Dates and numbers:
There are 13 days until your due date on October 27, 2008.
You are 267 days pregnant.
You are 8.8 months pregnant.
You are in your 9th month of pregnancy.
Your 1st trimester: January 21, 2008 to April 20, 2008. (0 - 12 weeks)
Your 2nd trimester: April 21, 2008 to August 03, 2008. (13 - 27 weeks)
Your 3rd trimester: August 04, 2008 to October 27, 2008. (28 - 40 weeks)
Your baby continues to grow this week and weighs about 6.8 pounds. His crown-to-rump length is still about 14 inches and total length is around 21 inches. Most women do not grow any larger during the last few weeks of their pregnancy. From the top of your uterus to your bellybutton is about 6.5 to 7 inches. You may be very uncomfortable now-you are almost there!
Just before real labor contractions start, you might notice false labor contractions. These should not be confused with Braxton-Hicks contractions. False labor contractions can be as strong as real labor contractions, but do not get closer and may go away if you get up to walk around. Contractions help dilate the cervix and encourage your water to break. Your baby could be born any day now, but only 5% of mothers deliver on their actual due date!
Over the last few weeks of pregnancy, your baby has been building up waste materials in the intestines. This waste material is known as meconium and is greenish-black in color. Meconium is made up of cells that your baby has shed, lanugo and other substances. Meconium is the first waste that your baby will pass after birth. However, sometimes babies pass meconium before delivery and are delivered with greenish-black waste covering their body. Special care must be taken when a baby passes meconium in the womb.
If your baby is a boy, his testes should have descended into his scrotum by this time. When your baby boy is born, both of his testes should be in place. Approximately 1% of babies are born with undescended testes. Because an undescended testis can cause infertility issues and increase the risks of testicular cancer, your baby's doctor will examine both testes after birth.
The baby's skull is not fully solid as the five bony plates, known as fontanels (little fountains), are still separate and can be pushed together. Birth may mold and elongate the fetal head, a safety precaution to reduce the skull's diameter for an easier birth, without damaging the fetal brain. After delivery, the baby's head returns to a rounded shape. Eyes have no tear ducts yet, they appear a few weeks after birth.
Would you like to announce the birth of your new baby? Do so by clicking this link:
I gave birth!
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 38Comments 1-49 of about 12744 from week 38
64 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 weeksApril-W -
48 minutes ago
contractions 7 minutes apart with juicy lucy back cramps and stabbing pains in my cervix! been like it all night and i am very tierd now! .... this could be it?! or ANOTHER false alarm! lol fingers crossed for me!dyamond -
2.6 hours ago
I was sleeping soundly a couple hours ago and was rudly awakened by guess what...? BURNING HEARTBURN! OMG is this like punishment? I already took a Zantac tonight and still its like I never took anything. I hate sleeping cuzz I know I will wake up to burning in my chest. I swear there's got to be a like a lesion or hole in my esophogus by now.
Jet -
2.9 hours ago
Hi Alex
I like boys names like Josh or Cory. It is such a personal thing. My first son named himself in a naming dream (Thomas). Our second son is called Toby - while we can't remember now we probably picked it up through a friend with a son named Toby. alex143 -
2.9 hours ago
Hey guys I need help bad I still don't have a name for my son I have a middle name Alexander Shordon he just needs a first name now I came up with Jonathan Alexander Shordon Jonathan being my baby daddys name and alexander comeing from my name alexandria but my baby daddy is such a jerk so I don't want to name the baby after him any ideas? Plz help just leave it on my page thanks!!!! Oh and for everyone who said Jayden I really like the name till I found out the whore he sleeping with her sons name is jayden so I can't name him that :(baby keelin -
3.5 hours ago
I was just sitting up in bed, no undies...felt something come out, got up and noticed a wet spot about the size of a large spoon. I got up, wiped myself dry, sat back down in a different spot and it happened again. It is not colored at all, and smells like normal vag...could this be amniotic fluid?shellers -
3.6 hours ago
HELP? I just had my first really bad contraction. I've been having them, especially at night but they aren't rythmic and they go away so I figured they were braxton hicks or just the baby's head pushing down on my cervix really hard. But this was SO painful, I couldn't hardly stand it and it lasted a lot longer. How long do they usually last and how far apart before you should go to the hospital?? Thanks ladies!!!dustyrose001 -
4.1 hours ago
ok this is a seriously seriously seriously tmi question but here it goes. The past two days Ive been smelling like sex down there- havent had any in like a week but thats exactly what it smells like. Is this normal or should I talk to my widwife about it??? I figured its from all the increased discharge but... I dont know :/amycakes -
4.2 hours ago
I am exhausted but this baby is punching or kicking me so hard it hurts and it just gets worse when I lie down. I feel bad, he must be so cramped in there.bethyned -
4.4 hours ago
it's now 1 am i am sick in my stomach exhausted and i just want to sleep...please how much longer!!!
