
You are definitely considered full-term now and you are probably anticipating the arrival of your newborn. The crown-to-rump length of your baby is around 15 inches and your baby is now about 21.5 inches long total. Your baby weighs about 7.5 pounds and your uterus is about 8 inches above the top of your bellybutton.
Your official due date will be sometime this week and you probably have a prenatal check up this week to check for labor progress. Try to stay calm while you are waiting for labor to begin. You should have all of your bags packed and ready to go and your birth plan should be in place. Your labor coach should know what your wishes are and you should be able to get in touch with your labor coach at all times. Use false labor contractions to practice breathing and relaxation techniques that you will use during the actual labor itself.
Your baby continues to move further down the birth canal and this is measured in stations. Station describes the degree to which the presenting part of the baby has descended into the birth canal. The 0 point is a bone landmark in the pelvis, the starting point of the birth canal. If your baby's head is at a -2 station, it means the head is higher inside of you than if your baby were at a +2 station.
After your baby is born, she will be weighed and measured. Your baby may cry loudly or she may be dazed from medications. The doctor will suction your baby's mouth and throat with an aspirator. The nurses will dry her off and place a hat on her head to help keep her warm. Security tags will be placed around her arms and ankles and your baby will be swaddled in a blanket. You will be given the chance to hold your baby right after you have delivered. Shortly after, the nurses generally take the baby to the nursery for a bath and other routine procedures. Your baby will be given Apgar scores according to her condition at 1 and 5 minutes of birth. A total of 10 points can be scored. A score of 10 is unusual and most babies receive scores of 7, 8 or 9. A baby with a low 1-minute score might need to be resuscitated and usually the 5 minute score is much higher after he has time to adjust to life outside of the uterus.
APGAR SCORE:
*Heart rate of baby-If your baby does not have a heart rate a score of 0 is given. If the baby's heart rate is less than 100 bpm, a score of 1 is given. If the heart rate is over 100 bpm, a score of 2 is given.
*Respiratory effort of the baby- If your baby is not breathing, a score of 0 is given. If breathing is slow and irregular, a score of 1 is recorded. If your baby is crying and breathing well, a score of 2 is recorded.
*Baby's muscle tone-If your baby's arms and legs are limp and flabby, the score is 0. If some movement is observed and the arms and legs bend a little, a score of 1 is recorded. A score of 2 is given to babies that are active and moving.
*Reflex irritability of the baby-If your baby does not respond to stimulus, a score of 0 is given. If there is a small reflex when the baby is stimulated, a score of 1 is recorded. If your baby responds vigorously when stimulated, 2 points are given.
*Baby's color- If your baby is blue or pale, a score of 0 is given. A score of 1 is given if your baby's body is pink and the arms and legs are blue. If your baby's entire body is pink, a score of 2 is recorded.
At the time of birth, the baby has a total of 300 bones. Some bones will fuse together later, which is why an adult has only 206 bones.
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
Would you like to announce the birth of your new baby? Do so by clicking this link:
I gave birth!
Comments on week 40Comments 1-49 of about 3431 from week 40
22 messages have been added in the last 24 hours.
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Show latest comments from all weeksAlicia23 -
49 minutes ago
Just a quick update to let you know that baby Summer has arrived!!!!!!!
She was born on 24th July at 9:35am via c-section and weighed 6 lbs 5 oz.
She is absolutely gorgeous as you will see when i post my pics later.
Good luck to the rest of you who are still waiting for their bundles of joy and i will get back to you all as soon as baby allows.
