38 weeks pregnant: Baby’s development, symptoms and top tips

Your baby measures almost 50 cm from head to heel and weighs just over 3 kg (6 lb 6oz).

Your baby is preparing for birth. Their furry coat of lanugo is almost entirely gone, though some babies are born quite hairy!

Lungs

Your baby’s lungs are preparing to breathe real air. They’re continuing to produce surfactant, the substance that ensures the air sacs in the lungs don’t stick together and can inflate freely once your baby is breathing in air instead of amniotic fluid. Babies born at 38 weeks will usually be fully capable of breathing without help.

Preparing for birth

Your baby has their own work to do to get ready for birth. They should already have got themselves into the head-down position. If they’re not already, they will soon be moving right down into the lesser pelvis, ready to go. Studies have shown that babies at this gestation sleep for up to 95% of the time, presumably preparing for the big day! It might not feel like it to you, though, as they will still be very active, and will continue to move right up until they are born.

You’re so close to the end of this journey, but in these last few weeks the suspense can be almost unbearable! You might find yourself getting restless and irritable, and your partner will probably be feeling the same way. Your nerves are on edge, and neither of you know quite what to expect.

In amongst all this stress, remember that your midwife is there for you whenever you need them. They can also tell you what effect irregular contractions are having on your baby and what they mean in terms of beginning the process of giving birth.

Your body prepares for the birth

If your body is ready for the birth, your mucus plug now loosens. Throughout your pregnancy it has “sealed” your cervix and ensured that no bacteria could get through to your uterus. When it loosens, you will notice increased white discharge (which can also contain a small amount of blood) – this is called the ‘show’ or the ‘bloody show’. Once this happens, you can usually expect labour to commence within the next few days.

Other signs can be heartburn, nausea, diarrhoea and tiredness – your body is preparing you for birth and beginning to “cleanse” itself. Feeling tired is your body’s way of telling you to rest and gather your thoughts.

So, in week 38, you should listen to your body, pay attention to the symptoms you experience and try to relax otherwise. Enjoy the last few days of your pregnancy – before too long, you and your partner will be welcoming the newest member of your family.

Braxton Hicks

If you’ve been getting Braxton Hicks contractions, you may notice that these are beginning to get stronger now. You'll probably find yourself pausing for a moment, wondering ‘is this it?’. You may even make a couple of fruitless trips to the hospital – don’t worry if you do, you're certainly not the first or last expectant mum who has done this!

Remember, the main difference between Braxton Hicks and real labour is the regularity and intensity of the sensation. Braxton Hicks come and go, whereas contractions build in frequency and become more painful as labour progresses. Still not sure? Try timing what you’re feeling. If there’s no pattern to the tightening and you’re not in real pain, it’s probably Braxton Hicks. Of course, if they continue over a period of time, you should get checked out.

Your bump

You’ll be glad to know that your bump’s about as big as it’s going to get. You might be finding it difficult to get comfortable these days. The best position for sleep is on your side, with your top leg resting over on a couple of pillows. If you're sitting upright in a chair, try putting your feet on a couple of cushions to help reduce the fluid buildup in your feet, ankles and legs.

Double-check your hospital bag

It’s time to make sure you have everything you need for the birth – whether you’re staying at home, going to hospital or to a midwife-led birthing unit. Your hospital bag should contain clothes for you and the baby, for during and after the birth, as well as essentials like nappies, maternity pads, cotton wool and a top and tail bowl (or water-based wipes). To help you figure out what should be in yours, we’ve created a handy checklist. Don’t forget snacks! You should also pack a copy of your birth plan, and slot another in with your maternity notes.

Your partner might want to also pack their own hospital bag of things to keep them occupied, in case your labour ends up being a long one.

Prepare for what happens next

Nothing can prepare you for being a first-time parent, but you can prepare to give yourself for a slightly easier time of it by ticking as much off the list now as you can. (While still taking it easy!)

Making meals that you can freeze to cook later, like lasagna, pasta sauce, curry, shepherd’s pie, etc. will take a huge weight off your shoulders once the baby’s here and no one feels like cooking. You can also plan ahead by filling in your list of favourites with your preferred supermarket, so that online shopping is easy and painless. Recipe boxes can also help ensure you’re eating nutritious, fresh-cooked meals without having to think too much about it.

You might also think about stocking up on multipacks of wipes, or buying cloth wipes, so that you don’t get caught short in an emergency. A big pack of size 1 nappies should be suitable for the first few weeks, but don’t overbuy in case you end up with a big baby that grows out of them before you can use them! Cloth nappies are also great, but many parents find it easier to wait to use those until baby is a little older and not getting through 10 nappies a day!

Labour-inducing foods

Since you’ve probably had enough of being pregnant by now, you might be thinking about experimenting with foods that are said to kickstart labour. Spicy foods are most people’s go-to – if your heartburn isn’t too bad! There’s no scientific evidence to back this up, but if you like spicy food, there’s no harm in trying. Pineapple is another anecdotal winner, but again science doesn’t back up claims that pineapple can help bring on labour.

Iron woman

The blood you lose during birth and in the immediate postnatal period will considerably reduce your body’s iron levels. If you’re already feeling like your iron levels might be low – if you’re excessively or constantly tired – talk to your midwife or doctor. They can check your iron levels and see if you need a supplement.

You’ll probably be aware of every little twinge as you wait for labour to begin. But as well as the early signs of labour, you should also be keeping an eye out for symptoms that require medical treatment. These include symptoms of pre-eclampsia (such as severe headaches, blurred vision, and sudden/severe swelling); reduced foetal movement, which can be a sign of foetal distress; and severe abdominal pain that doesn’t feel like contractions. This latter could be a sign of placental abruption.

It’s important to find a balance between monitoring yourself for these symptoms and worrying about them: most pregnancies at this stage proceed without any problems.

Why am I having so many Braxton Hicks contractions at 38 weeks?

The simple answer is: your body is preparing for labour. You might be experiencing Braxton Hicks, or you could be experiencing false labour – when contractions in your uterus help your baby shift into the lesser pelvis. If the contractions are regular and increasing in frequency and intensity, they could indicate the start of real labour!

Why is my baby so active at 38 weeks?

An active baby is a healthy baby. It might be that you’re noticing the movements more because the pressure of those kicks feels more intense. This is because the baby has less room, and so all those kicks and wriggles feel different.

How many kicks should I feel at 38 weeks?

There is no set number of kicks you should feel at any stage of your pregnancy, but hopefully you do have some idea by now what is ‘normal’ for your baby. Try to tune into your baby’s movements so that if there is a reduction you are more likely to notice it.

Is pressure in pelvis normal at 38 weeks pregnant?

Yes. Your baby has probably moved further down, putting pressure on the pelvic floor. This can be uncomfortable, but it is normal. If you’re experiencing severe pain, seek medical advice.

Is it normal to have pain while walking at 38 weeks pregnant?

Yes. With the baby in your lesser pelvis, the pressure on your pelvis has intensified and this can cause instability across the pelvic region and into your lower back. Walking can be painful, and you might find it particularly uncomfortable to undertake any activity that requires putting your weight on one leg – such as getting in and out of the bath, putting on shoes, or walking up stairs. If the pain in your pelvis is so bad that you can’t walk, talk to your midwife or GP. They may be able to lend you a walking aid to help you through these final few weeks.

Got questions? At the HiPPBabyClub, we bring you real-world advice and support from HiPP parents, midwives, nutritionists and more. Join our Baby Club to find out more.