You’re now one week away from week 40 – the final week of your pregnancy. Strange to think back 39 weeks, where you wouldn’t even have known you were pregnant. Lots has changed since then, and a lot will continue to change before and after birth. Your body at week 39 At this point, you’ll definitely be feeling your pregnancy. Braxton Hicks contractions, leaking colostrum from your nipples and the frequent urge to urinate may all be part of your daily life. You may be having trouble sleeping, struggling with pelvic and back pain, and your vaginal discharge may be tinged with pink or brown as the blood vessels n your cervix rupture. It is possible to be diagnosed with preeclampsia in your last weeks of pregnancy. This is high blood pressure in pregnancy and is accompanied by protein in your urine and swelling of the hands and feet. Vomiting, nausea and dizziness are also symptoms you may have preeclampsia, and if you suspect you have it you’ll need to contact your doctor right away. Your baby at week 39 Your baby is now roughly the size of a honeydew melon and is considered full term if they’re born this week. At this point, their lungs are producing surfactant so that when they take their first breath, the air sacs won’t stick together. Things you should keep in mind at week 39 You may be wondering if you can still keep doing light exercise, or what you can do to keep active during this time. Exercise in late pregnancy is still doable and is a good idea if you’re feeling up to it. Although you may be worried about damaging your growing baby, exercise during this time is beneficial as it can help strengthen your body for delivery and birth. That being said, it’s important to clarify what you plan on doing with your doctor, and focus on short, low-intensity exercises such as certain yoga and water aerobics.

There are now two weeks left of your official pregnancy span, however, there is even a chance that you may get to meet your little one sooner, as about 5% babies are born before or after their due dates. Your breathing may be feeling easier, as your baby moves lower down into your pelvis. But this can leave you with an increasingly shrinking bladder and smaller tasks that used to feel easy are now more difficult. Your body at week 38 Don’t be surprised if your nipples start leaking colostrum around this time. You may also be experiencing frequent Braxton Hicks contractions (which will be helping to prepare you for the real deal) and your nesting instincts may have kicked in, leaving you with a strong urge to clean and organise your house. Other common pregnancy symptoms at this time are frequent urination and pressure on your pelvis and hips as your baby has dropped lower into your abdomen. You may also be struggling to sleep, have swollen feet and ankles and your vaginal discharge may be tinged pink or brown. Your baby at week 38 Your little one is almost ready to meet the world! Your baby has probably shed the soft hair, lanugo, which covered their body (although some are born with patches). Although they are mostly fully developed, if born now, they will be considered early term. They are still continuing to add fat on their body, and the brain and nervous system are continually developing. Things to keep in mind at week 38 One of the questions you may have going through your mind, is how will you be sure that labour has started? Birthing classes are a good way to get to know what to expect, but if you haven’t been able to attend any of those, there are other ways to know that your baby is on its way. Your cervix will start dilating, which your doctor will be able to track in weekly check-ups. You may experience diarrhoea and during labour  you’ll have frequent contractions which will grow stronger over time.

You are now in the final stretch of pregnancy, and at the end of this week you’ll only have 3 weeks left until your due date. 37 weeks ago you had your last period – a lot has changed since then! Although 40 weeks is the official length of time for pregnancy, many women give birth before or after this time. If your baby is born between week 37 and 38, they are known as early term babies. Your body at week 37 At this point in your pregnancy you may often feel tired, and this is usually made worse by the fact that you are generally getting a poor night’s sleep. Normal pregnancy symptoms are abdominal pressure, the frequent urge to urinate, a sore back and pelvis, Braxton Hicks contractions and stretch marks. Your baby at week 37 At this point almost all babies will have moved downwards into your pelvis, most commonly they will be in the cephalic presentation, which is head down, facing your spine. There are other positions that you baby can be in, such as cephalic posterior position, which is when they face outwards, or a breech position, which is feet first. If your baby is in an awkward position such as a breech, your baby may be delivered by c-section so as to minimise the risk to you and them. Things for your to keep in mind at week 37 Around week 37 of pregnancy you may start to experience the urge to organise and clean your house in preparation for your new baby. This is known as nesting and is an instinct shared with many other animals.  Nesting may have you rearranging your household to make it more baby friendly and you may feel the need to limit social interactions. While this most commonly occurs when your delivery date is close, it can happen at any time during your pregnancy – or sometimes not at all.