Take care all xxxxx
Daishya18 -
3.3 hours ago
Hello ladies, I had a c-section last friday. He weighed 8lbs 9oz. I was not expecting that, my other 2 weighed 6lbs 12oz. I'm still sore but I am so glad he's finally here! Trying to hang in there with the breastfeeding, it seems like i got it down now. It wasn't that way with my daughter.peytonsmommy22 -
4.4 hours ago
Waited 9 months for this day and it looks like it's going to come and go.sharmane -
5.4 hours ago
hi ladies got back from the hospital yesterday afternoon.Sarahlynn arrived thursday afternoon at 3.07 pm,8 1/2 lbs 22 inches long labour was two hours.she was in a hurry to get out and i was only dilated 7 cm when she came all is well with both of us,good luck to all who are still waiting to hold their boundles of joy.dawniek -
9.4 hours ago
Today i'm feeling really pissed off and fed up and just feel like crying. Need to snap out of it. Think this preg is never gona end. 3 days over due boo,hoo! I've had a sweep and lost my plug but still no baby. How much longer now? Soz to go on ladies. xxxNesspop -
11.2 hours ago
m.e.a ~ am still here too :) 11 days over & bub has not intention of arriving soon.. Its great to hear everyone finally having their bubs, excited for all of you.. I know i will be there in the next 3 days max.. I am enjoying the last of the full nights sleeps & sleep ins whilst i can :)newmommyj -
14.2 hours ago
does anyone else feel their baby move, almost like they're scratching at the water? i've never felt this before, but it feels like hes scraping his nails against the womb?!?mama1 -
15.6 hours ago
hi ladies, im new here, well ive been reading your comments, seems we are all in the same boat, overdue. i just want my baby to come so bad, but nothing, no signs of labour. i really want to meet her.tschmitz -
15.9 hours ago
i ad my baby and i am FINALLY home from the hospital!! i had to have a c section so i was there since tesday..my induction did not work the way i wanted it to and we ended up with a c section..baby girl zoe noel..7 lbs 7ounces 19 inches long,,pics on my page. good luck to all..i would all ready do it all over again!!mommy-of-3 -
16.3 hours ago
Wow so many of you have already had your babies. I was due today but here we are just after 9pm and still nothing. I am sitting in an empty house right now just waiting for labor to start. (My grandma came and picked up my other two kids today to make things easier for when we have to leave for the hospital.) I'm so hoping he will come at least sometime this weekend. :(m.e.a -
17 hours ago
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
EVERYONES GIVEN BIRTH BUT MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEnewmommyj -
18.1 hours ago
i had this crazy burst of energy. i cleaned the bathroom, put sheets on the futon and got everything ready for my mom to stay with us. i made brownies, a cake, and cupcakes, and frosted them all. made supper, and did up all my dishes, dried the mand put them away. i cant sit still now. its boiling hot and my feet are sore and swollenmommymay -
18.8 hours ago
Hi Ladies... well, we made it! Whew! Only 7 hours of really bad contractions and in the end Addison Dannyelle is here! 5 lbs,14oz~~ tiniest thing! But sooo adorable! She came at 3:24am on July 24th!! Thanks for all the support and hang in there- they DO come out eventually- kickin and screaming!!! ;)megcblu -
19.6 hours ago
Ho hum, just sitting here twiddling my thumbs. 5 days overdue now. No closer to having my baby....BabyRose1 -
20.5 hours ago
Malachi Craig Rose was born on July 22, 2008. He was 7lb 11oz and 22 inches long. He came on his due date. The birth story is up and baby photos will follow. I am having a difficult time downloading the pictures so I will do that a little later. Congrats to all that have their little ones. And to those still waiting... it is well worth the wait!Angiepangie -
20.8 hours ago
Well, all went as expected on Tuesday. Got to the hospital for 5:30, confirmed he was still not in position to deliver vaginally, (he was transverse, and stuck there as I found out during the surgery). Went into surgery at 7:30, and William Edward was born at 7:58am, weighing 7lbs5oz...not the bruiser I expected, but a nice healthy size. We are all happy to be back home, and he is a wonderfully calm baby! Not like my first born at all! I'm still pretty sore and tired, and expect to be so for a while. Will post pics soon. Love and labor dust to all!knockduppp -
21.8 hours ago
Hi everybody, I GAVE BIRTH!!!
to the first time moms all I have to say is get freakin ready it is so intense nobody could possibly ever prepare you. I had him July 23rd. he is 8 pounds 13 ounces, Taige Everett is his name. i did it vaginally after pushing alot, I thought I was going to die. Im super tired and overwhelmed and emotional. We just got home. REST UP LADIES. I have slept probly 4 hours in the last 3 days. be back when I have time. good luck and love to all.lachance19 -
22.5 hours ago
I got induced on july 22 because my blood pressure was high when i went see my doc. So i had my baby girl on july 23! finally its all over! She weighed 7 lbs 13 onz Wow my smallest baby! but labour was still painful lol I named her Mika Alexis shes so cute!aliciajo -
23.1 hours ago
Justin Tyler Fredrick was born July 23 at 1:55 am. I will post the birth story soon, didn't go at all liked planned, but it all worked out. Good luck to all you still waiting, you have an awesome experience ahead of you!!newmommy0723 -
1 days ago
