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 3075 from week 38
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Mommy-of-4-Bugs - 1.7 hours ago
@Sakred- just saw your post about being tired and hoping to gain some sleep back while in the Hospital- GOOD LUCK!!! I think I get more sleep at home w/ a newborn then I ever did in the hospital. I swear the nurses know the second you or the baby (when rooming in) fall asleep just so they can come in to take vitals and wake you or your baby up and if 'they are REALLY Lucky' wake both of you up!! I am even more tired, which I never thought would happen- LOL!

Mommy-of-4-Bugs - 1.7 hours ago
Ethan Scott McLemore is finally HERE!! He was born Feb. 5th at 12:23pm weighing 7lbs 7.7 ozs and 19' long w/ a FULL head of beautiful Blonde hair. I came home today the 9th and if al goes the way it it's supposed to, Ethan will be home Wednesday afternoon! Birthstory and pics will be posted in the next day or so. Cheers and tons of Labor dust to all!!!

ProudMommy2Be18 - 2.1 hours ago
cosmo i hate the frequent bathroom breaks seems as soon as I get settle in comfortable like 30 mins later .. i have to go pee.. its so annoying.. cant wait til my son comes it be worth getting up in middle of the night than..

cosmomama - 3.2 hours ago
I've also been waking up about 3 times a night to pee. I freaking hate it. And then my 18 month old decided last night was a good night to wake up and call for mommy's help instead of going back to sleep on his own. So I was up at 12, 1, 3, and 4 with him til 5. Then DHs alarm went off at 6...omg. I'm exhausted. And my son is upstairs right now fighting sleep too. So it's almost 10pm here and my looooooong day isn't done :(

imaproudmomma - 4.7 hours ago
Hey I was just creepin week 38 even though I have one more week untill I am here :( lol...I was reading that one of you were considering castor oil and to be honest with you I personally dont believe its affective and its absolutly awful tasting not matter what you mix it with lol only because with my first I was over due so I tried EVERYTHING and even the oil didnt help he was just too comfy I guess and took him eleven days to come out only once the doctors gave me cervadil but I can sympathize with those of you who just want it to be over with I am only 37 weeks and I posted the eviction notice already :)

sakred1 - 5.2 hours ago
Damn i thought i was the only one with the sweet tooth all of a sudden lol..And yes i am tired as well i woke up this morning so ready to pass back out, and i took an hour an a half nap this afternoon, well more like passed out this afternoon but i get to sleep in tomorrow bc my kids have no school so they say so i will be taking that extra time to sleep bc i know all the bathroom breaks will keep my up most of the night. Maybe i'm going to the bathroom more than i think or remember bc i be really tired the next day and getting up at 7 every morning is not fun at all....So we're supposed to be getting a lot of snow tonight however it has not even started yet, my kids are still up so either way they an't going to school tomorrow lol anyone else find that their sweet are swollen more now then ever? For the past two weeks my feet have been swelling up big time for no reason...

Holl1583 - 7.3 hours ago
I'm 38wks and 4 days also and measuring 39wks as of Friday. I go to the docs again on Thursday to get a sweep and hopes to go into labor. Contractions have been crazy over the past 2wks and this is my 3rd child. Labor dust to all

TammyJW - 7.5 hours ago
Ok, I just finished my fourth cinnamon roll. I am officially hating this sweet tooth! Haha

TammyJW - 7.5 hours ago
giftsfromgod - I'm the same way! I'm 38wks and 4 days and I measured 37 at my last appt. As long as the baby's healthy, I'm not complaining :)

3babysusan - 9.4 hours ago
i am so anxious for Friday to come! I have a schedlued c section.. the only sad thing is is i do not have a baby boy name yet:(((( I do not post much but read often.. good luck to everyone.

anna85 - 9.6 hours ago
My Little princess arrived 05/02/2010 :) Birth story is now up ladies. Hope you are all well and sending heaps of labour dust your way! xxoo

corrin - 10.7 hours ago
yeah i have the carpal tunnel too :( i just went and bought some clary sage oil. Im gonna take a bath in it tonight and have hubby give me a massage later!! Hoping it will intensify these contractions. Fingers crossed!!

