Week Thirty Seven: Baby is full term

	My wife is now 37 weeks pregnant, so hang in there love. I know you want William to be here, but we have only three more weeks to go. Though, there is a possibility that he could be here starting this week until the expected due date. William should now measures 19.5 inches from the head to the heel. He should also weigh up to 7 pounds. The head diameter is over 3.5 inches. The water could break at any time. Gaining one ounce per day, William is growing rapidly. An elbow, foot or head may protrude from your stomach when William stretches and squirms about. Soon, as the wall of my wife's uterus and her abdomen stretch thinner and let in more light, William will begin to develop daily activity cycles. Even though my wife is three weeks from her expected due date, she is now considered full term. In most cases, nothing will be done to stop her labor once it starts, even if it is before 40th week mark. If my wife goes into labor at this point our care provider will not try to stop it. These are the signs that labor may be starting? Regular contractionsthat grow longer, stronger and closer together. Contractions that are not affected significantly by a change in your activity level. A trickle or gush of fluid from your vagina. A regular, rhythmic backache. (Babies between 37 and 42 weeks are considered full-term - - a baby born before 37 weeks is premature and after 42 is post-term.) At this point we have our bags packed and ready for the birth ?