Third Trimester: 38 Weeks Pregnant - December 2024

At this point, your baby is considered full-term, and now that you're 38 weeks pregnant your body is making its final preparations for labour and delivery. With the big day just around the corner, understanding the changes happening to your baby and your body can help you navigate this period with confidence and readiness. Here’s everything you need to know about the 38th week of pregnancy. Your Baby at 38 Weeks of Pregnancy At 38 weeks, your baby is nearly ready to meet the world, though they continue to refine their development within your womb. Your baby now weighs around 3.1 kg and measures approximately 35 cm from crown to rump, with a total length of about 49.5 cm. While these measurements vary slightly, your little one is fully developed. Here's what else is going on with your little now that you're 38 weeks pregnant: Physical development: The majority of the lanugo hair, which once covered your baby’s body, has shed, though some remnants may remain at birth. Vernix caseosa: This protective waxy coating has disappeared but still aids during delivery by keeping their skin moist and slippery. Organ functionality: All your baby’s organs are functional, with their lungs likely fully matured to support breathing after birth. Sex features: Boys’ testicles have descended, while girls may have slightly swollen breasts due to maternal hormones, a temporary condition that resolves post-birth. Movements: Your baby continues to move, bump, and wiggle inside your womb. Hiccups are common now, caused by your baby practicing breathing movements, which can be strong enough for others to notice. Placenta: The placenta, weighing about 700 grams, remains crucial in supporting your baby. They are still taking nutrients through the placenta at this point right up till their birth until the umbilical cord is cut. During labour and delivery, their heart rate will range between 120 and 160 beats per minute. This is normal and will eventually slow down after delivery. This week is a testament to how far your baby has come in their growth and readiness for life outside the womb. Your Body at 38 Weeks of Pregnancy As your baby prepares for their debut, your body undergoes a range of physical and hormonal changes to support the final stages of pregnancy. These are some symptoms that you should be experiencing at 38 weeks: Headaches: Elevated hormone levels, fatigue, or stress can still trigger headaches. If this continues, consider relaxation techniques, staying hydrated, and consulting your doctor for safe remedies. Eye problems: Hormonal changes can impact your eyesight. Fluid retention might alter the shape of your eyes, potentially causing temporary changes in vision, while reduced tear production can lead to dry eye syndrome. Use over-the-counter artificial tears and wear sunglasses to protect against sensitivity. Back pain: As your baby descends lower into your pelvis, backaches may intensify. Back labour: when the baby faces upward instead of downward this is called back labour. This type of labour can increase lower back pain, necessitating medical intervention to adjust the baby’s position. These bodily changes might be challenging, but they’re all part of your body’s intricate preparation for delivery. Reasons for Cesarean Delivery You may have already discussed with your doctor at this point about how you would like your labour day to go. Skip this part if you've already decided to have a natural vaginal birth. However, it may still benefit you to learn about Caesarean deliveries. After all, your birth plan can easily get thrown out the window as soon as an emergency pops up. Your doctor will have to make some tough decisions to ensure you and your baby are safe. To put it simply, a Caesarean delivery is a common surgical method for childbirth. While you can get an electively, it is often only recommended when complications arise. Potential reasons include: A previous Caesarean delivery (most women opt for a repeat procedure). Maternal health concerns such as pre-eclampsia or infections like active herpes. Foetal concerns, such as foetal stress or a breech presentation. Physical complications like cephalopelvic disproportion (baby too large for the birth canal). Non-invasive assisted delivery methods do exist. These include vacuum extractors or forceps, may also be used if labour progresses slowly. Both techniques assist in safely delivering the baby, though their use has diminished with increasing preference for Caesarean deliveries when complications arise (but more on this in Week 39's article). Preparing for the Birth At 38 weeks, it’s essential to prepare for labour and delivery! At this point, it's highly likely you've already prepared the nursery, and bought all the baby essentials. Now it's time to get ready for your big day. Here are a few tips to keep in mind: Keep a hospital bag packed with essentials for you and your baby (clothes, nursing bra, toiletries, pacifier, medical information, your birth plan, etc). This ensures that when you experience a sudden labour, your bag of essentials is ready and you don't have to run around the house finding things. Stay alert for signs of labour, such as regular contractions or water breaking. When you get to the hospital, maintain open communication with your healthcare provider. Talk to them about your birth plan and any concerns that you may have. Be sure to involve your spouse during this process, too. They may be going through their own emotional journey throughout your pregnancy. It's important to prepare them mentally for the big day (you don't want them passing out in the delivery room). You may also want to coach them on the breathing exercises and techniques, in case you forget. Racing Towards the Finish Line You're less than three weeks away from your big day, mummies! Your baby is full-term now, and all you have to do is wait until they're ready to make their grand entrance (or rather, exit). At this point you’ve done everything you can to prepare for your baby’s arrival. Stay patient, take care of yourself, and look forward to the life-changing adventure ahead. The finish line is almost in sight; you've got this! References Curtis, G. B., & Schuler, J. (2016). Your Pregnancy Week by Week (8th ed.). Hachette Books. Kaye, P. (2021). Your Pregnancy: Week by Week. SPCK Publishing. Riley, L. (2006). You and Your Pregnancy: Your Ultimate Week-by-Week Pregnancy Guide. Meredith Books. Shanahan, M. K. (2002). Your Over-35 Week-by-Week Pregnancy Guide. Da Capo Press Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner. For more insightful stories and fun recipes, stay tuned to Motherhood Story!

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