Beluga - 11.1 hours ago
TammyJW ... I am located in Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh area)... My DH and I moved here in March 2009 just before our first daughter was born because my DH got transfered and I took a 2 year maternity leave from my job in Quebec... So, we are from the north of Quebec living now in the USA...

linzp1982 - 11.8 hours ago
i know how you feel corrin, i was hoping that my midwife would do a sweep since i have SPD, carpel tunnel syndrome (numb hands) and now my blood pressure has shot up. she said if i havent given birth by 41 wks she will sweep me. i was like jesus, what a load of crap!!! lets hope we go into labour soon huh :(

ProudMommy2Be18 - 12.2 hours ago
First day in week 38... and i am beyond exhausted around 1 this morning I was in a cleaning frenzy.. i couldnt stop once I started... my pelvic area has so much pressure I can hardly walk.. nt to mention sleepin well at night is a NO.. once I finally get comfortable there is a bathroom break ugh..lol.. waiting on doc appt friday i pray i have dilated more and effaced.. hw are u ladies doing?? i think my lil man has gotten to comfortable and refuse to come out even though he is already down and doc said she can def feel his head at last appt ..ladies please send me some labor dust.. i am gettin aggravated bc first due date was jan 28 but my baby wasnt growin so now it is feb 23 help me with some labor dust... ugh

corrin - 13.5 hours ago
so absolutly no change from last week :( dr was supposed to do a sweep but didnt so to say im upset is an understatement...i am just done with being pregnant..i cried the whole way home. I called about acupuncture..$105 a session..NOPE!! lol..so i am really considering trying the castor oil. I just cant do it anymore..both hands are numb..my right leg is numb...now it hurts to walk on my left leg because of babys position, any weighton that side is very painful. I am just done. Anyone have any expierance or know of any with the oil???

giftsfromgod - 13.6 hours ago
i had my last apointment this morning. they did not check me. the heartbeat is good, thats always nice to hear. im measuring 37 weeks even though im 38 1/2 weeks, anyone else like that? i cant wait till friday.

newmommy2b12345 - 13.9 hours ago
hello week 38!!! first day here! i am sooooo tired.... woke up feeling weak and not sure why... its not fun.. i wanna go back to bed but i have my 38 week appt today.. i am hoping to find out if i am dilated or effaced at all.. i want this lil boy to make his appearence soon!

linzp1982 - 14.5 hours ago
i feel like i have done a marathon, and was just thinking i dont think i would would have strength to give birth, ha! its like we all think the same. i also have some cramping, stabbing pains up my you know what and lower back ache. but i highly doubt that means anything other than another uncomfortable nights sleep :)

MammaFi - 14.6 hours ago
I am also feeling exhausted today. I had a good sleep last night (in between the bathroom breaks) but today I feel like I could sleep another 8 hours. I have a tiny bit of cramping today and a little back ache but not expecting much. I look like utter crap - like I haven't slept in a week!!

caitlyn12284 - 14.8 hours ago
is anyone else EXHAUSTED? I just got out of bed today and I feel like I could go back and sleep a few more hours. I dont know if I am trying to catch up since today is my day off from work or what...but I am wiped. Sounds strange but I hope my LO doesn't come out today cause I dont think I will have any energy...

3lilprincesses - 15.6 hours ago
Skipping ahead a day just had to tell everyone I am excited to see what happens, had my 38 week appt. this morning and I had my membranes stripped (and it didn't hurt). Wish me luck ladies, I really hope this works for me. I go to bed early because DH goes to work at 3:30am so we're in bed at like 8 no later than 9. Well I woke up at 11:30 with cramping and didn't go back to sleep till 4 am only to wake up again at 5:30! Having some cramping now, and had light bleeding but I really hope this baby comes soon, like today!!!! I just feel like bring on the pain! On the plus I am dilated to a 3 now, still 50% and baby is at -2.

michiganjenn - 15.6 hours ago
Beluga--I am so sorry! A week seems like a crazy long time at this point in our pregnancies. Schools, chrches and activities are being cancelled due to the winter storm here in MI. Keeping fingers crossed that my appt doesn't get cancelled too!

TammyJW - 15.8 hours ago
How's everyone feeling today? I've had some minor cramping and back aches, but nothing major. Only 10 more days until my due date! I really hope Riley decides to come early...

TammyJW - 15.8 hours ago
Beluga - Where are you located? We are getting another huge storm here in MD tonight. My doctor's office just called to confirm my appt for Thursday. I just hope the snow isnt too bad and they end up cancelling on me too :(

Beluga - 17.4 hours ago
Ladies, I am not lucky.... My doctor just cancelled my appointment until next week!!!! yes, I have to wait 7 days more!!!.... awwghhhh, there is a major winter storm warning and they will be closed starting today... so I have no choice other than wait till next Tuesday, unless that I go into labor before that.... awwwwwghhhhhh... I am going to go nuts!!!

