How Big Is My Baby At 38 Weeks Pregnant?

Your baby is busy making final preparations for birth and is about the size of a leek. The baby is about 19. 61 inches long and weighs about 6.80 pounds.

Baby Development

• Your baby is a fully functioning little human.
• Head circumference is about the same as the abdomen.
• Your baby’s head is full of coarse and thick hair.
• Your baby is resting and sleeping more, and moving less.
• Your baby is fine-tuning his/her brain and nervous system.
• Your baby is still practicing breathing and swallowing

38 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms

Anxiety:  Your may feel anxious and stressed out in the 38^th week of your pregnancy. It is normal at this stage of pregnancy.

Insomnia:  Your sleep may be disrupted by body aches, leg cramps, anxiety, and frequent urination.

Vaginal Discharge:  You may notice a mucus-like thick vaginal discharge. This indicates dilation of your cervix in preparation for birth. This discharged substance is called a mucus plug. This substance gets released as your cervix dilates in preparation for labor.

Blood Show:  You may notice mucus-like vaginal discharge tinged with pink, brown or red blood. This blood discharge occurs as a result of ruptured blood vessels in the cervix during dilation. Blood discharge indicates that you are getting closer to labor.

Nesting Instinct:  Nesting is a strong desire to clean, organizes, and get your home ready for your baby. You may find yourself cleaning and organizing things in the middle of the night. The nesting instinct is common and normal during the third semester and is strongest in the later weeks coming up on delivery.

Leaking Breasts:  By this time, your milk ducts are fully developed in preparation for birth. Your breasts may have produced a yellowish substance called colostrum, which will be the first food of your baby. At this stage, some colostrum can leak from the breasts. This is normal.

Braxton Hicks Contractions:  You may feel irregular and less painful contractions as your uterus becomes tight and prepares for labor. These false contractions help your body prepare for the real contractions and are totally normal at this point of your pregnancy. They normally disappear when you change positions. Call your doctor if contractions persist.

Itchy Stomach:  The skin on your stomach stretches, become thinner and dries out due to increased pressure by the expanding uterus. This can lead to an itchy, dry feeling.

Edema:  You may notice swelling of your feet and ankles. This happens because of poor blood circulation in your legs. This can also happen due to excess fluid retention in your body. This is normal, and there is no cause for worry. Avoiding standing or sitting for long periods of time and popping your feet up high will help.

Frequent Urination:  Needing to pee frequently will continue and is a common and constant problem during the entire pregnancy. Pregnant women commonly experience temporary bladder control problems in pregnancy. Baby in your womb baby pushes down on the bladder, urethra, and pelvic floor muscles. This pressure can lead to more frequent need to urinate, as well as leaking of urine when sneezing, coughing, or laughing.

Backache:  Backache is mostly an ongoing symptom of pregnancy, which you have to live with. This happens because your growing baby puts a lot of pressure on your inner muscles.

38 Weeks Pregnant: Tips For A Healthy Pregnancy

• Plan your post-delivery budget.
• Choose a pediatrician for your newborn baby within your insurance network.
• Wear breathable loose clothes and a supportive bra to feel comfortable.
• Include healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables, lean meat, cereals, and dairy products in your diet.
• Eat small meals or snacks at regular intervals for better digestion and to prevent heartburn.
• Keep yourself adequately hydrated by drinking a lot of water.
• Take plenty of rest and sleep at least 8 hours a day.
• Avoid long and strenuous physical activity, exercises involving jerky or sudden movements.
• Spend time or keep in touch with family, friends, and other loved ones and share your feelings. This will help you to cope with stress and anxiety and stay calm and relaxed.
• Order a birth certificate for your newborn baby.