37 weeks... full term!

The baby weighs close to 6.5lbs and may be about 20 inches in length from head to toe. At this point, the baby's head is cradled in my pelvic cavity, surrounded and protected by my pelvic bones. This position makes some much needed space for it's growing legs and bum!

Many babies have a full head of hair at this point, some locks even measure around 1 inch in length. Don't be surprised if the baby's hair is a different colour than yours, dark haired couples are often taken aback when their children are born with bright red or blond hair, and fair haired couples can likewise produce babies with dark hair. And of course, some babies are born with no hair at all.

Speaking of hair, most of the downy coat of lanugo that covered the baby from 26 weeks has disappeared, and so has much of the vernix - the whitish substance that covered the baby. The baby will swallow this as well as the other secretions and store them in her bowels. This will become the baby's first bowel movement, a blackish waste called meconium.

So, at my 37 week appointment, the doctor did an internal exam. Wouldn't you know it, I'm 1cm dilated!!! The baby is head down and pushing against my cervix still. So, she suggested we do a stretch and sweep. Basically, the doctor stretches open my cervix, and sweeps under the bag of water. This is intended to get things going, if the baby is ready.... so we'll have to see how things go. I know that I could stay 1cm dilated for weeks, but I'm really crossing my fingers that I'll be holding my beautiful little baby soon!