sakred1 - 19.6 hours ago
I can only wish i was getting induced i', just at the end where i'm just really tired of being pregnant. I feel like i've been hit by a mac truck although i slept last night with the exceptional and unwanted bathroom breaks...i'm mad tired and just want to sleep more, hopefully while i'm in the hospital i can get that sleep time back..

giftsfromgod - 19.8 hours ago
getting ready to leave for last doc apointment before baby is born. i cant wait to be induced friday! only 3 days left. im not exited about all this snow though

ashleyd23 - 20.5 hours ago
2 weeks from today I will be induced if I don't have the baby before then. This is my second baby, I really don't have any feelings as far as if I will go early or not...I was induced 12 days early last time! Anyway still feeling good, can't bend over very well but all is well.

corrin - 20.7 hours ago
ALESHIA- my sons bday is feb 16th..which happens to be my parents anniversary . So i give them the best gift every year now!! lol..So i have a drs at 10..hopin that they tell me they will induce me this week. Now as of last night its very painful to walk on my left leg. He must be sitting on something. I feel like i should have a walker!!!! TAKE ME NOW!!! lol....

linzp1982 - 23.6 hours ago
went for 38 wk check up, my blood pressure that is normally low has shot up through the roof, and i have really swollen ankles and i have NEVER had this before :(

aleshiabeverly - 1 days ago
C-Section Date is set- February 16th, Aryah Jayne. (sounds like Mariah, w/o the M) Cant wait to hold her in my arms! :)

Beluga - 1 days ago
Still here!!! No pains at all.... awggggghhhh... Today I cleaned throughly my spotless home, shoveled some snow, prepared mexican food, did laundry, and nothing, nothing... I think my 10-month old baby daughter must think that her mommy has gone nuts!! hahahaha... My DH thinks that I have gone nuts too, he is worried that I have been cleaning a lot for the past few weeks... Cannot wait for tomorrow (my doctor's appointment)... in the meantime I try to keep myself busy... :-)

ProudMommy2Be18 - 1 days ago
skittle congratulations hope my lil one comes this week

sakred1 - 1 days ago
mama2b-nah i have itching because of the Step B, that's what they say although i have been itching pretty much this whole pregnancy i think i'm allergic to my discharge bc the itching came when the discharge came, but this is the first time during any of my pregnancy's i've been itching like this, i've never had this problem before so don't know if its normal but i sure as hell could do without it....hopefully i won't have to endure it much longer :)

mama2b-kay - 1 days ago
sakred1- I saw in one of your posts you said that you were itchy? Since yester I have been too and its driving me crazyyy is it normal? does this usually happen? I have a doc appointment tomorrow so I will ask her about it. and hopefully when i get my internal ill be some what dialted or effaced.. I had really bad pains last night but they were around 10 min apart, and now nothing really today. but hopefully soon!

sakred1 - 1 days ago
So i just ordered my bassinet with some sheets and a blanket lol with all this snow coming i only hope that i get it by this weekend lol

skittlebug - 1 days ago
Hello ladies!! I went to my 38 week appt. this morning. Had my stress test-no contractions, then they asked if I wanted the Dr. to check the progress....well duh! She checked, 3 cm dialated and 50% effaced. I asked her what we could do to get this party started, she said she could induce Saturday morning if I didnt have her by then.....so Saturday or sooner!! Thank god!! My whole pregnancy has been a breeze until these last few weeks, now it is just miserable!!

Elisha - 1 days ago
Went to the hospital today to have the baby moved to head down position since he was lying transverse Friday. He moved on his own back to head down! What a relief. :-)

sakred1 - 1 days ago
Kids have off next week if god loves me he'll let me go into labor friday :) and be home next week not having to worry about leaving the house then we can all spend the first week of the Caiden's life with him...:) hmmmm sounds like a god plan keep your fingers crossed!!!

giftsfromgod - 1 days ago
beluga- i hope your doc apointment goes well tomorrow too! the good thing is the day will come. i think it could be hard not knowing when its going to come and then hard too when you know as then your counting the days away. i find the best way to get through the day is to keep busy, but i know easyer said then done.

sakred1 - 1 days ago
Yeah so it's a no go..i told my doctor just induce me already i have a week left that i am not trying to go over so what's the difference?? I did do a sono and everything is great, i took my stress test, i think i was contracting i did see several spikes but felt nothing so i dunno, my dr didn't say anything and she didn't even check me either, however i didn't see the same person i saw last time, there are 4 mwvs and 3 drs where i go so.. Out of these three pregnancies i've only actually gone into labor once so the chances of me going on my own this time is 50/50. I'm not going over my due date, that is not even an option. So i've been sorting clothes for the past half hour, socks and such,and i did some cleaning this morning, got rid of a lot of my sister's junk that she had stored in my room, yup everything went right into the attic, had to make some space :) My next thing to tackle is the stores to get my storage bins/dresser and the bassinet. I might have to order the bassinet online though because i won't be able to get out to buy buy baby, it's in jersey which is about a 45 min ride for me so i dunno maybe i can send someone to get it for me...we'll see..How was you ladies day??

