Third Trimester 1^stTrimester     2^ndTrimester

Some of the pressure under your rib cage may be easing off as the baby continues to descend into the pelvis.

The baby is still gaining weight as more fat covers his limbs and abdomen. As a newborn, he will look much the same as he does now.

At 37 weeks the average crown to heel length is 18.2 in (46.2 cm) and the average weight is 5.2 lb (2.4 kg).

Your baby turns toward a familiar sound and practices looking for its source: your voice is the most familiar sound to him.

Short, very fine hairs, called vellus hairs, are growing in place of lanugo hair on most parts of the baby's body.

You're now about as big as you're going to get. Soon-maybe this week-the baby will drop down lower into your pelvis, ready for birth. Your belly may shift downward, too, giving you a different shape. This doesn't necessarily mean that labor is imminent, so don't worry about the baby "falling out." You're likely to still have some time to enjoy maternity leave and get organized.

Excerpted from Pregnancy Day by Day.
Copyright © 2009 Dorling Kindersley Limited.
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