Dates and numbers:
There are 20 days until your due date on January 27, 2009.
You are 260 days pregnant.
You are 8.5 months pregnant.
You are in your 9th month of pregnancy.
Your 1st trimester: April 22, 2008 to July 21, 2008. (0 - 12 weeks)
Your 2nd trimester: July 22, 2008 to November 03, 2008. (13 - 27 weeks)
Your 3rd trimester: November 04, 2008 to January 27, 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 3621 from week 37
369 messages have been added in the last 24 hours.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Next
Show latest comments from all weeksjessberr31 -
1 minutes ago
Monkeyjr! Now if jands is right I'm next! LOL! Good luck Sweetie! Keep us posted!gabezbabe -
7 minutes 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 -
15 minutes 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 -
15 minutes 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 -
17 minutes ago
oh how do they check your cervix?michelle21 -
19 minutes 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 -
35 minutes 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 -
41 minutes 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 -
41 minutes 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 -
1 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 -
1 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 -
1.1 hours ago
Is anyone else's screen showing bold typing?skyblue -
1.1 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 -
1.1 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!!mizrach7 -
1.2 hours ago
Thanks you guys for all the support and kind words... I think I'll go get a real live full night sleep now (till I have to pee, lol!) and things will look dffrent int the morning. I'll also get a chance t visit sis and babe in the hospital. that exciting... Good night!ChristinaCunningham -
1.4 hours ago
I feel the same way...working from 8am-4:30pm every day...and with the daylight about over around 5:30 6ish it seems like I leave the house in the dark and return around the time it gets dark...I feel kind of depressed seems like all I do is get up, go to work, come home, make dinner, then go to sleep. All to wake up and do it all over again. Anyone else feeling the same or is it just me?lovingreen -
1.4 hours ago
Ashley- I agree some things need to be left to patience... I dont really agree with castor oil and all that... but to each their own.
Anyone else having severe pressure/ pain when they stand or walk around?Ahhh, so much agony thank God I have a dr appt
mommyofsoon2b4 -
1.4 hours ago
michelle21 - I was induced with my 3rd son. The Pitocin started to work immediately. The contractions were much more painful than the naturally induced one. I had the needle in my arm on the side several inches above my wrist. It wasn't bad at all. I also had an epi, I couldn't even feel the catheter in my back for the epi and it wasn't an issue at all. iluvbebes -
1.4 hours ago
michelle honestly i never knew my epi needle was there.
has anyone's iron not been checked? i don't think my dr has checked mine and i'm worried b/c it's always been low with my last 2.michelle21 -
1.6 hours ago
hi girls for those who have been induced before what pain relief did you choose. im really dreadin a drip bein in my hand all the way thru the labour i HATE needles im petrified. how long is it till the drip kicks in? and if you had an epi aswell as the drip it much be awful to have a needle stuck in ya hand and in ya back or is it just me. skyblue -
1.6 hours ago
WOO HOO_ Leah- Congrats on Brayden coming home. Hey guys, I hope that everyone is doing well! I went to my 37 week Dr. Appt and I tested Neg. for GBS. Still not dilated, no changes what-so-ever and I am still working full time. Boy am I exhausted! I thought that I was going to fall asleep at work today. It is all b/c I can not sleep through the night. I wake up at least 3 times and sometimes I just cant sleep. My Little one likes to ball up on my right side way up high and it makes me so uncomfortable. By the way I gained 3 lbs in 7 days. I look at food now and gain weight. I have gained 10 lbs so far.adnorel -
1.7 hours ago
YAY Leah!! So excited about Brayden. leah06303 -
1.7 hours ago
best wishes to everyone! I havent been able to catch up on anything this pst week...my days have been spent at the hospital with Brayden, But I wanted to say congrats to everyone who has delivere and send labor dust to everyone else awaiting their babies! Hang in there...the end is in sight!!adnorel -
1.7 hours ago
Yeah I have to say I would be upset that noone said she was in labor and being the last to know...that sucksleah06303 -
1.7 hours ago
Brayden update:!!!!!!!!!!! Brayden is coming home! He is doing wonderful and has had no breathing issues since Saturday night! His blood platlet levels are above 100,000 now and his jaundice is down to a 7 which is wonderful since it was a 16! I am sooo happy! He weighs 4lb 8ozs right now so he is still a tiny peanut!
