38 Weeks Pregnant

Your baby this week

Baby weighs about 6.8 pounds and is around 19.6 inches long. All major organ systems are ready for life outside the womb. The intestines have accumulated meconium — a dark, tar-like substance that will be baby's first bowel movement after birth. Baby's brain continues to develop neural pathways at an incredible pace, and this development will continue well after birth. The firm grasp reflex is strong — if you could reach in there, baby would grab your finger tightly. Lanugo (the fine hair covering baby's body) has mostly disappeared, though some may remain on the shoulders and in skin folds.

How you may feel

The nesting instinct may hit hard — you might feel sudden urges to clean, organize, and prepare your home for baby. While it's okay to act on this energy, be careful not to overexert yourself. Sleep is very challenging due to physical discomfort, anxiety, and frequent urination. Your cervix continues to efface and may dilate further. Braxton Hicks contractions may become stronger and more frequent, sometimes making it hard to tell if labor has begun. Swelling in your extremities is very common, but sudden, severe swelling warrants an immediate call to your provider.

Common symptoms

• You are now "full term" — baby could arrive any day.
• Extreme fatigue combined with bursts of nesting energy.
• Loose stools or diarrhea may occur as your body prepares for labor.
• Braxton Hicks may be frequent and strong, sometimes hard to distinguish from labor.

This week's tips

Rest as much as possible — you'll need your energy reserves for labor and the early postpartum days. Stay within a reasonable distance of your hospital or birth center, and make sure your phone is always charged. Continue to monitor baby's movements and report any significant decrease to your provider. Eat light, easily digestible meals to keep your energy up without feeling overly full. Practice relaxation techniques such as visualization, meditation, or listening to calming music to prepare mentally for labor.

Eating well

• Eat light, easily digestible meals to keep energy up without feeling overly full.
• Continue dates (6 per day) — some evidence suggests it helps cervical ripening.
• Keep quick-energy snacks ready: granola bars, bananas, and juice boxes for labor.

Nutrition focus

• Keep taking your prenatal vitamin — don't stop until your doctor advises.
• Stay well-hydrated — labor can last many hours and hydration is key.

Everyday wellbeing

• Time your contractions with an app: note start time, duration, and interval.
• Take walks — gentle movement can help encourage labor when your body is ready.
• Sleep whenever you can — labor may begin at any time, day or night.

For your partner

Stay close to home and don't plan any trips or late nights out — baby could arrive any time now. Make sure you can be reached at all times and have a backup plan if you're unavailable when labor starts (a friend or family member who can drive her). Support her nesting instincts by helping with household projects, but also remind her to rest. Prepare a list of important phone numbers: doctor, hospital, family members to call, pet sitter if needed.

Signs to mention to your provider

• Contractions 5 minutes apart for 1 hour — it's likely time to go to the hospital.
• Water breaking (clear fluid, sometimes with a pop) — note the time and color.
• Green or brown-tinged amniotic fluid may mean meconium — go to the hospital now.

Disclaimer: BabyBerry is for general information and self-tracking. It is not a medical device and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.

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