38 Weeks Pregnant

Being 38 weeks pregnant means you are almost at the end of the road, and a woman can actually give birth to a healthy full-term child during her 38th week. During the 30th week, both mother and child are experiencing physical changes, which will prepare the two for the birth that is soon to take place.
All of the child’s major organs are fully developed during week 38 of pregnancy, with the exception of the lungs. A child born at 38 weeks is able to survive, but their lungs will still need to develop further in a healthy, smoke-free environment. Also, tear ducts develop over the first few weeks of the child’s life, so tiny tears won’t be coming from baby’s eyes when she is first born. Baby is about 14 inches long from crown to rump when you are 38 weeks pregnant, and will only grow a little more during the last two weeks. Sex organs are fully developed by this time, and parents may be able to tell the sex of the baby just by how large mom’s belly has gotten. Boy babies tend to be a little larger than girls, and girls also sometimes may rest lower in the belly than a boy.
A woman’s body will start to prepare itself for labor during week 30 of pregnancy, and mom may even notice her breasts are starting to leak colostrum. Colostrum is a yellowish liquid that is essential for baby during the first few weeks, since it contains antibodies and nutrients that will help baby to stay healthy and strong. You may also start to feel false contractions, which is a way her body works to prepare itself for the much stronger contractions that will soon occur. The cervix also becomes thinner and starts to dilate slightly over the few last weeks, in order to prepare for the baby that is soon going to enter the world. From the top of the uterus to the bellybutton should measure about 6.5 to 7 inches, but can be smaller or larger depending on the size of the baby.
A woman who is 38 weeks pregnant should be fully prepared for the arrival of her new child, since realistically she can be born any day. Only about 5% of women actually deliver on their scheduled due date, mostly due to inductions and cesarean section deliveries. A woman in week 38 of pregnancy should already have her bag packed to take with her to the hospital, which should include items to keep both mom and baby comfortable. Comfortable clothing to wear after the delivery should be packed for mom, along with toiletries and other items to make mom feel like she is at home. Outfits, soft blankets, and diapers can also be packed for baby, but most hospitals will provide them to those who need them. Mom should pay a visit to the location she plans to have her child, to become familiar with the location to lessen and possible stress on delivery date.
You should continue to eat healthy during week 38 of pregnancy, and walk in order to make delivery a little bit easier. She should sit back, relax, and wait for her body to tell her when she is ready to have the child. Being 38 weeks pregnant can be very exciting and nerve wrecking, but it is important to stay calm and relaxed in order to keep the child from becoming stressed as well. Use the last two weeks to finish the last minute details on the nursery, make a phone list of people to call after delivery, and relax and let time takes it course.