Here is your Pregnancy Week by Week guide. All on one page to make it easy for you to take a quick look at each week whenever you want to. Be sure to bookmark this page to your favorites so you can check it again easily.
And in response to everyone who wants to get through pregnancy without gaining a lot of extra weight, we recommend a free mini-course from Pregnancy Without Pounds, revealing secrets of how to stay in top shape during all the weeks of your pregnancy. And how to get slim again soon after the baby is born.
Week One
In week one of your pregnancy week by week, Doctors start counting from first day of last menstrual period.
We’re using the gestational age method, so week one begins with the first day of your menstrual period. Conception has not yet occurred, but you already start counting your pregnancy week by week.
If this is your first child, you may be confused that week one occurs before the baby is conceived! Your physician counts from the first day of your menstrual period so we are too. Start planning the excellent eating habits you will take with you throughout your pregnancy and beyond. Remember to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, calcium rich foods and healthy proteins. Maintain an exercise program, stop smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages, and eliminate over the counter medications.
If you haven’t started already, be sure you are taking your prenatal vitamins, which contain adequate levels of folic acid to prevent birth defects. Also take a purified omega-3 fish oil supplement. Be careful to get the very best one. Giving your baby a healthy start from day one is one of the best gifts you can give. Good nutrition is really important.
Week Two
In week two of your pregnancy week by week,you still haven’t conceived your baby, but the time is near as your body is preparing to ovulate! Hormones are stimulating your ovaries to produce and release an ovum. The hormones are signaling the endometrium to thicken, readying it to receive a fertilized egg!
Ovulation usually occurs approximately two weeks after your last period. An egg can be fertilized for only about 12 to 24 hours once the ovum is released. Don’t be disappointed if it doesn’t work the first time. You have only about a 20% chance of getting pregnant each month.
Week Three
In week three of your pregnancy week by week, if everything works out just right, your partner’s sperm will meet your egg within the fallopian tube. You might be surprised that at the moment of conception, your baby’s gender is determined by the chromosomes of the father. Now that fertilization has taken place, the egg continues on its way to the uterus, where it will implant in the uterine lining.
During the trip, the fertilized single egg has started dividing and by the time it implants in the uterus, it has grown to over 100 cells! A yolk sack develops that will nourish your baby until the placenta is formed and takes over. The miracle of life has begun!
Week Four
In week four of your pregnancy week by week, the egg has reached the uterus and is now searching for a place to settle. You are officially pregnant! At the end of this week, you’ll be expecting your period – but it’s not coming.
You may already be experiencing early pregnancy symptoms that seem similar to your period such as fatigue, breast soreness and mood swings. Some women also experience symptoms like nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches and frequent urination.
Taking care of yourself is so important from here on out. Eat well, exercise in moderation and get plenty of sleep. You may experience some minor spotting, called implantation bleeding, which is no cause for concern.
Week Five
In week five of your pregnancy week by week, your body is working very hard on the development of your baby, so you may be experiencing extreme fatigue. The very tiny embryo has three layers; the neural tube will form and develop into the nervous system, the middle layer will develop into the heart and circulatory system, bones, muscles, kidneys and reproductive organs, and the inner layer will develop into the intestines, liver, pancreas and bladder.
The facial features, such as ears and eyes, also begin to form. By the end of this week, the length of the embryo is about 1.5 to 2 millimeters long. No wonder you are so tired, a lot is happening.
Week Six
Week six of your pregnancy week by week is an exciting time, as your baby’s heart has begun to beat! The heart is pumping blood, and buds form on the body that will become arms and legs. The brain is forming three separate parts; the forebrain for memory and reasoning, the midbrain for message translation to organs and limbs and hindbrain for breathing and muscle movement.
Omega 3 and DHA are super important to the development of your baby’s brain. These healthy oils come from fish, but today most fish is contaminated with mercury and pcb pollutants. The solution? Take a molecularly distilled and purified capsule of fish oil that is made from healthy fish caught in clean waters. Be careful and only use the best quality fish oil supplements, not some cheap one made from “mystery fish” caught in polluted waters and then processed and shipped without refrigeration. Scary!
For the mom, morning sickness may be in full force as nausea affects one third to one-half of all pregnant women. Studies show that a higher level of estrogen, as well as the rapid expansion of the uterus may cause the nausea. Don’t despair, most moms’ find it alleviates by the second trimester.
