Your child is packing on about a half-pound per week as he prepares to make his big exit. At delivery, the average U.S. birth weight is between 3,000 and 3,499 grams (6 pounds, 10 ounces to 7 pounds, 11 ounces).

He's fully formed and just waiting for the right time now. If you're having a boy, his testicles have descended and may be visible in any nine-month ultrasound images. His lungs, the last organ system to fully mature, now have an adequate level of surfactant in them to allow breathing outside the womb.

A pregnancy is considered full-term from weeks 37 to 42. Only 5 percent of expectant women actually give birth on their estimated date of delivery, and first-time moms are more likely to go past their due date. If you've delivered a baby before, however, statistically you are more likely to give birth within four days of your EDD.

A dark, tarry amalgam of amniotic fluid, skin cells, and other fetal waste is gathering in your baby's intestines. This substance (called meconium) will become the contents of his bowel movements during the first few days of life.

Fetal movement will naturally slow down as you get closer to your due date and the baby is pressed for space, but a healthy baby should still be making his presence known. Your provider may ask you to count fetal kicks. Pick a typically active time of day for your little one and start counting his moves. Your provider will let you know how many movements you should feel in what period of time (usually around eight to ten in a space of two hours).

If your baby's movements aren't as frequent as your provider has told you they should be, it's possible she is sleeping. Try drinking a glass of juice to get her going. Be sure to call your provider immediately if fetal movements are notably decreased or absent.

A final look at you and your fetus before the big day.