7 inches. You may be very uncomfortable now-you are almost there!
Just before real labor contractions start, you might notice false labor contractions. These should not be confused with Braxton-Hicks contractions. False labor contractions can be as strong as real labor contractions, but do not get closer and may go away if you get up to walk around. Contractions help dilate the cervix and encourage your water to break. Your baby could be born any day now, but only 5% of mothers deliver on their actual due date!
Over the last few weeks of pregnancy, your baby has been building up waste materials in the intestines. This waste material is known as meconium and is greenish-black in color. Meconium is made up of cells that your baby has shed, lanugo and other substances. Meconium is the first waste that your baby will pass after birth. However, sometimes babies pass meconium before delivery and are delivered with greenish-black waste covering their body. Special care must be taken when a baby passes meconium in the womb.
If your baby is a boy, his testes should have descended into his scrotum by this time. When your baby boy is born, both of his testes should be in place. Approximately 1% of babies are born with undescended testes. Because an undescended testis can cause infertility issues and increase the risks of testicular cancer, your baby's doctor will examine both testes after birth.
The baby's skull is not fully solid as the five bony plates, known as fontanels (little fountains), are still separate and can be pushed together. Birth may mold and elongate the fetal head, a safety precaution to reduce the skull's diameter for an easier birth, without damaging the fetal brain. After delivery, the baby's head returns to a rounded shape. Eyes have no tear ducts yet, they appear a few weeks after birth.
Would you like to announce the birth of your new baby? Do so by clicking this link:
I gave birth!
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Comments on week 38Comments 1-49 of about 9510 from week 38
70 messages have been added in the last 24 hours.
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Show latest comments from all weeksmissyny -
1.4 hours ago
Hi all! I had a sonogram with the specialist in my Dr.'s office yesterday to determine my baby's size. She said the baby weighs 6lbs, 12oz. so far and I can expect it to gain another pound before I give birth. She also measured my belly at 36wks, 4days, even though I am in my 38th wk. So I guess I am not as HUGE as I thought. She could tell the baby has a full head of hair, which I thought was adorable. She also told me the hard poking I have been feeling in my ribs on the right and the baby's knees! It is laying in there with it's legs bent up. She focused on the baby's profile, and we saw the baby open and close it's mouth and stick it's tongue out at us. So cute, like a true little Leo baby being the center of attention! My hubby and I loved this visit! I have to go back today for my internal. My last two internals so far no dilation, but I'm patient. I haven't gained any more weight in 2wks, so whenever the baby wants to come out just gives me more time to eat icecream, guilt free! :) GoonieMomma -
1.6 hours ago
katbaby1- CAREFUL. That hot food may get things going, but FIRE IN THE HOLE on the delivery table is not fun! My sister-in-law had fiery hot burrito kick her kiddo into being delivered but was apologizing all night to the nurses/doctors for her back-end fumes!frogsnack -
1.7 hours ago
Today is also my last day at work! So my plan is to have her tomorrow, hope my plan works. I see my doctor at 8:45 in the morning and she will be stripping my membranes, I'll keep my fingers crossed.Sending possitive baby vibes to everyone!!!babyluver -
2.2 hours ago
Hey all, I've been checking out this website daily and having been keeping up to date with yah all...however haven't been posting...did in the beginning but my profiles kept getting erased....weird...but I had a lot going on so never made a new profile....however today I am 38 weeks...had braxton hicks all day yesterday...I thought for sure I would be having my baby boy last night...but nope...no go!!!Heather-08-01 -
2.5 hours ago
Today is my last day at work - woohoo!! I can't wait! Plus I'm leaving early to go for a Dr's appointment - please wish me luck that I'm progressing and they will sweep my cervix. Sending positive thoughts everyones way!erin24 -
2.5 hours ago
ok ladies i have claened my whole house top to bottom, lifted things, been walking all this week and tried nipple stimulation. i am going to do the baby dance tonight with hubby. i will be 39 weekd tomoroow and nothing yet. i went to docs yesterday and i am not dialated yet! i finished work last friday and my due date is the 1st. i don't think i can hack it another week!!! i am bored and anxious and want my baby sean to come out!!! any other suggestions?? i know i have to be patient but i read all your comments in here all the time and its impossible to be patient sometimes when you are all ready to go!!!katbaby1 -
3.4 hours ago
well my husband has almost force fed me a bombay bad boy pot noodle...my mouth was on fire...and for dinner hes cooking me chilli con carni..i think he wants the baby out as much as me lol
Bec32 -
3.7 hours ago
katbaby-that happened to me as well two days ago, but the past few days, nothing! I thought it might have been the beginning, now I'm not so sure....mommyxs3 -
3.8 hours ago
thatch- I found this info for you. Maybe it will help you know what to eat. :) It's from pregnancy.childbirth.com or something like that. Good luck!
