Your baby

At around 35cm from crown to rump and 48cm from head to toe, your baby is in a tight spot and your level of amniotic fluid may begin to decrease. The average baby weighs over seven pounds by now although yours could be up to three pounds heavier or lighter at birth.

You can rest assured now that your baby is fully developed and ready for life outside your womb. The bones in your baby's skull are ready for birth and will allow the head to pass through the cervix without damage. The ‘lanugo’ hair that covered much of your baby’s body is mostly gone now, but your baby still might have a small amount of creamy white vernix around the joints and folds of skin.

Your progress

It’s not surprising that you’re very tired and uncomfortable by now. Sleep may be difficult because of your bump and more frequent Braxton-Hicks contractions, so enjoy any rest you can get. When you do have surges of energy, try not to just stay at home. Go for a walk (or a waddle) as exercise can help speed up your labour.

If the days are dragging by (especially as the phone never stops ringing because everyone wants to know if you have gone into labour) make an effort to treat yourself. Go see a film, have a facial, eat out, get a haircut After all, it might be quite some time before you get the chance to spend some quality ‘me time’ again.

As you get nearer to birth, your baby’s head will engage and your cervix will begin to soften and possibly dilate. Braxton Hicks contractions may become more frequent and uncomfortable, although unless they get longer, stronger and closer together, these are not yet the real thing.

What to think about

Packing for hospital

Although you can’t predict when you go into labour, now’s as good a time as any to think about packing for hospital. There’s no hurry of course. The average first-time labour lasts about 12 to 15 hours – and there may be days of starts and stops – but it's good to get some basic things together so you don't have to scramble around between waves of labour contractions.

Birth basics

Any hospital forms that you've filled out in advance.

Rear facing baby car seat installed in the backseat. Hospitals won't let you drive off with your baby without a properly installed car seat.

Outfit for your baby to wear home

Swaddling blanket

Toiletries

Nightie or long T-shirt to give birth in

Nightie with front openings for nursing (something that you don't mind getting stained)

Disposable breast pads

Heavy-flow sanitary towels

Maternity underwear (two or three pairs: the hospital may supply disposables, but you may find your own more comfortable)

Nursery services. May I see the nursery? What services does the hospital nursery offer?

Socks (the kind with non-slip soles are best)

Bathrobe and slippers

A list of phone numbers of relatives and friends to be notified

Your birth plan

Optional extras

Labour devices such as a TENS machine, birthing ball or back massage tools

A lightweight blanket for you or your partner

Relaxing essential oils

A portable music player with your favourite songs

Camera and/or video camera

Healthy snacks

Bottled water

Makeup and nail polish, if you wear them (plan to be in a lot of pictures)

Lip balm, hand cream, and/or face cream

Hair clips, hair elastics, and/or a headband

A maternity outfit to wear home (you'll probably be about 10 pounds lighter, but still wide around the waist, so pack accordingly)

Extra change for vending machines

Books or magazines