Pregnancy › Week by Week › Week 38
At 38 weeks your baby is about the size of a leek. This is the week many babies drop lower into the pelvis, a shift called lightening that changes how the last stretch feels.
Size
A leek
head to heel
Length
19.6 in
about 49.8 cm
Weight
6.8 lb
about 3080 g
Your baby at 38 weeks
Fully formed and mostly just settling in, shedding the last of the fine hair and getting a firmer grip.
Your baby is essentially ready to meet you. The organs are formed and working, and this last stretch is about final touches and getting into position rather than big new milestones.
Skin and hair. The soft lanugo hair that covered your baby for months is mostly gone now, along with most of the waxy vernix, though a little often lingers in the creases. The skin looks smoother and less wrinkled as the last layer of fat fills in.
Grip and reflexes. Your baby’s grasp is noticeably firmer, strong enough to hold your finger tightly after birth. The reflexes that will help with feeding, rooting, sucking, and swallowing, are practiced and ready.
Getting into position. By now most babies have turned head down and are tucked low, often settling deeper into the pelvis this week. That downward move is what people mean by the baby dropping, and it sets the stage for the weeks just ahead.
How big is your baby at 38 weeks?
About 19.6 inches (49.8 cm) head to heel and roughly 6.8 pounds (3.1 kg).
Your baby is measured head to heel now and keeps putting on fat, close to an ounce a day, which rounds out the cheeks and body and helps with warmth and feeding after birth. There is very little spare room, so movements feel more like firm rolls, stretches, and pushes than big kicks, but they should still come regularly. Keep noticing the pattern.
Your body at 38 weeks
If your baby drops this week, breathing gets easier while the pressure moves low and heavy.
Lightening is the headline for many people this week. When the baby settles lower into the pelvis, the pressure comes off your ribs and stomach, so breathing feels easier and heartburn can ease. In exchange you feel more weight low down, more frequent bathroom trips, a heavier pelvic ache, and often a wider waddle. Some people notice the drop clearly, others barely at all, and some babies do not engage until labor begins, all of which is normal.
Around this heaviness comes the usual late company: swelling in the feet and ankles, trouble getting comfortable in bed, and Braxton Hicks tightenings that can feel stronger now. A supportive pregnancy pillow can make the last few nights of sleep a little kinder. Rest when you can, and let the small tasks wait.
What is normal, and when to call your provider
Pelvic pressure and practice contractions are normal now, but call your provider or go in for any of these:
- A clear drop in your baby’s movements, or a stretch where you do not feel the usual pattern, call the same day
- A gush or a steady leak of fluid, which can mean your water has broken
- Any bright red vaginal bleeding
- A severe headache, vision changes, pain under your ribs, or sudden swelling of the face or hands, which can signal preeclampsia
- Regular, painful contractions that keep building are a sign of labor. Time your contractions, see labor and birth for what to expect, and follow your provider’s when-to-come-in rule
- A fever over 100.4°F (38°C)
Your week 38 checklist
- Confirm the hospital bag is packed and by the door, with a few postpartum recovery comforts tucked in
- Install the infant car seat and get the fit checked so it is ready to go
- Stock the last of your newborn essentials, the going-home outfit, diapers, and feeding basics
- Keep noting your baby’s movements every day and call the same day if the pattern drops
- Rest, hydrate, and say yes to help, this is the week to slow down
Appointments and tests around 38 weeks
Weekly visits continue, with position, blood pressure, and movement the main checks.
Your visits are weekly now. Your provider checks your blood pressure, feels your belly to confirm the baby is head down and to estimate size, and asks about movements and any signs that labor may be starting. Some providers offer a cervical check to see whether it is beginning to soften or open, though this is optional and does not predict exactly when labor will come. If anything about your baby’s growth or movement needs a closer look, your provider may add a non-stress test or a quick ultrasound. This is a good week to talk through your birth preferences and your plan for getting to the hospital.
A few things worth having on hand now
A note for your partner
This is the week to be ready without hovering. Know the route to the hospital, keep the car fueled and the seat installed, and make sure your phone stays charged and on. Take over the lifting and the errands so the person carrying can rest, and keep the bag and the important numbers somewhere you can both grab them in a hurry.
You are so close
Thirty-eight weeks can feel enormous, heavy, and impatient all at once, and also strangely quiet as you wait. Whether your baby comes in a few days or takes the full time, you are nearly there, and everything you are feeling right now, restless, tired, ready, tender, is completely normal.
38 weeks pregnant, common questions
What does it feel like when the baby drops?
Lightening often brings easier breathing and less heartburn as the pressure lifts off your ribs, traded for more weight low in your pelvis, more bathroom trips, and a wider waddle. Some people feel it clearly, others barely notice, and some babies do not drop until labor starts.
Is 38 weeks full term?
Not quite. Weeks 37 and 38 are called early term. Full term begins at 39 weeks, which is why providers generally prefer to let things unfold on their own now unless there is a medical reason to act sooner.
Can I do anything to bring on labor?
There is no reliable at-home trick, and it is best not to try to rush things without your provider’s guidance. Staying active with gentle walks, resting well, and being patient are the safest bets. If there is a medical reason to start labor, your provider will talk you through the options.
Why do I feel so much pressure down low?
As your baby settles deeper into the pelvis, the head presses on your bladder, hips, and pelvic floor, which is what creates that heavy, achy feeling and the constant urge to pee. It is uncomfortable but expected. Rest, shift positions, and let yourself take it easy.
Sources
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), late-pregnancy and early-term guidance.
- Mayo Clinic, Fetal development: the 3rd trimester.
- MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine (NIH), Fetal development and prenatal care.
Medical disclaimer: This page is for information and education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Every pregnancy is different. Always follow the guidance of your doctor, midwife, or qualified provider, and contact them with any concerns.