Pregnancy Birth – Month 10

You made it to the last month. However this pregnancy has gone, you're almost at the finish line, and every day from here is one less day of waiting.

Physical changes you might notice

Braxton Hicks contractions often get more frequent now, sometimes two or three times an hour, but they should still ease up when you change position or go for a short walk. If they don't, or if they start feeling stronger and closer together no matter what you do, that's worth paying attention to. Many women also notice more frequent urination and easier breathing once the baby "drops" lower into the pelvis, a shift doctors call lightening. Heavier vaginal discharge is common too. Fetal movement often changes character rather than disappearing, expect more rolling, stretching, and pressing against your ribs, and fewer sharp jabs, simply because there's less room in there. A real drop in movement is different from that, and it's covered below.

Emotional changes you might notice

Excitement and anxiety tend to show up together here, which makes sense given what's coming. Absentmindedness, irritability, and restlessness are all common too, and it's normal to lie awake running through what labor might feel like or worrying you'll miss the signs when they show up. Vivid dreams about the baby are common as well.

Appetite changes

Appetite can go either way this month. Some women eat more once the baby drops and there's less pressure crowding the stomach, others still feel full quickly. Both are normal, so let your hunger cues guide you rather than forcing a set amount.

The inside story

By 40 weeks, your baby is close to 20 inches long and weighs around 7 and a half pounds, though healthy newborns vary quite a bit in size. Weight and brain development continue right up until birth, which is part of why doctors now avoid scheduling an induction or a C-section before 39 weeks unless there's a medical reason for it. A baby's brain at 35 weeks weighs only about two thirds of what it will weigh at 39 to 40 weeks, and lungs finish maturing in this same window, so those extra days matter more than they might seem to from the outside.

Sleep and energy

See Month 8 and Month 9 for the usual culprits. Many women also get a sudden burst of energy in these final days, often called nesting. It's fine to ride that wave, just don't overdo it the week you're expecting to go into labor.

Easing the stress

Go ahead and pack your hospital bag if you haven't already. A phone charger, comfortable going home clothes for you and the baby, toiletries, nursing pads or a nursing bra if you're planning to breastfeed, and snacks for after delivery all earn their spot. Keep up with gentle exercise and childbirth class homework if you're still working through it, and finish tying up anything left at work. Water workouts and short walks are still good options for staying comfortable while you wait.

Special risks worth knowing about

Everything from Month 9 still applies. On top of that, labor itself can sometimes move faster than expected, especially if you've given birth before, so it's worth knowing your route to the hospital and having a plan for getting there in a hurry if needed. A common way to judge real labor is the 5 1 1 rule, contractions coming at least every 5 minutes, lasting about 1 minute each, and holding that pattern for a full hour. If that describes what you're feeling, it's time to head in.

Curious what labor and delivery actually involve? Our ultrasound images page has real examples from these final weeks, and March of Dimes explains why waiting for at least 39 weeks matters for your baby's development. When your baby arrives, Month 11 picks up with your own recovery.