Congratulations, you’ve almost made it to the last month of pregnancy. This last month you’ll likely feel both excitement and nervousness, and your belly may feel cumbersome as you go about your daily life. Your body at week 36 of pregnancy As your uterus takes up more space in your abdomen you’ll find it increasingly difficult to move with ease. This is also likely to be accompanied by an achy back and lower abdomen, leg cramps, Braxton Hicks contractions, constipation and difficulty sleeping. Your baby at week 36 of pregnancy Your baby is roughly the size of a large cabbage and is almost the weight they’ll be born at. Not only that, but they are gaining weight, looking more like the chubby baby you’ll meet at birth. Your little one’s kidney and liver are beginning to function normally,  and they’ll also almost be ready to start breathing on their own. At this point your baby should have dropped lower into your pelvis, getting ready for the big day. Although this may allow you to breathe easier, it’ll put more pressure on your bladder. Things to keep in mind at week 36 Although your belly may be feeling cumbersome it’s still important that you remain active during this time (if you’re feeling up to it) – as little as 20 mins a day is likely to boost your energy levels and help ease some of your pregnancy symptoms. Exercise in the third trimester will have to be more carefully considered than before but it is possible. It’s a good idea to clear what you plan on doing with your doctor first, so that they can chat to you about any potential issues or give advice on what would be best. Walking, swim aerobics, yoga and pilates are all low impact ways to stay fit and healthy.

You are now 5 weeks away from your due date, should everything go according to plan. This can be both an exciting and nerve-wrecking time, especially if this is your first pregnancy and you’ve never experienced birth first hand. Your body at week 35 At week 35 you’ll probably be feeling tired and heavy – your body will probably be feeling the strain of growing a baby. Frequent urination, lower back and abdominal pain, constipation, Braxton Hicks contractions, tender breasts and trouble sleeping are all normal symptoms at this time. When your baby moves further down into your pelvis (to get ready for birth) you may notice that your shortness of breath improves. While this may help your breathing, it probably won’t help your frequent need to urinate. Your baby moving down is known as lightening or dropping. Your baby at week 35 Your baby is now roughly the size of a pineapple or melon, has lungs that are almost developed, and a brain and nervous system that are still developing. The musculoskeletal system and the circulatory system are fully developed at this point, and if your baby was born premature they will have a very good chance of survival. Babies born between 34 and 37 are called late preterm, and while they may look like a smaller full term baby there are some challenges that they’ll face being born earlier.  Your baby will also start to move into position for birth around this time, moving down into your pelvis. Things to keep in mind at week 35 During the third trimester it is recommended that you go for a group B streptococcus test. Although this is a common bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, it can be harmful to newborns. If your test is negative you won’t need to do anything, however, if you are positive you’ll be given antibiotics during labour which will lower the risk of your baby contracting early-onset GBS.

You have now reached week 34 of your pregnancy. Your birth date is ticking closer and closer, it’s less than two months away now. During this week your baby may drop lower into your abdomen, getting ready for the big day. Your body in week 34 Your body may be feeling the strain of your growing baby. Your breasts are becoming fuller as you approach the final stages of your pregnancy, which could mean they are feeling tender and itchy as the skin stretches. Be sure to invest in a supportive bra to help with the discomfort. Your back and pelvis may also be feeling the strain, and this is generally accompanied by shortness of breath. Leg cramps, worry about your pregnancy and the frequent urge to use the bathroom can mean that your nights are lacking in sleep, leaving you feeling tired and drained during the day. A pregnancy pillow is one way which can help you feel more comfortable at night. Something else to keep in mind, is to be aware that your pregnancy hormones will have made your ligaments looser and muscles more relaxed, so take care when exercising so as to avoid injury. Your baby at week 34 Your little one is getting bigger, and is now roughly the size of a melon. The space inside your womb is also getting tighter, and you might see a little hand or foot pushing a bulge into the side of your belly when they kick. Things for you to keep in mind at week 34 Whether it’s a home birth or hospital that you have chosen, make sure that you feel familiar and comfortable with the process to eliminate any unexpected surprises. If you’ve chosen a hospital, make sure you know which buildings and rooms you need to be in beforehand, and make sure you know where the emergency exit is, just in case. The same goes for the prep of a home birth, ensure that you have a solid back up plan, should anything go wrong during the process.

