Week 38
Your baby is the size of a leek
What's happening this week
Your baby is approximately 20 inches from head to toe and weighs about 6.5 to 7 pounds. The head circumference and abdominal circumference are now roughly the same — a milestone that means your baby's body proportions are approaching newborn norms.
The lanugo that covered your baby's body is almost entirely gone. The toenails have reached the tips of the toes, joining the fingernails that arrived at the fingertips weeks ago. The vernix caseosa coating is still present, particularly in skin folds, and will serve as a lubricant during delivery.
Your baby's organ systems are essentially complete. The lungs are producing adequate surfactant. The digestive system is primed and ready. The immune system has received a robust transfer of maternal antibodies through the placenta. The brain, while still developing (and will be for years), is functional and growing.
Fat continues to be added, particularly around the shoulders and torso. This fat serves triple duty: temperature regulation, energy storage, and cushioning during delivery. Your baby is plump, smooth-skinned, and ready.
Your baby may be practicing breathing movements that are visible on ultrasound — regular, rhythmic expansion and contraction of the chest wall. Hiccups may be frequent and strong enough for you to feel from the outside. And your baby has distinct sleep-wake cycles, often most active when you're trying to rest.
At 38 weeks, your baby is still considered early term. Full term begins at 39 weeks. The final week of development makes a measurable difference in brain maturity and lung function — a good reason to wait if everything is healthy.
Your body this week
Two weeks to your due date. You may feel like you've been pregnant forever, and the urge to 'just get this baby out' is powerful. That feeling is completely valid — and also completely normal.
Your cervix may be dilating and effacing, and your provider is likely checking at weekly visits. Remember that cervical changes don't predict when labor will start — some people dilate to 3 centimeters and stay there for weeks, while others go from 0 to fully dilated in hours.
Physical symptoms are at their most intense. Swelling may be significant. Heartburn may feel like a permanent state. Back pain is probably constant. Getting out of bed requires a multi-step strategy. And the bathroom is practically your second home.
You may experience nesting at an intensity that borders on compulsive. The urge to organize, clean, and prepare can be overwhelming. Channel it wisely — the nursery doesn't need to be reorganized again, but having freezer meals, clean laundry, and a stocked pantry will make the first postpartum week much easier.
Watch for signs of labor: regular contractions that don't stop with rest, your water breaking (a gush or steady trickle of clear fluid), bloody show, or a constant low backache with increasing pressure. If any of these happen, call your provider.
One more thing: talk to your baby. Tell them you're ready. Tell them you're excited. Tell them you love them. They can hear you — and soon, very soon, they'll be in your arms.
For dads
Two weeks. Every time your phone rings, your heart rate spikes. Every time she shifts uncomfortably, you wonder 'is this it?' The anticipation can be excruciating — especially because there's nothing you can do to speed it up. Here's what you can do: make sure everything is truly ready. Hospital bags in the car. Gas tank full. Phone charged. Pediatrician's number saved. Work aware that you could leave at any moment. Pet/child care arranged. Route to hospital confirmed. Backup route planned. These details sound mundane, but when labor starts at 3 AM, having them handled is the difference between calm and chaos.
This is your last stretch as a couple without a child. That sentence may fill you with excitement, nostalgia, or a bittersweet mix of both. However you feel about it, take a moment to appreciate what you and your partner have built together over these nine months. You've navigated morning sickness, anxiety, body changes, financial planning, and a hundred decisions — and you've done it as a team. The next chapter is about to begin. It will be harder and more beautiful than anything you can imagine. And you're ready — even if you don't feel like it.
Common concerns
How dilated should I be at 38 weeks?+
There's no 'should' — cervical dilation varies enormously at this stage. Some people arrive at their 38-week appointment dilated to 3 centimeters; others show no dilation at all. Neither predicts when labor will start. Dilation is just one piece of the puzzle — effacement (thinning), baby's position, and your body's readiness for labor all play roles. Try not to read too much into your dilation number at weekly checks. Labor will start when your body and baby are ready.
How do I know if my water broke?+
When your water breaks, you may experience a sudden gush of clear, odorless fluid or a slow, steady trickle that doesn't stop. It differs from urine (which you can control) and vaginal discharge (which is thicker and has some color). If you're unsure, put on a clean pad and lie down for 30 minutes — if the pad is wet when you stand up, it's likely amniotic fluid. Contact your provider immediately if you think your water has broken, as they'll want to monitor you and your baby.
Is it normal to feel anxious about labor at this point?+
Completely normal. Almost every expecting parent — regardless of how prepared they are — feels some degree of anxiety about labor as the due date approaches. Common fears include pain, complications, and whether you'll know when to go to the hospital. If anxiety is interfering with your daily life or sleep, talk to your provider — they can offer reassurance, resources, and sometimes referrals for support. Remember that your healthcare team has delivered thousands of babies. You're in good hands.
Should I try to induce labor at home?+
Most providers recommend letting labor start naturally if your pregnancy is healthy. Home methods like walking, spicy food, and herbal teas lack strong scientific evidence and are unlikely to start labor if your body isn't ready. Some methods (like castor oil) can cause unpleasant side effects without reliably triggering labor. Nipple stimulation can cause contractions but should only be done under provider guidance. If you're eager to discuss induction, talk to your provider about the medical options and timing.
Product picks for week 38
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Date night before baby arrives
This may be your last evening out as a couple for a while — a restaurant gift card or movie tickets for one final pre-baby date.
Postpartum sitz bath
A portable sitz bath that fits over your toilet provides warm, soothing relief for perineal healing after vaginal delivery.
Baby memory book
You'll want to record the birth story, first photos, and early milestones — have a book ready before the blur of newborn days begins.
A quick note: This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always talk to your healthcare provider about any questions or concerns. Learn how we create our content.
Content based on guidance from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Mayo Clinic, and peer-reviewed medical literature. Learn more about how we create our content.