Week Seven
In week seven of your pregnancy week by weekthe baby is only the size of a grain of rice! Development is continuing on the arms and legs. Dark spots are the early formation of the eyes and pits indicate the formation of nostrils and ears. You may still be feeling all the same early symptoms of pregnancy.
Your face may also be breaking out in acne due the rapid acceleration of hormones. Remember to wash your face twice a day and drink plenty of water, both of which may help. Some women find that their clothes start to feel snug as your waist expands. You may also be experiencing constipation and occasional indigestion.
Week Eight
In week eight of your pregnancy week by weekthe rapid growth continues! Elbows begin forming and fingers start developing. The legs are beginning to show feet with notches for toes. The face is taking shape as the ears, eyes and tip of the nose appear!
Mom may be feeling bloated and experiencing indigestion. Research shows that slowed digestive processes cause these symptoms and allow the bloodstream to better absorb nutrients that are passed on to the baby.
You likely aren’t showing if this is your first pregnancy, however, if this is your second – you may have a small belly as you tend to show earlier since the muscle aren’t as tight.
Week Nine
In week nine of your pregnancy week by week, your baby’s growth continues and now measures about an inch in length. Cartilage and bones begin forming! The baby has all the major organs, muscles and nerves. Eyelids are beginning to form, the tongue begins to develop and the truck is straightening and elongating.
Some of the really obvious signs of pregnancy at this point are: Mom’s breasts are feeling fuller more than ever and are likely extremely sensitive. The areola typically darkens and the lubricating sweat glands on the areola may become prominent. Moms with light colored skin may also notice that the breast veins are more pronounced. Some moms find they are very emotional around this time; it’s as if you’re experiencing a prolonged bout of PMS! Tell your family this so they can be supportive.
Week Ten
It is already week ten of your pregnancy week by week. Can you believe how much your baby has developed in such a short time? At the end of this week, fingers and toes will be identifiable. The external ear and upper lip are complete, and external genitalia start appearing. The terminology for your baby is now changing too – from an embryo to a fetus.
Baby moves around a lot, but most moms won’t start recognizing these feelings for a few weeks yet. Hopefully, your nausea has started to subside. Your blood volume is increasing rapidly. You may start to notice your veins more, particularly in your tummy, breasts and legs. Don’t forget the importance of calcium and ensure you are getting adequate amounts from your foods. Eat some cheese, yogurt and/or milk everyday.
Week Eleven
Now begins week eleven of your pregnancy week by week. The critical part of your baby’s development is over. Now you enter into the growth stage! Your baby’s head is almost as big as the rest of the body and head growth will start to slow down. The liver, intestines, brain and lungs are functioning on their own and now fingernails, toenails and hair start growing. Your uterus has grown to the size of a small grapefruit and clothes are likely feeling very snug.
Your appetite may be returning now that the major waves of nausea have passed. However, you may now be suffering from headaches. You can help prevent headaches by drinking lots of water, sleeping plenty of hours and managing your stress levels.
Week Twelve
Baby’s growth continues in week twelve of your pregnancy week by week calendar. Baby now begins taking on gender characteristics. The baby has the ability to swallow, and amniotic fluid accumulates as the baby’s kidneys begin to produce and excrete urine. The baby’s face is now looking like a little person! For mom, bathroom trips should be getting less frequent as your uterus has risen above your pubic bone and it will continue to shift forward as it grows.
You might also be noticing a black line (linea nigra) appearing vertically on your abdomen. Don’t panic. This line is normal and is more prominent in moms with a dark complexion. Next week is the start of your second trimester.
Week Thirteen
Welcome to your second trimester! It is week thirteen of your pregnancy week by week. The baby is busy this week and now weighs around 2 ounces! His or her vocal cords are beginning to form and the eyes are moving closer together. The intestines have moved from outside the body to inside the abdomen. Now, the liver secretes bile and the pancreas produces insulin. The baby will react to any poking or prodding by wriggling around! You may be feeling more energetic now that the major work of organ development is almost complete.
Hopefully, many of the symptoms of early pregnancy have passed. Many women report that the second trimester is their favorite time of the pregnancy week by week, as many of their symptoms have alleviated and their pregnant tummy isn’t yet large enough to get in the way!
