38 weeks pregnant

38 weeks pregnant

What's happening this week...

baby 38 weeks pregnant

Your baby

Towards the end of the third trimester there is no room for wild gymnastics any more - but you should still feel your baby wriggling around. If you notice a big slowdown in movements, give your midwife a call.

Your baby has probably lost all the fine, downy hair and protective white vernix from their skin now.

By now full term has been reached and your baby’s features are now fully formed.

You

At this late stage of pregnancy you may be starting to feel impatient, and worry that every twinge is a sign of imminent labour.

Your baby is still taking glucose from your bloodstream so you may be weak from hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar). Keep a variety of healthy snacks so that you can have a nibble now and then.

In the last few weeks leading up to labour you may notice an increase in vaginal discharge. If you have a 38 weeks pregnant  discharge with mucus and a little blood, this is the jelly-like plug that seals the cervix, this is called the 'show'.

Some women experience diarrhoea as their body gets ready for the birth. Clearing the back passage will make your baby’s journey easier. If it lasts for more than a day, speak to your GP or doctor.

What to think about

Listen to your body. If you’re feeling tired make sure you get plenty of rest as this will help you stay strong for labour.

Having a stand-by birthing partner is a good idea if your partner, or mum is miles away.  See our guide to choosing a birth partner.

List your emergency contact numbers in a safe place. This will be reassuring later when you might need to pick up the phone for advice.

What’s happening at 39 weeks pregnant?
Click here for more info 

Comments

38+3

Submitted by spooner1987 on Thu, 05/04/2012 - 07:47.
hello im 38+3 blue bump :) have had bad back ache all night and cant sleep been up since 5am !!!i feel like im leeking could this be my waters ?

Bump

Submitted by imblonde18 on Tue, 27/03/2012 - 13:11.
went to see the midwife this morning and my bump is measuring 34cm even though i am 38 weeks pregnant. Have to go to the hospital tomorrow for a scan to make sure everything is ok. I'm slightly worried but my uterus size has been in the grey chart all throughout my pregnancy so i don't think i need to be concerned. I'm petite too (5ft1 and was a size 8) My daughter weighed 6lb1oz when she was born and this is my second child on the way. I don't think i'm ever going to have big babies lol

been to the midwife today,

Submitted by tinasparkles29 on Tue, 24/01/2012 - 21:47.
been to the midwife today, have been measuring big each time, measured 40wks today, should be 37! this is my 3rd baby, have 2 beautiful boys and this surprise on the way, getting more uncomfortable so hoping he/she will arrive soon. my boys were both big last son 9lb 8.5oz so not thinking small baby this time lol.

been to the midwife today,

Submitted by tinasparkles29 on Tue, 24/01/2012 - 21:46.
been to the midwife today, have been measuring big each time, measured 40wks today, should be 37! this is my 3rd baby, have 2 beautiful boys and this surprise on the way, getting more uncomfortable so hoping he/she will arrive soon. my boys were both big last son 9lb 8.5oz so not thinking small baby this time lol.

38 weeks

Submitted by fayelett on Mon, 09/01/2012 - 17:26.
Booked in for induction on thursday due to severe SPD can't believe i'm finally going to meet my little boy... feels like i've been pregnant forever!! going to be odd not having constant wiggling in my belly lol, i just can't wait!

38 weeks going in for c

Submitted by stephanie2178 on Mon, 02/01/2012 - 16:37.
38 weeks going in for c section in 10 days my baby girl is breech my 3rd child my eldest is nearly 16 my son is just turned 6 and now this one my last!! worst pregnany out off all 3 and shes the biggest too so they have told me getting very scared as my last c section i was asleep so i hope it all goes ok

Last Bounty Pack

Submitted by Kimboberley on Wed, 09/11/2011 - 17:18.
When I had my first child my last bounty pack was waiting for me at the hospital - in the delivery room.

babys here

Submitted by tanya0688 on Fri, 04/11/2011 - 13:04.
babys here 2 weeks early, anyone know how to change my info on here so it states she here?

free bounty pack

Submitted by jemma1993 on Sun, 30/10/2011 - 18:00.
i am new on this site and was wondering when i will get the free bounty pack that is the last one. my friend refered me to this website and she said i will get it.

I am 38 wit my 1st and

Submitted by Vickiebbymason on Thu, 13/10/2011 - 22:53.
I am 38 wit my 1st and feeling alot of pressure when I go the toilete and very uncomfy sittin down and wen walking does this mean my baby is engaged or makin his way down frew my pelvis? He has bein head down every apt av had wit midwife! Really want to have him feel so uncomfy! My belly has dropped really low aswel! Any1 else experience the same???

I am 38 wit my 1st and

Submitted by Vickiebbymason on Thu, 13/10/2011 - 22:53.
I am 38 wit my 1st and feeling alot of pressure when I go the toilete and very uncomfy sittin down and wen walking does this mean my baby is engaged or makin his way down frew my pelvis? He has bein head down every apt av had wit midwife! Really want to have him feel so uncomfy! My belly has dropped really low aswel! Any1 else experience the same???

