Your Pregnancy: Week 38

Of course, pregnancy is different for everyone, but you’re definitely not alone if you’re experiencing a lot of symptoms in these last couple of weeks of pregnancy, including:

Braxton Hicks Contractions
False labor will probably plague you until the real thing starts, but keep an eye on these contractions to make sure they’re just Braxton Hicks. If they seem to be stronger than usual and come more frequently (or in a pattern), call your OB-GYN.

Pelvic Pain
Your baby is getting ready to make their grand entrance, and they’re also weighing more and more all the time, so there’s a very good chance you’re feeling a bit of pressure down there.

Constipation
Constipation is likely pretty familiar to you at this point, but that doesn’t mean it’s not bothersome! Continue getting plenty of fiber in your diet to help combat it, and stay hydrated.

Swelling
You might notice that your feet are swollen at the end of the day — something that elevating your legs can help.

In week 38 of pregnancy, how many months along are you? You’re nine months pregnant this week!

Though you probably won’t get an ultrasound unless it’s necessary this week, if you did have one, you’d see baby (probably in a head down position) moving around and maybe even practicing their breathing. And if they’ve been big on hiccups, you’d probably get to see them doing it, instead of just feeling it!

At 38 weeks, your belly is probably bigger than you ever imagined it could get — and you might be surprised to find it can actually keep stretching until you give birth. You may even find that you’re continuing to gain weight, while baby weighs somewhere around six pounds.

If you’re hoping to do any fun self-care things before birth, this is a good week to make those appointments. If you want to get your hair and nails done, you might want to go ahead and do it — you could technically go into labor anytime, so why not treat yourself to a fresh coat of polish for when it happens?

On that note, use this time to really treat yourself in a way that you won’t get the chance to for a while. Take a long shower, nap in the afternoon … this time is for you!

In these last couple of weeks of pregnancy, here are some things you might want to work on doing:

• Start maternity leave, if you can
• Be sure that your hospital bag is packed and that you’re already registered
• Make sure the house is well stocked with groceries
• Download a contraction timing app, if you haven’t already

Right now, your baby is continuing to gain weight before birth, and your body needs to remain strong before labor — you’re going to need all the energy you can get, and that means packing in plenty of protein.

Here are some foods to focus on eating this week:

• Lean meat and chicken
• Eggs
• Cottage cheese
• Beans and lentils
• Peanuts and peanut butter

What’s most important to look out for right now are signs of labor — or signs that your baby may need medical attention. Be on alert in case any of these things happen:

• Your baby isn’t as active as they usually are or isn’t meeting kick counts
• Contractions that are five minutes or less apart
• Bleeding
• Your water breaks
• Sudden and unusual swelling

At this point in your pregnancy, your OB-GYN may advise you to go straight to labor and delivery instead of calling them first. Be sure to find out what the protocol is with your office.

Note: If you are visiting a medical professional during COVID-19, make sure to ask about the facility’s safety measures and confirm that they are following COVID protocols as indicated by the CDC.

If you’re an LGBTQ couple who is having a baby, you might be surprised to find out that — despite whose names are on the birth certificate — your baby’s only legal parent is the one who happened to give birth to them. While some states allow something called a second-parent adoption, the process is different everywhere. If you haven’t already, it’s a good time to find out what your state’s laws are and what you’ll need to do to make sure you and your partner are both recognized as your child’s legal guardians after they are born.