Week 38

Welcome to Week 38! Your baby is now about the size of a spaghetti squash, measuring around 19.5 inches long and weighing roughly 6.8–7 pounds. At this point, they’re considered full-term, meaning they’re ready to thrive outside the womb whenever labor begins.

What’s Happening in Your Body?

Baby’s organs are fully developed, and their brain and lungs are putting on the final touches. They’re still building a little fat each day, making them even cuddlier when they arrive.

They’re likely in a head-down position, settled low into your pelvis (engagement), which may give you easier breathing but more pelvic pressure. Movements might feel more like slow rolls and stretches rather than big kicks, but they should still be regular and strong.

For you, your body is officially in prep mode for labor. Your cervix is softening, you may lose your mucus plug, and Braxton Hicks contractions may feel stronger and more frequent.

Common Symptoms This Week

• Pelvic pressure or discomfort as baby drops lower

• More Braxton Hicks contractions—sometimes hard to tell from early labor

• Back pain, hip pain, or sciatica

• Swelling in your feet, ankles, and hands

• Vaginal discharge changes, possibly with a “bloody show” (a sign labor is near)

• Trouble sleeping and needing to pee constantly

• Nesting energy, followed by waves of fatigue

• Feeling emotional—excited, nervous, impatient, or all of the above

And yes, every little cramp or twinge will have you wondering, Is this it?!

What You Can Do This Week

• Keep doing daily kick counts—baby should still move regularly

• Review labor signs so you know when to call your provider or head to the hospital

• Rest whenever possible—labor is a workout, and you’ll need energy

• Have your hospital bag ready by the door, along with any important paperwork

• Stock up on postpartum essentials like pads, comfy clothes, and snacks

• Talk with your provider about induction—just in case you go past your due date

If you want, you can also write a quick note or letter to your baby, something you’ll cherish later. Apps like Cubtale are a sweet place to keep little reflections from these final days.

Real Talk

Week 38 is the ultimate waiting game. You could go into labor tomorrow… or in two more weeks. That uncertainty can feel exciting and exhausting.

You might feel so ready for pregnancy to end, but also a little nervous about what’s ahead—labor, birth, and those first newborn days. That’s all normal.

Take it one day at a time. You’ve made it this far—baby will be in your arms soon.