Week 38 of Pregnancy | Labour Symptoms, Baby Size & Delivery Preparation
Week 38 of pregnancy: baby development, common symptoms, antenatal care and warning signs to watch for this week.
🌸 Week 38 of Pregnancy
“At this point, every phone call starts with: ‘Any signs yet?’ 😭🍼”
Welcome to week 38:
👀 the official waiting phase
Your baby is now:
✔ full term
✔ fully developed enough for birth
✔ and could arrive literally any day now 🤍
Meanwhile, you’re probably:
😄 excited
😭 uncomfortable
👀 analyzing every tiny cramp like it’s labour
🤰 What’s happening in your body?
At your antenatal appointment this week, your doctor or midwife will usually:
✔ measure your bump
✔ check your blood pressure
✔ test your urine
This helps screen for:
⚠️ pre-eclampsia
A pregnancy complication linked to:
- high blood pressure
- protein in urine
- serious health risks
🚨 Call your doctor urgently if you have:
- severe headaches
- blurred vision
- sudden swelling
- severe pain under your ribs
🏥 Planned Caesarean Section
If you’re having an elective C-section, it’s usually scheduled:
✔ after 39 weeks
💡 This gives your baby’s lungs the best chance to mature fully.
⏳ What if pregnancy goes beyond 41 weeks?
Your doctor may discuss:
✨ induction of labour
This means starting labour artificially using:
- tablets
- or vaginal gel
1 in 51\text{ in }51 in 5
✔ Around 1 in 5 labours begin this way.
💉 RSV Vaccination
If you haven’t had the RSV vaccine yet:
✔ it can still be given before labour
It helps protect your baby from:
- bronchiolitis
- severe chest infections
🏡 5 Tips for a Happy Home Birth
Thinking about a home birth? 👀
🧳 1. Be organised
Prepare:
✔ labour clothes
✔ nursing bras
✔ maternity pads
✔ baby essentials
💆♀️ 2. Plan pain relief
You may want:
- TENS machine
- birthing ball
- birthing pool
- gas & air
🛏️ 3. Prepare towels & waterproof sheets
Because honestly… labour is messy 😄
🕯️ 4. Create a calming atmosphere
Music, lighting, candles… whatever helps you relax ✨
🚗 5. Pack a backup hospital bag
Even with a home birth:
✔ always prepare for unexpected hospital transfer.
👶 Baby Slings & Carriers
Thinking of buying a sling or carrier?
✔ Learn how to use them safely before baby arrives.
⚠️ Symptoms at Week 38
The newest symptom this week?
😭 frustration & boredom
Because pregnancy suddenly feels 19 years long 😄
Other symptoms may include:
- Braxton Hicks contractions
- sleep problems
- stretch marks
- bleeding gums
- round ligament pain
- piles
- headaches
- back pain
- indigestion & heartburn
- constipation & bloating
- leg cramps
- feeling hot
- dizziness
- swelling
- urine infections
- vaginal infections or discharge
- skin changes
- acne
- thicker hair
✔ plus:
- mood swings
- cravings 😄
- leaking breasts
- stronger sense of smell
👶 What Does Your Baby Look Like?
Your baby is now around 49.8 cm long — about the length of a stick of rhubarb 🌿💙
🧸 Lanugo Hair
Earlier in pregnancy, your baby was covered in soft fuzzy hair called:
✨ lanugo
✔ Most of it has disappeared now
✔ though some babies are still born with small patches 😄
💩 Meconium (Baby’s First Poo)
Your baby is storing a sticky green substance called:
✨ meconium
This is made from:
- swallowed amniotic fluid
- hair
- skin cells
✔ It normally becomes baby’s first poo after birth.
🚨 If passed during labour, baby may need closer monitoring.
🚶♀ Fresh Air Helps
Feeling trapped at home? 😭
✔ Go for short walks
✔ Get some fresh air
✔ But take your maternity notes with you 👀
🧘♀ Important Things This Week
✔ think about stopping work
✔ continue pelvic floor exercises
✔ attend antenatal classes
✔ reduce caffeine
✔ continue vitamins
✔ eat healthy meals
✔ focus on emotional wellbeing
✔ think about contraception after birth
✔ ask about newborn screening
💫 Baby Movement
Even with less space:
✔ movements should still stay regular
🚨 Reduced movements should NEVER be ignored.
🚨 Call Your Doctor Urgently If:
- waters break
- bleeding occurs
- severe headache develops
- blurred vision happens
- movements decrease
- contractions become regular
- severe abdominal pain develops
We know… you’re exhausted 😭🤍
And every morning starts with:
“Could today finally be the day?” 👀
But honestly?
Every extra day now usually helps your baby become stronger and more prepared 💙
At Dr. Mohamed Abdelghany Clinic, we support you through every step:
✔️ Pregnancy follow-up
✔️ Labour preparation
✔️ Fetal monitoring
✔️ Emotional and medical support
💙 Book your visit and feel reassured about your delivery journey.
Book your visit at Dr. Mohamed Abdelghany Clinic
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