Week Fourteen
In week fourteen of your pregnancy week by week baby’s neck is getting longer and the chin no longer rests on the chest. The baby’s hands are becoming functional and he or she even has fingerprints! Baby is active so you may start to feel the baby move. Pay attention to any fluttering sensations in your tummy. Women on their second or third pregnancy tend to notice these sensations earlier.
The early symptoms of pregnancy have passed, but now you may be experiencing constipation since the pregnancy hormones have relaxed your bowel muscles, meaning that they are working more slowly and inefficiently.
Consider adding more fiber to your eating regime if constipation has become a concern. Some fiber breakfast cereals work well for this, plus you get calcium when you pour on the milk. You can also stir some of the bran cereal into a cup of yogurt.
Week Fifteen
During week fifteen of your pregnancy week by week, baby is gaining great use of his or her hands and may even be sucking their thumb. The heart is working very hard pumping approximately 25 quarts of blood each day! The baby’s skin is extremely transparent and he or she is developing a downy type of hair called lanugo.
Mom may now be showing as most women show sometime between the 14th and 20th weeks. Your caregiver is likely measuring your fundal height (distance from the top of the uterus to the public bone) to ensure baby is developing adequately. Your caregiver will track the fundal height throughout the remainder of your pregnancy.
Week Sixteen
It is during week sixteen of your pregnancy week by week that the baby’s bones have begun hardening. His or her body is lengthening out and the legs are now longer than the arms. The limbs also move in a coordinated manner. Baby weighs around 3 ounces and it may seem hard to believe that he or she could end up weighing well over 7 pounds! Gender is now likely recognizable by an ultrasound technician.
Your blood volume has increased significantly and you may now be suffering from a stuffy nose or nosebleeds. This additional blood volume means that you need more iron. Try to eat an iron rich food at each meal to ensure adequate stores. Do not take extra iron in supplements unless your doctor tells you to. Take prenatal vitamins that have iron included in them in a safe, measured amount. Prenatal vitamins are a must every day!
Week Seventeen
In week seventeen of your pregnancy week by week, baby’s fat begins to form under their skin. Baby is now a large enough size to give you a good kick and may be starting to recognize those sensations. The reflexes are in full force as baby now swallows, blinks and sucks. Are you noticing faint brown patches on your facial skin? This is called chloasma and is a temporary condition that should fade after birth.
At this point, some women experience bouts of insomnia. Consider a healthy pre-bedtime snack, a half hour before bed, to ensure that blood sugar levels remain high while you sleep.
Week Eighteen
At week eighteen of your pregnancy week by week, baby is now nearly half a pound! Your baby may be getting very active as he or she has plenty of room in the uterus to be performing somersaults. Your baby’s first bowel movement (the first of thousands to come!) is accumulating within the bowel. Pads are also forming on the fingertips and toes.
Mom may be noticing that she feels dizzy or lightheaded, particularly when changing position. This is perfectly normal and experienced by many pregnant women. Many women have their ultrasound between the 18th and 20th weeks. You and your partner can look forward to your very first glimpse of your baby!
Week Nineteen
During week nineteen of your pregnancy week by week, baby’s permanent teeth buds are forming behind the baby teeth buds. Reproductive organs are forming rapidly and can be seen on ultrasound. Vernix, a white cheesy substance that protects the skin from the placenta, is forming on the skin. Some baby’s are even born with some of the vernix remaining. You probably are experiencing some skin issues like dry, flaky skin or even a rash.
Heartburn may now be occurring because your uterus is pushing against your stomach. If you are experiencing heartburn, it will likely stay until the last month of pregnancy when your baby drops. Avoiding lying down right after eating. Sleeping with your head elevated may help alleviate the symptoms. Try eating some soda crackers and drinking a glass of sparkling water, such as Perrier.
Week Twenty – Half Way There!
It is week twenty of your pregnancy week by week, and guess what – you are at the halfway mark! Baby sleeps about one half of the time and is likely very busy in your tummy when he or she is awake. If you are carrying a girl, her uterus is now developing. For mom, her energy levels are likely remaining fairly high and she is starting to show. Just think, you are half way there any you have not had a large tummy to carry around for the first half of your pregnancy. It is only during the second half that his happens.
