The baby’s lungs are still undergoing the final stages of preparation for breathing on their own.

Your Baby

Your baby’s lungs are still developing, and each day they are more and more prepared to work on their own.  Some research suggests that when the baby’s lungs are fully matured, they secrete chemicals that help trigger labor!

Your baby will grow to about 18.5 inches this week and will weigh about 5.8 pounds.

Changes in your Body

If this is your first pregnancy, the baby may lower into the birth canal this week, if it has not  up until now.  For those that have been pregnant before, this may occur only right before labor.  The added pressure in the cervix may make walking a challenge, however breathing will be much easier as the lungs are given more room to expand.

Your healthcare provider may schedule weekly visits from now until delivery to monitor the position of the baby and the state of the cervix.  A Group B strep test may be scheduled as well.  The test determines if you have a Group B strep infection in the vagina.  If such an infection is present, and it is in about 35% of women, it can be caught by the baby during birth and cause complications requiring antibiotic treatment.  If such an infection is detected, you will most likely be prescribed antibiotics before and during delivery to prevent the infection from spreading to the baby.

It is common to experience fatigue, backaches, heartburn, pelvic uneasiness, and constipation.  Despite the discomfort, focus on enjoying the feeling of being pregnant in these last few weeks.  Feeling the baby move inside you is a precious experience.

Further reading

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