Dates and numbers:
There are 17 days until your due date on January 25, 2009.
You are 263 days pregnant.
You are 8.6 months pregnant.
You are in your 9th month of pregnancy.
Your 1st trimester: April 20, 2008 to July 19, 2008. (0 - 12 weeks)
Your 2nd trimester: July 20, 2008 to November 01, 2008. (13 - 27 weeks)
Your 3rd trimester: November 02, 2008 to January 25, 2009. (28 - 40 weeks)
You are considered full-term now and your baby's final touches are being made. The crown-to-rump length of your baby is now 14 inches and the total length is around 21 inches. Your baby weighs approximately 6.5 pounds. Your uterus may be measuring about the same as it has been and is probably about 6.5 inches from the top of your bellybutton.
This week your baby should engage into your pelvis. If this is not your first pregnancy, it may happen later. When your baby engages, his head drops down into your pelvis and you might feel a slight sensation called `lightening` as the pressure on your ribs eases. As your baby drops into the final position for delivery, you may experience a buzzing feeling and shooting pains in your groin and leg. Normally, you will be able to breathe and eat easier. However, your uterus pushes down harder on your bladder and you will have an increased urge to urinate more frequently. Even if your baby engages now, you still possibly feel his feet in your breastbone around week 40.
Your baby is now fully mature and ready to be born. However, your baby is still growing and developing every day. Fat is still being laid down at a rate of a half ounce a day. If this is your first pregnancy, you can expect to deliver closer to 40 weeks or shortly thereafter. If this is not your first baby, you might go earlier than 40 weeks! Make sure that your bags are packed for the hospital and remember to preregister for admission.
Your doctor may begin doing weekly pelvic exams to evaluate your cervical changes and progression. Your healthcare provider will make sure that you are not leaking amniotic fluid and will also examine your cervix to check for effacement and dilation. Before labor, your cervix is thick and 0% effaced. During labor your cervix thins out and right before delivery it will become very soft and 100% effaced.
Research shows your baby can be affected by stress hormones. Make time to relax, to have fun, and to rest.
Your baby has learned to coordinate sucking, swallowing and breathing so it can do all three when
breastfeeding after birth. Babies practice shallow breathing before birth, using amniotic fluid.
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 37Comments 1-49 of about 3536 from week 37
387 messages have been added in the last 24 hours.
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Show latest comments from all weekscheyenne -
1 minutes ago
Moved my hair appointment from Thursday to tomorrow. So, anytime after 3 let the games begin...(such wishful thinking)ematobe -
24 minutes ago
Wow--the babies are really coming now! Congrats to Monkey and Rebekah'smama!kaya -
24 minutes ago
Michelle - i feel the same as you. I'm sure you can request no male doctors and male nurses. My OBs are all women. My perinatologist is male but he only does ultrasound on me, no internal checks. I'm lucky that my doctors office is in the hospital building and she will just run up to check on me. Plus one of the three OBs is on call at all times. No on staff doctors to deal with for me.
