You have finally reached the final stretch of your pregnancy journey. In just a few short weeks, your precious little baby will be safely in your arms. During this special time, your heart is likely filled with both bubbling excitement and a bit of natural impatience.
You may catch yourself wondering, "When will the baby finally arrive?" At the same time, your body is working overtime, and you might feel quite tired and heavy. Let us walk through what happens to both you and your baby during these final weeks, and how you can get fully prepared for the big day.
Key Takeaways for Weeks 35 to 40
- Your baby's lungs and brain are rapidly maturing, getting ready for life outside the womb.
- Physical symptoms like pelvic pressure, backaches, and frequent bathroom trips are very common as your baby drops lower.
- Knowing the difference between true labor and false labor contractions helps you stay calm and prepared.
- Keep your hospital bags packed, your car seat installed, and your support system ready for any time after week 37.
- Always reach out to your doctor right away if you notice reduced baby movements, water breaking, or heavy bleeding.
Baby's due date (EDD)
Calculate the due date based on the last menstrual period
Week 35: Baby's Lungs Are Mostly Ready!
What is happening to your baby?
By this week, your baby's lungs are mostly fully developed. This means your little one is getting much closer to being ready to breathe on their own outside the womb. Beneath the skin, your baby is storing more fat to help stay warm after birth. Your baby now weighs around 5.5 pounds (about 2.5 kilograms), similar to the size of a large bunch of bananas. While your baby is not growing much longer now, they continue to gain about half a pound every week. Your baby is even practicing breathing movements inside your belly right now.
What is happening to you?
Your uterus now sits about six inches higher than your belly button. By now, you have likely gained between 24 and 29 pounds total, which is completely normal for a healthy pregnancy. Between this week and week 37, your doctor will likely test you for a common bacteria called Group B Streptococcus, often called GBS. This is a routine screening swab that doctors perform for almost all expectant mothers.
A quick tip for this week: Double-check that you have gathered all your essential baby supplies. Make sure your baby clothes, diapers, infant car seat, and sleeping gear are clean and ready to go so you feel prepared.
Week 36: Baby Has Dropped, Breathing Is a Bit Easier!
What is happening to your baby?
Your baby is now about 20.7 inches long and weighs around 6 pounds. During this time, your baby may drop lower into your pelvis to get ready for birth, turning head-down. Your baby's brain is growing at an amazing speed, and they are even practicing blinking their eyes. Your little one now has a regular sleep and wake cycle, and tiny fingernails have grown all the way to the tips of their fingers.
What is happening to you?
Because your baby has moved lower down, your uterus may feel slightly lower beneath your rib cage. You might notice that breathing feels a little easier because there is less pressure on your lungs. From this week onward, you will likely start seeing your doctor every single week for checkups. You may feel a mix of intense tiredness one minute and sudden bursts of energy the next. Lower back pain, pelvic heaviness, and mild discomfort are all completely normal at this stage.
A quick tip for this week: Cook and freeze a few simple meals now and store them in your freezer. Having easy meals ready after your baby arrives will save you a lot of time and energy when you are exhausted.
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What is happening to your baby?
Your baby now weighs close to 6.5 pounds. As your baby fills out with more healthy baby fat, the wrinkly look on their skin fades, and their skin takes on a healthy pink tone. By now, your baby's head should be securely settled down inside your pelvic bones. Their circulation system is fully formed, and their bones and muscles are strong and ready for the outside world. Even though space inside your belly is very tight now, you will still feel strong kicks and stretches.
What is happening to you?
Your weight gain has likely reached its peak, usually totaling between 24 and 35 pounds. Your doctor might perform a gentle pelvic exam to check the progress of your cervix. Because your growing uterus is pressing down firmly on your bladder, you will probably need to visit the bathroom very often. If nighttime snoring bothers you or your partner, try using nasal breathing strips to help you sleep better.
A quick tip for this week: Pack two separate bags for the hospital just in case labor starts unexpectedly. Pack one bag for yourself with cozy socks, comfortable clothes, and lip balm, and a separate bag with all your baby's newborn essentials.
Week 38: Your Baby Can Arrive at Any Time Now!
What is happening to your baby?
