You are 38 weeks pregnant.

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Born & Birth stories

Your baby continues to grow this week and weighs about 6.8 pounds. His crown-to-rump length is still about 14 inches and total length is around 21 inches. Most women do not grow any larger during the last few weeks of their pregnancy. From the top of your uterus to your bellybutton is about 6.5 to 7 inches. You may be very uncomfortable now-you are almost there!

Just before real labor contractions start, you might notice false labor contractions. These should not be confused with Braxton-Hicks contractions. False labor contractions can be as strong as real labor contractions, but do not get closer and may go away if you get up to walk around. Contractions help dilate the cervix and encourage your water to break. Your baby could be born any day now, but only 5% of mothers deliver on their actual due date!

Over the last few weeks of pregnancy, your baby has been building up waste materials in the intestines. This waste material is known as meconium and is greenish-black in color. Meconium is made up of cells that your baby has shed, lanugo and other substances. Meconium is the first waste that your baby will pass after birth. However, sometimes babies pass meconium before delivery and are delivered with greenish-black waste covering their body. Special care must be taken when a baby passes meconium in the womb.

If your baby is a boy, his testes should have descended into his scrotum by this time. When your baby boy is born, both of his testes should be in place. Approximately 1% of babies are born with undescended testes. Because an undescended testis can cause infertility issues and increase the risks of testicular cancer, your baby's doctor will examine both testes after birth.

The baby's skull is not fully solid as the five bony plates, known as fontanels (little fountains), are still separate and can be pushed together. Birth may mold and elongate the fetal head, a safety precaution to reduce the skull's diameter for an easier birth, without damaging the fetal brain. After delivery, the baby's head returns to a rounded shape. Eyes have no tear ducts yet, they appear a few weeks after birth.

Would you like to announce the birth of your new baby? Do so by clicking this link: I gave birth!

Almost there! Did you know that we also have a month by month calendar for babies? You can find it in the menu under `Babies`: Month by month

Comments on week 38

Comments 1-49 of about 1809 from week 38
59 messages have been added in the last 24 hours.
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NewMommy2be-28 - 6 minutes ago
Just lost my mucus plug, and I know that doesnt always mean much, but hopefully labor is on the way!

momof609 - 11 minutes ago
took castor oil at 37 weeks and went into labor within 5 hrs... BUT when I got to hospital (37 weeks) I found out i was group b strep positive and that coulda caused early labor also. Didnt enjoy the other aspects of taking the oil but I understand your urgency and frustrations as I have been there many times. I dont know what amount is right or how you should take it... I just dumped some in a glass with juice and downed it.... ICK!

daylizmom - 39 minutes ago
Ok so here I am week 38!! I really dont feel as though I am going into labor soon!! I have not felt any cramping and my belly is way high!! I dont think my baby has dropped yet!!I can't wait for something to begin to happen soon!! Congratulations to all who have already delivered their babies!!

Alesia - 42 minutes ago
well today i had my 38 week appointment. She said my babies head is in position and that i am contracting when i was there. She said that wednesday she is doing the sweep if baby does not come before then. But my doctor feels that she will be born before wednesday.

mrssmith84 - 51 minutes ago
I've been looking into castor oil today. Does anyone have personal experience with it? I'm aware of the rumored dangers, baby having a bowel movement which through my research I found there are no studies to support that rumor and dehydration. I know it can give you the runs and make you throw up and you may not go into labor. So basically I'm asking to not be lectured bc I know all about it just wanting stories from those who themselves have done it.

traciemac - 55 minutes ago
jeja that sux. I am at a clinic too where there are like 6 diff doctors but we don't have to see them all. I ended up never getting in to see my doc because i missed her all the time due to her vacations and stuff so when it came time for the streb b test if wasn't at all comfprtable with ehr and asked my old doc in the same clinic to take me on and she said yes so i'm glad i t worked out that way.. The other doc was my sister in law's best friend so it would have been weird anyway. Tell them u want a new doc. Good Luck!

