What's growing
Officially early term
About 48 cm. Past this point, babies are no longer considered preterm if born.
Source: Williams Obstetrics, 26th ed. (Cunningham et al., 2022)
What's changing in you
Group B strep test usually now
A vaginal/rectal swab. Results guide whether antibiotics are recommended in labor.
Source: Williams Obstetrics, 26th ed. (Cunningham et al., 2022)
General info — not personalized medical advice.
Maternal brain
Pre-labor anxiety spikes
Sleep is harder, signals are ambiguous. The waiting is its own threshold.
Source: Nilsson et al., Women and Birth 31(1), 2018 — Fear of childbirth review
You & baby
Speak to baby about meeting
'Take your time. We'll be here.' Talking aloud is for you as much as them.
Source: Cranley, Nursing Research 30(5), 1981 — Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale
For your partner
Be the calm room rehearsal
Practice your labor-day setup tonight: lights, music, snacks, charge cables. Muscle memory matters.
Source: Bohren et al., Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2017 — Continuous support during childbirth
Move with care
Walk after meals
10 min after each meal aids digestion and may support readiness in the last weeks (ACOG 804).
Source: ACOG Committee Opinion 804 (reaffirmed 2020) — Physical Activity and Exercise During Pregnancy
General info — not personalized medical advice.
Eat for two brains
Dates: 6 a day if you choose
The date trials used 6 dates daily from week 36. Modest evidence; pleasant practice.
Source: Al-Kuran et al., J Obstet Gynaecol 31(1), 2011 — Date fruit in late pregnancy
General info — not personalized medical advice.
60-second prompt
What do you want to remember about this week?
Take a photo. Write a sentence. It will pass faster than you expect.
Source: Lieberman et al., Psychological Science 18(5), 2007 — Affect labeling
Developed and curated by perinatal psychologists, family & couples counsellors, doulas, perinatal health & fitness specialists, and IBCLCs / lactation consultants. Educational — not a substitute for medical care.