Your Baby at 38 Weeks Pregnant
 At 38 weeks pregnant, the average baby is rapidly approaching 6.3 pounds. Your specific baby might weigh between 6 and 8 pounds by now. (Remember that every baby is special and has a unique weight and length by this point). This week, your baby's length may be 19 to 20 inches from head to heel. His or her length will stay the same until he or she is born.
The level of amniotic fluid in your uterus is steadily decreasing at 38 weeks pregnant. Try not to worry - your baby still has enough amniotic fluid to cushion and protect him or her. Space may be getting tight, but your baby will still attempt to move around and kick.
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At 38 weeks pregnant, if you notice that there's a change or decrease in your baby's movements, contact your doctor or midwife immediately. | | |
At 38 weeks pregnant, your baby has quite a strong grasp reflex. He or she is spending his or her time grasping and clutching at the umbilical cord. Babies also enjoy curling their hands into tiny balls.
Your baby's lungs are completely mature, but your baby might want to stay in your womb for a few extra weeks to plump up. Just be patient - your baby will arrive soon.
Apgar Score
 The Apgar score is simply a way that your doctor can evaluate the overall condition of your newborn immediately after birth. This score may sometimes be helpful for evaluations that occur later.
An Apgar evaluation is given one minute after birth and then again after five minutes of birth. Your doctor or nurse will make note of the following things:
- Your baby's color after birth (bluish or pink).
- Your baby's respiration.
- Your newborn baby's heart rate.
- Your newborn baby's muscle tone.
- Your baby's reflexes.
The one-minute score reflects how easily your baby handled the birthing process. A high score generally indicates that your baby will do well in the postpartum period. A low score might indicate that your baby requires observation or further tests to make sure that everything is ok.
The second test is given to measure how well your baby is handling his new environment outside the womb.
Your baby is given a score based on the following parameters:
- Color - 2 points for pink body, 1 point for close to pink with blue arms or legs, 0 for blue or pale coloring all over.
- Respiratory - 2 points for a strong cry, 1 point for a slow or weak cry, 0 points for no crying.
- Heart Rate - 2 points for heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute, 1 point for a heartbeat under 100 beats per minute, 0 points for no heart beat.
- Muscle Tone-- 2 points for vigorous movement, 1 point for small flexing of the limbs, 0 points if the baby is still.
- Reflexes - 2 points if your baby cries during the test, 1 if your baby makes a little bit of a fuss, 0 if your baby doesn't make any noise during this exam.
Generally a high score, or a score between 8 and 10, means that your baby is in very good condition. A lower score might necessitate some further testing.
Mom's Changes at 38 Weeks Pregnant
At 38 weeks pregnant and until you give birth, your belly size is going to stay pretty constant. If your baby has already dropped into your pelvis - which is a sign that labor might be on its way in a few days or a few weeks - you may notice that your belly is lower than it was before.
The waiting game begins at 38 weeks pregnant. You must try to be patient and watch out for the signs of labor. Contractions may start; your water may break; you might lose your mucus plug. Pay attention to anything unusual, and make sure that you have your hospital bags packed at the door.
As you're waiting to go into labor, you may consider stocking your freezer with easily frozen foods. After you have your baby, you're not going to have the time or the energy to whip up homemade meals for your family. Unless you want your family to be eating Ramen noodles, plan ahead.
Stock your freezer with delicious meals that can be frozen ahead of time, such as delicious soups and casseroles.
Signs of Labor at 38 Weeks Pregnant
At 38 weeks pregnant, you may be anxious for your labor to start. Unfortunately, there's no way to figure out when you're labor will actually start. You might have a cooperative baby that arrives exactly on his or her due date; or your baby may decide to stay in your womb until 41 weeks pregnant.
Common signs of labor that you may experience at 38 weeks pregnant include the following:
Your baby drops into the pelvis - This process is called "lightening," and in first time pregnant women, it can occur a couple of weeks before the onset of labor. When your baby makes his or her descent, you will get relief from some discomfort, including any rib pain or shortness of breath. You'll be able to breathe more freely, but you may have to run to the bathroom more often, since your uterus can add extra pressure on your bladder.
Your cervix begins to ripen - In the weeks before active labor starts, the intense and painful Braxton Hicks contractions you're experiencing will start to soften, thin, and even dilate (open) up your cervix a little bit. Although you won't need to go to the hospital until your cervix has dilated to 4 centimeters (when you're considered in "active labor"), this is a sign that labor is on its way. When you're closer to your due date, your doctor may perform a vaginal exam to see whether your cervix has started to efface or dilate yet.
You'll have a "bloody show" - At 38 weeks pregnant, if you notice a small amount of mucus that's tinged with blood, you may have passed your mucus plug. This is not a sign that labor is coming, but it may indicate that you might go into labor in a few days or weeks.