tessp1 -
27 minutes ago
oh bless my fiance, hes reading up on induction and how to time contractions....its soooo nice that hes looking stuff up, but i still dont think hes prepared for the amount of pain/blood/noise there will be lolbrileverett -
31 minutes ago
O ya and my mw did some cervix massage membrane deal and it hurt like a b! Made me bleed like a virgin!!brileverett -
35 minutes ago
Monkey jr good luck! I can't keep up with all of u chatters and all these new people! jessberr31 -
37 minutes ago
michelle, I would imagine it wouldn't be the first time your hospital has heard that request so they should accomadate you. tessp1 -
37 minutes ago
michelle- im in uk and im pretty sure you can request a female doc, its your right. i requested that a male did not insert my last pessary when i was induced with my son. partly cos he was male but mainly cos his hands were significantly larger than the female doctors and it bloody hurt!!(i needed gas and air!) they may think u are being awkward but fk 'em lol. but im sure when u are in the throws of labour your not gonna care who has their hands up there as long as they get the damn baby out!!Pilotswife -
38 minutes ago
Has there been any news on Erinshay...didn't she report her water broke and was headed to the hospital yesterday or the day before?brileverett -
38 minutes ago
So just got back from my appoinment...I am one cm dilated, thirty percent effaced neg three statiin . I know it doesn't mean much but its so much better than no news at all so I'm stoked. Bezzi my hubby wants me to quit working but I think I would go crazy at home waiting for baby! I'm glad I'm not alone cutelilsurprise -
40 minutes ago
michelle21: I am the same way...I don't care to have a male doctor/nurse looking at me or touching me down there. I am currently seeing midwives who are all female. If I go to the hospital and for some reason am not able to have my regular peeps, then I will definitely at least request a female.michelle21 -
41 minutes ago
it may sound stupid but because whats happened to me in the past im really funny about men touching me i wounder what there thinking i wish it didnt bother me but the thought makes me illPilotswife -
41 minutes ago
Bekahsma...Noah is beautiful and you look great..what an incredible birth story...kudos to you woman you are strong...dilating to 9 and chatting away...wish I could be that lucky! Congrats again and enjoy that baby boy...hope Bekah is feeling better very soon too so she can see her little brother...you have a beautiful family.
mumuk -
42 minutes ago
wanna have my baby now :( sucks cuz i have never gone into labour alone, always induced wen im over due :( laurepz11 -
43 minutes ago
Congrats Monkey!!!!!jessberr31 -
44 minutes ago
My dr is male and thats who does it at his office. If I'm at the hospital it can be anyone. The resident on call or a nurse or another dr. I don't know if you can request only a female. That might depend on your hospital and situation. They may be understanding or give you no choice. I'm not 100% sure since I don't mind either way.jessberr31 -
47 minutes ago
Michelle, they do an internal check with their fingers and feel your cervix to see if its soft/thinned out (effaced) and see how many fingers they can fit into your cervix (dialated). I think one finger = 1cm.michelle21 -
48 minutes ago
when you lot talk bout your doctor doing internal examinations are they male or female? im really funny when it comes to men touching me iv had some bad experiences in my life and the thought of a man touching me creeps me out. is it just me with that problem?kaya -
51 minutes ago
Apparently, what I thought were gas pains wrapping around from my tummy to my back were contractions! LOL. I wonder if my doctor is right and I will end up going into labor on my own, before my induction on Sunday. michelle21 -
52 minutes ago
how do they check your cervix?Pilotswife -
53 minutes ago
Mia....too cute...that's it Miss Abigail is receiving her notice as well...only 8 more days of free rent! Today is my daughter's b-day and I surprised her at school at lunch and took her a pink rose wrapped at the florist and the cutest frosted cookie with a dog on it....she is in a dog loving phase right now....it was so stinking cute how excited she got...with the hormones I couldn't help but tear up...can't believe I get another one to love again soon.kaya -
55 minutes ago
Michelle- they check the cervix by doing an internal exam. My doctor said that they can take an educated guess on how your body will respond to the induction. Initially she said she wanted me to do a c section but my cervix has ripened so well that she said I would be an easy induction and said I should try for vaginal. mamamia76 -
56 minutes ago
Tessp1- heehee. Very true!!tessp1 -
