Pregnancy week 38: Your week by week pregnancy guide

You are closing in on your big day, mumma! You must be so excited to meet your little bundle of joy. As for your pregnancy week 38, expect to really feel your baby move around as he grows rapidly in your belly. Read on to know what more to expect this month.  

How Big is Your Baby?

Your baby is now the size of a leek, weighing 3.1 kg and measures 46.8 cm. He/she has more fat under his/her skin and looks plumper now than the previous weeks.

Image courtesy: Pixabay

Your Baby’s Development

In this week by week pregnancy guide, you’ll learn that:

• While most of your baby’s organ systems may be fully developed and in place by now, his/her lungs have yet to reach maturity. In fact, even when born, it will take a while for him/her to develop a normal breathing pattern.
• Your baby’s nails have been growing and now have reached the ends of his/her teeny tiny fingers and toes.

Pregnancy Symptoms

• Chances are your feet and ankles are swollen. However, if you experience swelling in your hands and face or if you experience puffiness around your eyes, immediately call your doctor.
• You must be wary of preeclampsia symptoms which include severe headaches, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, and intense abdominal pain. Should you experience any of these symptoms, immediately call your doctor or rush to the hospital.
• At pregnancy week 38, your breasts may begin leaking colostrum, a thin yellowish liquid that is the precursor to breast milk. Colostrum is packed with antibodies to protect your newborn from infections. It has more protein, less fat, and less sugar than the breast milk that arrives later.
• Your legs and vaginal area will begin to feel uncomfortable as your baby makes his way down your pelvis and pushes against some of your nerves.

Pregnancy Care

• If your breasts are leaking colostrum, place nursing pads in your bra to protect your clothes. On the other hand, even if you do not experience leakage, colostrum is still being produced in your breasts as it is the nutrition that your baby will need when you breastfeed.

Your Checklist

• Double check your list on what your nursery needs. Ensure that you have everything you need before the baby comes.
• Shop for your breast pump if you intend to express milk. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to buy the perfect one. Do also buy breast pads and nursing bras.

Your next week: 39 weeks pregnant

Your previous week: 37 weeks pregnant

Do you have questions on this week by week pregnancy guide? What are your current concerns, mums? Leave us a comment below!