Your Body:
Around this time your breasts may decide to leak whenever they hear a baby! Rest as much as you can so you have energy for labour. Braxton hicks may become more frequent. The baby’s head drops into the pelvis making walking uncomfortable. You may start “nesting” to get things ready – no climbing wobbly ladders now! By 38 weeks you are now in your” birthing month” and technically full term. At any time you may release the “mucous” plug from around  the cervix as it becomes softer and thinner. Labour could begin any day and you may have “practice contractions “for a few hours a day.

Your Baby:
From 37 – 40 weeks all the foetus is really doing is putting on weight and moving in a much more limited way each day. The lanugo is all but gone but there’s still some vernix. The bowel is full of meconium and that comes out once feeding is established. The lungs are ready to work on their own now. The foetus positions itself for birth during these weeks. Weight increase from approx 2.7kg-3.4kg during these weeks.

Fortnightly /antenatal check-ups in the Circle of care

• Antenatal checks, as always at each visit with your midwife.
• The Circle of Care theme will centre on any postnatal issues, parenting concerns and we can revisit breastfeeding.
• We’ll discuss again your postnatal stay in hospital and whether you’d like early discharge home from hospital with your midwife to stay for 12 hours overnight or a few hours during that discharge day.
• The timing and need for induction will be discussed along with the alternatives to try at home or with different therapists such as acupuncture, chiropractor, osteopath, hypnotherapist, homeopathy...should you choose one.
• Lets look at the date for our first Postnatal Circle of Care Group.