breech babies

Submitted by yeti33 on Sun, 02/10/2011 - 22:23.
i've just discovered at 38 weeks that my baby is breech, i was due to go in for an induction next week and now have to have a c section at 39wks. Im now reallyworried about going into labour and the danger to the baby if that happens. Has anyone been through anything similar

discharge

Submitted by SIHAM78 on Fri, 30/09/2011 - 22:41.
Hi, I`m 39 weeks + 1 day today, I`m due on 06/10/2011, and I`ve an abnormal discharge : yellow green jelly since few days, I know that if your waters break in green colour with black spots it means that your baby is stressed, but my waters didn`t break yet. so could that yellow green jelly be a small amount of the breaking waters or is that a normal discharge. I`ve told my GP about that discharge and she said it could be an infection. so could you please hlp me to find an answer if you had had any kind of that dicharge, thanks

i am 30 weeks pregnant and my

Submitted by nikkiak on Sat, 24/09/2011 - 19:39.
i am 30 weeks pregnant and my baby onlyy measures 26cm head to toe is this serios ?

i m also gona 38 tomorrow and

Submitted by mahwishnazim on Mon, 19/09/2011 - 21:27.
i m also gona 38 tomorrow and i m also lili bit nerveous coz this is my first baby so i have no idea what gona happened do prayerz for me

38 weeks tomorrow and im

Submitted by tillietotts on Fri, 09/09/2011 - 13:39.
38 weeks tomorrow and im feeling slightly nervous now, this is my second child but there is a big age gap of 15 years so things have changed alot, when i had my first child i was 21 and sailed through it now im 36 and have had such a different experience but a nice one that the nerves keep kicking in does anyone else get these feelings :)

to nic

Submitted by jamandlettuce on Wed, 24/08/2011 - 09:53.
after baby is born you'l be moved to a different ward if you need to stay in but most mums go home soon as they feel ready after the birth so you might want to ask them to pick you up together and take you home so they can both see baby....baby wont take any notice of how many people are in the room....they dont reallt take any notice of anything except the boob so dont worry there, its how tired and warn out you'l be you need to consider....you will want rest after birth as it usually takes hours on your first, mine was 22 hrs and i was nackered, may be a good idea to have your parents over to look after baby while you sleep a while, you can just be woken to feed :)

too many birthing partners!!!

Submitted by kirkyluvsherbumpxxx on Mon, 08/08/2011 - 18:36.
unfortunatley my hospital only let 2 ppl in the room with you during labour but every1 i know wants to be there !my mum nd her freind, my auntie julie n d my 2 best mates so now i have to choose but i dont know who i want there apart from my partner as i dont want to upset anyone ! iv got 2 wks to go nd dont know wat to do plz help !

Visitors to labour ward?

Submitted by nic2398 on Thu, 07/07/2011 - 13:42.
My Mum and Dad are so excited to see their first grandchild and want to be able to come in as soon as he's been born. Firstly I'm not sure how the labour ward feel about visitors, and after questioning my midwife I'm no further forward. Secondly I'm afraid that Baby may get far too overwhelmed if too many people around too soon? I want to include both my parents as much as possible but without causing any upset to the baby?? Any thoughts?

names

Submitted by honeyfox25 on Thu, 23/06/2011 - 20:15.
i really like unusual names but am worried my child might get picked on later on in school! shall i keep up with the jones's or step into the brave new world?

omg 38 weeks and 4 days and i

Submitted by rosa970 on Sun, 22/05/2011 - 00:52.
omg 38 weeks and 4 days and i am so emontional i just want this baby outttt !!!!!!

pexysunks: bit confuzzled, as

Submitted by CHELSEA2001 on Thu, 12/05/2011 - 14:40.
pexysunks: bit confuzzled, as long as the baba's head's down u should be fine, the term engaged just means that they have they're head right down in ur pelvis. it may just be that he hasn't wiggled down yet, some baba's don't do this til a couple days b4 birth, but even if you are breach(bum down) they will try turn him and if not it'll prob be a c-section, but don't worry bout it cos at the end of the day no matter how u deliver u'll have ur baba x

jeny27, hey u can can still

Submitted by CHELSEA2001 on Thu, 12/05/2011 - 14:34.
jeny27, hey u can can still breastfeed if u want to, ur baba not goin to away from you at night for at least 6 weeks, u could alway express or yes if you wish u can combine formula and breastmilk tho best to ask you midwife hows best to do so, just so baba doesn't get confused n cause a big fuss, x

mee!

Submitted by jessicamattbump on Thu, 12/05/2011 - 12:45.
im due on the 25th may :) feels like forever and am really feeling like poo. have constant braxton hicks and diorrhea (tmi haha) feel like it could be any day soon. can you request a membrane sweep? x

ENGAGED

Submitted by PexySunks on Thu, 14/04/2011 - 10:18.
I'M DUE IN THREE WEEKS TIME AND THIS IS MY FIRST AND MY BABY HAS NOT YET ENGAGED AND I'M PRETTY SCARED,COZ I DONT WANT TO WAIT TILL THE LAST MIN FOR HIM TO TURN.PLEASE ADVISE,THANK YOU.

dixon123 i fink ur waters may

Submitted by xnikkinoodlesx on Fri, 18/02/2011 - 00:11.
dixon123 i fink ur waters may av gone but call ur midwife or hospital asap x

feeding

Submitted by jeny27 on Mon, 17/01/2011 - 23:52.
Am due in 2 weeks and was wondering if anyone knew if it is possible to feed with both breast milk and formula me an my little girls dad are no longer together so completly breast feeding would be impossible although i know ideally this would be best for her

HELP!!

Submitted by dixon123 on Fri, 12/11/2010 - 14:51.
im 38 weeks pregnant and getting loads of discharge and i mean loadss its watery and soaks right through my pants so iv had to start wearing maternity pads is this normal or should i contact my midwife?