Welcome To Week 39

Your Baby: Preparing For Labor

Fully developed and ready for birth, your baby will weigh somewhere between 6 and 9 pounds and will measure between 18 and 21 inches in length. When labor starts, your baby's body shifts gears to prepare for the journey. The fluid in the lungs is absorbed, airing out the lungs in preparation for breathing. The fetal hormones are on the rise to help maintain blood pressure and blood sugar levels after birth. Lastly, the baby represses his breathing movements in order to gather energy for delivery.

Your Body: Third Stage Of Labor And Beyond

Regardless of how much prep work you've done beforehand, you may not know what you're in for if this is your first baby. Immediately after birth, there are a bunch of things happening to you and your baby. In fact, those first 24 hours after delivery are full of activities you probably never thought about.

As soon as your baby has been delivered, you have to deliver the placenta, which had connected the baby to the uterus for oxygen, nutrient exchange and elimination of wastes. Usually, it's only a matter of minutes as the placenta separates from the uterine wall, but it can take up to a half hour. To help deliver the placenta and to encourage the uterus to contract - which closes off blood vessels and controls bleeding - your doctor may gently massage your lower abdomen. If it still doesn't come out, you may also have to help push it out, and in some cases, your doctor might have to reach inside to remove it by hand. While the removal of the placenta may be painful, it is an important part of the postpartum process. Your doctor will look at the placenta carefully once it is delivered to make sure it is normal.

Once the placenta is out, your doctor will clean you up and repair any damage that was done - an episiotomy, tearing, laceration, etc. If you had an episiotomy, it will take 10 to 20 minutes to close and a little longer for bigger tears. If the first anesthetic worn off, you may receive a local to numb the area before the doctor starts stitching. You may also be given ice packs to help reduce swelling and ease the pain.

After you are all cleaned up, you will be checked regularly and often, especially for the first 24 hours after delivery. Your uterus will be massaged, and you will be monitored for vaginal bleeding, infection, temperature and blood pressure. You will be encouraged to get up out of bed to help with your recovery.

In the meantime, you might be overwhelmed - and that's normal. Your body has just gone through a traumatic event, and your nine-month odyssey is finally over. Allow yourself time to heal and know that you will feel a flurry of emotions - ups, downs, good, bad, fear, excitement, and so on. The real adventure is just beginning!

On That Note: What Happens After Birth?

By the time you reach the end of the ninth month, you might be more focused on the baby than anything else. If your mind is racing with unanswered questions about what comes after birth, check out the Labor and Delivery section. You'll find answers to questions like what you should expect when you bring the baby home and how long it will take for your body to heal - and more.

Weekly Tip

Chances are you feel like an oversized elephant by now. You probably can't bend down to put on your shoes or get out of bed gracefully. Just when you think you can't stand being pregnant one day more, do something different. Many pregnant women we know find this an opportune time to treat themselves to a manicure and pedicure. It's a great pick-me-up that will make your hands and feet feel great and will take your mind off your body - a welcome change.