Some moms experience tenderness around the belly button as the uterus presses against it. The baby’s heartbeat can be heard through a special stethoscope, and your partner may even be able to hear the heartbeat by pressing their ear against your bare lower abdomen! Remember to keep getting plenty of rest because you will need it as your baby rapidly grows in length and weight during the remaining weeks of your pregnancy!
Week Twenty One
In week twenty one of your pregnancy week by week, you are past the halfway mark and most major development is well underway, your baby will spend its remaining weeks getting bigger and putting on weight. Major growth phases are slowing down, but your baby’s heart grows stronger this week and his or her legs are getting longer! You may be noticing and recognizing your baby’s sleep and wake cycles are they are starting to get more predictable. Many moms report that their babies are particularly active in the late evening just when they are settling down to try to sleep. Mom has likely gained around 10-15 pounds and starting to feel pregnant. Keep aiming to eat healthy foods which will help ensure the weight you gain is related to the pregnancy and not because you are indulging in too many ‘treats’!
Week Twenty Two
In week twenty two of your pregnancy week by week, your baby now weighs almost one pound! Although the baby is very developed, he or she is extremely thin. Baby needs to put on quite a bit of fat to ensure survival outside of the womb. The brain also starts a phase of rapid growth. In addition, your baby’s eyelids and eyebrows are now formed! You may be experiencing ankle and foot swelling, usually at the end of the day. Drinking plenty of water and resting with your feet elevated can help alleviate some of the swelling. If the swelling persists or gets rapidly worse, be sure to notify your doctor or caregiver.
Week Twenty Three
In week twenty three of your pregnancy week by week, your baby now has fingernails! More importantly, the lungs have begun to develop surfactant, a substance that helps baby’s lungs expand following birth. Other changes include the hardening of the bones of the middle ear. Also, the body is growing in a more normal proportion, everyday. At this point in the pregnancy, moms report that they feel a lot of movement and are sometimes even able to see their tummy move! You may also be experiencing Braxton hicks contractions, which feels like a tightening in your lower abdomen. They shouldn’t be painful and are usually erratic. Not every woman experiences them but they are thought to occur because they are preparing your body for labor!
Week Twenty Four
In week twenty four of your pregnancy week by week, baby is gaining weight through the addition of fat and muscle to his or her body. Rapid eye movement for baby has also begun. Most physicians consider week 24 as the stage when babies have a chance for survival if mom went into preterm labor. However, hospital stays would be lengthy and there could be developmental concerns. At this point, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the sings of preterm labor. Call your caregiver immediately if you have any of these symptoms; recurrent contractions (4 or more per hour), your water breaks, unusual vaginal discharge, menstrual like cramping and a sense of pressure on the pelvis.
Week Twenty Five
In week twenty five of your pregnancy week by week, major happenings are going on that include development of some joints and ligaments of the spine. The nostrils begin opening and the blood vessels of the lungs are developing. Now that the uterus is the size of a soccer ball and mom looks pregnant, she may be concerned about weight gain during pregnancy. This is a perfectly normal concern, as the idea of gaining 25 to 30 pounds in less than one year is one that many women dread! Remember, that you are not only gaining the weight of the baby, the multitude of other changes in your body contributes to the weight gain. Here are the estimates of how much each contributes to the overall pregnancy weight gain:
Baby: 7 ½ to 8 ½ poundsPlacenta: 1 to 2 poundsBlood volume increase: 4 to 8 poundsUterine muscles: 2 to 3 poundsBreasts 2 to 3 poundsAmniotic fluid: 1 to 2 poundsFat deposits around internal organs: 2 to 10 pounds
So don’t despair if the scale is getting higher each time you step onto it. As long as you are eating healthy and exercising, over time, you will be able to lose the weight safely once the baby is born. In fact, why weigh yourself? You are weighing two people. This site has many pages that tell you how to regain your figure through diet and exercises.
Week Twenty Six
In week twenty six of your pregnancy week by week, baby is actively growing lungs, with the air sacs beginning their growth this week. Brain growth continues with brain wave activity for the visual and auditory systems starting to develop. Baby is probably very active in the womb, as the most active weeks are typically between weeks 24-28. Mom may be experiencing shortness of breath as the uterus is very close to the rib cage at this stage. Some moms are not able to fully expand their rib cages; however, this does not negatively affect the baby in any way.
