Week 38: Baby Is Fully Ready!

You're now in week 38, and your baby is completely ready to arrive! From now on, labor can start at any time. Congratulations — you've come so far!

Baby's Development

Size and Growth

Length: About 49–50 cm crown to heel
Weight: About 2800–3200 grams (nearly 3 kg!)
Comparison: The size of a large stalk of rhubarb
Fully developed: All organs function independently

Impressive Maturity

All Organs Are Ready

Lungs: Fully mature, ready to breathe air
Brain: Can regulate body temperature and breathing
Heart: Pumping blood efficiently
Digestive system: Ready to digest breast milk
Immune system: Receiving antibodies from you

Appearance

Lanugo (fine body hair) is almost completely gone
Skin is smooth and pink
Nails have grown to fingertips and toe tips
Vernix (waxy coating) still covers parts of the skin
Baby looks like a newborn!

Getting Ready

Practicing breathing (drawing amniotic fluid in and out)
Swallowing about 450 ml of amniotic fluid per day
Meconium (first bowel movement) is stored in the bowel
Umbilical cord is 50–60 cm long

Your Body

Prenatal Appointment in Week 38

At your week 38 appointment, your midwife will typically check:

Blood pressure: Screening for preeclampsia — important to detect early
Weight: Monitored to assess normal development
Urine: Checked for protein (preeclampsia screening) and glucose
Fundal height: Measuring uterine size from the outside
Cervix: May be examined if you wish, to assess ripening
Baby: Position confirmed by palpation, heartbeat by Doppler, and questions about movement pattern

Remember you can always raise concerns or questions with your midwife. It's important to discuss the birth plan, including your pain relief preferences.

Weight Gain at Week 38

Expected total weight gain: About 11–16 kg (varies)
You may not be gaining weight at this point — that's normal
Some people lose a little weight just before birth due to reduced amniotic fluid

Physical Symptoms

Ongoing Discomfort:

Swelling in feet and extremities (normal!)
Back pain — especially lower back
Pelvic girdle pain (SPD)
Heartburn and digestive issues
Constipation
Frequent urination — baby is pressing on the bladder

Sudden or severe swelling in face/hands + headache = CALL YOUR DOCTOR! (Preeclampsia)

Sleep Problems: Research shows that the vast majority of pregnant people experience sleep difficulties in the third trimester, with many experiencing full insomnia.

Why:

Hard to find a comfortable position with a large belly
Frequent urination (can be every 20–30 minutes!)
Fetal movements waking you up
Anxiety and thoughts about birth
Physical discomfort (back pain, cramps, heartburn)
Restless legs

What can help:

Sleep on your left side (best for blood flow to baby)
Use a pregnancy pillow between knees and under belly
Lie with your upper body elevated against heartburn
Establish a calm bedtime routine without screens
Limit fluid intake 2–3 hours before bed
Practice relaxation or meditation
Talk to your midwife if sleep problems are severe

Note: Poor sleep at the end of pregnancy is linked to:

More pain during labor
Longer labor
Higher risk of assisted birth or cesarean

This is why prioritizing rest in the final weeks is extra important.

Early Signs of Labor

You may start to notice signs that labor is approaching:

Normal Pre-Labor Signs

Mild contractions/cramping:

Feels like menstrual cramps
The cervix is beginning to soften and thin

Pelvic pressure:

Baby dropping deeper into the pelvis
A feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen

Change in discharge:

More discharge
More mucus-y or blood-tinged

Mucus plug (show):

Thick mucus that comes away
Can be clear, yellow, pink, or bloody
Means the cervix is ripening

Bloody show:

Mucus mixed with blood
1–2 teaspoons (normal)
Pink, brown, or red

"Lightning crotch":

Sudden, sharp pain in the pelvis
Baby pressing on nerves as it descends

Increased joint flexibility:

The hormone relaxin loosens joints
Pelvis can expand more easily
May feel more clumsy

Back pain:

Especially lower back
Can be a sign baby is settling into position

Baby dropping ("lightening"):