The soft downy hair called lanugo and the protective white coating called vernix are mostly disappearing from your baby's skin. Your baby is actively receiving important disease-fighting antibodies from your immune system to help protect them after birth. Fat cells continue to build up under the skin to help keep your baby warm. Your baby is now fully developed and ready to meet you.
What is happening to you?
Your cervix is getting thinner, softer, and beginning to open up to prepare for childbirth. Your baby can arrive at any moment now. In fact, about 95 percent of babies are born within two weeks of their estimated due date. If you notice a tiny bit of brownish or bloody mucus discharge, known as the mucous plug or bloody show, it is often a sign that labor is drawing near. If you are expecting twins, doctors often recommend planning delivery by this week if labor has not started naturally.
A quick tip for this week: If you are having a baby boy, take some time to discuss circumcision with your partner and your pediatrician so you can make an informed choice before delivery day.
Week 39: Let's Tell True Labor From False Labor Apart
What is happening to your baby?
Your baby's arm and leg muscles are strong and active. The fingernails are fully formed, and the lungs are mature enough to breathe and cry normally. Because your baby's head is resting deep inside your pelvis, you may notice that breathing feels much more comfortable now. However, because space is so limited, your baby's movements might feel different—more like rolling and stretching rather than sharp jabs.
What is happening to you?
This is often a physically uncomfortable time as your body prepares for birth. Your center of gravity shifts forward, making your balance feel a bit clumsy. Unless your doctor has advised you otherwise for medical reasons, intimate relations remain safe at this stage.
A quick tip for this week: Pay attention to the early signs of labor, but try not to obsess over every little ache. Labor could start today, or it could still be another week away. Understanding how true labor differs from false labor will give you great peace of mind.
| Labor Feature | False Labor (Braxton Hicks) | True Labor Contractions |
|---|---|---|
| Contraction Pattern | Irregular pattern. They come and go without getting closer together. | Regular pattern. They get closer together, stronger, and last longer over time. |
| Where Pain is Felt | Usually felt only in the lower abdomen or groin area. | Starts in the lower back and wraps around forward across the entire belly. |
| Effect of Movement | Walking, resting, or drinking water often makes them stop or fade away. | Walking or changing positions does not stop or weaken the pain. |
Week 40: The Blessed Moment Has Arrived!
What is happening to your baby?
Baby boys often weigh slightly more on average than baby girls at birth. Your full-term baby is now completely ready to meet you, take their first breath, cry, feed, and wiggle their tiny toes. Your baby is now roughly the size of a small watermelon, weighing around 7.25 pounds (about 3.3 kilograms).
What is happening to you?
The time has finally come. However, if your official due date passes and labor has not started yet, try not to panic. Only about 5 percent of babies actually arrive precisely on their due date. Finding a comfortable sleeping position can be very difficult right now because of your belly size. Rest whenever you can and prop your legs up with extra pillows. If your water breaks—whether it comes out in a sudden gush or a steady trickle—you must contact your doctor and head to the hospital right away.
A quick tip for this week: If you feel early labor contractions beginning, try eating small, light snacks to keep your energy up. Keep in mind that some women feel a bit nauseous when labor starts, so stick to bland, easy-to-digest foods.
🚨 When to Call Your Doctor or Emergency Services Right away
Call 911 (US/Canada), 999 (UK), or go to your nearest hospital Emergency Department right away if you experience any of the following emergency warning signs:
- Your water breaks (fluid gushing or leaking from your vagina).
- You notice bright red vaginal bleeding similar to or heavier than a menstrual period.
- Your baby is moving much less than usual or you count fewer movements than normal.
- You experience severe, constant abdominal pain that does not go away between contractions.
- You feel sudden severe headaches, changes in your vision, or sudden swelling in your face and hands.
💡 Take-Home Message
The final weeks of pregnancy are vital for your baby to gain healthy weight and allow their lungs to mature fully. While physical discomforts, backaches, and sleepless nights are very common, always trust your instincts and consult your doctor if anything feels unusual. Monitor your baby's movements every day. Knowing the difference between true labor and false labor will help you stay calm when the big day arrives. Get your hospital bags packed, organize your baby supplies, and ensure your support network is ready so you can welcome your new baby with confidence.
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