Pregnancy Week 38

Your 38th Week of Pregnancy
The Third Trimester

Your Baby - 38 Weeks Pregnant

Pregnancy Week 38 Your baby could be gaining as much as one full ounce of weight per day now. While he continues to urinate and practice breathing, your baby is also storing meconium (your baby's first bowel movement) in his intestines. His lungs are continuing to mature and his grasp has become even firmer than before. Your baby is approximately 20 inches long and weighs about 6 1/2 to 7 pounds. Almost all babies born now will live with little medical intervention.

Your Body - 38 Weeks Pregnant

Pregnancy Week 38 You may begin to feel electrical buzzes down your legs and inside your vagina. This is caused by the baby hitting nerves as he settles into your pelvis. You may be experiencing some Braxton-Hicks contractions, which can be irregular and very painful. These contractions may be felt in your back, hips, lower abdomen and your pelvis. The difference between these contractions and real ones are that true labor contractions usually start at the top of your uterus and spread over the entire uterus, through your back and into the pelvis. True labor pains will be progressive in strength and duration and will not be alleviated when you change positions. If you're unsure, call your doctor. But don't worry. You'll know the difference - trust your body.

Your Pregnancy Week by Week Newsletter

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Common Pregnancy Symptoms in Week 38

Breast Changes: tenderness, fullness, darkening of the areola
Frequent Urination
Constipation
Heartburn or Indigestion
Headaches
Stretch Marks
Itching
Round Ligament Pain
Hemorrhoids

Early Pregnancy Questions

Babies Online Members in their 38th week of pregnancy have commonly asked the following questions:

Of Special Interest

Free Online Pregnancy Journals - Chronicle your pregnancy to share with friends & family around the world and print for your baby book!

Your pregnancy is determined from the date of last menstral period, not date of conception. Each pregnancy, expectant mother, and unborn child is different. Your pregnancy may not progress the same as the information found here. The information here is based on the average pregnancy. It is not meant to be a replacement for any advice your may recieve from your doctor. If you have any concerns about your pregnancy, we advise you to contact your doctor.