Babies vary in size around these last few weeks of pregnancy, your baby is likely to be between 17 and 20 inches long and will weigh between 6 1⁄4 to 7 1⁄2 pounds.

Your baby is continuing to grow, although most of his organs are mature and fully functioning. The only exception is his brain and his lungs. These two organs will continue to mature during childhood.

You may notice that baby is less active than he used to be. There’s a lot less space in your uterus than there used to be. The amniotic fluid that he’s been sucking in now turns into his first bowel movement.

Dads can feel overwhelmed during the labour, but they have an important role to play. Just being present can help mum to feel more relaxed. Be as supportive, mum may need some handholding. If you attended antenatal classes, help mum to remember her breathing techniques.

Because the baby is pushing down on your cervix and bladder, you may need to go to the toilet more frequently. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

Towards the end of your pregnancy, you may begin to experience swelling in your feet, but this is normal. If you experience excessive swelling in your hands or face you should contact your Dr, as this could be a sign of pregnancy-induced hypertension, also known as pre-eclampsia or toxemia.