38 Weeks Pregnant

You’re at the point now where you could go into labor at any time. Hopefully, your hospital bag is ready to go, and you will know the route like the back of your hand. If you’re planning on going anywhere at 38 weeks pregnant, make sure you take your hospital bag and medical notes with you, just in case.

Right now, you will find your baby is around six pounds, and around 20 inches in length. There is still time for fattening up, but the length of your little one will remain around the same now.

Your Baby at Pregnancy 38 Weeks

Most of the development is complete at this stage. Your baby is virtually ready to come out, which is why you are considered to be at full-term. If your baby was born right now, there are very slim chances he or she will need to be placed in medical care.

The space is getting tight for your little one right now. There’s little space to do the somersaults, so the jabs and kicks can feel quite painful. A lot of movement will be clutching and grasping.

Your baby’s bones are becoming denser by the day. The only bones that remain relatively loose are those in the skull. This helps with the delivery process, and the bones will harden up over time after birth.

Changes in You at 38 Weeks Pregnant

Your bump won’t likely change that much from now on. While your baby still has some fattening to do, the amniotic fluid is starting to decrease. This is nothing to worry about—and perfectly normal. When the pregnancy is healthy, the amniotic fluid decreases as a slow rate so there is still enough to protect your little one.

The bump may drop around about now. This is your little one getting ready for birth. When the bump drops, your lungs gain more space, and you could find it much easier to breathe. Your doctor or midwife will call is “lightening.”

Braxton Hicks contractions are still likely. Don’t worry about them. They’re just getting your body ready for labor. They don’t mean your little one is on its way any time soon. Some women get Braxton Hicks all the way up to labor. You’ll know they’re Braxton Hicks because they will not last as long, and will not get closer together. Call your midwife if you are worried at all, and take a bath as this can help ease the contractions if they are the false labor pains.

Your Symptoms at Pregnancy 38 Weeks

You will probably feel very tired and lethargic right now. It’s understandable, considering the extra weight you are carrying. Don’t be afraid to sit down more often and nap during the day.

Nesting can start at any time. You’ll have the urge to clean everything in your home, including scrubbing the floors. If your baby is facing the wrong way (which does happen), getting on your hands and knees to scrub the floor can be really useful.

Feeling frustrated and annoyed at 38 weeks pregnant is perfectly normal. You know it is getting close to the due date, and you just want to give birth right now. Expect this feeling to continue until it happens, but try not to focus on the birth too much. If you find it really hard to handle the frustrations, find something fun to do that is comfortable with the large bump.

Enjoy these last few weeks. You will soon have your baby, and you will be parents. This is your last chance to do things as a couple or on your own, so make the most of it. Remember, even though you’re 38 weeks pregnant, you could give birth at any time now so be prepared.