You now are in your thirty third week of pregnancy, and at the end of this week you’ll only have 7 more left to go (that’s just under two months!). You are probably often thinking of how your life is going to change with the newest addition to your family, and your sore and aching body serves as a constant reminder of what big changes are on their way. Your body at week 33 Your body may be feeling tired and run down. Pain and discomfort are fairly normal to you, and your body has changed significantly since week 1 of pregnancy. Common pregnancy symptoms at this time are shortness of breath, forgetfulness, constipation, heartburn, leg cramps and a sore back. Your baby at week 33 Your little one is now developing their own immune system, thanks to the antibodies being passed from you to them – enabling them to fight off germs once they are born. All five senses have developed now, and your baby can both hear and see (changes in light) in your belly. Their eyes stay open more regularly while awake and they are able to coordinate sucking and swallowing – an important skill to have once born. Things to keep in mind at week 33 You may notice that you feel irregular contractions from time to time, and these are known as Braxton Hicks contractions. However, it is a good idea to be aware of the difference between Braxton Hicks and the real deal. Braxton Hicks contractions are normally sporadic, irregular and don’t last long periods of time. These false labour pains aren’t painful and they may even stop when you change position or start doing a different activity. True labour contractions in contrast come in regular intervals and the contractions get stronger and closer together as time passes. The contractions won’t go away if you change your position and the pain from these contractions can be felt throughout your abdomen and lower back. If you go into labour before 37 weeks this is known as preterm labour. If you think you are going into preterm labour, call your doctor immediately, as they can do alot to delay your delivery.  Treatment for preterm labour isn’t guaranteed to work but it can help you stay pregnant longer – and therefore increase the likelihood that your little one is born healthy and happy.

You officially have 8 weeks until delivery, but this is likely not to be exact, as many babies aren’t born on their due dates. Your body may be feeling sore and tired, thanks to the strain your growing little one puts on you. Your body at week 32 As you get closer to delivery day, you may notice more frequent Braxton Hicks contractions, which is just your body’s way of preparing for the real-deal. Your feet and ankles may be swollen and your back and pelvis are probably taking strain. Constipation, shortness of breath, fatigue, a sore mouth and leg cramps are also all common pregnancy symptoms at this time. Look after yourself (and your baby) and don’t be afraid to ask for help or to put your feet up for some well earned rest – growing a baby is hard work! Your baby at week 32 Your little one is now roughly the size of a melon and they are practicing breathing, sucking and swallowing to prepare their body for the outside world. Your baby is also busy shedding the lanugo, which is the fine hair covering their body. Most of it will be gone by the time they are born, although some babies are born with some lanugo covering parts of their body. Your baby’s finger and toenails are also growing – you may even find them fairly long when they are born. Things to keep in mind at week 32 of your pregnancy You may be wondering how realistic your due date is, although pregnancies are 40 weeks long, as little as 5% of moms give birth on their due date. Most women give birth to their babies between week 37 and 42, although about 11% of moms-to-be deliver prematurely. If you don’t go into labour within a week of your due date, you will most likely have a nonstress test which monitors your baby’s heart rate and checks they are reacting normally to stimuli. When you hit 42 weeks, your doctor may induce labour.

