Dates and numbers:
There are 9 days until your due date on October 16, 2008.
You are 271 days pregnant.
You are 8.9 months pregnant.
You are in your 9th month of pregnancy.
Your 1st trimester: January 10, 2008 to April 09, 2008. (0 - 12 weeks)
Your 2nd trimester: April 10, 2008 to July 23, 2008. (13 - 27 weeks)
Your 3rd trimester: July 24, 2008 to October 16, 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!
Almost there! Did you know that we also have a month by month calendar for babies? You can find it in the menu under `Babies`:
Month by month
Comments on week 38Comments 1-49 of about 12692 from week 38
100 messages have been added in the last 24 hours.
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Show latest comments from all weeksGabrielsMom7 -
1 minutes ago
Just put lots of new pics up. And go figure... haven't had any stretch marks untill these last 2 weeks. Crazy. Oh well at least I got to experience that.cherryzz -
14 minutes ago
I have tried everything for my itching. It got so bad!! I have bumps on my arms legs and belly. I cant sleep because of all the itching.jutterback -
15 minutes ago
April- you can still go into labor at any time even if your not dialated. Some women dialate early, some dont. It really doesnt mean anything. With my first i wasnt dialated at all and had her a week early. So dont fret if your not dialated girls. We are all full term now and the races are on! mskitty -
1 hours ago
My cousin used calamine lotion for her itchy tummy. She says it works really good. She had even gotten little bumps from scratching so much. Thanksfully I haven't had an itchy belly so far.shellers -
1 hours ago
After today just three days of work left! I'm so ready to be on maternity leave!!tamara4843 -
1.3 hours ago
My belly has been SOOOO itchy lately - I've tried everything from Aveeno for dry and itchy skin to Benadryl cream, but nothing works :(. I think I'm gonna wind up scratching this baby out of me.Mommy.D -
1.4 hours ago
I was not able to get any sleep at all last night. I was just so hot. It was very weird. Anyways I did manage to sleep and once again today I am back to cleaning. Sometimes I get this sinking feeling that I won't be able to get everything done before he gets here. Hopefully the energy will stay with me today.april*k -
1.7 hours ago
Okay so I went to the doc. this morning..and looks like i will be going full term or over.. GRRR!!!... He told me they could feel the baby and she was really low..that i was thinning out but havent dilated any!!! Can anyone tell me how I can get this process moving along.. Im so miserable and want her out!!!!KarenVG -
1.9 hours ago
ZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz that is all i have done today... i have laundry i need to do but not until my energy is up... will that happen ever again?
I am having my tubes tied, I feel pangs of indecision but I really do not want to go through this again, it is my third too and third c-section, I think the finality of my baby making years is hard to take but I know I really do not want to make #4! HOwever If I did by a chance of freakyness even after my tubes were tied I would love it but it gets harder as we get older...I have definitly noticed that this time... ooh now you got me thinking about it again!tish06 -
2 hours ago
i have a dr appt today....maybe i can get him to induce me cuz this child is KILLING me lol...i keep getting really bad pains in the bottom of my stomach but i know its not contractions and then i have this bad constant pain in my very lower back and i cant even stand half the time i just keep thinking something is wrong but im sure its not...but i gotta go have to leave in 15 min lol...ttyl and tc...
lots of love...
tashabluegirl -
2.1 hours ago
Is this ever gonna end? I am showing no signs of change so far. No cramps, no spotting, still haven't lost my plug. I can't wait for her to get here but I think she is gonna be late. :(t555rm -
2.4 hours ago
Hats off to all those who are still working ! How do u guys do it ?!anxiousfirst -
2.7 hours ago
just had my 39 week appointment as tomorrow I'll be 39 weeks... No progress still at one cm so if she doesn't come on her own we will be inducing next Tuesday night on her due date so she'll be born Wednesday October 15... It's exciting to see the end is here but now I'm sure this will the longest week!! kassyfk -
2.8 hours ago
ok all weekend had some leakage. My husband made me call the Dr this morning and they are making me come in to L&D. I told them i think its just the baby kicking me..but here i go. (maybe they'll let me stay) They told me to bring my bags. Wish me luck ladies!smilepretty -
2.9 hours ago
awww im with you Karen!! This cloudy/rainy weather doesnt help my matter either. =pBangel -
2.9 hours ago
Dusty-I get that feeling too.