Ashley80 -
1.7 hours ago
lovingreen - In high risk cases, of course listen to you doctor with regard to induction! I was just referring to induction at 37 weeks for induction's sake just because we are all tired, big and cranky -- which I know I am :)
I totally agree with listening to your doctor, and most of all letting the baby come when he's ready. My sister and a couple friends just have horror stories about getting induced b/c it was convenient for the doctor, or because they were tired of being pregnant. In those cases, the induction led to further medical interventions they may not have been necessary if they had just waited and many of them ended up having C sections even though they wanted vaginal births. Every story is different of course. Just putting it out there because there's been so many comments about induction.
leah06303 -
1.7 hours ago
Brayden update:!!!!!!!!!!! Brayden is coming home! He is doing wonderful and has had no breathing issues since Saturday night! His blood platlet levels are above 100,000 now and his jaundice is down to a 7 which is wonderful since it was a 16! I am sooo happy! He weighs 4lb 8ozs right now so he is still a tiny peanut!
adnorel -
1.7 hours ago
my oldest son was the 2nd grandbaby....my neice was the 1st and she is 6 weeks older than my boy. Everyone was just as excited to see him 6 weeks later as they were to see her. Luckily I lived with my mom though so my boy got more attention, LOL. But only because mom was right there to help me and she has raised him just as much as I have and he's 8 now. Girls are usually more fun than boys so I bet since your having a girl and she had a boy they will be googlie eyed more over the girl :) I wanted a girl soooo bad but I'm having a boy and after I got over the initial disappointment I'm happy cause I have all the hand me downs from my oldest son, LOLAshley80 -
1.8 hours ago
mizrach7 - First of all you are entitled to your emotions. Second of all you are 9 months pregnant, so being emotional comes with the territory. Now in terms of the situation...my sister and I are both pregnant so I know how you feel (we are three months apart, however). She and I also have a pact to be there at each other's labor, so if her's went on without me and I was the last to know, I would definitely feel left out. All I can say is what's done is done and you shoudl try not to be too hurt.
In terms of the family excitement -- here's where I think you may be really tired from finishing that paper last night. A new baby is ALWAYS exciting and your family will be so thrilled to meet your little princess when she makes her debut into the world. Do not worry about that one bit.
laurepz11 -
1.9 hours ago
alreadygot1...i would def have a diaper shower or welcome to the world party for her. A couple of people told me that i shouldn't be having a shower because its my second but my first was a boy and i needed totally different things. Then other people said every baby deserves their own shower. I think i might have a get-together a couple months after she's born just for the fun of it. We shall see if im up to it.kaysmom05 -
1.9 hours ago
Mizrach-I know how you feel. My SIL is due 2 weeks after me and we are both having girls. In my case though we dont share any friends really so the only thing we have to share is my MIL which is fine. She also has a son 9 months older then my daughter so we tend to have babies around the same time. Plus since she is high risk she very well may have her baby before me since we are due within a couple weeks of each other. On top of it all...even though she lives about an hour from me she has decided to deliver at the same hospital as me....Ive learned to just brush it off lol.laurepz11 -
1.9 hours ago
My damn dog just puked all over my couch. i wanna kill him, i almost threw up while cleaning it, soo gross. A lot of it went on the floor but there was still enough on the couch to be pissed at. I DONT WANT HIM ON MY COUCH!!!!!!! he just doesnt understand that when i tell him to get down i mean and dont get back up. he is usually in the cage during the day but when i am home i feel bad keeping him in there so i let him stay out and this is what i get..puke on my couch. GRRRalreadygot1 -
1.9 hours ago
Another silly thought I have is because this baby is a girl I think no one is going to care that she is born. I feel like everyone is going to think 'oh well, they just did this two years ago..old news' especially since I am not having a shower. I want to have a little 'we love you too' party for the new baby. I know I am crazy for thinking it but I still do. BTW.. I am having a 'welcome to the world' party after she is born. I want her to have special pictures to look back on too. anyone feel the same?laurepz11 -
1.9 hours ago
cowgirly...you have every right to not want visitors. You have gone through so much with Teddy that when he is finally home, you need some alone time with him. You dont need visitors for as long as you dont want them.laurepz11 -
2 hours ago
mizrach...i totally understand where you are coming from. But everyone will be just as excited when your baby comes too. I would LOVE for DS to have a cousin about the same age as him. Family gatherings are boring for him and all he does it crave attention. There are no other children in the immediate family. Its really funny because im the youngest in the family and the first to have a kid, now im having a 2nd. alreadygot1 -
2 hours ago
Mizrach- I hate to say do not feel that way, but don't. Every baby is exciting. I thought that way when my DD was born because I had a SIL pregnant at the same time as me. She had a boy and I had a girl. She had her baby a couple months before me and I thought everyone would love him more and not care about my baby. I felt like my baby would be old news. That was soo not true! Everybody was just as excited about my baby as well as hers. If you still feel bad just think of it like this...she had a boy, but you have the first princess! naenae -
2.1 hours ago
Bril~ I am still trying to catch up since this morning, but I am still working full time. It leaves me so worn out that I can't even think about anything else I need to do when I get home. I am sore and miserable. ktina78 -
2.1 hours ago