madako -
4.8 hours ago
hi guys, i'm almost there tho i feel like i'm about to pop any time, sleepless nites...kaycie1 -
5.1 hours ago
yep tuesday is the day!! i dont think anything will happen for me for another week or so.. we will see?amycakes -
5.1 hours ago
Joy, avoid sitting for long periods of time. I work from home on the computer and mine actually get worse from sitting here doing that then they do if I'm actually up standing on my feet all day. amycakes -
5.2 hours ago
I've been waiting for this full moon but my calendar says it won't actually be full until Tuesday. carriecouch -
5.2 hours ago
Brody Matthew Couch was born on October 9, 2008 at 6:49pm!! He was 6lb. 7oz. and 18 1/4 in long. He is PERFECT!! Check out my birth story and pics on my profile pg, and comment.AlmostDone -
5.2 hours ago
Alexander is the middle name so I dont think that works out too well for us. Im just worried we'll name him Kingston and have overlooked some obvious bad side to the name or be stuck with no cute shortform (I always end up cutting names down for some reason). LOLJoy-S -
5.3 hours ago
What would the middle name be? You could do the letters for a nickname. I.e. K(initial) like KC or KJ or whatever the middle name would be......AlmostDone -
5.3 hours ago
Thanks Joy-S for the input! I'm getting so anxious about the whole name thing! If anyone has any input as to possible nicknames to Kingston or downfalls to the name please post them!Joy-S -
5.4 hours ago
Tankgorl - It sounds like this might be it for you! Good luck and let us know when you deliver!
Almostdone - I LOVE the name Kingston!!!AlmostDone -
5.4 hours ago
Hi all...so it's almost time to get the show on the road and we can't decide on a boy's name! Ahhhhhh.... My hubby likes 'Kingston' and I like it too but I also like the safer name 'Benjamin'. Any comments/suggestions/opinions?tankgorl -
6 hours ago
well i have been having contractions since about 10 am this morning and throughout the day they have been getting progressively worse. Hopefully this is it. What do you guys think?aanaka -
6.2 hours ago
I've got swollen feet, ankles and shins. The only thing that works for me is to stay in bed or on the couch..... period. If I get up for even an hour they are back to being so bad that the doctor really gives it to me. Unfortunately I have stuff to do around here so I can't just stay in bed. So I alternate my days of bed rest and housework. I stay in bed for a couple or few days and then get out of bed for a days and get stuff done. Thank God for Netflix and their 'play now' movies lol. Right now I'm also getting into the kids PS2 games hehehe.baby keelin -
6.7 hours ago
Joy, if you ice and keep your feet elevated, the swelling should go down. Of course, staying off your feet helps too. Before I was on mat. leave, I had a hard time with swelling, the past week, my feet haven't swelled at all. Caleb and Chloe's Mommy, if you are worried about a clot, you need to go to the hospital. That isn't something you want to mess with, and certainly you do not want it to break free from you touching it; that can cause death if it goes to your lungs...at least, call the consulting nurse or something.chikadee29 -
7.5 hours ago
Joy-S ~ I have had extreme swelling in my feet, ankles, and hands for a month and a half now. I have tried ice. It does make my feet feel better as they are usually hot but I don't think it helps any with the swelling. Unfortunately, the only thing that works for me is keeping my feet elevated above my heart. Even then, it only goes down a little. Come on lil one so I can get rid of this swelling once and for all :) Joy-S -
7.8 hours ago
Does anyone know if icing will help reduce the swelling in my feet? They're so swollen and sore. I've kept them up almost all day but they're still super poofy. :(baby1@38 -
8.7 hours ago
blessedmommy----They break your water during a c section when they cut into your uterus. They will also remove the placenta through the incision...not sure about the plug though....never thought about that one! I know in my birthing class the teacher said c section patients would bleed for less time afterwards because they are able to kinda suction you out a little better in a c section so maybe they do kinda suction out the plug too....or if not, I'd guess it would kind of 'die' and pass with the rest of the blood and stuff that comes out?!?! I guess I'll find out next Sunday as I will be having a c setion then!! lilfarfel -