Your baby is getting bigger and plumper – looking more like the chubby baby you’ll expect to meet. You may be feeling a dip in your energy levels, thanks to a sore body and a less-than-ideal night’s sleep. Your body at week 31 Your breasts and belly are growing, preparing your body for birth and beyond. Your baby’s kicks may be uncomfortable (yet still a comforting reminder that everything is going well in there) and you may find yourself constantly feeling tired. A good night’s sleep may be harder to come by, so it’s important that you eat healthily and exercise as this can help your energy levels. Other common pregnancy symptoms are aching and swollen feet, a sore back, constipation, stretch marks and feeling bloated. Your baby at week 31 Your baby is now roughly the size of a coconut and their bones are slowly hardening. Their skull is soft and made up of unfused bone, so that delivery is easier and brain growth can easily be accommodated. Your little one will be moving around quite a bit at this point, and you may even start to notice some patterns in their movement. However, if you notice a sudden change or stillness in their movements, it’s important to call your doctor quickly as there may be an issue. Things to keep in mind at week 31 As your belly grows, you may find sleeping harder as it becomes more difficult to find a good position to lie in. It is recommended that you sleep on your side. In particular the left side is preferable as this allows optimal blood from the inferior vena cava and takes pressure off your organs. However, don’t worry if you lie on your right as well, whatever makes you feel most at ease.  You may feel more comfortable with your knees bent and a pillow tucked between them, and you could pop a pillow under your tummy for added comfort.

You now officially have ten weeks left of your pregnancy, this can be both an exciting and overwhelming realisation, and feelings of anxiety during this time are normal. Your little one’s kicks and growing baby bump are reminders that your due date is increasingly getting closer. Your body at week 30 Your back and feet may be increasingly getting more painful as your baby grows in size. Swollen ankles and feet are normal, so remember to give yourself some time to put your feet up and invest in some comfortable footwear. Bloating, constipation and  stretch marks are normal at this point in your pregnancy. The fatigue you felt in your first trimester may be returning. You could be struggling to sleep at night, which will leave you feeling drained during the day. Don’t be afraid to ask for help at this time, you’ll need extra hands now and after your baby has been born. Your baby at week 30 As your delivery date grows closer, your baby is constantly growing in size, and at this point she is roughly the size of a cabbage. Your little one is also prepping for the big day and they should have (or will be soon) changed position, facing head down with their face towards your back (known as the occipito-anterior position) – ready to enter the pelvis. This is the ideal position for birth, however it is possible for your baby to be lying another way inside you. Some babies will only turn this way closer to your due date. Things to keep in mind at week 30 It’s normal to feel anxious about your approaching delivery. Going to antenatal or birth classes can help you feel more prepared for what is to come. Do exercises that can help you prepare your body for what it will go though, certain yoga and pilates positions can strengthen your muscles and help make the process quicker and smoother. If you find that your anxiety is overwhelming, chat to a health professional, as you may be experiencing antenatal anxiety. This is nothing to be ashamed about, and is something that can be managed with the help of professionals.

Week 29 of your pregnancy and you may notice that your body is taking more strain. Be mindful of this and don’t be afraid to take it easy if needed. Make sure that you’re still eating healthily (and remembering to take your prenatal vitamins) and exercising gently, both are important to your health as well as your growing baby’s. Your body at week 29 You are now entering the last phase of your pregnancy, and because of this you may find this very challenging, both physically and mentally.  Your back, pelvis and feet are probably aching, and you’ll experience constipation, frequent urination and shortness of breath. Your baby at week 29 Your baby is now filling more of your womb, this means that any kicks, which used to be soft and barely notable, may feel more like hard pokes now. Your little one is also growing rapidly, and will probably have doubled in weight before birth. At this point many of their organs are almost fully developed, meaning they have a good chance of survival if born premature. That being said, their lungs still have lots of developing to do, which is why preemies need help breathing via a ventilator. Things to remember If you haven’t already, start planning your maternity leave. In South Africa, moms are entitled to four months of unpaid leave. If you’re still feeling able to work, you’ll probably want to keep most of your leave for after birth, so that you can spend as much time with your growing baby as possible. Generally speaking, maternity leave begins about a month before birth –  and the good news is dads are now entitled to 10 consecutive days of parental leave. Your employer is obliged to keep your job for you until you return from leave, so you won’t have to worry about losing your job.