deja - 1.4 hours ago
ok, ladies finally only 2 weeks to go isnt this suppose to be a stress less time for us? well for me it was up until today...I hate the doctor i had to see this morning..i go to a office where there is 6 different docs and u have to see all of them atleast once b/c u never know which one is gonna be at the hospital.. Anyway the dumb doc that i seen today checked me to see if i was dialated and he told me i'm still closed, so i asked him how can that be when i just went to the hospital on monday b/c of close contractions and was told that i was 1cm dialted and 50% effaced, his answer was he doesnt know y the other doc told me that. Then he tells me that the baby hasnt dropped at all yet..so again i ask him how that is possible when the other doc told me just last week that the reason that i've been havin bad pelvic pains and goin to the bathroom more frequently lately is b/c the baby has dropped and is pushing everything downward.. once again he told me basically the other doc was wrong.. This was the second time i had to see this doc the first time He told me that i still had placenta previa and i was gonna have to have a c-section,when two weeks befor seeing him i was told that my placenta was moving away, and when i told him this he told me NO, that it was still covering my cervix then two weeks after seeing him i got another u/s and was told my placenta was in the correct place, that should of been a sign right there for me to try to not have him see me when i go for my appt. I'm so lucky that i only have 2 more appt to go and trust me i will not be seeing him for those..i'm just hopeing that he is not the one on call at the hospital when i do finally go in. sorry this was long but i had to vent a little.

Babythreeindecember - 1.6 hours ago
This may be my last weekend pregnant! I am so excited the doctor said he is going to check me monday to see if I am prime for an induction since my little boy is so big already. He weighed in at 8lbs at 37 weeks. Last tuesday I was already 80 percent effaced and 1 cm dialted so I hope I am more by monday. I took an hour walk today and hope it helps!

jlh14 - 1.9 hours ago
oo just got back from the doctors and i am 3cm. she thinks this weekend!:) i am so excited, but quite nervous too!! Ahhh

heathernicoal - 2.3 hours ago
Just got back from the doctor. I'm so frustrated!!! The baby 'floated' back up out of my pelvis and I'm not dilating at all. She said I am probably setting myself up for failure with an induction and I will most likely end with a c section, because the baby is so large. I just wanted to burst into tears. Why can't this just be over and done with yet?

sugarpine - 2.5 hours ago
Getting ready to go for my appointment this afternoon. Think I may make my midwife check me for dilating and all that stuff, even though she said whe wouldn't check me until my due date. I feel huge and would love to hear that something is going on down there. I'm also worried that my blood pressure is going up with each visit, she said she wasn't worried last week, but we will see today. Will they induce me for elevated blood pressure? I'm so ready for this baby and to stop working. I never thought I would make it this far. 12 hour night shift is killing me!

vickywoodhall - 2.7 hours ago
il be in this week as of tommorow,just sneaking in early to see whats what, can you tell im getting impatient lol, does anyone think that cats/dogs can sense if labour is imminent? my cat has just sat on my lap she is never in the house let alone sitting with me?

ilovemypeanut - 3.6 hours ago
also where do you find these things to give urselves and enema? I am new on this whole thing

AiryFairy26 - 4.6 hours ago
Can't believe this is our last weekend without baby. I'm going to have a special day tomorrow with just my 6 year old. I'm really worried about how he'll be with his new brother. I suppose as long as he gets included in stuff it'll be ok. It's been such an emotional rollercoaster & I can't believe this bit is nearly over.

cherryzz - 4.7 hours ago
My c section is in 12 days. Im having pre admission testing done a couple days before. Im not really sure what that is though. What do they do?

kristan123 - 4.7 hours ago
I had a thin liquid this morning so I called my doc and they are having me monitor it. Here's hoping I get more and I can go in tonight. lol :) I had my water break with my last baby so we'll see. I so want to have this baby.

ilovemypeanut - 4.8 hours ago
Kellijo- Thanks!!!! I had just heard about it two weeks ago and was not sure if it was something that HAD to be done. Not only that but is it painful or really uncomfortable to get it done?

mommykita - 5.3 hours ago
I took about 20 drops of black cohosh this morning to try to strengthen my contractions...has anyone else tried this? I need feedback.

margaretp - 5.4 hours ago
Glad to hear everyone is okay..

traciemac - 5.9 hours ago
no i didn't hit my belly thank god! I was turned around do i mostly hurt my back but it wasn't too serious mY hood is comepletely folded up and the other guy needs a new bumper. It was just scarry! Thanks.

kristan123 - 6.5 hours ago
oh my goodness. traciemac Did you hit your stomich or anything? Did they check the baby? I'm guessing it wasn't two bad of an accident.

