Week 38 of Your Pregnancy

With just two weeks left, you’re probably anxious to meet your little bundle of joy. Read on to discover more about week 38 of pregnancy, including symptoms, baby development, common questions, and potential issues.

Pregnancy Journey Week 38

Design By Alice Morgan / Illustration by Tara Anand

It's week 38 of your pregnancy, and while you may be excited for baby’s arrival, you may also feel anxious or fearful about labor and delivery—especially if this is your first pregnancy and/or if you had a complicated birth before. Big feelings can arise as you near the end of your pregnancy, and it’s important you take care of your mental health. But fears and apprehension aside, what else should you expect from week 38 of pregnancy? Below are some of the most common symptoms, questions, and tests, as well as support you may need.

Pregnancy Week 38 Quick Facts

  • At 38 weeks, you're nine months pregnant
  • You have two weeks until your due date
  • You're in the third trimester

Your Unborn Baby's Size at 38 Weeks 

Your unborn baby is about the length of a stalk of rhubarb. They weigh approximately 6.80 pounds and measure 19.61 inches.

Pregnancy Symptoms Week 38

As with week 37, pregnancy symptoms during week 38 are (more or less) the same. However, the following may increase in frequency or severity: 

  • Braxton Hicks contractions
  • Pelvic pressure and discomfort
  • Fatigue and insomnia
  • Changes in bowel movements
  • Swollen feet, hands, and ankles

Your Braxton Hicks contractions may become more frequent and intense as labor approaches. If they become too uncomfortable, try drinking water, changing positions, or altering activity levels. As your unborn baby moves lower into your pelvis, there may be increased pressure and discomfort. Try wearing supportive flat shoes, a pregnancy belt, and adding exercise into your weekly routine, especially water exercise.

You may also be experiencing fatigue due to the physical strain of carrying a baby and insomnia due to physical discomfort and anxiety of childbirth. For fatigue, rest more during the day or nap if you can. For difficulty sleeping, watch your caffeine intake, engage in light to moderate exercise, and give yourself at least one hour before bedtime to relax.

Another symptom you may experience is constipation or diarrhea as the body prepares for labor. For changes in bowel movements, try to drink water and eat fiber to stay regular. If you notice any swelling in your feet, ankles, or hands, which can become more pronounced at the end of pregnancy, try moving regularly to circulate the flow of blood. But it's a good idea to also speak with your provider about swelling to rule out a serious condition like preeclampsia.

Pregnancy Journey Weekly Reminder

Design by Alice Morgan

Developmental Milestones

At 38 weeks pregnant, your unborn baby is considered term. The baby's brain has continued to develop and mature, with significant growth occurring in the cerebral cortex, which controls functions such as thinking, movement, and perception. Connections are forming in their brain that will help them swallow and even sleep better once they're born. Your baby's skin is becoming smoother with time as a layer of fat develops under it. By now, they've shed most of their vernix and lanugo and they may have grown more hair on their head. Your baby also has fully formed fingernails and toenails, so don't forget to add baby nail clippers to your list of baby essentials.

Prenatal Tests and Doctor's Appointments

At 38 weeks, your health care provider will likely check your blood pressure and test your urine for protein and other signs of preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and organ damage. A cervical exam may also be performed to check for signs of labor, such as cervical dilation and effacement. Some pregnant people prefer to skip this one and wait until other signs of labor have begun. If you don't feel comfortable with a particular test, let your health care provider know.

Your provider may suggest other tests to monitor your baby's well-being, like a non-stress test, which measures your baby's heart rate in response to their movements. It can help your health care provider determine if your baby is getting enough oxygen and nutrients. They could also suggest a biophysical profile, or a test that combines a non-stress test with an ultrasound to evaluate your baby's breathing, movement, muscle tone, and the amount of amniotic fluid.

Common Questions at This Pregnancy Stage

Is there a cutoff for spontaneous labor versus induction and, if so, when is the best time and method for induction?