Hey girls, Im still here too. I have been hanging out in week 39 bc the thought of going to week 40 was depressing to me, but im ok now! Im 2 days passed my due date, and 2day is my bday, im just very blah today. I did go for my 40 wk appt on wed, and there is nothing going on down there, so she set me up to be induced on sunday. Which is in 2 days, im starting to freak out, and I have so many dif emotions going on, but all and all im beyond excited that I will get to finally meet my lil man...newmommyj -
1 days ago
i just got back from my 2nd appt for week 40. i went from a 2 on tuesday to a 3 today. i had my 3rd sweep. for the 1st 2, he had to really push and reach to get to my cervix. the sweep really hurt. but today, my cervx was so much closer, it only took him 2 seconds to reach it, and was uncomfortable while he was doing the sweep, but not too bad. i have to call in on monday morning to see if hes gong to be in, and if he is, i will have another appt then, and one on tuesday too. he really really doesnt want to have to induce me. my induction is set for thursday. anyone elses doc really against induction? i'll be 41 weeks when he does it.cdnmommy -
1 days ago
Well, I'm still here pregnant as well, one day past due date. I've sort of prepped myself for it though as that's our family's history. Being of eastern european descent I guess it's to be expected that I would go overdue. Either way, the doctors will let me go until at least next Friday as long as everything looks good with the placenta and fluids until then. Hopefully we'll see our little man in the outside world by the end of the August long weekend though. Good luck to everyone else who is still here with me.Linnea -
1 days ago
Hi girls ~ Skylar Grace's birth story is up - still working on photos. By the way, I didn't lose my mucous plug until I was fully in labor with my waters broken. I had NO prelabor signs at all and went from 0cm dilated to delivery in 5 hours total. So hang in there if you're still waiting. It will happen for you soon!dullkey20 -
1 days ago
I am also bummed... I am now 1 day passed my due date and there doesnt seem to be an end in sight. I have barely started dialating, i dont think im thinning out, and I havent lost my plug. To top it off my doctor thinks shes already 8.5lbs... God help me! I ask her to come out, but I see shes already not listening to mom.melissa-xo -
1 days ago
Well ladies, I am officially bummed. Today is my due date. I cannot believe I've lasted this long. Its the longest I've ever been pregnant. Why does the baby not want to come out???!! I had first-time-ever membrane sweep done on tuesday, and they assured me that within 24-48hrs I'd go in... Well I'm STILL here! And I don't have so much as an ache! No pains at all! This is nuts. I think I'm going to be pregnant forever... it already feels like I've been pregnant forever considering this is my third baby in 3 yrs... oy... I just would like my body back lol. And I am soooo sick of loosing 'gupe'... i started loosing large amounts of gupe and chunks (mucus plug) last week... and then it quit, so they said I've lost my plug. Well its started up AGAIN! what, do I have a 10inch thick plug or something????? If so, no wonder she can't get out! lol. errrr... and I'm SICK TO DEATH of people calling to see if I've had the baby!!! Like do they not think WE'LL call THEM??? I am feeling very bummed out right now ladies.... thankyou for listening. mommabell -
1 days ago
In memory of baby Adams, who would have been born July 23, 2008, but became a tiny angel at Christmas. xoxofuerteshell -
1 days ago
i was up at 3am with really bad stomach pains low down for about 1 hour then an hour later the same again and at 8am another hour of bad stomach pain but now nothing. can anyone tell me if this is it starting
dawniek -
1 days ago
Hi everyone! Just wondering all you ladies that have lost your plug what did it look like?
I had a sweep yesterday. When i got up this morn i wipe and there was jelly like discharge with pinkish blood in it. Hope its the start of something lol! xxxxangel708 -
1 days ago
OK...i cant sleep...Its 5 AM here and i have been having period like cramps since 1 AM...They happen more freq. when i lay down so i have been up!!..I have a docs appt. later today, so maybe this is the start of things since im due tomorrow!!...How do i know when its REAL labor not just strong BH???? Nesspop -
1 days ago
Went to the hospital again this morning for monitoring. All went well lot of movement, still no sign of an arrival soon.. Tuesday will be the end either way..Nesspop -
1 days ago
Ok this might sound bad, but with a few of you coming into week 41 soon, I am smiling.. I will have others to talk too, not many ladies in there at all.. I have to keep coming back to week 40 for a chat..sandie -
2 days ago
sandie -
2 days ago
Birth Story and pics!deleted -
2 days ago
question ladies. Im due today and when I went to the bathroom I saw bright red blood. It was such a tiny tiny bit....anyone know what this is and if I should be concerned??Preggieteacher -
2 days ago
Hi ladies...my son Camerin Jaiden was born today at 8:07 am. He weighed in at 7lbs 11oz and is so cute and perfect. Got to hospital at 5:30 this morning...he's such a sweet baby...he cried when he was born and that's been it....we're getting our ready for our first night with him so I can't wait to see how it's going to go...he came out with a small scratch on his forehead and when we looked at his fingernails they were so long...recovering from this C-section definitely doesn't seem like it's going to be as rough as the first one....for the ones in here that are still waiting good luck to you and may God bless you and your new baby....I can't begin to tell you how well worth the wait was! =)dsmrwtnttn -
