There is nothing to do but wait
As a mother who will soon give birth, you have probably encountered a lot of so-called “home remedies.” These are things that everyone can help with to get the labor started.
They come from all directions, and one can sound more foolish than the other. As a rule, your body will guide you and the baby through labor in the best possible way, and it will happen when it is ready.
You cannot miss your own birth, and often all the advice will just stress and confuse you more. Consult with professionals if you want to prepare your body, especially through acupuncture, rebozo, or similar methods.
There is no reason to eat chili, clean windows, walk up stairs, or follow other advice that someone once told. Most likely, it will just end with soreness, fatigue, and annoying trips to the bathroom. If it does trigger something, it is more likely luck than wisdom.
What is happening in the belly?
All the characteristics that defined the fetus, such as fetal fat, lanugo hair, and similar, are starting to disappear, and it is a fetus that is fully ready to become a newborn waiting inside.
As a rule, boys are a bit larger than girls, but that does not change the fact that both genders have coordinated reflexes, and they can blink, turn their heads, and do many other small things that seem completely unbelievable that a little newborn can do.
It may take some time for the little one to adjust to the new world, but all physical systems are ready for it. There are many systems that need to get going, and it is completely normal for the little one to just need to learn everything out here on the other side.
Size of the fetus
Now it is getting heavy in there. The fetus is about half a meter long, so it is no surprise that you can feel the head in the pelvis, and feet kicking against the ribs at the same time.
The weight is about 3500 grams, but that is only a guideline and average. There is a larger range within which it is completely normal to weigh as a fetus.
In addition to that weight, there is also a placenta that weighs about 700 grams, and a uterus that is up and weighs over 1 kilogram.
Advice for the partner
Relax as much as you can. Maybe you are still working, and if you haven't already made an agreement with your boss, it is a good idea to arrange what you can and cannot do if labor starts while you are at work.
When the phone rings and your stressed partner is on the other end, it is great that you don’t have to think about anything but just getting going.
If you have other children, a dog, or similar that need care, it is also a good idea to have arrangements for who and how it will be taken care of when labor is about to happen.
