I
want to address the last question specifically. About 10% of women will
tell you that labor is extremely painful, while 10% of the women will
tell you that they experienced no pain. The rest, 80%, will fall
someplace in the middle of the two extremes. You really need to look at
the sources of pain
in labor and birth. We do know that women who have taken childbirth
classes tend to report less painful experiences and have fewer
complications than women who have not taken classes.

Baby:

Your baby's movements will peak this week. From now on the will change in quantity and quality. Remember to do your Fetal Kick Counts.
Most of the wrinkles are disappearing from your baby's face, and there
may be a lot of hair on their head! The weight gain has been fairly
incredible recently. Your baby has put on about 2 pounds of weight,
mostly fat and muscle tissue, since last month, bringing the total to
about three pounds eleven ounces (1.7 kilograms), and measurements to
40 cms or 15.8 inches!

Babies
who are born at a younger gestation than this will most likely having
difficulties sucking or nursing. This also applies to babies who weigh
less than 1500 grams at birth. A good sucking pattern is a sign of
neuromuscular maturity.