margaretp - 6.5 hours ago
The last thing I really expected to hear yesterday and my 38 week checkup was 'This is a big baby'...He is measuring 41 weeks says the doc..Says if I don't go naturally this week , next week I can be induced.No wonder I'm sooo uncomfortable..My bigest so far was 9lbs 5 oz..In the meantime, it is okay for me/us to do whatever we can to try to get things moving on our own from home.

traciemac - 6.6 hours ago
I gave myself an anema soon as i got the the hospital and i never had a bm on the table. I'm gonna do it again too for sure.

traciemac - 6.6 hours ago
I went to 41 weeks last year with my daughter and she had her first bowle movement in me. They flush you out wiht fluids the whole time u are in labor and then scoop the baby up right quick to make sure they diidn't breathe any in. She was ok thanks god. Well i got into a car accident yesterday cause my daughter was choking in the backseat on a fish cracker i turned around to see if she was ok then crashed into anoher car. How stupid! I should have pulled over but mt first instinct was to check her. I cried all day not wanting to tell my fiance but he was ok as long as we are ok. Few grand i imagine to fix both cars. But i'm happy today that everyone is ok. Thankg god! My body hurts but baby is moving.

kristan123 - 6.6 hours ago
anouther comment about the labor accidents is that your body can't help it. There is so much pressure that you kinda loose control over much of that. Also when you push you do it like your tring to make a bm. So its bound to happen, and like they said most everyone has done it, and not even noticed.

mandal81 - 6.7 hours ago
cherryzz: My baby girl is the same way. I'll feel her moving like crazy all day and the next day it's just here and there. I told my midwife this past Monday. She said that as long as I feel some movement, then the baby is well. Sure does make me nervous though!

NewMommy2be-28 - 6.9 hours ago
USMCWIFE- Yep, you're right, I just hope that our babies decide to come soon! I am always talking to my stomach suggesting that she can come now. :) Maybe she'll listen

1sttimer47 - 7 hours ago
Yeah, I've accepted that fact too. Now the trick is--how do you convince the baby that he/she is ready? Lol. Mine's not listening...

cherryzz - 7 hours ago
Baby isnt moving much today. Its crazy how he can go from being overly active last night, to not barely today. He is moving so im sure everything is ok. But I have a Drs appointment today anyway.

USMCWIFE - 7 hours ago
Newmommy- hehe atleast ill have someone to talk too then! but hopefully well get lucky and have them on their due dates atleast! ive finally accepted that nothing will bring on labor besides when the baby thinks its ready! hehe :)

mellymoo - 7.5 hours ago
thanks k20cl5 ill ask them! :o) they can always manage to find a good strong vein on me lol. hope that helps haha

roomfor1more - 7.7 hours ago
k20cl5, that would be ideal, but my veins are curvy and small. Just to find a straight enough vein in my hand in a challenge :-(...one could only wish. My lo is moving like mad this morning and these contractions are pretty strong.....

k20cl5 - 8.2 hours ago
Hello- I'm from wk 36. I was reading your posts about the IV's in the hand.. You can also get them in your arm right above the wrist.. That way it doesn't hurt when you bend your hand.. That's where I request mine.. Just letting yall know :) good luck!!

keeblermomz - 10.7 hours ago
3 more days till my c-section.....i'm a wreck:( been 8 years since my last one.......

mellymoo - 11.3 hours ago
same here in the uk, they dont tell us or check how much we've dialated until ur in the hosp in labour! well, i think s, or it could be the area we live in - its rubbish cause we also have to apay a lot of money to find out the sex, which we did, as some horrible people out there to do with their religion, can ......if its a girl :o( yuk, since this talk about IVs int he ehand ive been dreaming about them all the time! :o( wooo 4 days for me! :o) xx

sarah grogan - 13 hours ago
cocoloco... we are same here in ireland... i just wanna knowwwww ugh i wanna have my baby now!

Cocoloco - 14 hours ago
Yay! 38 weeks! Oh my word, I am sooo hormonal! Last night I burst into tears because my husband LOOKED at me funny when I asked him to take to bin out! I just bawled it for no reason! argh! Looking forward to getting this baby out, but midwife doesn't think he/she will be going anywhere soon as he/she is still 3/5 palpable..... come on baby, get moving! lol! Some of you ladies are really lucky to know how dilated/effaced you are as they don't check any of that here until they are sure you are in established labour! I'd love to know what's going on, if only out of interest! Hope you are all well!

