38 Weeks Pregnant

38 Weeks Pregnant

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Your baby at 38 weeks
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Your body at 38 weeks
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Both fingernails and toenails are now fully formed. Your baby may need a nail trim soon after birth.
Fueled by big bursts of energy , you may find yourself deep cleaning the nursery, setting up baby gear, and freezing lasagnas.
You can reduce swelling by staying active, putting your feet up, lying on your side, and (surprisingly) drinking lots of water.
Your baby has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time!
Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or bluer. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)
Some swelling in your feet and ankles is normal during these last weeks, but call your doctor or midwife without delay if you notice excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles, more than slight swelling of your hands, any swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes, or have a sudden weight gain. These are symptoms of a serious condition called preeclampsia .
It may be harder than ever to get comfortable enough to sleep well at night. If you can, take it easy during the day – this may be your last chance to do so for quite a while.
While you're sleeping, you're likely to have some intense dreams . Anxiety both about labor and about becoming a parent can fuel a lot of strange flights of unconscious fancy.
Don't see your symptom? Wondering about a symptom you have? Find it on our pregnancy symptoms page .
Watch for late-pregnancy complications
Unfortunately, serious problems , like preeclampsia, can strike at the end of pregnancy. Be on the lookout for symptoms that warrant a call to your doctor or midwife .
There's nothing better than coming home to a clean house with your new baby! See what other parents wish they had known about preparing for a newborn .

BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies .

ACOG. 2015. FAQ156. Prenatal development: How your baby grows during pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Prenatal-Development-How-Your-Baby-Grows-During-Pregnancy#one [Accessed May 2019]
La Leche League International. 2016. All about La Leche League. http://www.llli.org/ab.html?m=1 [Accessed May 2019]
MedlinePlus (ADAM). 2015. Fetal development. https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002398.htm [Accessed May 2019]
OWH. 2014. Breastfeeding. U.S. Office on Women’s Health. http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/ [Accessed May 2019]

Book: Your Pregnancy and Childbirth: Month to Month, Sixth Edition Paperback – January 1, 2016 by American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (Author) Kids Health Mayo Clinic
Your little one is close to making his debut, but he’s still making the most of each day and is busy growing and developing. For example, in these final few weeks, his brain is still growing. In fact, his brain can grow as much as one third in size in the time when you’re 35 to 39 weeks pregnant . You knew he was a genius! His little liver is nearly fully developed at this time, too.

After your baby is born, his first few bowel movements will actually be a substance called meconium . This greenish-black, sticky form of poop starts to build up in his intestines while he’s still in the womb, and is formed from waste materials such as dead skin cells and lanugo, the fine body hair that's starting to be shed.

Even though your estimated due date is still a couple of weeks away, you may start to notice some signs of labor approaching, and your baby could arrive any day now. In fact, only about 4 percent of moms-to-be deliver exactly on their due date.

Twins and other multiples are more likely to be born preterm than a single baby, so keep an eye out for signs of labor if you’re 38 weeks pregnant with twins .
At 38 weeks, the average fetus is about the size of a bunch of rhubarb, probably weighing around 6 1/2 pounds.

This illustration can give you a general idea of how your baby may be positioned at 38 weeks:

At 38 weeks pregnant, you may still be gaining weight, believe it or not. If you had a normal body mass index (BMI) before you were pregnant, it’s likely that you’ll put on between half a pound and one pound per week during the third trimester.

Your ever-growing belly might be getting in the way of a good night’s sleep (and normal movement) these days, but the end is in sight now!

To find out more about your estimated weight gain in these final few weeks, take a look at our pregnancy weight gain calculator .

Some moms-to-be find that getting regular exercise is more difficult at this point. If this is the case for you, you might want to focus on breathing exercises to help get you ready for labor. Not only do these exercises help you relax and de-stress, but they also come in handy for helping to manage the pain and discomfort of labor.
At 38 weeks pregnant, here are some of the symptoms you may be experiencing:

Frequent urination. As your baby and uterus grow, they’re putting more pressure on your bladder, so you may need to go to the bathroom more often. Even though those extra bathroom visits are a hassle, keep drinking plenty of water to stay well hydrated.

