The Fortieth Week of Pregnancy
Baby’s Development
It may have seemed like it took forever or it may have passed in an instant. However you see it, your pregnancy has reached its end. Your baby has made a fantastic, mind-boggling journey from a group of cells no bigger than the head of a pin to a fully formed human being.
Her lungs are complete, her skeletal system ossified, her organs functioning, her muscles twitching and her heart moving her own individual blood type throughout her body. All the neurons and pathways in her little brain are operational and sending signals back and forth. She blinks, she smiles and she frowns.
It’s only a matter of days or even hours until the delivery process begins and you meet your new baby. As frightened as you may be, there is absolutely nothing in the world that can compare to these moments. Allow nature to take over and remember that as difficult as childbirth is for you, it’s a challenge for your baby as well. She wants to be in your arms as much as you want her there and soon…she will be.
Your Body and Emotions
This is the week to do whatever it takes to make yourself feel good. Your baby is on the way! If she’s not here this week, you can be guaranteed she’ll come out in the two weeks following. Remember that due dates are not entirely accurate. As scientific as it all is, in the end your date is just a prediction and the only one who controls when he comes out is your baby!
As you wait on his arrival, treat yourself as much as you can. Get your hair done, get a manicure and pedicure, and buy some new clothes to go home in. Why not stay in bed all day or go for long contemplative walks by yourself? Eat at your favorite restaurants and watch your favorite movies. There’s nothing worse than waiting, so try to consider this last week of pregnancy like a holiday celebrating you and all you’ve accomplished these last nine months.
Many women are concerned that they simply won’t know when they’re in labor. Anyone who has experienced childbirth can tell you that this is an utterly unfounded concern. You’ll know. What can only be considered an animal instinct takes over and something in you will know when it’s time to go to the hospital and when it’s time to start to push. Your body has a wisdom that you may not have known about until now and you can be guaranteed that once you’ve given birth, you get a whole new respect for it.
Dad’s Tips
Feeling a little nervous? Jumping up for the hospital bag every time she yawns? Waiting for the phone call at work that will tell you to get home right away? It’s only natural! This is a big week and you spend it on the verge of fatherhood.
If you can, try to arrange something special for the two of you this week. You’ve both gone through some enormous changes these past nine months. Parenthood changes marriage, and this week may present you with some of your last moments together as a child-less couple. After this week, your time alone together will be limited for quite a while so it’s wise to celebrate when you can. Go out for a walk together, go to your favorite restaurant, relax in a movie theater or even better, do something from your ‘early years’ of coupledom that has significance to both of you. As nervous as you both are, try to enjoy this time on the precipice. It’s a truly unique period in your life and you’ll be happy you took advantage of it when the sleepless nights set in!