Your Pregnancy: Week 41

Your Baby
If you're reading this, it's a safe bet you're still pregnant. You're in good company: Many women go past the 40th week. In fact, just 5 percent of infants are born on their due dates. You're actually not technically considered overdue until you're two weeks late. In the meantime, your baby is settling further into the pelvis; he's getting himself in position for when labor finally begins.

Your Body
All things considered, you're doing well. But you'll be much happier once you start to feel contractions and can finally apply everything you've learned about giving birth. Now that labor is imminent, your lower back may feel an almost constant ache. You may also start to feel nauseated or get diarrhea.

Do's and Don'ts
While you're waiting, continue to go about your day as usual, but cut back on any work that will sap your strength. You'll need to conserve your energy for delivery. You may also want to review any written materials on breathing and other coping techniques to rely on during labor.

Health
When moms-to-be daydream about childbirth, they rarely envision having a cesarean section. Yet about 22 percent of them will have one. The best time to learn about the surgery is well ahead of the game, not during the emotionally charged period of labor.

Mom to Mom

"When I received clothes for my newborn, I shouldn't have taken the tags off until I wanted him to wear something in particular. Instead, I washed them all and hung them in his closet right away. Austin grew so fast that he got to wear each outfit only once--or not at all. And by then it was too late to exchange them for bigger sizes." --Kim Menard, Oviedo, FL

Shopping
Babies grow out of their clothes quickly, so when you're shopping opt mostly for 6-month sizes, and then buy more outfits as your child grows.

Exercise
Working out will be the last thing on your mind once the baby arrives, but you can do some stretches to lengthen muscles that tighten up in pregnancy and improve flexibility.

Relationships
No matter how in sync you and your partner are, you're bound to disagree over how to take care of the baby. You may want to pick him up at his first cry while your partner may advocate a wait-and-see attitude. Or you'll want to hire a babysitter for a night out and he may balk. Prepare yourself now by talking about possible pitfalls (reassigning chores, for example), and know that parenting is easier if you're united from the start. Eventually, though, you will want to leave your house again. Here's what to look for when hiring a sitter.

Siblings
Your toddler may feel jealous when visitors coo over your newborn, but a few compliments directed her way will help smooth things over. If an admirer exclaims, "Cute baby!" gently add, "We're so lucky to have two beautiful children," or "No wonder--he looks just like his big sister!"

Twins
Life with a new baby is unpredictable, but even more so with twins. Surrender to the chaos and remember that although your kids will tire you out, they'll also bring you immeasurable joy. Line up as much help as you can and enjoy the ride.