38 Weeks Pregnant

Your baby gains weight, and is ready to go. Learn what's going on with you and your baby-to-be while 38 weeks pregnant.

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• Your Baby
• You
• 10th Month of Pregnancy Video
• Diary of a Daughter

Your Baby

The size of your baby is still changing as they grow inside for the last few weeks. Typically your little addition will range in size right now from approximately 6 to 6.5 pounds in size and stretch out to about 18 inches in length or more.

The lanugo that has covered your baby's skin during his or her time in the womb for protection is almost gone now, but could still be apparent during delivery on the upper back and shoulders.

Vernix may still show in the creases and folds of your baby's skin during delivery but should have almost completely disappeared.

The baby's intestines will continue to collect meconium, which is your little one's first bowel movement. This will be a tar-like substance that your baby will pass in the first few days and is completely normal.

Continued growth of an ounce a day is regular for infants during this time of pregnancy, although the exact rate may differ from baby to baby.

Many infants will have a firm grasping reflex by now and have been sucking their thumb in utero for weeks now.

Shining lights on your abdomen will invoke an orienting response by your baby. If you are expecting a boy, the testicles have descended into the scrotum; while those parents who are waiting for a girl's arrival, the labia are completely developed.

Exciting, huh?!

If you want to learn more about what a newborn baby might look like, you'll find information here.

You

Labor will be on your mind constantly during these last few weeks of pregnancy, which is quite normal.

For women who are experiencing birth for the first time, you may find yourself anxious at the unknown, but remember that each delivery is different and there is no set way of delivering a baby. You should know the difference between prelabor, false labor and real labor. Braxton-Hicks contractions are common and can be quite uncomfortable for many women, but are just part of your body getting ready for the big day.

Having knowledge about the many ways to deal with the laboring process can help ease your mind for the unknown. If you are able to try many different methods of dealing with the discomfort and pain of your contractions, then you will be more successful with going through the stages of labor while birthing your new child.

There is no set way to deal with your contractions, so keep an open mind and be willing to try many different methods in order to find what works best for you during this time. The only truth is that breathing and relaxation helps, keeping your breath and being tense make things worse.

Many other concerns may come up when 38 weeks pregnant and during the weeks before your baby's birth. It may be helpful to have a list of questions to ask your doctor at your next visit or even for future reference once your baby is born. The decision to nurse your baby, circumcise your son, or even how long you may stay home from work after your baby's birth are all valid concerns that many women have once they give birth.

Talking to other women who have nursed or bottle-fed, and friends or family members can help shed some light on many of your anxieties that you may have and help you come to choices that will fit both you and your baby.

Visit our section about giving birth here.

10th Month of Pregnancy Video

Instructions: When watching the video clips, start the videos by clicking the small arrow down to the left, not the large one in the middle of the screen. If you're using Internet Explorer as your browser and the video doesn't start, try clicking twice on the small arrow.

Diary of a Daughter

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