• Search by:
• articles
• |
• expert advice
• |
• stories
• |
• recalls
• |
• all content

Track your pregnancy day by day.

Fetal Development

An average full-term baby weighs about 7 1/2 pounds. A baby is considered "low birth weight" if he is less than 5 1/2 pounds. And boys usually weigh more than girls by about half a pound.

Water Break

If you think your water has broken, contact your caregiver immediately and do not have sex, as this carries the risk of infection. If your water has indeed broken, prepare to have your baby in the next 24 hours. Also look for the bloody show, a small amount of blood that appears as the cervix stretches and dilates. (If you see a large amount of blood, contact your caregiver immediately.) You may also pass your mucous plug. When this happens, it does not necessarily mean that you will be in labor immediately. It could be days before that happens.

"I knew from the beginning of my pregnancy that I wanted a birth with as little intervention as possible, but I was seeing an OB/GYN and delivering in a hospital known for handling high-risk pregnancies. But the hospital was close to home, had great birthing suites and my husband was not comfortable with me birthing at home. I thought I would have to fight for the birth to go my way.

"I woke at 7 a.m. on a Tuesday morning and started working (I worked at home). I went to use the bathroom and at that time, my water broke but was just trickling out. About 20 minutes later, I lost my mucous plug, but had no contractions. I had a doctor's appointment at 10 a.m. that day so I decided to fill him in at my appointment. This was seven days before my due date.

"My husband and I were very calm about the whole thing so my doctor did not believe my water had broken. But that changed when he went to do a pelvic exam and water gushed all over his office and shoes! He gave us until 9 p.m. that evening for labor to start, and then I was to come to the hospital to be induced."

Read more of the birth story, Long and Natural Labor, and check out all the stories at BirthStories.com.