Week 38

Can you tell if you're carrying a boy or a girl? One hint may come from the size of your baby - boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls. Babies at week 39 weigh about 6.8 to 7 pounds/ 3 to 3.2 kilograms and continue to build the fat stores that will help regulate body temperature after birth. Your little one's organ systems are fully developed and in place, but the lungs will be last to reach maturity. (Even after your baby is born, it may take a few hours before she establishes a normal breathing pattern.)

Wondering what colour your baby's eyes will be? Most African and Asian babies usually have dark grey or brown eyes at birth - their dark eyes becoming a true brown or black after the first six months or year. Multiracial children often turn out to have the most beautiful coloured eyes. Most Caucasian babies are born with dark blue eyes and their true eye colour - be it brown, green or blue - may not reveal itself for weeks or months. The colour of your baby's eyes in the first minutes after birth won't last - exposure to light changes a baby's initial eye colour.

There really isn't a lot to report on baby this week, so lets do a quick recount of where we're at: all internal organ systems are pretty much ready for the outside world, they've got their meconium stockpile building up (their first black baby poo), lots of healthy baby fat, a rapidly developing brain (that'll keep growing with them for years to come), and they've more or less reached official baby status-- all they need to do is "head out" and say hello to the rest of the world and especially their ready-to-pop momma.

And how's mom doing? Hang in there momma, it's only a matter of time before the obnoxious and painful fake contractions you felt in your back, lower belly, and pelvic region will be replaced by real contractions... which are even more obnoxious and painful. You'll know when the real ones kick in because they're if you're feeling weird electrical tingles in your legs and inside your vagina, this would be none other than your not-so-little baby hitting various nerves as they settle into the pelvic area more intensely painful (woo!) and they spread over the entire uterus, through the lower back and into your pelvis.

If you're having trouble sleeping (which about 100% of women in this phase of pregnancy are), try to take little catnaps during the day, get one of those neato full-body pregnancy pillows, or at least lots of pillows that you can shove between your legs and under your belly to support your awkward shape more comfortably.

Also, if you're feeling weird electrical tingles in your legs and inside your vagina, this would be none other than your not-so-little baby hitting various nerves as they settle into the pelvic area. If you're feeling sharp shooting pains instead of tingles, this would be your extra-evil-but-adorable baby pressing on your oh-so-very sensitive sciatic nerve. All we can recommend is some wincing, sitting down, and putting your feet up.

You may be feeling huge and uncomfortable during these final weeks. Try to take it easy - this may be your last opportunity to do so for quite a while. See a film, read a book that has nothing to do with pregnancy or babies, have your hair or nails done, or just spend time with your husband. Neither of you will have much time for cooking in the few weeks after your baby's born, but you could prepare some home-made frozen meals to enjoy when you need them.

What else can you do? Make sure the car's filled up with petrol, and read our fun baby star signs. Your husband should try to relax, too, and enjoy some activities there won't be time for after the baby arrives. Suggest some inspirational reading - he may need it when you go into labour. Is he worried about how he'll cope with a new baby in the house? Read our new dad's survival guide and debunk five myths of fatherhood.

Be Prepared
This is a good time to have an in-depth conversation with your doctor about pain relief in labour. Also consider other natural methods of pain relief as an alternative. On the practical front, make sure you know where to park and which entrance to use to get to the labour ward quickly and ask about what happens when you arrive at the hospital, if you don't already know. Make sure your mobile phones are fully charged. If you have other children, make back up plans for childcare.

Pregnancy Survival Kit: "Pack a cool bag with your husband's favourite foods and snacks to take to hospital - he should be responsible for this. Bring a video camera if you like (and if your hospital and doctor allow), a camera, extra batteries and film (or digital camera), presents for siblings from the baby, massage oil, a radio, your address book and something 'fun' to read to pass the time during a long labour." - Anonymous