Your OB provider will examine you as usual by measuring fundal height and listening for your baby's heartbeat with the fetal doppler. Your provider may also start to feel for your baby’s position using a technique called Leopold’s maneuvers.

Your OB provider may recommend that you start doing fetal kick counts regularly. It's best to do them first thing in the morning or after dinner. Time how long it takes you to feel 10 kicks, flutters, swishes, or rolls. Ideally, you want to feel at least 10 movements within 2 hours.

During the 8th month, your baby will grow from the size of a head of lettuce to the size of a pineapple.

All of your baby's major organs are now fully developed, although his or her lungs are not fully functional yet.

Hip mobility and pain are common due to a hormone called relaxin, which is released by the ovaries and placenta to help relax the ligaments in your pelvis and soften your cervix in preparation for childbirth.

During pregnancy your blood volume is expanding. Thus, staying well-hydrated is very important.

A good sign that you are hydrated is pale-yellow to clear urine color.

You will need a properly installed car seat when you take your baby home after delivery.

Your OB provider will examine you as usual by measuring fundal height, listening for your baby's heartbeat with the fetal doppler, and feeling for your baby's position.

If your baby is breech, your provider may suggest some natural methods to help your baby turn.

You should try to have your bag packed and ready by 36 to 37 weeks.

You should share the details of your plan with your OB provider both before and after birth to ensure a smooth transition to life with your baby.

Here are some things you can try:
• Eat foods that are high in potassium, such as bananas.
• Avoid caffeine.
• Drink plenty of water, which helps flush the body and reduce water retention.
• Minimize sodium (salt) intake and avoid adding additional salt to your food.
• Avoid standing for long periods.
• Prop up your feet when sitting and try not to cross your legs.
• Stretch often when sitting for long periods.
• Exercise regularly.
• Lie on your left side when sleeping.
• Wear supportive tights or stockings.
• Swim or stand in a pool up to your neck.
• Stay cool in humid or hot weather.

As labor begins, the cervix will open or dilate. The muscles of your uterus will start to contract at regular intervals and you will feel your abdomen get hard and then relax and get soft.

Losing your mucus plug is not necessarily a sign of labor about to start. Some women who pass a noticeable mucus plug go into labor within hours or days, while others may not go into labor for a few weeks.

Call your OB provider if:
• You have any bleeding.
• You think your water has broken.
• Your contractions are regularly coming 4-5 minutes apart and lasting for 45-60 seconds for at least an hour.