37 weeks pregnant

Only two weeks or so to go! This week, your baby is busy shedding his downy coating of fine hair (called lanugo) and his coat of vernix caseosa - the cheesy substance that protects his developing skin. Your baby swallows both of these secretions, which stay in the bowels until birth. Then your baby will excrete a blackish waste called meconium that becomes his first bowel movement. Meanwhile, you may be feeling huge - and increasingly impatient. But try to get as much rest as possible - even if sleep is difficult, you'll appreciate it after the birth.

How your life's changing

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The next couple of weeks are a waiting game. Try to enjoy this time before the baby arrives - eat well and get plenty of rest. If you need help to conquer the late pregnancy blues, you can always look ahead and find out what your newborn will be like.

Be prepared

Are you sure you've packed everything you need for the hospital? Take a look at the hospital packing checklist. It's a good idea to sort out the clothes you want your baby to wear after birth and for the journey home. Don't forget your own "going home" outfit - you'll probably be in your maternity clothes for a little while longer as you'll still have a bit of a bump after the birth.

This is also your labour partner's last chance to brush up on how to help you. There's plenty of advice in our top tips for labour coaches and a Dad's birth story to read. While you still have time, why not buy a few books for your baby's first year or some toys specially designed for newborns? Finally, make sure you know how to fit your baby's car seat for the journey back from the hospital.

Week 37 - Third Trimester Your Week By Week Pregnancy Calendar

Your Baby

Your baby is continuing to grow and gain weight during these last few weeks. Also, he is practicing breathing movements in preparation for the outside world. Your baby will also turn his head toward light and sound just as a newborn would. Around this time your baby's head must be down, but if not, he could be in a breech position (the baby's bottom or legs come into the pelvis first). By the end of this week, your pregnancy would have come full term. Your baby can be born any day now. Your baby is anywhere from 19 to 20 inches long and weighs approximately 6.5 pounds.

Your Body

Your pregnancy is considered a term pregnancy at this point and nothing will be done to stop labor in most circumstances. Any vaginal discharge you may have been having will have more cervical mucus in it as your body begins to prepare for labor. You should plan to take a tour of your birth facility if you have not previously. If you are having a homebirth try to invite everyone over for a quick run through of what you expect.

If you have not given any thought to whether you will breastfeed or bottle feed, now would be the time to do so. There are lots of great books, pamphlets and literature out there about both methods, so be sure to adopt the one that is right for you, your baby and your family.

Pregnancy Symptoms You May Experience

• Breast Changes: tenderness, fullness, darkening of the areola
• Frequent Urination
• Constipation
• Heartburn or Indigestion
• Headaches
• Stretch Marks
• Itching
• Round Ligament Pain
• Hemorrhoids

Week 36 - Third Trimester My Week By Week Pregnancy Calendar

Your Baby

Your baby continues to put on weight by about 1/2 pound each week. Its no wonder the womb is becoming very cramped. Your baby is gaining weight quickly because layers of fat pile on and help in both body temperature regulation and developing his immunity in preparation for life in the outside world. You may find you are carrying your baby much lower now (or soon will be) as the baby drops into the birth canal, readying himself for birth. Your baby is about 19 inches long and weighs from 5.5 to 6.0 pounds. The vast majority of babies born now will live with little need for intensive medical treatment.

Your Body

You will probably begin to see your healthcare provider every week now until you give birth. The average weight gain to this point is approximately 25 to 30 pounds. However, based on your body type, height and your baby's size (or even how many babies you are carrying) your weight gain may be more or less. You should be consuming about 2400-2500 calories a day, but be sure to make them count by eating healthy, nutritious foods as your body is working very hard now getting ready for delivery and needs the fuel.

Most babies will be in a head down position at this point. However, about 4 percent of the babies will be breech (meaning the buttocks or feet descend into the birth canal first). If your baby is breech, don't panic. There are plenty of things that you can do to encourage the baby to turn, including special exercises that you can learn from your healthcare provider.

Other things to ask your healthcare provider about (if you have not yet done so) include breastfeeding, Group B Strep and a hospital/birth facility tour.

Week 35 - Third Trimester My Pregnancy Week By Week

My Baby

My baby is getting plump. The fat deposits are now beginning to offer form and fullness to my baby's legs and arms. My baby is taking up most of the room in my uterus, so there is a lot less room to move around. Also, my baby's lungs are now completely developed and producing what is called surfactant, a substance that helps in the exchange of oxygen in the lungs. My baby is now approximately 18 inches long and weighs about five pounds. If you were to have your premature baby now, you'd be happy to know that there is a 99 percent chance of the baby surviving.

Your Body

35 week ultrasound my routine visits to my healthcare provider may start to include the checking of my cervix now. Your doctor is checking your cervix for signs of effacement and dilation, the indication that labor is not far off. You may be having trouble sleeping now and there are also numerous physical reasons that sleep may be difficult. For instance, the baby may be putting extra pressure on your bladder and going the bathroom every 45 minutes isn't conducive to sleep. You may also have a backache, swollen feet or may not be able to find a comfortable position. You may want to try doing pelvic tilts before bed, limiting fluids after a certain time, and being tired when you go to bed can also help you in falling asleep.

Advice for Active Living During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time when women can make beneficial changes in their health habits to protect and promote the healthy development of their unborn babies. These changes include adopting improved eating habits, abstinence from smoking and alcohol intake, and participating in regular moderate physical activity. Since all of these changes can be carried over into the postnatal period and beyond, pregnancy is a very good time to adopt healthy lifestyle habits that are permanent by integrating physical activity with enjoyable healthy eating and a positive self and body image.

Active Living:
- see your doctor before increasing your activity level during pregnancy
- exercise regularly but don't overexert
- exercise with a pregnant friend or join a prenatal exercise program
- follow FITT principles modified for pregnant women
- know safety considerations for exercise in pregnancy

Healthy Eating:
- the need for calories is higher (about 300 more per day) than before pregnancy
- follow Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating and choose healthy foods from the following groups: whole grain or enriched bread or cereal, fruits and vegetables, milk and milk products, meat, fish, poultry and alternatives
- drink 6-8 glasses of fluid, including water, each day
- salt intake should not be restricted
- limit caffeine intake i.e., coffee, tea, chocolate, and cola drinks
- dieting to lose weight is not recommended during pregnancy

Positive Self and Body Image:
- remember that it is normal to gain weight during pregnancy
- accept that your body shape will change during pregnancy
- enjoy your pregnancy as a unique and meaningful experience