Easier to breathe (less pressure on the lungs)
Harder to walk
More frequent urination
More pelvic floor pressure

When to Contact the Hospital

Call the Maternity Unit Immediately

Waters breaking: Amniotic fluid leaking out — whether a gush or a trickle you can't control. Call regardless of whether you have contractions
Heavy bleeding: More than a few teaspoons — this could indicate placental abruption
Significantly reduced fetal movements: If baby is moving considerably less than normal
Severe headache + visual disturbances + swelling: Could be signs of preeclampsia
Severe abdominal pain that doesn't ease: Persistent, severe pain

Call When Contractions Are Regular

First-time parents: Call when contractions come every 5 minutes and last about 60 seconds, and this pattern has been going on for at least an hour
Those who've given birth before: Call earlier, as labor often progresses faster — call when you have regular contractions every 7–8 minutes
Long distance: If you have over 60–90 minutes to hospital, call when contractions become regular regardless of interval

Stay Calm at Home

Many maternity units recommend staying home as long as possible in early labor. At home you can:

Move freely
Eat and drink
Take a bath or shower
Be in familiar, safe surroundings

Things to Have Ready

Hospital Bag — Make Sure It's Packed!

Your hospital bag should now be packed and ready by the door. Make sure your partner knows where it is. Don't forget:

ID and health/insurance documents
Phone charger
Comfortable clothes for labor and afterward
Baby's clothes (onesie, sleepsuit, hat, outer layers)
Newborn diapers/nappies
Toiletries and snacks

Car Seat

The car seat must be installed and tested before birth
Choose a rear-facing seat approved to current safety standards
Practice buckling baby in
Many fire stations or baby stores offer free checks on installation

Practical Preparations at Home

Work: Many stop working around now — check your maternity leave start date
Meals in the freezer: Prepare simple meals you can heat up in the postnatal period
Phone numbers ready: Maternity unit, midwife, partner, family — have them easily accessible
Childcare: If you have other children, make sure childcare arrangements are in place
Final check of nursery: Cot, diapers, clothes — all ready?

Pain Relief — Discuss With Your Midwife

There are many options for pain relief during labor. It's wise to familiarize yourself with the options beforehand:

Natural methods:

Movement and position changes — walking, rocking, on all fours
TENS machine — electrical nerve stimulation that can ease early labor pain
Birth ball or stool
Warm water bath or pool — warm water provides effective pain relief
Massage — especially the lower back
Breathing exercises and focus techniques

Medication:

Gas and air (Entonox): Breathing mixture you control yourself — works quickly and leaves the system quickly
Epidural: Anesthesia in the back giving effective pain relief — can be administered at any time during active labor
Pethidine/morphine: Injection providing pain relief and relaxation

You don't need to decide in advance — write your preferences in your birth plan but stay open to changing the plan as things progress.

Pelvic Floor Exercises — Important Now!

Train your pelvic floor daily — it's important preparation for birth
A strong pelvic floor helps with recovery after birth
Reduces the risk of urinary incontinence

Breastfeeding Preparation

Read about breastfeeding in advance
Your breasts produce colostrum (first milk) — baby's first food
Consider attending a breastfeeding class if available
Have nursing pads and a nursing pillow ready at home

Nutrition in the Final Weeks

What to Eat

According to WHO and ACOG guidelines, it's important to maintain a nutritious diet right up to your due date:

Protein: Protein-rich food at every meal (meat, fish, eggs, beans)
Iron: Iron-rich foods like red meat, lentils, and whole grain products — iron supplement as advised by your midwife
Calcium: About 1000 mg daily — dairy, leafy greens, fortified drinks
Fiber and fluid: Prevent constipation with fiber-rich food and at least 2.5 liters of water daily
Energy for birth: Your body needs reserves — eat regularly

Gentle Exercise

Walks: 20–30 minutes daily helps with pelvic pain and gives energy
Swimming: Weightless activity that relieves the body
Stretching and yoga: Helps with tension and sleep
Listen to your body and take breaks when needed