Welcome to week 28 of your pregnancy, you are now in your third trimester – the final stretch before birth! Your baby will do lots of growing during this time, and your body may start taking some strain in the final weeks before delivery. You’ll probably be feeling both nervous and excited, soon you’ll be able to take your little one home! How your body will be feeling at week 28 If you haven’t started experiencing it already, you may notice that back ache and pelvic pain are becoming an issue. This is due to the fact that pregnancy hormones cause your ligaments to loosen, which can cause lower back and pelvic pain. Your changing centre of gravity also puts strain on your back. Excruciating pain in your pelvic reason is cause for concern and the culprit could be symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD). Luckily this isn’t harmful to your baby, but is probably very painful to you. Chat to your doctor if you’re feeling pain that you see as abnormal. They’ll probably recommend a physiotherapist to you as physio can help minimise your pain and improve your muscle function. Other common week 28 pregnancy symptoms include Braxton-Hicks contractions, frequent urination, swollen ankles and feet, sleeping problems, stretch marks, heartburn and indigestion and constipation. Your baby at week 28 Your little one is growing fast, and is now the size of a head of lettuce. Around this time your baby will begin to open and close their eyes,  and can sense changes in light. Your baby’s heart rate will have lowered to about 140 bpm (and at birth this will have dropped to around 130 bpm). If you were to have an ultrasound now you may notice hair on your baby – this is known as lanugo, which is fine hair that grows on babies before birth. This will disappear at birth or shortly afterwards.

Congratulations, you are now in the last week of your second trimester and approaching the third, which will start at the beginning of week 28 –  so you are nearing the final stretch of your pregnancy. You’ll find that you’re probably becoming more used to your little one moving around inside of you and while you may have enjoyed less fatigue during trimester two, this unfortunately may begin to change. Your baby at week 27 Your baby is starting to pack on the final pounds before birth (which should be in 13 weeks, but not all babies arrive at their due date). Inside of your uterus, your little one will be kicking and grasping, slowly developing their muscle tone before birth. Your baby will also be practicing breathing and swallowing with the amniotic fluid. Your body at week 27 Haemorrhoids are a common pregnancy, thanks to your uterus becoming larger and putting pressure on your veins. Haemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anus and rectum, and these are both uncomfortable and painful. While these are unwanted, they generally aren’t harmful to you or your growing baby and normally go away after birth. Other pregnancy symptoms common during this time are leg cramps, aching pelvis and back, heartburn bleeding gums,  constipation, trouble sleeping, frequent urination and stretch marks. Things to remember at week 27 At week 27, something you can start considering is putting together a birth plan. A birth plan is a written document that communicates your wishes during your pregnancy (think of the ideal way you’d like your birth to go) as when the time comes, you probably won’t be thinking clearly.  There is no right or wrong way to go about doing this – some may be detailed and others just cover the basics, the choice is yours!

Although you are yet to meet your baby, they are slowly taking over your life and you may notice weekly and even daily changes in your body. Some days you’ll feel better than others, and it’s important that you take each day as it comes. Both by taking advantage of your good days, and being gentle on yourself on the bad ones. How your body may feel during this time Tiredness, an achy body, a sore mouth and stretch marks are all part of your pregnancy journey. Your belly and breasts are also growing, so make sure that you accommodate your body and dress in clothes that are both supportive and comfy. Your baby’s growth at week 26 Your little one’s lungs are now working hard, getting ready for the day that she’ll need to start using them. At this time the lungs start to produce surfactant, which’ll make it possible for your baby to breathe at birth. Your baby’s suck reflex is  growing stronger (they may even suck their thumb!), and their eyes may open for the first time around now and they’ll start to practice blinking. Not only this, but your little one also has eyelashes that are starting to grow. Now that your baby can hear you, you can also spend some time talking to them. Research has shown that babies prefer the sound of their mothers voices and you may even notice that they start responding to the sound of your voice, and by late pregnancy they should be able to distinguish between voices. What you should keep in mind at this time Something to keep aware of during your pregnancy is the possibility for gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar levels during pregnancy, and it’ll go away after birth. However, moms who develop gestational diabetes are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes after birth. Warning signs are unusual thirst, frequent urination and dizziness, if you feel like you are checking these boxes then it’s important to speak to your doctor about treatment. If treated effectively, there is no reason you shouldn’t have a healthy pregnancy.

