38 Weeks Pregnant: Full Term and Waiting

At 38 weeks pregnant, you’re just 2 weeks away from your due date. For most women, labor could begin anytime now. Your body is in active preparation mode, and you’re likely experiencing the full reality that your baby will be here very soon. Many women report feeling a complex mix of emotions at 38 weeks—excitement, anxiety, impatience, and sometimes fear about labor and delivery. This is completely normal. Understanding what to expect in these final 2 weeks and preparing for the emotional and physical reality of labor and postpartum can help you feel more grounded and confident as you approach this major life transition.

Baby Development at 38 Weeks

Your baby is about the size of a leek (approximately 19-20 inches long) and weighs roughly 6.5-7 pounds. Your baby is now at a weight that’s close to birth weight for many full-term babies. Your baby will continue to gain about 0.5 to 1 pound per week, but at 38 weeks, most of the major fetal development is complete.

Your baby’s organ systems are all fully functional and ready for independent life. Your baby’s lungs are mature and producing adequate surfactant. Your baby’s digestive system is ready to process breast milk or formula efficiently. Your baby’s kidneys can concentrate urine. Your baby’s liver can perform all its functions including breaking down bilirubin (which newborns produce and need to process). Your baby’s immune system is sophisticated enough to recognize common pathogens, though it will continue developing after birth, particularly through breastfeeding if you choose to breastfeed.

At 38 weeks, your baby is positioned head-down and low in your pelvis, ready for delivery. The amniotic fluid has decreased to about 500-600 ml (about 1-1.5 cups), the lowest amount you’ve had throughout pregnancy. Less fluid means your baby has very little room to move, which is why you notice less dramatic movement. However, your baby should still move regularly—rolling, stretching, and shifting positions throughout the day.

Your baby’s skull bones remain slightly separated to allow for passage through the birth canal during labor. The soft spots (fontanels) will remain open after birth to allow for continued brain growth. Your baby’s skin is smooth and healthy. Most of the downy hair (lanugo) that covered your baby early in pregnancy has shed. Your baby is ready to meet the world.

Your Body This Week

At 38 weeks, you’ve likely gained 25-32 pounds, with most weight gain having plateaued or slowed. Many women experience slight weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week as their body prepares for labor. This weight loss is normal and healthy as your body sheds excess fluid in preparation for labor and delivery.

Your uterus is now about 6.5-7 inches above your belly button. Most women describe feeling at their absolute maximum capacity at this point. Your belly may feel hard and tight much of the time as Braxton-Hicks contractions continue. You’re carrying maximum pregnancy weight, and the physical strain is significant. Many women report that they’re done with pregnancy and ready for labor to begin.

Your cervix is likely changing progressively in preparation for labor. You may be experiencing cervical dilation (some women are dilated 1-2 cm or more for weeks before labor), cervical softening, cervical effacement (thinning), or combinations of these changes. However, cervical changes don’t necessarily predict when labor will begin. Some women have significant cervical change for weeks before labor, while others go from a completely closed cervix to fully dilated during active labor.

Your body continues producing oxytocin and prostaglandins—hormones that prepare your body for labor. You’re likely experiencing multiple Braxton-Hicks contractions daily, particularly in the evening. Many of these contractions may be uncomfortable (though not usually painful), and they can disturb sleep. Staying active, staying hydrated, and using relaxation techniques can help manage these sensations.

Emotionally, many women feel emotionally and mentally “done” by 38 weeks. The pregnancy has been a long journey, and the anticipation of meeting your baby is overwhelming. You may feel anxious about labor, excited about meeting your baby, worried about postpartum recovery, or all of these simultaneously. Many women report increased emotional sensitivity, crying more easily, or feeling overwhelmed. This is normal and reflects both hormonal changes and the psychological reality of the major transition about to occur. Understanding postpartum mood disorders can help you know what to expect.

Common Symptoms at 38 Weeks

Intense Physical Exhaustion: By 38 weeks, most women report feeling completely exhausted. The combination of poor sleep, physical discomfort, and the enormous physical demands of late pregnancy leaves most women running on fumes. Rest when you can, accept help from family and friends, and prioritize sleep over other tasks. Your body needs this rest before labor begins.

Emotional Intensity and Mood Swings: Many women report significant mood swings at 38 weeks—feeling happy and excited one moment, anxious or tearful the next. This is driven by hormonal changes and the psychological reality of approaching labor and parenthood. Talking with your healthcare provider, partner, or therapist about these feelings can help you process them in a healthy way. Some women benefit from journaling, meditation, or other forms of emotional processing.

Increasing Braxton-Hicks Contractions: Practice contractions at 38 weeks are typically very frequent and can be quite uncomfortable. You might experience multiple contractions per hour, and they may feel more intense than they did a few weeks ago. They should still be irregular, painless (though uncomfortable), and not accompanied by cervical dilation. However, if contractions become regular, painful, and progressively closer together, you may be in early labor.

Changes in Appetite and Digestion: Some women experience decreased appetite at 38 weeks, while others report unchanged appetite. Constipation often continues to be an issue. Diarrhea can occur in the days before labor as your digestive system empties in preparation for labor. All these variations are normal.

Increased Vaginal Discharge and Possible Mucus Plug Loss: Increased vaginal discharge is normal as your cervix changes. If you notice your mucus plug (a thicker, possibly blood-tinged discharge), this indicates cervical change and labor may be approaching, though not necessarily immediately. However, some women don’t notice passing their mucus plug, and others may lose it and not go into labor for days or weeks afterward.