As mom is getting bigger and baby is more active, mom may be thinking more and more about her upcoming birth plans. Studies show that around this time, many moms’ reevaluate their birth plans. Do some reading and/or attend prenatal classes to help arm yourself with lots of information on the different birthing options available.
Week Twenty Seven
In week twenty seven of your pregnancy week by week, the second trimester is finished at the end of this week! The baby’s brain continues its’ rapid rate of development. Hopefully you are taking high quality fish oil with DHA to aid the baby’s brain health. Baby will also grow a lot in length this week and the lungs will continue developing. Eyelids will start to open and the retinas begin to form. Mom’s should not be alarmed if they are experiencing some urine leakage when coughing, sneezing, laughing or exercising. Many moms experience ‘stress incontinence’, which occurs because of changing hormones and the pressure, exerted on the bladder by the uterus. Remember to do your kegel exercises to help keep your pelvic floor strong, which may help reduce the leakage problem and can assist with your post partum recovery.
Week Twenty Eight
It is week twenty eight of your pregnancy week by week. Welcome to the third trimester! It may be hard to believe, but your baby now appears much like he or she will look like at birth! Baby now has eyebrows and eyelashes and hair is growing everyday. The muscle tone is improving and his or her body is getting plumper. Baby recognizes your voice so be sure to say lots of nice things! Mom should prepare herself some upcoming challenges in the third trimester like leg cramps, varicose veins, aches, pains, leg swelling, heartburn and the best thing of all…seeing the baby for the first time! If you’ve started experiencing any of the issues just listed, be sure to discuss them with your caregiver at your next appointment.
Week Twenty Nine
In week twenty nine of your pregnancy week by week, baby weighs almost 3 pounds and the head is proportional to the rest of the body. The brain is active and can now control breathing and body temperature. The eyes are starting to move in their sockets. Mom may be experiencing backaches, which can occur if mom is slumping when sitting or standing. Exercise is important and can help with back pain. You may also be starting to get leg cramps while you are sleeping. These painful occurrences are common in pregnancy because of the fatigue from carrying around extra weight. As you gain more weight, the leg cramps may increase. Leg cramps are also aggravated by the expanding uterus putting pressure on blood vessels that return blood from your legs to your heart and the nerves leading to your legs. Stretching your legs and calves before bed can help.
Week Thirty
In week thirty of your pregnancy week by week, eyelids are opening and closing and bone marrow is now responsible for red cell production. Baby continues to put on fat stores and the major weight gains will occur in the coming weeks. You may be starting to experience some swelling of your ankles and legs. If you haven’t experience swelling yet, it is highly probable that you will as approximately 40-75 of women experience mild swelling related to pregnancy. It is more common in moms who are on their feet a lot and for those living in warmer climates. Although mild swelling is considered normal, moms need to immediately notify their caregiver if the swelling is accompanied by a blood pressure increase, if it doesn’t recede in one day or if the hands or face begin to swell.
Week Thirty One
In week thirty one of your pregnancy week by week, baby weighs almost 3 ½ pounds! Baby’s brain is continuing its fast track for development. The only major organ left to develop are the very important lungs! Your baby may be starting to track moving objects with his or her eyes and the irises respond to light and dark. Mom might be starting to feel the aches and pains of pregnancy as she starts to get bigger and more uncomfortable. You may also be experiencing an aching sensation in your tummy because your uterus is stretching more and more. Don’t despair; you’re in the home stretch now!
Week Thirty Two
In week thirty two of your pregnancy week by week, your baby has been gaining weight rapidly these last few weeks because of an increase in fat stores and muscle. Movement is probably slowing down somewhat because the baby is running low on space to perform the acrobatics he or she was a few weeks ago. All five senses are now fully functional! Your uterus is measuring around 5 inches above your naval and is pushing on your organs. You may be experiencing heartburn, indigestion, breathlessness and constipation, all related to the growing uterus. Remember to keep up your water and fiber intake. Smaller, more frequent meals can help with heartburn.
Week Thirty Three
In week thirty three of your pregnancy week by week, your baby is growing fast and is probably up to around 4 ½ pounds. Amniotic fluid is at the highest point during your pregnancy and will remain at this level until delivery. Many moms report noticing rhythmic movements in the belly, which could mean that baby has the hiccups! Mom is probably also noticing that she is beginning to waddle, which is caused by the pregnancy hormone relaxin. Relaxin causes your hip joints to soften to prepare you for delivery, but this can also cause you to move differently! You may also be having a difficult time sleeping as it can become troublesome to find a comfortable sleeping position. Try different positions and use cushions to help support you in bed.
