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.

FACT OF THE WEEK

If you are giving birth in hospital, it's a good idea to pack your bag long before the first contraction. While the list below is not necessarily all-inclusive, it suggests the most important items to bring. Remember that the hospital stay is usually short, so it's better to pack light. Here are some tips on what to take:

Clothes: A nightdress or old T-shirt to give birth in. Warm socks - your feet might get cold during labour. Two front-opening nightdresses, two nursing bras, dressing gown and slippers, paper knickers or maternity underwear. Going home clothes - don't forget your bust will be larger and you will still be wearing maternity clothes.
At least two packs of maternity sanitary pads. Breast pads.
Towels.
Hairbrush, makeup and other toiletries.
Bottled water and juice. Maybe crackers and dried fruit.
Some reading material, in case you're in for a long wait.
Baby car seat, ready fitted into the car.
Change for the phone and some cash so you can buy things at the hospital.
A camera with several rolls of in-door film.
For the baby: four stretch suits, vests, nappies, clothes to go home in. A cellular blanket.

Find out what to expect in week 38 of your pregnancy.

For a list of all the pregnancy week by week articles click here