38 Weeks Pregnant: The Final Countdown

You’re now 38 weeks pregnant, and with just two weeks to go until your due date, the anticipation is likely building. As your body prepares for labor and your baby gets ready to make their grand entrance, let’s explore what’s happening this week.

Baby’s Growth and Development

This week, your baby weighs around 6.5 pounds and is about 49 centimeters long which is roughly the size of a leek. While their organs are fully developed and ready for life outside the womb, one of the final changes happening now is the potential shift in their eye colour. Many babies are born with blue or gray eyes due to a lack of pigment, but these might change to brown or green in the months following birth.

With baby sitting low in your belly, you’re likely feeling the effects of their position. If they’re engaged, it means they’re settled into your pelvis and ready for the next step: labor. All that’s left is for your body to start the contractions that will bring them into the world.

Signs of Labor to Watch For

As you approach your due date, it’s helpful to recognize the signs that labor is starting. Some common indicators include:

• Waters Breaking: This can be a dramatic gush, like in the movies, or a slow trickle. Either way, contact your midwife immediately.
• Contractions: When real labor begins, contractions become stronger, more frequent, and more painful. It often feels like a tightening or cramping across your lower abdomen, back, and even thighs.
• Feeling “Off”: You might feel a bit queasy or experience a clear-out of your bowels, which is your body’s way of preparing for labor.

If you notice a bloody show which is a mucus discharge with streaks of blood, it’s likely that labor is imminent. Listen to your body, trust your instincts, and always feel free to reach out to your midwife for guidance.

How You’re Feeling at 38 Weeks

At 38 weeks, you’re likely feeling the full weight of late pregnancy. It can be physically and emotionally exhausting, but you’re almost there! It’s normal to experience discomfort as baby’s position presses on your bladder, pelvis, and other sensitive areas. But soon, these aches and pains will give way to the joy of holding your baby.

Looking Forward

With just two weeks left until your due date, the final countdown has truly begun. Soon, all the waiting, discomfort, and anticipation will be worth it when you finally hold your little one. For now, take things one day at a time, rest as much as you can, and know that the finish line is in sight.

Warmly,
Ecco