Bangel -
2.9 hours ago
went to the docs today..she still didn't check me, but said she won't let me go past the 40th week. So if he doesn't decide to come on his own, he's definitely being evicted in 2 weeks!GabrielsMom7 -
3 hours ago
It has finally hit me that I am about to have a baby. I don't have a bag packed. And yesterday I finally got my diaper bag and baby bath. I guess I am a slacker mom already. I can't help it. I have the feeling I am going over my due date. Guess I will find out today at my appt.cherryzz -
3.4 hours ago
I was wondering, could it have been my bloody show? I know some say the plug and show are the same, and others say they are different. I lost my plug already.. Im sooo confused.. lol. I know the book 'what to expect when expecting' says they are different. cherryzz -
3.6 hours ago
I hope so too.. The 'stuff' has not stopped yet. I keep going to check. Thank goodness I have black pants on.. heheKarenVG -
3.7 hours ago
cherryzz sounds like it could be the grand finale starting...hope it is! Let us know when you can!cherryzz -
4.1 hours ago
So I went to the bathroom again, and here comes out some more rusty colored weird looking stuff.
cherryzz -
4.2 hours ago
OK now im getting REALLY bad sharp pains.. dapie898 -
4.3 hours ago
I am peeing more during the night than during the day too!! what is with that??!! i'm so ready for maternity leave...this is my last week and i work 3 days but it seems like forever. at least i can breathe again...baby dropped last week and it's great to be able to breathe but seems he is now sitting on my ciatic nerve fun!cherryzz -
4.3 hours ago
So I went to the doctors today. Im almost 4cm. But When I just went to the bathroom, I saw some rusty colored spots on the paper, and in the toilet. Thats the first time I have seen that.
kassyfk -
4.3 hours ago
Dusty, I have the exact feeling all the time. I keep complaining to my husband, It
feels so weird. Glad im not the only one feeling this! Js2ndtimeround -
4.4 hours ago
My BH have changed they are getting more frequent about 15 min apart and hurt a little more. and are lower in my belly. They feel like very intense menstrual cramps. All the pressure down there too. I don't want to rush and freak out because this has been going on now for llike 4-5 days. I have a appmt on tues. Hopefully my doc will check me this time (she hasn't past 2 times) Congrats everybody on making it to week 38 Won't be long now!!!KarenVG -
4.5 hours ago
my belly aches today and down below and I just cannot stay awake, I am falling asleep all morning and still tired... not feeling too hungry either, just want my pillowt555rm -
4.8 hours ago
I think that I've dropped finally...feels like my belly's shrunk...esp the top half. That could mean that labor is nearing, right ? Am scared of knowing that am in labor than the actual process itself. I really don't want to have all the pains every 3-5 min only to be told by the doc that I've not dilated and sent back home. I wish it would be as easy as having regular contractions, going to the hospital, getting admitted, dilating fast and having my baby LOL *sigh* Am not even worried abt the pain so much as a long stay at the hospital.
Oh and regarding enjoying my pregnancy...am one of those who did enjoy it to the fullest. No complaints or hassles at all...and am glad it went that way. I can't be lucky twice :Ddustyrose001 -
4.8 hours ago
this is a really weird tmi thing but I want to know if anyone else goes through this- sometimes when my baby moves- specifically his head- it feels like a knife is jabbing my cervixMrsKiwi -
4.9 hours ago
Belly button looks funny, but mine's still an inny. Hands are usually swollen in the morning (what's with that??), but no trouble with the feet... no stretch marks yet either, knock on wood. Have to say I've been pretty lucky.dustyrose001 -
4.9 hours ago
my belly button didnt really become an 'outtie' but its pretty much even with my stomach, people can never find it lol- I never got that dark line eitherAprilV83 -
5.1 hours ago
Has anyone else NOT experience the belly button popping out (mine is still an inny) and no swelling of the feet??? I think instead of experiencing that I was blessed with lots of stretch marks and a condition called PUPP in which you get itchy bumps on your belly :(oldpinkprincess -
5.8 hours ago
yey happy to be in week 38, although like many of you hate the peeing evry hour, taking two hours to get tosleep, then tossing and turning all night not being able to get comfy, my husbands elbows constantly in my face, roll on edd, i was thinking of taking the castor oil, but would never forgive myself if anything happend to my little girl so gave up the idea, got a sweep on the 15th, that cant ome quick enough for me, just hope it works the first time round. love to all. x xDebDer -
6.1 hours ago
My belly is soo tight today it is almost unbearable. I want this baby to come already! I keep thinking that I have dropped and then the next day she is up real high again....sighAprilV83 -
6.3 hours ago
I added a recent belly pic...let me know what ya'll think.smilepretty -
6.4 hours ago
Im with you, Kelsey!!! I think I pee more during the night than I do during the day. Im ready to have a better reaspn to have a sleepless night other than peeing, tossing and turning.