mizrach, I also understand how you feel. My sister in law just had a baby boy and I am expecting a girl in a few weeks. I was worried about the same thing, but I find that everyone's just as excited for my little one even though she's second, because its a girl! Everyone keeps telling me that they're excited to buy dresses and pink things. At least you're not having a boy too. Either way your feelings make sense, but don't worry, the situation won't outshine yours . They're both precious!LindseyM612 -
2.1 hours ago
CG-- I do not blame you. You as a mom and as a family need that quiet time to bond. I honestly would hate even sharing him with hubby once he got home after what the two of you have been through, lol. I am pretty selfish and greedy when it comes to my new babies, haha.. I will keep my fingers crossed that Teddy continues to do well and will go home saturday where he belongs!LindseyM612 -
2.2 hours ago
mizrach- I understand where you are coming from. It does not make you a bad sister. I would feel left out in that situation as well. My story is a bit different... my last pregnancy ended in miscarriage at 4 months. My siter found out just before I miscarried that she was pregnant too. After I lost mine, we were hanging out one day and she wanted to go to the baby store and look at stuff. I told her I just could not bear to go in there at that time. My entire family told me I was being selfish and stupid. That I should be there for my sister. I wanted to be there for her, but was in so much pain that I would have made the entire experience miserable for her. I know you feel guilty about feeling that way, but it really is understandable, and human nature. cowgirlygirl28 -
2.2 hours ago
Teddy Update~~ He is on day 3 with no Brady spells, woohoo....If he keeps it up he gets to come home Saturday!!!! Am I wrong for telling my DH that I want no visitors for at least the first week? I mean, I've had to share him the past month with all the nurses/doctors and have yet to have him to myself.cheyenne -
2.2 hours ago
I started my maternity leave on Dec.1 and I have been bored out of my damn mind!mizrach7 -
2.3 hours ago
Ok, so I have something to get off my chest. I'm a bad sister. my lil' sis and I were due 1 week apart. We are also very close. she gave birth today, didn't bother letting me know she was in labor, I was the last to know the baby was here cause my phone was off during class, I spoke with her for 30 seconds this evening, and we had always talked about doing this together- she's a mom, and I am showing NO signs of moving anywhere towards labor. I know it's her rite to do things her way, and that she's exausted etc., andt hat she really didn't plan when her lil' boy would come, but I feel totally left out, and a bit jipped- cause now she and her baby get all the attention (1st grandchild in the extended family...), and by the time my princess comes, even if thats in a week or 2, it just won't be as exciting for everyone. I should be so excited forher, and I really am, but I'm also kinda down about it. just had to get that off my chest. LindseyM612 -
2.4 hours ago
I am officially exhausted now, lol.. I have been making phone calls and running around all day. Got my DS appointment scheduled with the dr. Went to WIC office and took care of that. Got the car seat base installed in my van so I don't have to worry about that. Now I just have to go the store and pick up kids from school. Then I am gonna make a pot of baby lima beans and rice for dinner. MMM sounds really good right now, haha. I just wish I had time for a nap now, but no such luck. I swear tomorrow I am not doing anything other than taking and picking up kids to/from school. mosschops -
2.4 hours ago
tessp1 - i'm glad i'm not the only one then. i love my little boy son much and dont want to be shouting at him all the time when its not really his fault its my hormones i vow again tonight to try and not shout and me nice to the kids tomorrow i dont want them thinking they have a horible grumpy mum then a new baby comes along any eveyone is happy again. hope i snap out of it soon or at least have this baby! adnorel -
2.5 hours ago
I couldn't handle the stress anymore at work....plus being off by the end of the year keeps them from taking away all of my vacation time I got as of Jan 1. Had I worked after Jan 1...every bit of my vacation would have been used to pay me Maternity leave then I would have had to fight for time off all year if the baby was sick or anything. So I opt'd to be off. But I had surgery in Jan 2008 and burned all of last years vacation with that and had to work around all my Drs appointments this year and heaven forbid me or my son be sick and I had to be off. It was hard all year dealing with no vacation time....I didn't want to go through that again.alreadygot1 -
2.7 hours ago
I am still working full time as well. I will be until baby decides to come. I think I would be bored to death sitting at home. not to mention I would probably just sit around and eat! I have gained 26lbs so far and i am happy with that. I do not need to gain anymore by being home. (not to say people who are at home just eat, but I would! Oh and watch TV)Lindie -
2.7 hours ago
Hi Bri-I am still working full time as well...7am to 5pm everyday. UG! I am so irritated with everything here, and so ready to be on maternity leave. My company won't let you start leave until the day the baby is born, so I am taking vacation time starting the week of the 19th until he is born. How annoying!! babymilla -
2.7 hours ago
Gabez- yes! I live in DC and with my son I felt so rushed! I felt like a number, like I was bothering them by asking questions... It may be because there are so many people, the doctors in the district seemed much more uptight so I go down to maryland to see my doctor, which is where I will give birth as my mom and whole fam live there too... Right now I'm so pissed. I've been waiting for the bf to bring me chick-fil-a for like 2 hours and he has to pick our son up at 2:45 and he decided to go buyhimself new jeans first so now my chicken will be cold and I swear if I have to go out in the sleet and rain to pick my son up from school I will make this evening miserable for him! Ugh!!! And omg I want chocolate chip cake now something terribletessp1 -
2.7 hours ago
omg mosschops, i totally feel like that everyday, my DS is only 3 and it feels like im shouting at him all the time. mostly its only for silly things, he wont do as i ask etc etc but he winds me up on purpose i swear!! i cant wait til this pg is over, im being so mean to him and i feel guilty as hell