If you understand the physiology of what can stimulate contractions, it makes sense that eating spicy foods may in fact induce labor in some cases. Spicy food can stimulate your digestive system and may even irritate it. The irritation may cause you to have diarrhea. If the diarrhea causes dehydration, we know that one of the side effects of dehydration in pregnant women is to cause contractions to start.
Spicy food may also induce labor by increasing prostaglandin production. The hormone prostaglandins helps to contract the smooth muscles of the body and are known to play a role in inducing labor.
The bottom line about eating spicy food as a way to induce labor...
So should you eat spicy food as a way to induce labor naturally? That is your decision to make. There do not appear to be any disadvantages to eating spicy foods to try to get labor going, with the exception of maybe some gas pains or diarrhea. Moms need to realize however that this is an unresearched area and that there are definitely no guarantees that spicy food will induce your own labor.
mommyxs3 -
3.9 hours ago
tiredmommy- thanks! It really helps to know someone has been there and gone into natural labor. I've been induced twice and would love for this one to be a surprise. I know that may sound strange..lol. I'm not giving up hope...I'm thinking she knows I'm not quite ready and she's letting me get all my ducks in a row. I've got plans to do ALOT of walking next weekend if we still have nothing next week. LOL. Otherwise, if induction is in my future then so be it. I just can't wait to meet my little girl! I will however, do my best to be patient so that she stays as long as she needs to. It's just so hard. LOL!thatch -
4.8 hours ago
hey yall, im 39 wks preg sat!! wana know what the spicyest food to eat to soposely bring on labour i wanna try it either way!!! comment ma page thanx tiredmommy -
4.8 hours ago
mommyxs3 - With my first, I had no progress at my 37 & 38 wk checks. Then 2 days after my 38 wk check, my water broke (a little leak) and I was in labor. I had her that evening. (I believe I caused my water to break by lifting too much the day before.) I feel discouraged this time b/c I'm still only 1 cm and 50% effaced - the same as last week. I've been talking to people though that say that labor can still start at any time, no matter what kind of progress you have. So I'm holding on to that thought, and am desperately hoping to go into labor Monday or so! (Maybe I'll start some heavy lifting again. LOL!) Best luck!mommyxs3 -
6.3 hours ago
Well, I'm officially discouraged. Still no progress. High, closed, and long. Whats up with that? My guess is that my little girl will have to be coaxed out of her Ritz Carlton Hotel Room. LOL. So, on to week 39. Maybe she's holding out for family. That would be nice. :) Anyone else had this experience and then went into labor by themselves?SandraD -
7.4 hours ago
Well I will be off to my last doc apt here in a few. I am not even sure if they will check me or not, I would think they would but who knows. I do go in Friday at 6 to be induced so I would think they would maybe want to see if anything has started to happen or not. If it was not for all our family that will be coming in from out of town I would just ask the doc to send me to the hospital today. But I do have alot of errands to go today. soon2Bmommy-Nadia -
9.1 hours ago
I am from week 37, but it's dead in there.... I can't sleep... It's so early here and all I can do is toss and turn... katbaby1 -
9.3 hours ago
i've just had very intense cramping and lower back pains constantly during the night for 6hrs after me and hubbie had sex. they've stopped now though. Hopefully it's a sign that the baby is on it's way....babeemama -
9.4 hours ago
is anyone else having INTENSE menstrual like cramps??? Sometimes my tummy tightens sometimes not but in my lowerback butt thighs and hips I get crazy like cramps....they last anywhere from 20 seconds to like 45 seconds. I havent lost my plug or had an increase in discharge or anything else.....CarlaCarla1978 -
10.3 hours ago
OBs = Obstetrician
GP = General Practioner CarlaCarla1978 -
10.3 hours ago
AugustMommy - I'm 38 weeks tomorrow and haven't felt a thing, not even a BH contraction, getting rather bored and anxious as I think this baby will be sooo late.
