Your baby
Your baby really is completely finished now, and you are probably ready too. You very likely think countless times a day: come on, what are you waiting for? Yet only one baby in twenty is born on the due date.
So do not be too disappointed if nothing happens. Besides, some women really are pregnant for 42 weeks. That probably has to do with the size of the placenta: a large placenta produces a lot of progesterone, a hormone that holds contractions back.
It is in fact your baby who decides when labour starts. He or she releases the stress hormone cortisol, which reaches you through the placenta. Under the influence of cortisol your own hormone factory swings into action, contractions begin and the birth gets under way.
You
Your due date falls this week. That day always has something magical about it, and you tend to be extra alert to every twinge. From this day on you can carry on with what you were doing; there is no need to stay at home. As long as you stay somewhere nearby, you will have plenty of time to get home once contractions start.
From this week on you can also expect regular calls from family and friends, and the first question is probably: anything yet? All that attention is lovely, but now and then it is irritating and tiring too. Not in the mood? Then switch on the answering machine or let it go to voicemail.
Registering the birth
Once your baby is born, the legal father or whoever has acknowledged your child must register the birth within three days. The day of birth itself does not count towards that period. Registration takes place at the registry office in the place of birth, which need not be where you live.
If your partner is registering the baby, he must bring the following:
- The marriage booklet, if applicable, or a copy of the certificate showing that the child has been acknowledged by both of you.
- The certificate of birth issued by the midwife or doctor who was present at the birth.
- In some cases a deed of choice of name, if you want your child to have the mother's surname.
- And of course your child's name or names. Do check carefully that the registrar spells them correctly — a misspelled name is hard to change.
Third trimester
