Welcome to your week-by-week pregnancy guide from Home Insemination Kit! We’re here to share everything you need to know about your journey, including what to expect with symptoms, your baby’s growth, changes in your body, and upcoming appointments. Let’s dive into what’s happening in week 38!
Your Body at Week 38 of Pregnancy
You’re Almost There!
While “full term” was once defined as anywhere between 37 and 42 weeks, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists now classifies full term as starting from 39 weeks to 40 weeks and 6 days. You might still feel fully pregnant, even if you’re not quite at that mark yet. Your little one is taking up most of your belly space, which can make movement uncomfortable—especially when those tiny feet are pushed right up into your ribs!
Bending down to tie your shoes might be a daunting task, and picking up items from the floor? Forget it.
Energy for Nesting
Just like birds prepare their nests, you might feel a sudden burst of energy to clean and organize your home as you get closer to delivery. This nesting instinct can be a fun way to prepare for your baby’s arrival. Just remember to keep activities safe—no ladder climbing or heavy lifting. And if you’re not in the mood to organize, that’s perfectly okay. Nesting is not a requirement for bringing a human baby into the world!
Your Baby at Week 38 of Pregnancy
At this stage, your baby is roughly the size of a baking sheet of cookies and is likely positioned head down, getting ready for birth. However, some babies may still be in a breech position, which occurs in about 1 out of 25 full-term births.
Most infants now measure between 17 and 20 inches long and weigh between 6 ¼ to 7 ½ pounds. By this point, your baby’s organs are mostly developed, and they would be able to survive outside the womb if born today.
Your Symptoms and Health at Week 38 of Pregnancy
Swelling
You may notice that your ankles are becoming less visible due to swelling. While some swelling is normal, it’s essential to alert your healthcare provider if you experience sudden or severe swelling in your feet, ankles, or hands.
Prodromal Labor
You might also be experiencing prodromal labor, commonly known as “false labor.” This involves contractions that can feel real and even painful, but they don’t lead to cervical changes or the birth of your baby. However, these contractions can help your body prepare for the real deal by positioning your baby better.
Frequent Provider Visits
As you near your due date, you’ll likely be seeing your healthcare provider every week. These visits will resemble the ones you’ve had throughout your pregnancy, but you might find it increasingly challenging to provide urine samples—hopefully, you’re a pro at this by now!
Non-Stress Tests
At this point in your pregnancy, you may also undergo a non-stress test to monitor your baby’s heart rate. This simple test helps ensure everything is going smoothly; if there are any concerns, additional testing may be recommended.
Expecting Twins?
If you’re carrying twins, week 38 is often the latest point your doctor allows. Twins typically arrive two to four weeks earlier than singletons—this could be due to your body’s signals or simply for safety reasons. You should be focusing on rest and getting ready for the hospital.
When labor begins, contractions may last from 30 to 60 seconds, with breaks of 5 to 20 minutes in between. As they progress, they will become more intense and frequent. Just remember, you’re not alone—your medical team will support you every step of the way.
For further reading on pregnancy and invaluable resources, check out Women’s Health. And if you’re curious about more details on your pregnancy journey, feel free to check out our post here. Additionally, for those interested in fertility options, Make A Mom offers great information on at-home kits.
Summary
At 38 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a baking sheet of cookies and likely head down, preparing for birth. You may feel significant swelling, experience prodromal labor, and be visiting your healthcare provider weekly. If you’re expecting twins, your doctor will encourage you to rest and prepare for an earlier delivery. Keep in mind that your medical team will be there to guide and support you through this exciting time.
Keyphrase: 38 weeks pregnant
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