Pregnancy normally lasts around 40 weeks, most women will go into labour a week either side of their due date. That means any time now!so get ready!
What's happening in my body?
Check your underwear - you might be getting a lot more discharge than usual. This should be thin, white and not smell of very much. If you spot a slimy blob of mucus that's yellow or bloody, then that's a 'show'. This sticky stuff used to plug up your cervix and when it comes out, it can be one of the first signs that your baby's on the way. However don't grab your hospital bag just yet, as you could still have days to wait.
You may be getting back pain as your baby moves down your pelvis and starts head butting your spine, ouch! You'll probably feel increased pressure at the bottom of your bump now.
You could also be getting sudden bursts of energy and urgently want to fold baby clothes or tidy drawers that you haven't opened for years. That's your 'nesting' instinct kicking in!
9 signs you shouldn't ignore
If you get any of the following signs, then treat it as an emergency and call your midwife, doctor or NHS 111
Bleeding from your vagina
Brown or pink discharge
Severe itching, particularly at night.
A terrible headache that won't go away
Vision problems (blurring, light sensitivity, seeing spots or flashing lights)
Pain just below the ribs.
Extreme swelling of the feet, ankles, hands and face.
Persistent stomach pains.A high temperature (above 37.5 degrees C) with no other flu or cold symptoms.
7 things you might not expect when your baby's born…
Babies don't usually come out wailing, like they do in the films – it could take a few seconds before they cry or splutter to clear their airways.
Your baby will be checked out with a minute of being born. You might not be aware of it, as you'll be meeting your baby at the same time. Your baby will be rated on the Apgar scale for their heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, responsiveness and skin colour. This will be rechecked at five minutes.
Your baby's hands and feet might be blue, as their circulation is still a work in progress. The rest of their skin will be dark red or purple, then turn a brighter red when they take their first breath. It can take weeks before their true skin colour is revealed. If your baby's rubbed vigorously with a towel, this doesn't mean that there's a problem, it's probably just to help the blood flow.
It can take a few minutes before your baby's breathing regularly. They tend to do lots of fast breaths… then lots of slow breaths. The gap between breaths can be as long as five seconds. They're beginners at breathing – this is normal!
Boys can be born with giant testicles – that's just temporary, caused by hormones and water retention. They will settle down and look more in proportion soon.
It's not always love at first sight. Give yourself time to bond with your baby and ask for help if you need it.
You'll still look pregnant for a while – it can take six weeks for your womb to go back to the size it was, and even longer to lose any extra weight. Breastfeeding is a great way to get your body back, as it burns around 300 calories a day, and helps your womb to shrink more quickly. Also try to eat healthily and take gentle exercise.
You can find out more here about what happens when your baby's born.
Third trimester pregnancy symptoms (at 39 weeks)
You could be getting a lot of practice contractions, but if they start getting painful, then they could be the real deal. Read these '5 signs that baby's on the way'.
Phone your hospital or midwife when your contractions last for at least 60 seconds and come every 5 minutes – or call any time if you're worried that something is wrong, such as if your baby stops moving or if you're losing blood.
Your signs of pregnancy could also include:
Painless contractions around your bump, known as Braxton Hicks contractions.
Tiredness and sleeping problems
Pains on the side of your belly, caused by your expanding womb ('round ligament pains')
Headaches
Backache
Bloating and constipation
Feeling hot
Dizziness
Swollen hands and feet
Urine infections
Darkened skin on your face or brown patches - this is known as chloasma or the 'mask of pregnancy'
Greasier, spotty skin
Thicker and shinier hair
What does my baby look like?
Your baby, or fetus, is around 50.7cm long from head to heel, and weighs about 3.3kg. That's approximately the length of five courgettes and the weight of a mini watermelon.
A few weeks ago, your baby's skin was almost transparent but now they're growing a tougher new layer that's looks more solid. This is better at protecting their internal organs and helping with temperature control.
The skin will be coated in a white, waxy substance called vernix, which means 'varnish' in Latin. This creamy layer helps to protect their skin and eases your baby down the birth canal. Your baby could come out covered it in, or it could be mostly gone by the time they emerge – you'll just have to wait and see!
image credit "baby centre"
Action stations
Be on full alert in case your waters break, as this could happen at any time. Don't expect a tidal wave, as it could be just a trickle. If you think you've got a leak, then call your midwife or doctor and ask for advice. You might have just wet yourself, but if your waters have broken, then you may need to be induced as your baby will be at a greater risk of infection.