Ms.Nic - 14.4 hours ago
I am so happy to hear of someone elses accidents on the labour bed. But yes when you push you are pushing everything out.. I knew it was time to push when I wet my bed and I apologized to my midwife and she just laughed it off too.. They see more than you know and most of us are unaware until someone else in the room points it out... Oh the joys of labour and delivery. Its all worth it either way.. Good luck and congrats to everyone!!

AiryFairy26 - 15.7 hours ago
i love my peanut: Oh right, get you now lol. The don't do anything over here to flush you out but you may find you get a little bit of diarrhea once your contractions start anyway. Suppose your body does it naturally. I peed all over the midwife last time & she just laughed it off :-) They've seen everything but I'm still nervous about pushing more than a baby out lol

ayeshly - 17.4 hours ago
Had my little boy Monday the 16th! Birth Story is posted =D

onesharpefamily - 18.6 hours ago
ninat- I'm being induced this time around because my labor was so quick with my daughter. I didn't even know I was in labor until my water broke and I got to the hospitaL at 9cm. My doc is inducing this time around so that they have 'control' over my labor this time and I don't have this baby at home or in the car on the way to the hospital. I know not everyone agrees with induction but I know that everyones doctor/midwife has their best interests at hand/heart.

mrssmith84 - 18.7 hours ago
ninat- I think every woman's body and pregnancy is different. There are many factors that can lead to induction. I was induced at 42wks with my son and the pitocin contractions were horrific!! I wish I didn't have to be induced but my dr said the placenta basically stops working after so long.

sugar plum - 18.8 hours ago
I saw some study online today that first time caucasian mothers (which I am) on average go about 8 days past their due date. I REALLY hope this isnt true!!

ninat - 19 hours ago
38 weeks tomarrow morning, yay! i went to the doc today and i was 3 1/2 cm., and he streached me to 4, ready to get this labor going!!! lost my mucus plug sunday now im just waiting. As i was reading the comments from this week i see alot of women being induced. Why does this seem to be the trend? Whatever happened to letting our bodys do what it does naturaly? There also seems to be a elevated risk of birth complications that lead to cesarean delivery. Hey to each there own!

graciesmommy - 19.2 hours ago
Hey Ladies, I'm off in the morning for my C section.. Little Lylah will be here by 9:15am tomorrow morning. We have to be there at 7am.. Feeling a little nervous because I know what to expect as this is my second section. The hardest part was dropping my little princess off at my sisters, thinking that I may not see her for 3 whole days.. Good luck everyone, talk to you all when i get home!

Campbell7888 - 20 hours ago
Yay! My doc. agreed to induce me this Monday! Wahoo for Thanksgiving Dinner and a sweet baby to join us! Hubby works retail so I'm very relieved she's coming before black Friday and my hubby will be stress free! Wish me luck, going in Sunday Night to start cervix stuff!

momof609 - 20.3 hours ago
YEAH HAPPYMAMA.... keep on your feet and just walk around the house a bit and see if you can get it going stronger... SOUNDS like you are on your way to the hospital....

happymoma - 20.6 hours ago
k i think i may be starting my labor... I am have contractions and liquid with show is coming out after each one. ( sorry TMI) i was praying that i didnt have to be induced in the morning, maybe my prayers have been answered.

NewMommy2be-28 - 21.2 hours ago
USMCWIFE its ok. Im at 1 and a half cm and 90% effaced. My back is constantly throbbing any im getting no where. I'll be seeing you in week 41 at this rate :) My dr. said hopefully things will get moving and before my appointment Wednesday I'll have her. But Im pretending thats not happening so I dont get too mad if it doesn't

Alesia - 21.6 hours ago
Hey i have something to say about our doctors inducing us 1 to 2 weeks past our due date, which my doc want to do with me if i don't give birth by the due date. I have seen that show i did not know i was pregnant and a woman went into labor without knowing she was pregnant the docs said she was 41 weeks and the baby already passed his bowls. during that scene a pro. doc said it is actually bad for baby's to go a week past there due dates because that is when they can actually start to move their bowl movements. IF this is true and i believe that then why are our docs telling us that is what they will do if we don't give birth by our due dates. if i don't give birth by December 1 and the sweep does not work on the 27 then the night before December 1 i will try the castor oil. Every girl in my mans family took it and they had not complications they even repeated it with their 2nd and 3rd babies they took it with Malta. His cosine who just had her second baby in June did it again, so she will come over to the house and prepare it for me on the 30th to make sure it is done right and i take the right amount.