Pelvic pressure. You and your baby are getting ready for labor in many different ways, and you may feel this in the pelvic area, too. When your baby drops lower into your pelvis, you may feel increased pressure on your pelvis, bladder, and hips. Because your body is producing a hormone called relaxin, which softens the ligaments, muscles, and joints in preparation for childbirth, you might also experience some back or pelvic pain , especially as you get closer to your due date. Try to stay off your feet as much as possible, move slowly and carefully, and soak in a warm bath if you’re feeling uncomfortable.

Swollen ankles and feet. Your body will produce and retain more fluid than usual, and as a result, you may notice swelling (known as edema) in your hands and legs. To combat this, try to rest with your feet up, drink more water to help flush out excess fluid, and wear loose clothes and shoes so you feel a little more comfortable. Some moms-to-be find that wearing support hose or stockings can also help reduce swelling and discomfort. If you notice any sudden swelling in your face or hands, contact your healthcare provider, as this could be a sign of a blood pressure condition called preeclampsia.

Nausea. Some slight nausea can crop up again at 38 weeks pregnant or in the following weeks, and it can sometimes be a sign that labor is starting. If you’re feeling queasy, try to eat several smaller meals throughout the day, and stick to bland foods like bananas, rice, or toast.

Contractions. At 38 weeks pregnant, you may have already felt Braxton Hicks contractions. These practice contractions usually occur irregularly and will often stop when you move or change positions. On the other hand, true labor contractions will come at regular intervals, getting closer together over time. They’ll increase in strength and intensity, and they often start from the back and move to the front of your abdomen. Timing your contractions will give you more information about whether you’re experiencing the real deal or just more Braxton Hicks. Want to hear about what contractions actually feel like ? Get the scoop from other moms who have been in your shoes.
Is there anything you can do from here on out to prepare for labor?

What is recommended if your baby is in a breech position ?

Under what conditions might it be necessary to induce labor , and how common is inducing labor at 38 weeks pregnant?

Who should you call if you think you may be in labor? Should you call straight away or wait for something specific?

Can you still breastfeed if you’ve had breast implants or other breast surgery?

How soon can you start breastfeeding after giving birth?

If things go well, how soon after you give birth are you likely to be discharged from the hospital?
If you haven’t already had it, ask your healthcare provider when you will have the Group B strep test . This routine test checks whether you carry the GBS bacteria so your provider can give you the appropriate course of treatment if the test result is positive and you plan to give birth vaginally.
You may have already started packing your hospital bag, but you might not have been able to pack things you’re still using, like your phone charger and toothbrush. Make a list of these items or go through our downloadable hospital bag checklist , so you or your partner can throw the last few items in the bag before you go to the hospital.

If you haven’t done so already, have your baby’s car seat installed so it’s ready to bring your baby home safe and sound.

As your due date nears, you may want to check out our free online childbirth education classes – there are nine videos you can watch anytime.

Check out the best baby gear as voted by Pampers Parents. If you’re planning to breastfeed you may be interested in products like the best nursing bras and the best breast pumps , or if you plan to formula feed you might like to check out Pampers Parents reviews of the best baby formulas .

Take some time to pamper and care for yourself – you may not have this kind of “spare time” for some time once your baby is born. For example, you may like to do things like getting a haircut, or going for a pampering pedicure.

Sign up for even more weekly pregnancy tips:

Verywell Family's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Ⓒ 2022 Dotdash Media, Inc. — All rights reserved

Holly Pevzner is an award-winning writer who specializes in health, nutrition, parenting, and family travel.

Verywell Family articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and family healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more .

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Next in Your Pregnancy Week by Week Guide

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Continue taking prenatal vitamins .
Continue your daily Kegel exercises and perineal massages .
Enjoy some quality one-on-one time with your partner.
Brush up on the signs of labor .

Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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Verywell Family's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Ⓒ 2022 Dotdash Media, Inc. — All rights reserved

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Andrea Chisolm, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN who has taught at both Tufts University School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School. She has over 20 years of clinical experience and is currently is in practice at Cody Regional Health in Cody, Wyoming.

At 38 weeks pregnant, your baby is nearing full term and complete maturity. You may literally be breathing a little easier as baby moves lower into your pelvis reducing upper abdominal pressure. That said, just getting up to get a glass of water may feel like a chore.