If I was you I would get a second opinion from another doctor, I know if it was me in your position I wouldn't carry on like that, you can't wait yet another 3 weeks being in and out of pain all the time and injected with allsorts!
I would definitely get a second opinion, you should be well within your rights to speak to another doctor and another after that if you're still not satisfied. I'm not sure how your systems works in the US but where I am I would be on that phone every 2 minuts until I had seen 2 more OBS and another GP!21yrmommy2be -
12.4 hours ago
well, i was sleeping and then i woke up to go to the bathroom, and wen i went to get up i had a horrible cramping, as i usually do wen i hav to get up to use the bathroom, but this time it was worse then usual, and then took awhile b4 it finally went away, and it hurt so bad i almost started to tear a little... not wat i was expecting to wake up to at 2 in the morning! it seems to be ok now, but now im afraid to lay back down, or it might happen again... it didnt feel like wat i figured a contraction would feel like, so, idk... if it was, i want it to come back and finally be the real thing, but other than that, i want to sleep!!!hcorreia -
15.5 hours ago
Ok ladies. I know alot of us are very uncomfortable. I am too! I have lost my mucus plus and my baby has definatley dropped down into position. I really want her to come out but really can't handle this right now. I am still working and I am very short handed due to on of my staff is out on workers comp and the other is on vacation. My mother is down for a visit and now is in the hospital with Diverticulitis( digestive disease in the large intestines) we don't know why she is getting so sick but she has been in the hospital since Saturday and showing no signs of improvement. Also I have a daughter who is 18 with a 3 month old who was living on her own until tonight when her and her boyfriend broke up and she had to move back in with us. If all of this doesn't cause labor, I don't know what will!! My mother doesn't know that my little angel is almost here because I didnt' want to make her upset about missing the birth if she is in the hospital herself. This baby wants out and I dont' think she will make it much longer. The pressure in my stomach is intense. No contractions but extreme pressure.HELP!! I need a clone of me to help me with everything going on in my life. 21yrmommy2be -
16.2 hours ago
well, im 2 to 3 centimeters and 80% effaced, and ive been having contractions on and off since 35 weeks... they are starting to hav a little bit of cramping and pain with them now, however, so, im hoping its getting closer... my mother-in-law insists ill hav the baby friday...lol... i hope so!!! im tired of all this contracting on and off!! i just want the pain so i can get the baby!!! so far its just been pretty uncomfortable and such... all right, good luck everyone!!tiredmommy -
16.6 hours ago
Had my 38 wk check today, but w/a diff doc. (Mine's on vacation...again.) The diff doc tried telling me today that my baby is breech. My doc has been telling me since 28 wks that he's head down. She was so sure of herself though today, that she told me I'll have to come in next week for a scheduled c-section - but to have an ultrasound today to double-check. I was so freaked out! I've had NO complications, and now this at 38 wks! So I waited around for my u/s, and the baby is NOT breech. The stupid doctor! She terrified me. She's a doc who's known for doing lots of c-sections. I don't care for her at all! Anyhow, my baby boy is doing just fine and is in the correct position. He's 7 lbs, 9 oz already though! I'm SOOOO ready to have him! My doc will be back on Monday, so I plan on doing EVERYTHING I can to have him early next week!!! (If I have him this week, it'll probably be with the stupid doctor. LOL) Although, I'm still only 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced. Good luck to you all! I know we're all tired and so ready for our babies to come now.tetera -
16.7 hours ago
I know I said my husband came and brought me roses day before yesterday and yesterday he came home with chocolate truffles! So that was a pleasant surprise.
