Weeks 37-40: Ready for Delivery
Congratulations! You have entered the full-term pregnancy stage. The fetus is fully developed and could be born at any time. This is the final waiting period and a critical moment for delivery preparation.
Fetal Development
Full-Term Fetal Features
- Length: About 48-52 cm
- Weight: About 3000-3500 g (significant individual variation)
- Organ Maturation: All organ systems fully developed
- Immunity: Capable of independent survival
Fetal Development Completion
- Lungs: Sufficient surfactant, capable of independent breathing
- Brain: Neural connections basically perfect, capable of basic reflexes
- Digestion: Can digest and absorb breast milk
- Immunity: Acquired antibodies from mother, possesses immunity
Recognizing Labor Signs
Signs of Labor
Bloody Show
- Features: Small amount of bloody or pink discharge from the vagina
- Significance: Cervix begins to dilate, labor will start within 24-48 hours
- Management: Observe the amount of bleeding, no need to panic for normal amounts
Regular Contractions
- Features: Regular, progressively stronger uterine contractions
- Judgment: Every 5-6 minutes, lasting 45-60 seconds each time
- Management: Record start time, prepare to go to the hospital
Water Breaking
- Features: Sudden flow of fluid from the vagina, uncontrollable
- Judgment: Clear, odorless fluid, amount varies
- Management: Lie flat immediately, elevate hips, seek medical attention promptly
Lightening (Dropping)
- Features: Feeling the fetus descend, breathing becomes easier
- Significance: Fetal head engages, preparing for delivery
- Management: Pay attention to rest, avoid strenuous activity
False Labor vs. True Labor
| Feature | False Labor | True Labor |
|---|---|---|
| Regularity | Irregular | Regular, gradually increasing |
| Intensity | Weak, tolerable | Strong, progressively worsening |
| Location | Mainly lower abdomen | Starts from upper abdomen, extends downward |
| Change Position | Contractions may weaken | Contractions unaffected |
| Cervical Change | No change | Gradually dilating and effacing |
Final Preparations
Hospital Contact Preparation
- Confirm Hospital: Determine the delivery hospital
- Contact Info: Save phone numbers of hospital and doctor
- Route Planning: Familiarize with the fastest route to the hospital
- Backup Plan: Prepare backup transportation methods
Final Hospital Bag Check
- Organize Items: Organize the hospital bag by category
- Important Documents: Check if all documents are complete
- Battery Level: Check battery level of electronic devices
- Easy-to-Miss Items: Check for small items easily forgotten
Family Arrangements
- Care Arrangements: Arrange for other children or pets at home
- Work Handover: Complete work handover, inform of due date
- Emergency Contact: Confirm emergency contact person
- Postpartum Care: Arrange for postpartum care personnel
Final Third Trimester Precautions
Daily Life Adjustments
Activity and Rest
- Moderate Activity: Maintain daily activities but avoid strenuous exercise
- Adequate Rest: Ensure sufficient sleep to reserve energy for labor
- Avoid Fatigue: Reduce going out, avoid standing for long periods
- Family Company: Do not go out alone, have someone with you at all times
Dietary Attention
- Balanced Nutrition: Continue to ensure nutritional intake
- Easy to Digest: Choose foods that are easy to digest
- Small Frequent Meals: Avoid overeating, which affects comfort
- Sufficient Water: Ensure water intake to prevent constipation
Monitoring Focus
Fetal Movement Monitoring
- Daily Monitoring: Count fetal movements at a fixed time every day
- Normal Range: ≥30 movements in 12 hours
- Abnormalities: Seek medical attention immediately if fetal movement significantly decreases or disappears
- Recording Method: Record start time and number of movements
Physical Symptoms
- Contraction Record: Record frequency and intensity of contractions
- Bleeding Observation: Note amount and color of vaginal bleeding
- Water Breaking Observation: Note if there is fluid outflow
- Symptom Changes: Record other discomfort symptoms
Final Confirmation of Delivery Method
Natural Birth Preparation
- Breathing Techniques: Practice Lamaze breathing
- Relaxation Techniques: Learn methods to relax and relieve pain
- Position Practice: Try different delivery positions
- Mental Preparation: Build a positive mindset
C-Section Preparation
- Pre-op Checks: Complete necessary pre-op checks
- Fasting Prep: Confirm pre-op fasting time
- Post-op Prep: Prepare post-op recovery items
- Newborn Prep: Prepare newborn care items
Mental State Adjustment
Emotional Management
- Accept Anxiety: Acknowledge and accept nervous and anxious feelings
- Positive Suggestion: Give yourself positive suggestions and encouragement
- Distract Attention: Distract attention by reading or listening to music
- Seek Support: Share feelings with partner and family
Expecting New Life
- Positive Mindset: Welcome delivery with a positive mindset
- Build Connection: Establish emotional connection with fetus through prenatal education
- Family Participation: Let partner and family participate in the preparation process
- Full Confidence: Trust your body and the medical team
Coping with Labor Signals
Mild Signs
- Irregular Contractions: Observe changes, keep resting
- Slight Bloody Show: Observe amount of bleeding, prepare for labor
- Lightening: Pay attention to rest, avoid strenuous activity
Emergencies
- Heavy Bleeding: Lie flat immediately, call for emergency help
- Severe Pain: Do not endure, contact hospital promptly
- Disappearance of Fetal Movement: Seek medical attention immediately for checkup
- Severe Headache: Be alert for gestational hypertension
After Labor Begins
Before Hospital
- Record Time: Record start time of contractions
- Stay Calm: Deep breathing, stay calm
- Contact Hospital: Notify hospital of impending arrival
- Ready to Go: Bring the prepared hospital bag
Arriving at Hospital
- Detailed Description: Describe symptoms to doctor in detail
- Cooperate with Checks: Cooperate with doctor's various checks
- Understand Situation: Understand fetus and labor progress
- Make Decision: Choose delivery method based on doctor's advice
Gentle Reminder: Although the due date is an estimate, most babies are born between 37-42 weeks. Stay alert but don't be overly anxious, trust medicine and your body, and be ready to welcome the arrival of the new life!