38 Weeks Pregnant Is How Many Months? 9 months and 2 weeks

At 38 weeks, a baby is over 13 1/2 inches (34.6 centimeters) from the top of their head to the bottom of their buttocks (known as the crown-rump length ), and baby's height is almost 19 1/2 inches (49.3 centimeters) from the top of their head to their heel (crown-heel length). This week, baby weighs about 7 pounds (3,186 grams).

It's important to note that the numbers above are general guidelines based on averages. Your baby may be a little bigger or smaller than these measurements at birth. In fact, a healthy newborn's length (height) can range from 17 3/4 inches (45 centimeters) to nearly 22 inches (55 centimeters), while their birth weight can be between 5 1/2 pounds (2,500 grams) to 10 pounds (4,500 grams).

By week 38, your baby is shedding the soft, fine hair (known as lanugo) that covers their body in utero. Most of this hair is typically gone before a full-term baby is born—although some hair may remain on the baby's shoulders and arms.

Your baby's eye color may be a dark blue-gray right now (and at birth), but that doesn't mean it will stay that way. Your baby's final eye color will depend on how much of a protein called melanin your baby produces. But, it can take up to a year for the iris, or the part of the eye that has color, to reach its final color of brown, blue, green, hazel, or somewhere in between.

A pregnancy is considered full term at 39 weeks . From 37 weeks through 38 weeks and 6 days, babies are considered "early term." While a baby is just about ready for birth at 38 weeks, there is still some last-minute development going on during that last week or two in the uterus.

Explore a few of your baby's week 38 milestones in this interactive experience.

Watch all episodes of our Stay Calm Mom video series and follow along as our host Tiffany Small talks to a diverse group of women and top doctors to get real answers to the biggest pregnancy questions.

Your body doesn't get much larger or more awkward than at the tail-end of pregnancy, and you're likely experiencing the symptoms to prove it.

The simple act of walking can become uncomfortable during the third trimester. Between carrying extra weight, your uterus taking up nearly all of the room inside of your abdomen, and your baby’s head putting pressure between your legs, you may find yourself doing the pregnancy waddle.

You are probably not quite as graceful as you were a few months ago. Not only do you have a big belly and extra weight throwing off your center of gravity, but in preparation for childbirth, your ligaments and joints are loosening up. These changes may leave you feeling a little unstable on your feet. As a result, your chances of falling are higher.

If you're feeling extra clumsy or having more difficulty moving around, take it as a sign to rest up. While you rest, consider brushing up on the basics you learned in your birth classes , including signs of labor.

You may need to try harder than usual to keep your balance during these last few weeks. Here are some tips:

You're getting close to baby's birthday now, so you'll want to be on the lookout for signs of labor. You might know right away that it's time, but for some expecting parents, it can be hard to tell. Here are a few of the labor signs you're looking for:

You may not notice all these signs, and some may show up before labor starts. For example, your mucus plug could fall out and your baby could "drop" a few weeks before you go into labor. Contractions can start without your water breaking or your water can break without any contractions in sight.

It's easy to tell it's labor when your water breaks and contractions begin. But, if you just have some cramping, it may not be as obvious. So, call your doctor or head to the hospital if you think you're in labor, you're in a lot of pain, you have bleeding from your vagina, or your baby doesn't seem to be moving as much.

You’ve spent many months focusing on your baby-to-be. Now that the last weeks of pregnancy are here, be sure to focus on you and your partner. Take time to relax or enjoy an activity together not only to distract you both from the waiting game but to enjoy being just the two of you before your baby arrives and your family grows.

You are getting really close now. There aren't that many of these weekly prenatal visits left. In fact, at this point, you never know when it's your last one. This week, you'll have the typical check-up and exam, including:

You and your baby are still gaining weight during these last few weeks. It is expected that you will gain about a pound a week at this point, so you may have put on approximately 29 pounds by now.

For those with a "normal" body weight at the start of pregnancy, the recommended weight gain over the course of pregnancy is 25 to 35 pounds. However, every person and pregnancy is different, so talk to your doctor about how much weight you have gained to be sure you're on the right track for you.

Do you have lingering delivery-day worries or questions? Now’s the time to share them with your healthcare provider (and your partner), no matter how silly or outrageous they might seem. Your provider can help quell your fears and offer reality checks.

Some concerns that commonly top the list of moms-to-be include:

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