Your Baby's Development
Umbilical cords usually are about
22 inches (55 cm) long and half an inch (1–2 cm) thick. Sometimes, the cord
can get wrapped around a baby's neck. This usually won't be a problem unless it
puts pressure on the cord during labor or delivery. In that case, a woman might need a C-section. A true knot in the umbilical cord happens much
less often (in about 1% of pregnancies).
Most of the vernix that covered your baby's skin has disappeared,
as has the lanugo. Your body has been supplying the baby with antibodies through the
placenta that will help your little one's immune system fight infection for the first
6–12 months of life.

Your Body
Braxton Hicks contractions may become more pronounced. Also called
"false labor," these contractions may be as painful and strong as true
labor contractions, but don't become regular or increase in frequency as true
contractions do.
Another sign of labor, the rupture of the amniotic sac's membranes (when your "water breaks"), could happen any day now. Some women
have a large gush of water, while others feel a steady trickle. Often, a woman's water
doesn't break until she's well into labor. To
start or speed up their labor, some women will need to have the membranes ruptured
by their health care provider.
If you think your water has broken or you're having
regular contractions, call your health care provider.
PREGNANCY CALENDAR: A week-by-week
guide
- Trimester 1
- Trimester 2
- Trimester 3