At the End of My Pregnancy: Now What?

The last five weeks of pregnancy can be both exciting and to some women, a little boring as they wait for the big day to give birth. Unless ones' doctor has deemed it medically necessary to induce or perform a scheduled c-section, moms-to-be will be waiting for labor to start. For those who are going through their first pregnancy, here is a look at what to expect during those last five weeks.

Generally at this point, parents-to-be have already completed their parenting or childbirth classes, the baby's room has been done and everything is just waiting for the baby. One thing expectant parents can expect during these last weeks is their doctor will have them come in for a weekly appointment to check on progress. Most doctors will perform certain tests such as the Group B Strep test and may even check to see if the expectant mom has started to dilate. Some doctors will just check the baby's heartbeat for irregularities or measure the mom to ensure she is progressing. While it may seem tedious to go to these appointments, especially if an expectant mom does not feel she is progressing, they are important in helping the doctor ensure the baby is doing well and helping them get a good idea if labor is on its way or if other plans should be considered such as a scheduled induction.

Physically most expectant mothers will likely feel "ready". During these last few weeks they begin to feel as though their bellies cannot possibly get any bigger and they may feel a lot of pressure if the baby has dropped or gotten into the position where he or she is getting ready to be born. Another common thing some expectant mothers may experience during the last few weeks is the loss of the mucus plug. Some women may never notice they lose their mucus plug while some may not even lose it till they are in active labor. It usually looks like like a stringy discharge that may be tinted with blood. Unless there is a large amount of blood generally one does need to call their doctor if they notice it. It is just another sign that labor is on its way.

For those expectant parents who want to try to get labor started on their own there are a couple of of things they can try to help encourage their labor to start. One common technique is simply walking. Heading out to a local nature trail or even just walking around the local mall several times may help in getting contractions started. Another technique that many women swear by is eating a very spicy meal. It is important to note that while these methods may have worked for some moms, they are by no means going to work for everyone.

Lastly, many women will notice they begin "nesting". Nesting is the mind's way of preparing for the upcoming birth and getting the house in order. Some women may begin to feel as though their house cannot get clean enough and may spend hours scrubbing floors, walls and anything that stands still. Others may nest by cooking several meals or go through their home organizing every drawer or closet. While it may seem odd to family members and friends, as long as the expectant mom is not at risk of harming herself or her baby then it is best to let her be as she readies herself for her big day.