2 days ago
I can relate to wanting pain! Today's my first day in week 39 actually, but the midwife tried to stir things up around my cervix today. She said I should have some cramping tonight, but so far still nothing. I mentioned it to the daddy and he said, 'Oh good.' And I was like, 'No, not good! I want cramps!' lol.megcblu -
2 days ago
still here...nothing to report. mucus plug is all gone but nothing else really. just cramping and mild contractions. nothing particularly noteworthy. am being checked again tommorow. will be 41 weeks on sun. if the baby doesn't come on her own he'll induce monday. at least there is a light at the end of the tunnel. i just want my baby girl NOW!itsagirl -
2 days ago
Im 41 weeks on Saturday. Tomorrow having a non stress test. tuesday getting induced! anyone think this is too soon. I feel kinda crampy tonight... Is that how it starts?nimzm2b -
2 days ago
It think this is it, I;m getting some real bad pain, I'm going to the hospitalmommy-of-3 -
2 days ago
Well the page put me in week 40 but I'm not officially there until tomorrow. I have been walking and walking and walking and still nothing... Had my membrane sweep done on Tuesday afternoon and still nothing...My grandma (bless her heart!)is coming to take our kids tomorrow so that we won't have to hurry up rushing around to get them taken care of when I do finally go to the hospital. I so wish this baby would come tonight!!!newmommyj -
2 days ago
week 41? i dont want to be in week 40! i want to be on the babies page lolChristineA -
2 days ago
I don't want to go to Week 41 tomorrow!!blessedmom2b -
2 days ago
nimzm - I pray you are finally going into labor! I wish that for all of us :) it's soo funny how we are all wanting pain... was at the bank the other day and the teller asked if I was in pain yet and I said 'I wish' and she almost didn't understand what I meant - but I sure did and I know all of us in week 40 can relate to WANTING pain. I get so excited when I get a bh that gets strong and painful but they always subside! I hope yours is the real thing:)nimzm2b -
2 days ago
Cross your fingers for me please, I'm getting loads of B/H's and they are getting stronger and starting to hurt rather than just feel uncomfortable. I really hope tonight is the night! Pray that I wake up in pain, I want pain!!sloftin -
2 days ago
Dawniek-I had a sweep done when I was 1 cm and went into labor the next morning and this was my first baby so yes it worked for me!galeas -
2 days ago
Hey, hope everyone is holding up fine. I had my babygirl on Monday 7/21 (her due date) all went well, I still haven't posted up the birth story, I've been so consumed by my little blessing lately. In short: I was induced the night before when I went in complaining of a headache/swelling, the Dr.s said it looked like the begining of precampsia and decided to induce since I was due the next day anyway. I was shocked as I was just checked for preclampsia (high bloodpressure/protein in urine) on that Fri. before and all was fine, nothing wrong. So, it took about 12hrs to dilate complete on the pitocin but only b/c the baby wasn't responding well to my contracions; her heartbeat was dropping as they got stronger. After a long induction (turning it on/off and giving her lots of rest inbetween) I gave birth and it was revealed that the baby's umbelical cord was actually wrapped around her neck 3 times! It was very scary, but all turned out well THANK GOD!!! I had the epidoral so I was able to sleep between contractions, labor didn't really hurt until the very end (last few pushes). I only got 2 sticthes. Well, just wanted to share with everyone...I hope everyone is doing good. To those who haven't given birth yet, stay strong and positive. I was going crazy the last few days, I feel ya. XOxOXblessedmom2b -
2 days ago
For those looking for any natural way of inducing your labor - I might try this. We have a eating place here where I live called Scalini's and they have a reputation that their Eggplant Parmigiana actually induces labor. They even put the recipe on the website! It's almost an hour drive for us to drive there so I might just try making it at home and saving the gas money! Here's the website for the recipe if anyone wants to try it! :) And if anyone does....let us know if it works for you...please!!!http://www.scalinis.com/Bambino.htm blessedmom2b -
2 days ago
is sex okay after you lose your mucus plug? I know it isn't after your water breaks. blessedmom2b -
2 days ago
Nesspop - at least you like having them here. My husband's mom and step dad came into town last Wednesday waiting for me to have the baby and it was more frustrating to me becaus I knew ppl were waiting and I couldn't do anything about it. I also have a friend that has been here for a month (she lives out of state) waiting for our baby to come. It's sweet that ppl are so excited but once I reached 39 weeks - it's really been miserable b/c our doc told me at 36 weeks that I would definitely go into labor early. I hope they are able to stay or come back in town when you have your baby (if that is what you are wanting)... for me, I need space...but we are all different :)dawniek -
2 days ago
Hi there girlies! I had a stretch and sweep today. Omg it hurt like mad and after it felt like a massive period. Do they work? If so how long does it take for them to work? Would be really greatful for replys. Thankyou! xxxx