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By 38 weeks pregnant, you should have already talked to your healthcare provider about when they want you to head to the hospital. If you're high risk, your doctor may want you to come in sooner. | | |
Your water breaks - When the amniotic sac ruptures at 38 weeks pregnant, your water has broken. When this happens, it can come out in one huge rush or as a slow trickle. Call your doctor or midwife right away if this happens. If you haven't had contractions yet, your doctor may need to induce your labor. Your baby is at higher risk of getting an infection without the protection of the amniotic sac.
Pregnancy Symptoms at 38 Weeks Pregnant
At 38 weeks pregnant, you are simply waiting for your labor to start. You're probably feeling quite uncomfortable, and you may feel impatient for Braxton Hicks contractions to turn into the real deal.
Braxton Hicks contractions at 38 weeks pregnant are feeling pretty intense. They are growing more intense, striking more often, and you might appear to be getting closer together. In fact, there's a good chance that your Braxton Hicks contractions may turn into real contractions. Why don't you try timing them, and see if your contractions are regular?
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If you're feeling extra exhausted at 38 weeks pregnant, try to nap and get as much rest as you can. If sleeping in a bed is no longer comfortable, try to nap in a recliner or whatever location is most comfortable. You want to save up all your strength for the arduous task of labor and delivery | | |
Although mild swelling is normal, you'll want to contact your doctor right away if your symptoms are severe. If your swelling comes with persistent headaches, blurred vision or other strange vision changes, extreme upper abdominal pain or discomfort, or nausea, this may be a sign of preeclampsia - a serious complication that needs to be treated.
Your breasts may leak at 38 weeks pregnant. What they're leaking is colostrum - premilk that will nourish your newborn baby in the first days of life. If this breast leakage bothers you, use nursing pads to soak it up.
Weight Gain at 38 Weeks Pregnant
Your weight gain at 38 weeks pregnant might be between 25 and 30 pounds. Some pregnant women have gained more than this. If you haven't yet reached 25 pounds and you're an average-sized woman, you will want to try to gain a few extra pounds before you hit 40 weeks pregnant.
Pregnancy Health Tips at 38 Weeks Pregnant
At 38 weeks pregnant, you may start to worry about the labor and delivery process. If you haven't already, you should visit the birthing facility where you plan to deliver your baby, so that you have time to find out where everything is.
Pack Your Hospital Bag
 Have you packed your hospital bag? If you haven't, you better sit down and do it today. You could go into spontaneous labor at any point now.
Not sure what to pack? There are many schools of thought regarding the hospital bag, but here are some of the more common items that moms-to-be pack:
- Robe or other cover up if you plan on walking during labor.
- Slippers or warm socks.
- Lotion or massage oil.
- Lip balm (your lips will get very chapped during the pushing phase).
- Snacks or drinks (in case you deliver at 3 am and find yourself ravenous).
- Watch with a second hand (to time your contractions).
- Camera and video recorder.
- Magazine or book to read.
- Personal toiletries such as a hair brush and toothbrush.
- Nursing bras.
- Breast pads.
- Change of clothes to go home in.
You might also consider packing a change of clothes for your partner sometime during pregnancy weeks 38 and beyond. When packing the clothes you plan to go home in, be sure you pack something that is the right size. You will need to bring clothes that fit you when you were about five months pregnant, as you will not magically lose all the weight you gained simply by giving birth. Your belly will still be a bit round for a while after delivery.
To Shave or Leave All Natural?
 Now that you're reached pregnancy 38 weeks, it's time for you to decide - should you shave your pubic hair or leave it au natural? This is a personal decision. Some pregnant women prefer to have their pubic hair trimmed, shaved, or waxed. If you decide to shave or trim, you should probably leave this task to another person. (It may be too difficult to do this yourself, since your huge belly makes it impossible to see down there.) On the other hand, other women just leave their private areas and their pubic hair alone.
Whatever you decide, don't be embarrassed. Doctors and nurses have seen everything.
If you are having a schedule C-section, you'll want to shave the top inch of your pubic hair prior to the procedure. (The nurses will shave it for you at the hospital, if you haven't done this.)
Don't Forget the Infant Car Seat
 One of the most important things you will need to take to the hospital with you is an infant car seat. In fact, the hospital will not let you leave without one. All infants must be transported in a rear facing infant carrier until they are about 20 pounds heavy. The best thing you can do to alleviate some of your pre labor jitters is to have your car seat professionally installed. Check in with your local fire department. Most agencies have certified car seat technicians on staff that can check out your carrier and ensure that it is installed properly in your car. Your car seat must be used correctly in order to provide your baby with adequate protection in the event of an accident.
Never re-use a car seat that has been in an accident. It may have been damaged in some way or another, and this could compromise the safety and well being of your new child.
You should also consider packing some nice things for your baby, including an outfit for the trip home and a warm baby blanket. If it is cold outside, consider bringing some booties, gloves and a hat for your little one.
Many hospitals will offer pictures of your baby during your stay. If you want to have your baby's first photo taken while in the hospital, bring an outfit to show her off in. Sometimes getting your baby's first photo taken in the hospital is more convenient than trying to drag your newborn baby to the photo shop during the first few weeks of life. You can usually also order custom birth announcements when you get your babies photo taken.
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