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Born & Birth stories

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Members in week 38:

adkinsrus07 - 28 Nov 2009
Angella26 - 28 Nov 2009
AustinCsMom - 28 Nov 2009
babyx2 - 28 Nov 2009
BellyBeanBaby - 28 Nov 2009
blueeyedbaby - 28 Nov 2009
danielleandbabynum... - 28 Nov 2009
frosty - 28 Nov 2009
jennyboo09 - 28 Nov 2009
knittingmom - 28 Nov 2009
LisaP26 - 28 Nov 2009
lovemybump3 - 28 Nov 2009
mellymoo - 28 Nov 2009
MissMaxine - 28 Nov 2009
newmommy - 28 Nov 2009
NEWMOMMY20 - 28 Nov 2009
No3onthewaySF - 28 Nov 2009
OneSharpeFamily - 28 Nov 2009
Promised2 - 28 Nov 2009
roomfor1more - 28 Nov 2009
RosiePosie - 28 Nov 2009
weeprincess1986 - 28 Nov 2009
1stTimeAround - 29 Nov 2009
1sttimer47 - 29 Nov 2009
25mamaof3 - 29 Nov 2009
AiryFairy26 - 29 Nov 2009
BabyHayden - 29 Nov 2009
beeber - 29 Nov 2009
BrandiSue - 29 Nov 2009
delicious1987 - 29 Nov 2009
diana10 - 29 Nov 2009
happymoma - 29 Nov 2009
Jamie Lynn P. - 29 Nov 2009
johanne-raven-baby... - 29 Nov 2009
Karenmomof2 - 29 Nov 2009
Kristan123 - 29 Nov 2009
Mommyluvs2 - 29 Nov 2009
Poga - 29 Nov 2009
shortevette - 29 Nov 2009
wendywendy23 - 29 Nov 2009
-avasmama- - 30 Nov 2009
aparrish - 30 Nov 2009
babyJSL - 30 Nov 2009
Campbell7888 - 30 Nov 2009
dallas mommy - 30 Nov 2009
Feliciamommy2be - 30 Nov 2009
graciesmommy - 30 Nov 2009
JLoustalot - 30 Nov 2009
keddy - 30 Nov 2009
keeblermomz - 30 Nov 2009
lenny87 - 30 Nov 2009
leonna - 30 Nov 2009
Margaretp - 30 Nov 2009
masonnickey - 30 Nov 2009
NewMommy2be-28 - 30 Nov 2009
USMCwife - 30 Nov 2009
Aiona - 01 Dec 2009
Alesia - 01 Dec 2009
Argyrou - 01 Dec 2009
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claire Louise - 01 Dec 2009
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Floridas Autumn - 01 Dec 2009
gabsheed - 01 Dec 2009
Ilovemypeanut - 01 Dec 2009
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mam2b2009 - 01 Dec 2009
mammax3 - 01 Dec 2009
mom2seven08 - 01 Dec 2009
npangel99 - 01 Dec 2009
Sarah Grogan - 01 Dec 2009
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metalstar83 - 02 Dec 2009
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clevasista - 03 Dec 2009
Decembermommy - 03 Dec 2009
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mommykita - 03 Dec 2009
noahandtrusmom - 03 Dec 2009
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traciemac - 03 Dec 2009
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Babythreeindecembe... - 04 Dec 2009
Cocoloco - 04 Dec 2009
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deja - 04 Dec 2009
dionne - 04 Dec 2009
gj - 04 Dec 2009
happy out - 04 Dec 2009
Jessangel411 - 04 Dec 2009
MONICA22 - 04 Dec 2009
nikki.e - 04 Dec 2009
RachelMarie29 - 04 Dec 2009

The due date from members in week 38 is from Saturday 28 November 2009 up to & including Friday 4 December 2009. See the full timeline here

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