As you enter week 25 of pregnancy, you will be nearing the end of the second trimester and the start of the third. You may find that your rise in energy levels you felt at the beginning of your second trimester is now beginning to drop. Your baby at week 25 Your baby is now roughly the size of a cauliflower and they are slowly starting to become the chubby baby you’ll expect at birth, as fat is added to their body every day. Your little one is also starting to develop a sense of balance, becoming more aware of what is up and down. Not only this but your baby’s lungs are slowly developing closer to maturity, as blood vessels (caprillirs) grow and they start to practice breathing in amniotic fluid. Your body at week 25 As your baby grows, it is normal that your back and pelvis may be starting to take some strain. This is also thanks to pregnancy hormones which cause your ligaments to soften. To avoid any injuries, make sure you aren’t tempted to over stretch if you’re doing something such as yoga and don’t lift any heavy objects around the house or office. If your back is feeling sore, gentle exercise in water, such as aqua aerobics, can help alleviate the aching. However, if your back is seriously painful , chat to your doctor about finding a physiotherapist who can help you during this time. Other common pregnancy symptoms around this time are heartburn, sore feet and ankles, camping in your legs, swollen and bleeding gums, dizziness,  trouble sleeping and stretch marks. Although many aspects of pregnancy (and certainly afterwards) are rewarding, there are also many parts of it which can be uncomfortable. Things that you should keep in mind Cravings are a natural part of pregnancy (and these generally peak in your second trimester), and they are the sudden desire to eat a particular kind of food. These can be odd foods and combos that you’ve never had the urge to eat before, and generally these are personal to you. Strange combinations, such as pickles and ice cream, might suddenly be on your most wanted list. Just be aware of what you are consuming, as trying to keep things healthy will be best for your growing baby. Unfortunately big meals can also mean heartburn, so little and often can often be the answer here. The book: http://picklesandicecreamcookbook.com/

You’re a good few weeks past half way of your pregnancy, which means you are closer than ever to finally meeting your little one. In terms of months, you’re about 6 months in, which means you only have 3 left to go! Your Body at Week 24 As you near your third trimester, you may notice that your body is feeling more uncomfortable thanks to your growing baby. Back ache, tired swollen feet, leg cramps and constipation are all pretty common during pregnancy. You’ll also be gaining weight (which is completely normal) and your breasts are also bigger. Heartburn may be something that you’re struggling with and this is  normal during pregnancy thanks to hormones and your growing baby taking up space. Your pregnancy hormones are the reason the valve between your stomach and throat doesn’t close as it should, as the hormones relax the tight muscle between your stomach and your esophagus. Your growing uterus can also put pressure on the stomach, making it more likely that acid can spill out. Your Baby at Week 24 As your baby grows, they are putting on more and more weight, and their muscles are developing and gaining strength – which means their kicks are getting stronger and harder. Your little one also has hair at this point, however, none of it is pigmented yet. Your baby is pretty active now, and you should feel them move around regularly, however, unless you don’t feel your baby moving around for long periods of time, stillness is nothing to be concerned about. Things to take note of While it may seem obvious, eating healthily and frequent exercise are both ways to stay mentally, physically and emotionally happy and healthy during pregnancy. While a few stresses here and there are common, a constant state of worry or sadness is probably a sign of antenatal depression or anxiety. If you feel like you don’t have the energy for small tasks or every small detail of your pregnancy is triggering anxiety, it may be best to both seek the support of those you love, and medical professionals.