Tips for Week 38

Check your hospital bag is fully packed and that your partner knows where it is
Have the car seat installed and tested — you'll need it for the ride home
Save the maternity unit number in your phone — have it easily accessible
Train your pelvic floor daily — it's worth it!
Use a contraction timer app if you feel contractions — it helps you distinguish Braxton Hicks from real contractions
Fill the freezer with meals for the postnatal period
Keep the car fueled at all times
Enjoy the final days as a pregnant person — soon you'll be a bigger family!
Read about breastfeeding so you're prepared
Keep an eye on fetal movements — contact the hospital if you notice changes

For Your Partner

Keep your phone on and be available at all times — labor can start any time
Make sure the car is fueled and the route to the hospital is planned and tested
Pack your own small bag for the hospital — snacks, charger, change of clothes, washcloth
Prepare mentally to be a calm and supportive presence during labor
Read about pain relief so you can help with breathing exercises and massage
Familiarize yourself with a contraction timer app so you can help time contractions

What's Coming Next Week?

Week 39

Baby continues to put on weight (about 200 grams per week)
You may notice more Braxton Hicks contractions
Continued early labor signs
The cervix may begin to soften and dilate
Labor can come at any time!

Week 40: Due Date!

"Official" due date — but only 5% give birth on their exact due date
Most give birth between week 37–42
More frequent appointments if you go past your due date
Consideration of induction at week 41–42

Did You Know...?

Only 5% of all babies are born on their due date. Most are born between week 38 and 42, and it's completely normal to give birth up to two weeks before or after your due date
Your baby's umbilical cord is now 50–60 cm long and contains two arteries and one vein, protected by a gelatinous substance called Wharton's jelly. This substance prevents the cord from getting compressed, even when baby moves a lot
Your baby has already developed over 70 reflexes, including the grasping reflex, sucking reflex, and Moro reflex (startle reflex). These reflexes are crucial for survival after birth
The placenta now weighs about 700 grams and has a surface area of around 14 square meters — about the size of a small room! Through it, your body has delivered oxygen and nutrition to baby for nine months

Common Questions About Week 38

What are those sharp pelvic pains I'm feeling?

Sharp pelvic pains (known as "lightning crotch") are sudden, sharp pains in the pelvis or vagina that can feel like an electric shock. They happen when baby presses on nerves in the lower pelvis, especially when the head is descending. It's harmless but can be surprising and uncomfortable. It's a sign baby is moving downward.

Should I worry about fluid leaking?

It's important to distinguish between urine leakage, increased discharge, and amniotic fluid. Urine smells like urine and may leak when you cough or sneeze. Amniotic fluid is clear or slightly pink, smells sweet (not like urine), and comes as a steady flow or gush you can't control. If you suspect your waters have broken — call the hospital immediately. When in doubt — always call.

What happens if baby is still in breech position?

If baby is in breech at week 38, your midwife or doctor will discuss the options with you. An external cephalic version (ECV) may be attempted, or a planned cesarean section may be recommended. Some birth centers offer vaginal breech births under certain conditions. Your care team will help you make the best decision.

How do I tell the difference between Braxton Hicks and real contractions?

Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular, vary in strength, and tend to go away if you change position, take a shower, or rest. Real contractions come at regular intervals that gradually shorten, increase in strength and intensity, and don't stop no matter what you do. Use a contraction timer app to track them — it helps you see the pattern.

Should I stop working now?

If you haven't already, now is a common time to stop working. Check the maternity leave rules in your country and speak with your employer. If your work is physically demanding, if you have a long commute, or if you're experiencing a lot of discomfort, stopping earlier is sensible.

Is it dangerous if baby is very active or very quiet?

It's normal for movement patterns to change toward the end of pregnancy. Baby has less space, so you may feel fewer large movements, but you should still feel pressure, nudges, and rolls. The important thing is that you feel baby moving regularly throughout the day. Contact the hospital immediately if you notice a significant reduction in fetal movements.

You're ready! Baby is ready! Now it's just a matter of waiting for labor to start. Rest, prepare mentally, and trust that your body knows what to do. You've got this!