1 hours ago
mamamia76 - that eviction notice is so funny, but knowing my little one, he will claim squatters rights and be in there til february!!!!Pilotswife -
1 hours ago
Congrats Monkey...glad to hear all that pain was going somewhere! Good luck with the rest of your labor! Can'tee pictures.kaya -
1 hours ago
Monkey~ woohoo! How exciting! Rebekahs-mama -
1 hours ago
Hi ladies! I don't have time to catch up at the moment but just wanted to let you know I put up some new pictures and my birth story. You'll find it under Noah's profile! Just click on his little face under my children! Hope you're all feeling well...and not getting too terribly annoyed and impatient...like I was! LOL!mswaterlilly -
1 hours ago
Well I went to my doc today knowing something was up cause i was feeling so weird yesterday and I guess i had lost like 3 lbs and I am dialated to 2cm and doc said he doesn't even give me a week ....... now I'm gettin nervous!!!!jessberr31 -
1 hours ago
Mamamia, thats cute!Pilotswife -
1 hours ago
Michelle 21....I was induced with my last pregnancy due to a leak in my amniotic fluid...prior to that i had 2 vaginal births with my water breaking at home on its own with contractions to follow. Being on the pit drop really did not seem that bad to me. I was 3cm when they started it and 3 hours later only 4cm dilated...I did not feel the contractions were that bad at all...until they broke my water...then watch out! He arrived about 40 inute later....luckily they put the epi right after the house dr broke my water....my OB didn't even make it to the hospital and she had called them from the car and told them to break my water and get me ready! My first 2 I had great labors and delieveries as well...about 5 hours first time and 4 the second. I was scheduled to be induced with both of the first two but my water broke at home the day before with both! Today is my little girls 7th birthday. She wanted her little sister to be born today but it looks like she is staying put. I am scheduled to be induced on the 14th so we will see if my body scares this one out on its own before the induction! Good luck to you...and don't worry we are all alot tougher than we think we are going to be when it all starts. jessberr31 -
1 hours ago
Oh, and I'm still dealing with two sick kids and my dd even threw up all over my bed. Thank GOD it was only gatorade! But anyways, I need to get these kids better before I go into labor since I'm sure no one is gonna wanna babysit sick kids while I'm in the hospital!jessberr31 -
1.1 hours ago
And I have decided that I'm cool with waiting until I go into labor on my own or get induced around the 18th if I don't. I'm done trying to start things myself. Its not working. So I'm just thinking I'm lucky as hell I'm not super miserable this time around. No painful hemmies or anything so I need to be thankful for just that alone! mamamia76 -
1.1 hours ago
Hello Week 37 ladies!! I wrote something today that I thought might give you a little chuckle, which I know we ALL need at this point! :)
EVICTION NOTICE!~~~~~Attention little being in my belly:
You have lived in there quite comfortably for 36 weeks and 2 days now. You have made me vomit up anything I tried to eat, as well as nothing when my stomach was empty; tired, but so freaking uncomfortable that I cannot sleep; stinky in a way I thought only a man who just ate 10 gallons of chili could smell; swollen to the point that Fred Flintstone looks to have petite feet; FAT to the extent that I no longer recognize my own ass in the mirror; I leak from places I never thought I would leak from, or SHOULD leak from- needless to say, you have taken over my body, and I want it back. I want to be able to sleep anyway I wish. I want to drink things with alcohol in them occasionally. I want to be able to eat raw sushi. I want to not feel like an extra in 'Alien' when you decide to take your elbow from one side of my belly to the other. While I truly feel blessed to have shared this journey with you, it is time that you pay for the space you have been renting all these weeks. Please note that, should you not come out on your own, my lovely doctor has agreed to get you out on January 27th. At that time, daily payments of love, smiles and utter joy are expected to cover the expenses you have accrued over the past weeks. I do understand that there will be some adjusting as you learn what your new environment is all about, but rest assured, all your crying and tantrums shall be repaid in my old age when I am suffering dimentia and ask you the same question for the 10th time in 2 minutes. And all the diaper changes may come around, too, but lets not talk about that! So, let this serve as notice- you have 21 days remaining to vacate the premises on your own accord. Thank you.