8.8 hours ago
if your water doesn't break before your planned section they cut it open and it breaks when the baby is lifted out. i think they remove everything while you are open-probably minus the plug though. not sure how that works-you may just lose it on your own. i don't think it's big..some women don't even notice-it mixes in with discharge. google c-section videos. i'm sure you can find some... :)CalebandChloesmommy1983 -
8.8 hours ago
i have another ?? i have red spots on my stomach and they itch , they just showed up tonite anyone know what this could be ?? blessedmommy -
9 hours ago
I got a question and probably a stupid one at that, well last March 07 I had my daughter c-section... But My water had already broke on its own and I had lost my mucous plug like 2-3 weeks before that. Well anyways my question is since now I am having a planned c-section Do they break your water vaginally? Or through the top of you when they make the incision and also if you haven't lost your mucous plug before hand do they remove it for you? And if so is it done vaginally? or from above and also how do they remove the placenta do they like peel it off your uterus wall or is that taken Vaginally?
Just wondering, I guess even though I have had a c-section before I am just getting nervous I am having another one Thursday afternoon! And with my first one it wasn't planned they just had to go in there and take her out because my water had broke so early on and They induced me because my cervix wasn't dilating and I only got to 4 cm or so after 10-12 hours. So anyways I hope maybe some of you would know the answers to my questions....
Thanks a lot Ladies Stone -
9.2 hours ago
I have also heard the full moon thing, but it isn't verified or anything. Kind of one of those old wives tales. It would be nice if it was true though. It is raining here, so maybe I can get alittle of the double storm, full moon action. CalebandChloesmommy1983 -
9.2 hours ago
im afraid i might have a blood clot in my upper leg , it hurts from time to time and it feels like there is a lump in there.. Does anyone think that sounds like a blood clot?? kaycie1 -
9.4 hours ago
i feel like i am wired or something. i am sooo tired, but cant sleep. my body wants to sleep but my mind wont let it... i hope i dont go into labor tongiht, i will be too tired. i mopped my entire house today for some reason ( i have hardwood and tile floors only) and of course swept before that. then i helped my hubby clean the garage and have been folding clothes and doing laundry on and off all day. of course my daughter is sleeping and i cant right now, so about the time i want to lay down she will be getting up and make it not possible for me to sleep.lol thats the way it goes with little ones. pretty soon i will have another baby here keeping me awake.. its ok, i really dont mind it. who needs sleep anyway..lolkaycie1 -
9.5 hours ago
too bad we werent expecting rain and having a full moon, double time.. the extra gravity from the moon pulling us and then the drop/rise in barometric pressure from the rain.... well maybe some of us somewhere is getting the double effect??Joy-S -
9.5 hours ago
I've actually heard from more than 1 doctor that full moon's can help induce labor!!! Something to do with the barametric pressure or something! Hopefully it'll work for us!!kaycie1 -
9.7 hours ago
i heard that midwives say more people give birth during a storm than during full moon? its not storming here.... it wont be for a while probably, i wish it was, i love the rain.kaycie1 -
9.7 hours ago
had my daughter ( my third) on a full moon night... but so did everyone else. the hopsital was so full that they were sending everyone home unless u were in 'complete active labor' , plus b/c there were so many people i dint get my private room. i had to share , ( which i hated ). the day before i left i finally got the private room. so hopefully if u do give birth tonight it wont be as full as it was when i did last year.dyamond -
9.9 hours ago
