Week 38 of pregnancy
What's Happening with Baby During Week 38 of Pregnancy
Your baby's brain is still developing, and their liver and lungs are continuing to grow and mature. Their body is now well-proportioned, with the head representing about 25% of the total body length, and a large chest and abdomen to accommodate all their vital organs.
Your baby now weighs about 6 3/4 pounds and measures 19 1/2 inches long (the size of a leek). If your pregnancy is healthy, it's best to wait for labor to begin on its own to give them this final, crucial time for development.
What You Might Experience During Week 38 of Pregnancy
As your baby reaches their full size, their presence may make you feel very uncomfortable. Hang in there, you're almost at the finish line! It's also very common to be thinking a lot these days, with anxieties and fears about whether your baby will be healthy, whether you'll know when labor starts, and what delivery will be like.
Your body is preparing for the big day, and your cervix will begin to soften and shorten in preparation for delivery.
Key Things to Keep in Mind During Week 38 of Pregnancy
The exact time that gestation ends and labor begins has no well-defined limit, and there are often no clear, single symptoms. After this week, you may lose the mucous plug, which is a thick, yellowish discharge (sometimes mixed with blood) that has sealed your uterus from infection. This can happen a few weeks, days, or hours before delivery.
At your appointments, your doctor may perform an internal exam to see if your cervix has begun to efface (thin) or dilate (open). It's a great idea to continue to learn about the types of birth that are available so you feel informed and more confident as you head into the final stretch.
Week 38 Ultrasound Photos
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