Pregnancy Week 38
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Pregnancy Week 38
Pregnancy Week 38: One Step Closer To Having Baby
By the time you are 38 weeks pregnant, you may feel tired, heavy, bloated and ready to have your baby. Some women entertain the idea of inducing their baby on their own. Self-induction can be very dangerous, and you should do so only with the permission of your doctor. There are many natural steps you can take to encourage your labor to begin or to help a stalled labor progress around pregnancy week 38. Having intercourse for example, may stimulate labor contractions. Semen also contains prostaglandins which sometimes help the cervix ripen and prepare for delivery. Walking is another way to encourage your baby to move down into your pelvis to stimulate labor. Keep in mind however, you can walk mile after mile without going into labor. By 38 weeks pregnant, your baby may still need a couple more weeks to grow in your belly. It is fine for you to walk and encourage your baby to move downward, but try not to rush your baby too much. Labor and delivery come much faster than most people think. Take some time while 38 weeks pregnant to enjoy your pregnancy, for soon you will be sleep deprived (albeit happy) and caring for your newborn baby. What About Your Baby?Most babies are between 6 and 7 pounds when you reach 38 weeks pregnancy. Your baby may be a bit smaller or a bit larger depending on many factors. If your due date is off for example, your baby may be further along or slightly less developed than you realize. For this reason it is important you do not try to induce at 37 weeks pregnant, because your baby may not be quite ready to come out. When your baby is ready, whether you are 38 weeks pregnant or beyond, your body will often go into labor on its own. Every woman experiences labor differently. Some women have rapid deliveries and other women have extended ones. Walking during labor can help inspire more contractions and hasten your delivery. For many women the hardest part of labor is the pushing phase. If you are well trained you may be able to push your baby out much faster than if you are not well prepared. Kegel exercises, where you squeeze your vaginal muscles and release them, may help you prepare for labor. Some women push for 10 minutes and out comes baby, while others push for more than an hour before they finally see their baby for the first time. Every now and again a doctor may need to assist a woman while pushing, so he or she may use a vacuum like instrument to help pull your baby from the vaginal canal to finalize delivery.
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