However, this evening our bathroom ceiling nearly caved in due to a leak coming from the upstairs neighbours' flat...the leak has finally stopped and we've written them a letter and put it through their postbox saying they need to have a plumber out ASAP before their floor collapses. We have less than four months before we move again, I just hope it can stay intact until then! mary11 -
16.8 hours ago
I need help! Does amonotic fluid have a smell. The liquid I have doesn't have a urine smell but it does have a wierd smell AugustMommy -
17.2 hours ago
I NEED YOUR ADVICE!! I know that nobody has the exact answers but I am really looking for some advice. I am so upset ... On Monday I was sent to the hospital for elevated BP by my doc when I went in for my reg appt. They ran all sorts of tests and they all came back good except the BP. While I was there they noticed I was having pretty strong consistent contractions (which have been occuring since saturday). I was only dilated to 1 1/2 and the baby was not engaged so, ofcourse, I was sent home. While last night around 11 the contractions got a lot more intense and were occuring every 3 minutes. I waited until around 3:30 to make sure they were staying and at this point they were pretty intense and painful. I felt then in my back and in my tummy, but my pelvic area was also in SOOO much pain.....Well when I got to the hospital, the contractions were registering the same...but baby was still not engaged and I was only dilated to 2 cm. The contractions were lasting like 90 secs with only 20 sec break in between. The nurse proceeded to give me terbutaline at 7:30 am because she said my baby was in distress from my contractions. I was an absolute wreck at this point. The terbutaline made my shake like crazy and calmed the contractions but did not stop them. She wanted to keep shooting my up with it but my husband insisted she stop. I demanded we talk with a doctor...who we didnt see until 10:30 am. At which point the doctor told me that my baby had never been in distress and totally dismissed the fact they gave me the medicine. She said that perhaps the baby wasnt going to fit into my pelvis due to some kind of pelvic condition, but that they would address that at 41 weeks!!! My husband asked what about the contractions that were not stopping...not nearly as intense due to meds but still there. We asked what happens if this continues for the next few weeks and they said we are welcome to come back every day but they will keep doing the same thing until the baby engages and I dilate...IS THIS NORMAL??????? I am highly considered I was given terbutaline after I researched it and I am not sure why I was given it. I feel like I am owed more answers....am I just being overly emotional???? Any advice is truly welcomedbabynguyen -
17.3 hours ago
I don't know about ya'll but I'm ready for something to happen but I have a funny feeling that nothing will happen until after my due date which make me a little sad cause I want my daughter here now! My belly is sooo sore from being rock solid and me trying to move around and her kicking. I know that I'm not the only here with these problems, I'm just tired.joonluv -
17.3 hours ago
I guess at this point we're all feeling sick one way or another. Everyday I've been getting stomach aches and diarreah so I'm guessing it's early labor. Also I'm guessing my baby is much bigger now ( 2 wks ago he weighed 6.8lbs) but now I can just feel him everywhere! Not just on the right or left side but on both and he probably stretches cuz it can be uncomfortable. I can't sit or lie down w/o having to catch my breath and it can be a bit painful! I'm ready to have this baby but at the same time, I'm gonna miss being pregnant :\Heather-08-01 -
17.5 hours ago
W - T - F - indigestion for the first time @ almost 39 weeks - are you freaking kidding me? I suppose I should be greatful but this just sucks. terri08 -
17.7 hours ago
Also, how many milligrams in each cap should I buy?terri08 -
17.7 hours ago
Ladies, I'm about to go to Kroger and buy the evening primrose oil. Should I buy the gel caps? Also, I'd like to start using them tonight. How many should I use and how should I take them???TeresafromBC -
18 hours ago
I don't think I have any signs of anything ever happening. This sucks! katbaby1 -
18.1 hours ago
My Husband and i had sex last night about 5hrs ago and i've been awake the past 1hr with cramping constantly with tightenings and lower back pain. Not sure what to do as had the same happen last week and ended up on labour ward only 1cm dilated and contarctions stopped after about 7hrs!! anyone else had pains like this after sex?La-JoSiE -
18.5 hours ago
so I went to the hospital cuz I didn't feel my baby move about 12 houers..except a lil shacking in the bottom of my stomache.so I go in and as soon as they put the monitor on my stomache she starts moving a lil bit.. they check me and tell me shes fine but that am contracting!and I don't feel nothing not even a pinch.