I feel as though someone has broken my whole pelvic area and Nothing helps at all. Thank Goodness I go in on Friday to get induced!AprilV83 -
6.5 hours ago
People actually enjoyed being pregnant?????Lisa Whitworth -
7.1 hours ago
My house is an absolute tip but I just have no energy to do anything..just a trip to the bathroom amd im shattered!!! lol Hurry up baby I want my body back! CalebandChloesmommy1983 -
7.1 hours ago
i know this is long but i just need to vent .. i have alot of stress right now because of my Mom , the only thing i should be stressing about right now is the baby but my Mom is trying to drive me nuts!!She is acting like a child .. She HAD custody of my son , but we just recently went to court and they gave me custody and told her he wasnt to stay the nite in her house .. but she could visit with him Wed. and weekends but NO OVERNITES.. and she is blaming it all on me , saying it happened because of what i told them .. (She and her husband just had a domestic violence) the fact she is on too many pills to care for herself didnt even come up in court ..Anyway she is harassing me constantly and being a total bitch to me ..yesterday i had my son go visit with her, and she called every hour starting trouble with me , when she should of been spending time with my son .. then when she dropped him off she showed me slashes on her wrist and said ill find something that WILL cut it and you will have to live with it the rest of your life .. Anyways i dont think ill be sending my son there for a LONG time now .. and she is threating to call the court and all kinds of mess .. but i am not the least bit comfortable with letting my son go over there at this point .. i could care less about her threats!! anyways i dont know what to do about her right now?? and anyone whos mom is just annoying, be thankful you dont have my mom !! CalebandChloesmommy1983 -
7.2 hours ago
i think we are all sick of being pregnant at this point .. i think it would be more interesting to ask who still enjoys being pregnant ?? MrsKiwi -
7.5 hours ago
Love the cartoon. :) Today's my birthday! But I'm a bit silly and want my baby to have his *own* birthday... so he can come tomorrow. lol At the rate he's going, I'm more afraid of going past my due date, blah. No Braxton Hicks or anything yet.boogies mom -
8.2 hours ago
I'm totally with you on being sick of being pregnant! I love my lil' baby, but I want to love her on the outside! Its like the cuteness of it all has totally worn off! I have a DR. appt tomorrow too and I hope she tells me at least I'm progressing. I haven't dialated, effaced, nothing! My mom comes Thursday and she can come anyday after that!!!roro73 -
8.6 hours ago
hannah87 -
12.7 hours ago
Kelsey... i completly agree with you too. I have two weeks til my due date and not sure if i can last that longer. I'm soo over it, i hate feeling like this, i have done all those old wives tails to get the baby out but nothing works i think my wombs to dam blody comfortable. ARGH i hope i'm not the only one being this negativekelseyispreggo -
13.5 hours ago
I have a doctor's appt on tuesday. I really hope he gives me some good news. Last week i was starting to efface but not dilating at all. I want him OUT right now! I am so sleep deprived because of all the peeing and tossing and turning. And i'm just sick and tired of being pregnant! Who's with me??boogies mom -
14.2 hours ago
I'm up as usual late at night. I've been having a nausaous sick feeling for the past day or so...like my period may start, but not really cramps... I hope this is a sign that something is happening...Mommy.D -
15.4 hours ago
I don't care what my baby's sign is as long as he comes SOON!anxiousfirst -
16.7 hours ago
i have no preference as to what sign my baby is, but she will definetly be a libra because the dr wont let me go past the 20th, as my due date is the 14th. but no matter what signs our babies are they are going to be themselves! CalebandChloesmommy1983 -
16.8 hours ago
i dont care,call me crazy .. i want my baby to be a libra too :)