Your little one is at their fully cooked, bun-in-the-oven birth weight and ready to go. Most babies weigh somewhere between six to eight pounds when they are born, with boys usually being longer and heavier than girls.

Your baby hasn't changed much since last week. They've developed a little more baby fat over the past week; and though all of their internal organs are ready to support them in the outside world, their immune system will continue developing after birth.

Congratulations! You've reached what is likely your final week of this pregnancy. If you haven't delivered already, it's almost time to meet your little one! Your hospital bag is packed (if it isn't, it should be!), or the baby pool is set up in its birthing place, and you are ready to go. The nursery is ready, or very nearly ready, and you have the car seat installed. You even have your baby's first outfit selected and placed out.

You've been patient for nine whole months, and the time is finally here! Just remember, when you finally do go into labor, it's important to stay calm. There usually is no need to rush to the hospital. For most women, labor typically lasts about 13 hours. If your water suddenly breaks, don’t immediately rush out the door! Take a little time to make sure you have everything you need. If you have older children, make sure they have adult supervision and are taken care of. And then drive safely. You may even prefer to stay home until your contractions are closer together. When you first contact your midwife or doctor, they should be able to tell you how long to wait before you should head to the hospital, or before they head to your home.

Labor is typically broken down into three stages, beginning when your contractions become regular and ending after you deliver the placenta. When your contractions start to pick up, you are in the active phase of the first stage. Between this active phase and the next, known as the transition phase, you need to get to the hospital or to wherever you’ve planned to give birth. During the transition phase, your contractions grow closer together.

The second stage of labor is when you give birth to your baby! Your contractions will become more regular, with less and less time passing between them, and they will feel much stronger. You will either feel the need to push, or like you need to pass a stool. If you have received pain medication, you may not feel this urge to push and you'll be directed on what to do. The end of the second stage of labor is signaled by the birth of your baby.

Within an hour of giving birth, usually within five to ten minutes of delivery your baby, you will be told to push again. You will then deliver the placenta. However, you will probably be preoccupied by the new baby in your arms, and it is much smaller than the little newborn you’ve just pushed out.

Even though 40 weeks seems like a long time, you may still have another week or two to go. A baby's due date is merely an estimate, and your baby will arrive when he or she is fully ready! All that you can do in the meantime is relax, enjoy this these final pregnant moments, and rest. This is happening!