Sleeping Position Discomfort and Nighttime Bathroom Trips: Sleep continues to be nearly impossible for most women at 38 weeks. Physical discomfort from your growing belly, the need to urinate frequently (sometimes 4-5+ times per night), vivid dreams, and anxiety about approaching labor combine to make restful sleep rare. Accept that you’re not sleeping well right now and try to rest when you can during the day.

What to Do This Week

Finalize Your Labor and Delivery Plan: At 38 weeks, you should have thoroughly discussed your labor and delivery preferences with your healthcare provider. You should understand what interventions they would recommend in various scenarios (induction, augmentation, epidural, etc.). You should have a birth plan written out and copies available for your birth team. You should understand your healthcare provider’s philosophy regarding labor and delivery.

Discuss What Happens if You Go Past Your Due Date: Most healthcare providers recommend induction around 40-41 weeks of pregnancy. Discuss with your provider their approach if you haven’t gone into labor by your due date and what they would recommend if you go past your due date. Understand the risks and benefits of waiting versus induction in your specific situation.

Make a Final Checklist of Preparations: Walk through your hospital bag, your home preparations, your infant gear, and your support plan. Make sure everything is in place and ready. This provides peace of mind and reduces stress about practical preparations when labor begins.

Discuss Pain Management One Final Time: Make absolutely sure you understand all pain management options available to you and that your healthcare provider understands your preferences. Whether you’re planning an unmedicated birth, planning to use epidural anesthesia, hoping to use other methods, or planning a cesarean delivery, understanding your options reduces anxiety during labor.

Mentally and Emotionally Prepare for Postpartum: Review the postpartum recovery timeline. Understand that postpartum recovery is substantial, that your body will have significant healing to do, and that hormonal changes will occur. Prepare yourself emotionally for the fourth trimester and for postpartum mood changes. Many women benefit from learning about postpartum mood disorders so they can recognize symptoms early.

Confirm Your Support System is in Place: Make sure people know what to expect and what their role will be. Your partner should understand what you need from them during labor. Your family should understand your preferences for hospital visitors and help during the postpartum period. You should know who you can call with questions about breastfeeding, postpartum recovery, or emotional concerns after delivery.

Nutrition Spotlight: Preparing Your Body for Labor

As you approach labor, focus on maintaining excellent nutrition and hydration. You need adequate calories to provide energy for labor (which is physically demanding). Aim for balanced meals containing protein, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables. Stay well-hydrated throughout the day by drinking water and other healthy beverages. Continue taking your prenatal vitamin as directed.

Consider having some easily digestible foods available during early labor—things like honey, juice, crackers, yogurt, or soup broth. These provide calories and hydration during the long latent phase of labor when you’re not yet in active labor but may not feel like eating a full meal. Ask your healthcare provider if you’ll be allowed to eat during labor, as policies vary between facilities.

When to Call Your Doctor

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience:

Regular contractions lasting more than 30 minutes—you may be in early labor or active labor.

Gushing or steady leaking of clear fluid from your vagina—go to the hospital or birth center immediately.

Vaginal bleeding more than light spotting.

Sudden severe swelling of your face or hands, with headache, vision changes, or upper abdominal pain.

Severe headache or vision disturbances.

Severe abdominal or pelvic pain.

Significant decrease in fetal movement. Review normal fetal movement patterns.

Fever above 100.4°F (38°C) or persistent low-grade fever.

Difficulty breathing or chest pain.

FAQ: 38 Weeks Pregnant

Q: How will I know if I’m really in labor versus just having Braxton-Hicks contractions?

A: True labor contractions occur at regular intervals (such as 5 minutes apart), last 60-90 seconds, progressively get closer together and more intense, continue regardless of what you’re doing, and are typically accompanied by cervical changes. Braxton-Hicks contractions are irregular, don’t increase in intensity or closeness, may be relieved by rest or hydration, and don’t dilate your cervix. If you’re unsure whether you’re in labor, contact your healthcare provider or go to labor and delivery for evaluation.

Q: What can I do to encourage labor to start naturally?

A: Walking, staying active, positions that encourage your baby deeper into your pelvis, sexual intercourse (if you and your partner are comfortable), and managing stress may all help encourage labor. However, there’s no foolproof way to induce labor naturally. Your body will go into labor when it’s ready. Avoid anything marketed as a “labor inducer” without discussing it with your healthcare provider, as some methods can be harmful. Trust that your body and baby know when it’s time.

Q: What is a “bloody show,” and does it mean labor is starting?

A: A bloody show is a blood-tinged or pinkish discharge that occurs as your cervix changes in preparation for labor. It typically involves loss of the mucus plug. A bloody show often indicates that labor is approaching, but it doesn’t guarantee labor will start soon. Some women experience bloody show days or even weeks before labor actually begins. If you notice bloody show, mention it to your healthcare provider, but understand it doesn’t necessarily mean labor is imminent.

Q: What if my water breaks but I don’t go into labor?

A: If your membranes rupture (your water breaks), you should contact your healthcare provider or go to labor and delivery immediately, even if you’re not having contractions. Rupture of membranes increases infection risk, and your provider will want to monitor you and may recommend induction if labor doesn’t begin within a certain timeframe (usually 12-24 hours, depending on your provider’s approach and your specific situation).