There is no universally established cutoff for spontaneous labor versus induction and it depends on a variety of factors and your individual circumstances. Certain circumstances, like concerns about fetal health or if you have a medical condition, may prompt your health care provider to recommend induction to avoid further complications and ensure proper treatment. Finally, if your pregnancy exceeds 42 weeks, induction might be recommended to reduce the risk of complications associated with prolonged pregnancy.


Various methods of induction are available, including the use of medication and/or rupturing of membranes. The choice of induction method and timing is something you should discuss with your health care provider. A doula could also offer crucial information and support at this juncture. Nicole Belica, a Chicago-based doula and yoga instructor, says, "The main purpose of a doula is to offer unbiased information so that a birthing person feels informed, empowered, and supported as they navigate the uncertainty of pregnancy into the birth of their baby."


How can I tell if I've had urine leakage or if my water has broken?

If your water has broken, the leakage will be uncontrollable. It can either feel like a gush of liquid or a thin trickle depending on what part of the sac has ruptured. If it's a trickle and you're unsure, sit down for several minutes and then stand back up. If there's still fluid trickling out, it probably indicates that your water broke and it will continue for the duration of labor. 


Amniotic fluid is typically clear and odorless, but can be sweet smelling and pink tinged. Note any foul smells and discoloration and consult a health care provider if you have concerns. Urine typically smells like ammonia, and has a yellowish color. Rupturing of membranes may occur with pressure, during a contraction, and/or with an audible "pop."


Family and friends have started asking if they can come visit the baby after birth. What precautions should I follow when it comes to visitors?

Anyone spending a significant amount of time with a newborn should be up to date on vaccines like Tdap, COVID, and flu. Don't feel shy asking anyone who is feeling under the weather to stay home until illness has resolved. You can also ask visitors to mask during cold and flu season, if you feel so inclined. 


"Keep visitations short and sweet, and give an end time to the visit, so you can rest and focus on your baby, as opposed to host," says Amber Knowles, certified birth and postpartum doula and owner of Lorelei Lu Doula. Don't allow visits to interfere with baby’s feeding and sleeping schedule. Also, don't be afraid to take visitors up on offers for help, such as bringing food, walking dogs, picking up groceries, and so forth.

Things You Might Consider This Week 

At 38 weeks pregnant, you should have a solid plan in place for the postpartum period—just in case labor comes earlier than expected. Make arrangements for any necessary child care or pet care while you are in the hospital, and make sure the plan is flexible. My parents cared for our dog during labor and delivery, but then we were readmitted one day after being discharged because our daughter had jaundice. Thankfully, they were still available to care for our dog. You may also want to plan for help with chores and meals, arranging child care, and even setting up a postpartum checkup with your doctor, typically six weeks from delivery date.

Finally, now is a good time to practice self care, whether it be eating healthfully, staying hydrated, resting when needed, or doing light exercises such as walking. Consider taking a prenatal yoga or meditation class to keep things calm and relaxed. Even some simple deep breathing can help to manage stress and anxiety. Continue doing pelvic floor exercises, such as kegels, to help strengthen the muscles that support your bladder, uterus, and rectum. This can help prevent urinary incontinence and other pelvic floor issues after childbirth. Consider learning perineal massage at this point, which may help improve the plasticity of your perineum (the area between the vagina and anus), reducing your risk of tearing and episiotomy.

Support You May Need This Week

Ask a friend or family member to set up a meal train for the postpartum period or get help cooking and freezing meals in advance. Many meal services also offer gift cards for purchase by friends and family. For anyone that needs assistance, note that Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program provides free or low-cost nutrition to pregnant people, new mothers, and children up to the age of five. Additionally, pregnancy resource centers offer material support, such as baby clothes and diapers.

In terms of self care, many relaxation apps have free sample sessions and there are plenty of free online yoga classes on YouTube. Ensure that you are searching for prenatal classes appropriate for pregnancy and consider creating a playlist for yourself to cycle through over the next few weeks.

Head over to week 39 of pregnancy

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