what those that mean???bellasofia -
18.5 hours ago
hi girls...just wanted to let you all know im going in to have Sofia on Friday morning and im having a c section. im really scared, excited, and nervous and ask you keep me in your prayers. i have such bad anxiety about it I hope it goes away. good luck to you all i will post pics n birth story when i get back.xoxoHeather-08-01 -
18.6 hours ago
Finally got the last 2 pieces of furniture for the nursery in - yay!! The glider and the tall dresser finally came in earlier this week and we picked them up and moved them in =) I have an art project to tackle this Friday and Saturday and it will basically been done - maybe he will come after the nursery is really finished.... I hope so. I'm starting my materinity leave this Friday - I honestly can't take it anymore; I'm so tired at work there are times I could cry at my desk. Dr's appointment tomorrow - I hope there's progress - I too have been worried about being the last woman standing in week 42 =(Jaclyn82 -
18.7 hours ago
hey all so i am really uncomfy. having cramping and i dont know what to do. I dont want to go in to the hospital if they are going to send me home. i am having really bad tightening in my stomach and some pain in my lower back every 3-4min. the hospital is only 5min away but its 9:15pm here. should i wait longer? i was induced with my daughter so i dont know what to do with this one.tmmaxwell06 -
19.3 hours ago
quick question to anyone who's ever been induced before.... is it more painful then going on your own? Im already dialted to 3 cms and 75% efaced, but i just didn't know...mcpheefner -
19.9 hours ago
Congrats to those of you who have already had your babies - I have 9 days until my c-section and can't wait! Tamian - I was actually just thinking today that one person has to be the last one standing and that just seems strange!Mercer -
20.1 hours ago
Oh and wolfegrls - congrats!!! That's awesome news!Mercer -
20.1 hours ago
mumofsix - I've lost weight too! And I was shocked because I've been eating so much more than normal lately. I really am so ready to have this baby (as I know you girls ALL are : ) so I hope your midwife is right!becky468 -
20.4 hours ago
tamian- you haven't been on in awhile. Thought you had your baby. I was sooo about to be jelouse and hate you. lol.lpnh125 -
20.5 hours ago
Going to the doctor tomorrow morning and getting my first internal check. Can't wait to find out if there's any progress! Tomorrow is also my last day at work until November. Last week doctor told me he'd induce me on 8/8 (my due date) if I didn't have her earlier as he was on call that day and it was a 'cool birthday'. I hope she comes on her own before then, but it's reassuring to know I don't have to wait past that date. Good luck to all, sounds like babies are being born daily from our group! dala -
20.9 hours ago
i just got back from my doctor's appt and he said im 2 cm dialated and 70 % effac. I'll be 39 weeks in two days. On top of that my tummy has been tightning up ever now and then and I have been feeling pain like symptoms like menstrual cramp. The pain isnt as bad because i can still breathe and talk through them. I wonder if this is a sign i'll be going in soon. tamian -
21.4 hours ago
All of these birth stories are bitter sweet. On one hand sooo happy for all of the mommies having their babies. On the other I am incredibly jealous and so afraid I am going to be the last one standing! mumofsix -
21.6 hours ago
I have lost 1kg(2.2lb) this last week and my midwife said that it is a sign that things are getting ready. Apparently the pregnancy hormone that causes us to retain water and keep the pregnancy begins to drop before birth so you also loose a bit of that extra fluid. She said it is all a good sign that things could happen soon. I thought it was interesting to know.WolfeGrls -
21.6 hours ago
Just wanted to let you all know I had my baby!!! A girl, Tegan Grace, 7lbs 1oz. Thank you to everyone who respond to me about my water breaking. Good luck to everyone! You really are almost there! I will post my birth story after we settle back in.jwalker -
21.6 hours ago
So, here I am after another midwife appointment and I am now officially feeling very bloated! my beet actaully look like small burritos! so the baby's head is engaged, but not totally. I guess it can stay that way until labor actually starts since this is #3. I wa actually hoping to have a Cancer baby but....so much for that! Anyway, besies my vent above, I am soo happy to be pregnant and to be carrying a healthy baby boy who seems to love being inside of his mommy! I hope that everyone has patience and peace!Jaclyn82 -
21.9 hours ago
Hey all. Well its nice to see that again i am not alone in feeling sick. I have been getting that too sometimes. I actually get nauseas and feel a bit nervous because i just dont feel right. I am like that right now. I get a bit anxious some days and this is my 2nd child. I didnt think i would be so scared but i am. Excited too but really scared hehe. Also- about the breast implant breastfeeding thing..... I too have saline implants that i got when my daughter was about 2years old. I plan on breastfeeding. I was told it was ok and all i have read says its fine. Good luck to all!!!! armywife531 -
22.2 hours ago
My hubby actually helped me do so much today. I couldn't be more happy. We cleaned the entire house because my mom will be here on Friday to help out and stay home with our 3 year old while I'm giving birth. And he's cooking dinner right now! He made my day today..I love him! Also, I'm getting induced on the 27th yay!