Week Thirty four
In week thirty four of your pregnancy week by week, your baby is taking in a lot of fluid and in fact, he or she urinates up to a pint per day! Surprisingly, urine, sweat and other fluids from baby help make up the amniotic fluid. Don’t be concerned though – the amniotic fluid replenishes itself every three hours! Your baby is now sleeping like a newborn with her eyes shut when sleeping and opened when awake! Not many new changes with mom, same old aches and pains and sleeping issues. Mom may be thinking a lot about the labor now that it is coming so close. Be sure to discuss your birthing plan with your caregiver and partner so that everyone knows what mom’s wishes are.
Week Thirty five
In week thirty five of your pregnancy week by week – wow – baby is growing so fast. He or she is up to almost 5 ½ pounds! The baby will continue gaining as most babies gain around one half pound per week in the last month of pregnancy. Fat stores accumulate in the legs and arms; it won’t be long until you’ll be touching those wonderful chubby limbs! Your last month of pregnancy will be busy as you pack your hospital bag, purchase your last items for baby, install the car seat and many other tasks! Remember to take time for yourself before you embark on the exciting journey of motherhood.
Week Thirty Six
In week thirty six of your pregnancy week by week, you can breathe a sigh of relief, because your baby is almost ready! Baby continues gaining as fat is forming creases in the neck and wrists. Your caregiver will start looking for signs that you’re dropping over the next few weeks (less noticeable in subsequent pregnancies). You may be visiting your caregiver weekly up until the birth. Regular internal exams may begin, to see if your cervix has softened, thinned, dilated or if your baby’s head is dropping into the pelvis. Any of these could be signs of impending labor – but there are no guarantees and you could be waiting for weeks yet!
Week Thirty Seven
At the end of week thirty seven of your pregnancy week by week, most doctors consider the baby to be full term! Your baby is averaging around 6 ½ pounds and has enough fat stores to keep his or her temperature stable in the outside world. Your little one’s grasp has become firm and you probably can’t wait to hold those tiny fingers! Mom’s are typically anxious for the impending arrival and start counting the days. Don’t set yourself up for disappointment and remember that your due date is only an estimate and that you will likely give birth in the timeframe of two weeks before to two weeks after your due date.
Week Thirty Eight
In week thirty five of your pregnancy week by week, baby’s main job is to gain weight. Development is complete! The fine, downy hair that covered the body during pregnancy is mostly gone now, but you may see some on the upper back and shoulders when he or she arrives. Baby now has an ‘orienting response’ and will turn toward a light shone on mom’s belly. Baby’s first stool, called meconium, is accumulating in the intestines. Mom should be paying attention to baby’s movements and call the caregiver if she notices a drop in frequency or a change in the pattern.
Week Thirty Nine
In week thirty nine of your pregnancy week by week, the average baby is over seven pounds! The baby’s fingernails likely extend beyond baby’s fingertips. Baby is restricted in movement as there is no space left in the womb. Hopefully mom is finding it easier to breathe now that the uterus is dropping away from the diaphragm. Mom may be experiencing the nesting syndrome by attempting to clean, cook, shop and prepare for the new arrival. Even though you’re nearing the end of your pregnancy, the body still makes amniotic fluid, but absorption may outpace the amount you make – so levels may decrease a bit. Alert your caregiver immediately if you have any leaking of fluid.
Week Forty
In week forty of your pregnancy week by week, you can congratulate yourself for a job well done. You made it! You are almost at the end of your pregnancy. Even though our descriptions stop here, you may still experience another two weeks of pregnancy until your little one arrives. Don’t be discouraged if the big day arrives and passes without meeting your baby. 95% of pregnancies occur in the two weeks prior and two weeks following the due date! Each caregiver has their own philosophy regarding induction. Induction can require a lengthier hospital stay and more opportunity for intervention. If you are considering induction, be sure to weigh the pros and cons with your caregiver. When the labor cues start occurring, be sure to follow your caregiver’s specific instructions about when to call and when to come to the birthing center or hospital. Best of luck during your labor, it will all be worth it when you get to hold your precious bundle of joy and love.