Your baby is about the size of a melon, and he or she does not have much room to swim around anymore. He or she is physically fully developed, and just gains in weight in the coming weeks. Baby may gain up to half a kilogram in a week. Your baby has established a strict daily routine – both being awake and sleep occur at certain times of the day. Baby’s kidneys are fully developed and the liver is removing toxic substances from a body. Many doctors recommend regular monitoring of the baby’s movements, and contacting a doctor immediately if there are significant deviations.
Now, about 50cm long and 2 – 3cm in diameter, umbilical cord (funiculus umbilicalis) is physiologically and genetically part of the fetus. It normally contains two arteries (the umbilical arteries) and one vein (the umbilical vein), buried within Wharton’s jelly. Umbilical cord is very slippery, which generally helps to prevent knots in the cord, thereby protecting the blood circulation between baby and the placenta. Maternal antibodies against measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox and scarlet fever are transmitted to the child through the umbilical cord, which protects the baby during the first six months of life and helps to finally develop child’s own immune system. After the baby is born, breastfeeding will further help to enhance the protection.
Child descends into the pelvic cavity – he or she is preparing for the birth.
You feel baby’s movements more seldom but the movements are stronger. Your joints, ligaments and muscles loosen and prepare for childbirth. The uterus puts pressure on the bladder, so that its volume decreases. This increases the frequency of urination for the second time during the pregnancy.