Anyone ever hear of women going into labor during a full moon? My mom is very superstitious and belives that I could go into labor tonight cuzz theres a full moon. Has anyone ever know of this happening?kaycie1 -
10 hours ago
yeah i heard that being postierier is more pianful too. its supposed to bring on back labor, and just supposed to be really hard to push the baby out. but not for everyone, sometimes giving birth the regular way can take forever and have back labor too. i dont know about postier babies turning, but my third baby was transverse ( sideways) and she didnt turn until a week or two before i delviered her. so it still might turn. even if not bfore labor, it might turn during labor. good luckamandaellaangel -
10.4 hours ago
I found out on Friday that bub is posterior, at the time i didn't realise what this meant until i came home and read my pregnancy books. Now i wish i had of asked the Doctor questions. I've read it can make labour longer/harder/more likely to end up in assisted delievery and herrendous backache. Does anyone know anything about posterior born babies or been told there baby is posterior? Is there a chance bub could turn before labour?kelly-roo -
12.3 hours ago
lol stone! stupid fish!
April, stay away from sugar and white flour and drink lots of warm water. Vitamin C and don't worry baby will be fine. Jet -
13.3 hours ago
stone - ha ha - thats funnyroro73 -
13.4 hours ago
Anyone waking up in the morning and having a pulling feeling or stretching under your belly? I haven't had that since month 5 or 6. Feels like he may be getting bigger. He is already 8.5lbs. I am going to the doctor tomorrow to see if there is any change with my cervix, which was 1cm for the past two weeks my induction will be Thursday. Good luck to all you mommies!L-ofa-prize -
13.9 hours ago
dyamond - are you taking anything for your heartburn?dyamond -
14.6 hours ago
I would like to start off by saying...AAAAAAAAAAh! Man oh man. Im really anxious that I might go past my due date, that would be just awful. Why cant the doc induce on my due date if the baby still hasnt come? It seems like Im gonna still be pregnant into 2009! My DD is 10/22. Im so frustrated and yes again HEARTBURN! IS SOOOOOO PAINFUL. Im afraid to eat anything and afraid to drink water...isnt that terrible? I know I always complain about it but DAMN! the pain.Stone -
15.2 hours ago
Alright, this is the final straw. The world is mocking me. There are now baby fish swimming around my fish tank. Even my stupid fish are having their babies before me. UNFAIR!!!britteybaby -
15.6 hours ago
i have a major cold n my dr told me to take robatussin dm for itStone -
16.2 hours ago
For a cold my
Dr said to take the smallest dose of Benedryl I can. That is the only thing she will let me take. Well, I have a complaint, big shocker I know. My MIL is crazy and has been telling me for months that this baby was going to be born early. When I say early I mean like in week 36. If the baby is born now it really isn't early. Anyway, she keeps telling me days that would be 'good' to have a baby. On the 9th, she told me that having the baby on the 10, 11 or 12 would be perfect. Of course, I just stared aaanaka -
17.1 hours ago
LOL baby keelin your BH story made me remember what my 11 year old said a few months ago. She scared me good one day and it triggered a BH contraction and she got really serious and a little worried and said 'oh no mommy are you having a concussion?' lol so now instead of saying I am having a BH contraction I make sure and say I'm having a concussion. She gives me dirty looks for it too.baby keelin -
17.2 hours ago
Braxton Hicks are such a tease. My husband felt my tummy last night, and he jumped back...he said, oh my god, you're having a contraction! Not really, just a braxton hicks contraction...which have been regular during the evening hours, but at no other time. I still haven't lost my plug! I think I have a long ways to go if women lose their plugs weeks before going into labor.daala -
17.3 hours ago
April-W...our babies will arrive when they decide to. MommyToGirls -
17.6 hours ago
Thanks KateyBaby! Maybe if I stuff myself full of turkey and desserts it'll help to push baby out! LOL! Wishful thinking...