Your baby
Around this week your womb reaches its highest point, the ribcage. That can leave your lungs rather squeezed — lung capacity can drop by as much as a quarter, and you notice it. Running up the stairs was already out, and now you can be short of breath after the slightest effort.
Although your baby is as good as finished, you would still have to give birth in hospital if labour announced itself this week. Your baby is still on the small side, and the lungs may not quite work unaided yet. That would mean your child needing a spell in an incubator.
The midwife or gynaecologist can probably now feel clearly from your abdomen how your baby is lying. If that is not entirely clear, a scan will probably be done this week.
You
You may now have a hard abdomen from time to time. These are contractions of the womb, preparing itself for the birth: by way of practice, all the muscles inside tighten. Because the womb goes hard while this happens, it has come to be known as a 'hard abdomen'.
In a labour contraction the womb also tightens, yet there is a difference between the two. A hard abdomen comes at no particular rhythm: you can have a few in a day, or an hour of them one after another, and then none for days. They can also come on when you suddenly bend, stand up or lift, or when you have been very busy.
Often it is a sign that you should ease off a little. But your baby can be the cause too: a great deal of kicking, or turning over, can bring one on.
The bed on blocks
From week 37 your bed should be on blocks, standing at about 80 centimetres. That is a good working height for the midwife and the maternity nurse. You can borrow blocks from home care shops, or use beer crates.
Even if you plan to give birth in hospital, you should raise your bed. Things can always turn out differently: you may suddenly want a home birth, or the baby may come so quickly that you give birth at home after all. It is then handy for the midwife if the bed is raised. And during the maternity period you will, with luck, spend a good many hours in your bed. A raised bed prevents back trouble for the maternity nurse — and it is easier for you to get in and out of, too.
Buying breastfeeding things
If you are planning to breastfeed, a nursing bra is essential. Choose one without underwiring. Once breastfeeding is well established you can switch to one with, if you like. Wait until after the maternity period to buy a pump, so that you know which suits you best.
A feeding cushion is handy: you can already use it to sleep with, held between your knees when you lie on your side. Later you drape it around you while feeding your baby. Breast pads are essential if your breasts leak, which usually happens once your milk comes in. These days you can buy these 'sanitary towels for your breasts' in the baby aisle at the supermarket.
Third trimester