cutelilsurprise -
1.1 hours ago
Yay for Monkey! How exciting! Can't wait to hear from you again. I added an updated photo to 'Seth's Nursery' room with his new curtains. I had to scan it and add it at my mom's...unfortunately it came out kinda blurry :(jessberr31 -
1.2 hours ago
Michelle, with my dd I wasn't dialated or soft when I got induced and they used Cervidil first to ripen my cervix before they did the pitocin. Everything was fine. I'm sure they'll check you before induction to see whats going on beforehand. About the epi......I personally think the iv hurts way worse. They numb your back up first and all you feel is some pressure when they do the needle, and they only leave a tiny catheter in there, like an iv, not the needle. Oh, and when I got induced with ds#2 I was already dialated to 2 and effaced. Made no diff really except I didn't have the cervidil. But don't be scared, induction really isn't that bad. I've had to have pitocin with all three and all was well. There are risks with every birth, no matter if its natural or induced. You'll be fine!LindseyM612 -
1.3 hours ago
YAY Monkey!!!! Lucky you! Hang in there girl! The end is just a few cm and some pushing away!!! good luckjessberr31 -
1.3 hours ago
Monkeyjr! Now if jands is right I'm next! LOL! Good luck Sweetie! Keep us posted!gabezbabe -
1.4 hours ago
Yay Monkey!!! I am soooo excited for you! I just got chills lol! Keep us updated luv!(when you get a chance of course!)Monkeyjrsmom -
1.5 hours ago
Hey every1. Well im n labor. Im deliverin 2day. They broke my water n im 7-8cm dilated n 100% effaced. Not much longer now! Im so xcited n nervous. Will update u later. Wish me luck!gabezbabe -
1.6 hours ago
Oh man, the energy is wearing off and now I am so queasy. Every movement lil man makes makes me feel worse. Lots of pressure now, ew. I feel like I am coming down off of a major sugar high lol.michelle21 -
1.6 hours ago
oh how do they check your cervix?michelle21 -
1.6 hours ago
KAYA - they havnt checked my cervix once i go to hospital every other day and my last one is toMoro they usually just check the babys heart beat and my blood pressure do you think they will check my cervix toMoro with me bein induced friday? hope it is ripe be so much easierkaya -
1.9 hours ago
Michelle, has your doctor checked your cervix? Mine said I was at 3 cm, 70% effaced and that I should be an easy induction. They said when the cervix is ripe, induction can be quick and easy. So I'm not worrying too much about it myself. I'm being induced on Sunday, though she said I might go into labor on my own before then.
kaya -
2 hours ago
So I'm back from my doctors appointment and no baby in hand... My condition is getting better, oddly enough. Urine test was fine, BP was fine, so the doctors want me to try for one more week. Perinatologist said at 37 weeks the baby is 'probably' okay but that at 38, she should definitely be ok. So since the baby seemed to be doing well, we're waiting till Sunday to induce. Yet another week of bed rest for me... Friday will hopefully be my last NST and Sunday at midnight we start pitocin. Not liking the additional week of being stuck in bed. michelle21 -
2 hours ago
mommyofsoon and iluvbebes thanks for your comments its so nice to hear other people stories and views im so nervous im getting induced friday and im not sleeping its on my mind all the time people keep saying how more painful bein induced is and having a phobia of kneedles ant doin me any favours. all i keep thinking bout is one bein stuck in my arm and one in my backChristinaCunningham -
2.3 hours ago
Skyblue: Ya it does show some of the typing in bold font...not sure why. I do feel pretty crapy just pelvic and hip pain...but aparently its 'normal' lol but other than that I wish I could just lay on the couch all day.kaya -
2.3 hours ago
Whew, took me forever to catch up! Leah - yay on Brayden coming home! Cowgirly - excellent news of progress for Teddy. Bezzi and others still working WOW! I've been off of work since start of sept and have been bored out of my mind! Bekahs mama how is bekah doing with her new little bro? skyblue -
2.4 hours ago
Is anyone else's screen showing bold typing?skyblue -
2.4 hours ago
Christina I feel the same way. I feel guilty b/c I am perfectly healthy and all I want is to be put on Bed Rest. I know that I should be ashamed of myself but I am so tired of working.Lindie -
2.4 hours ago
I am getting Braxton-Hicks contractions every couple minutes...wish it would just turn into the real thing! This has been going on for days now!!