Fetal Development Month by Month: Month 9

Pumping a serious 300 gallons of blood per day, your baby is ready to make its debut and capable of life outside your cramped womb. His or her lanugo and vernix are absorbed into the amniotic fluid and swallowed by your baby; this will be the components of his or her first bowel movement. Your baby's lungs are still secreting surfactant which will help him or her take those first breaths of air after birth.

During this final stage of pregnancy you might feel an increased urge to use the restroom because your baby's head has dropped into your pelvic area. While doctors don't know what exactly triggers labor, babies are usually born within two weeks of their due date. You are likely to be seeing your doctor on a weekly basis and he or she will be checking your cervix for signs of effacement and dilation - two sure signs that your baby is on its way!

Back