Pregnancy week 37

A week by week guide to what’s happening to you and your baby

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOU

Congratulations. Even though you are three weeks from your due date, you're now considered full-term. In most cases, nothing will be done to stop your labour once it starts, even if it's before your 40th week.

You may be counting the days until your baby's official due date. Many first-born babies are late. In fact, only five per cent of babies are actually born on that predetermined date, and half of all pregnancies continue past it.

Many women put too much faith in their doctor's estimates of when baby will arrive. Many women dilate to three centimetres and stay that way for a month or longer. Rest assured your baby will be born one way or another - however, nobody can tell you exactly when.

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOUR BABY

Gaining one ounce per day, your baby is growing rapidly. At six pounds and measuring 33cm crown to rump, or 17 1/2 inches head to toe, this little baby is getting pretty big.

The baby may have settled down into your pelvis. While this process, called ‘lightening’ or ‘engagement,’ may make it easier to breathe and eat, you may find walking uncomfortable. Now that the baby is crowding the bladder, you will be urinating more frequently.

HEALTHY EATING

Here's a refreshing way to get fruit into your diet:

Raspberry Lemonade Smoothie

2 cups lemonade

1/2 pint fresh raspberries

2 cups ice

Optional garnish: three slices or wedges of lemon

Combine ice and lemonade in a blender until the ice is crushed. Add raspberries and blend until smooth. Pour into a glass and garnish with lemon wedges.