corrin - 2 days ago
i go to the doc tomorrow and shes doing a sweep. Im hoping this will get things going as i dont want a march baby at all!! Feb is good!! but my contractions that i was having have pretty much disappeared... i just want to be done ..yesterday!!

michiganjenn - 2 days ago
Beluga--U R not alone! I went into see doc on call becasue baby hasn't moved much over the weekend. They were able to get her moving with some kind of zapper tool. Then they did ultrasound to make sure there was good blood flow in the cord and enough fluid. Then checked 'progress' or lack thereof. She said 'nothing, still nothing.' I haven't even dropped completely, no dilation, no effacement and this is baby #2! I am soooooo beyond over it. Have regular checkup Wednesday and I better have some kind of change or I might go psycho.

TammyJW - 2 days ago
Beluga - Dont feel bad, I'm right there with you! I've had some cramping and a few back pains here and there, but really, I havent felt anything :( I'll be 39wks on Friday and I have a feeling my LO is quite comfortable in there, so who knows when she'll ever come. Has anyone been having a real sweet tooth lately? The past week or so, I've been eating like a cow and I've been craving all bad foods (fast food, ice cream, chips, etc) Will this harm the baby?

Beluga - 2 days ago
Still here!! No pains, no contractions, nothing, nada.... awgggggghhhhh... tomorrow I have my doctor's appointment too!!! I hope I can get things going... although I do not have anything to complain about, lol, lol, other than it has been long.... :-D

giftsfromgod - 2 days ago
4 days left and i see the doc tomorrow.. hoping for a good fast week.

caitlyn12284 - 2 days ago
I went bridesmaid dress shopping with my sisters yesterday (no clue why at 9 mo preggo, but thats another story :) ) and then went walking in the mall. Was feeling back pains and then when I got home I was having some painful contractions but it only lasted about 2 hours...I was SO hoping to wake up in the middle of the night and have my water break...But I am going today to the Dr. cause my BP was higher on Fri. so maybe it will still be on the high side and they will induce me...wishful thinking I guess...

sakred1 - 2 days ago
yeah i'm going to the doctors in a few hours and i hope she tells me that i can go in this week, if it wasn't for all the freaking aches and pains and stuffy nose and the itching below i could totally be pregnant for a long time lol...

orangutan - 2 days ago
hi all, i dont write often.. But had my little girl this morn by c-section. All is good and sophia jade smith a healthy 3.6kg. Good luck 2 all u ladies!

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Members in week 38:

3babysusan - 18 Feb 2010
amy1978 - 18 Feb 2010
bec1008 - 18 Feb 2010
Erin111 - 18 Feb 2010
giftsfromgod - 18 Feb 2010
Gretch - 18 Feb 2010
MelissaM25 - 18 Feb 2010
Mommy-of-4-Bugs - 18 Feb 2010
MyLittleDanish - 18 Feb 2010
patti24 - 18 Feb 2010
Beluga - 19 Feb 2010
HC-Mummy-Too-Be - 19 Feb 2010
HipwellBabynumber2 - 19 Feb 2010
Holl1583 - 19 Feb 2010
KalebsMomma11 - 19 Feb 2010
keshia-08 - 19 Feb 2010
LB BABY MOMMA - 19 Feb 2010
mama (: - 19 Feb 2010
MissBridgette - 19 Feb 2010
mistymisfit - 19 Feb 2010
MLV - 19 Feb 2010
nk - 19 Feb 2010
Shawna-Rae - 19 Feb 2010
Youngmomma17 - 19 Feb 2010
Excited4Babies - 20 Feb 2010
I-am-blessed - 20 Feb 2010
kamaday - 20 Feb 2010
KristinMichelle - 20 Feb 2010
laulie - 20 Feb 2010
Leisl - 20 Feb 2010
malia65 - 20 Feb 2010
MammaFi - 20 Feb 2010
Mrs H UK - 20 Feb 2010
nychellay - 20 Feb 2010
RedMama2010 - 20 Feb 2010
sakred1 - 20 Feb 2010
saso12 - 20 Feb 2010
sharon578 - 20 Feb 2010
Skittle - 20 Feb 2010
skittlebug - 20 Feb 2010
toangelbabies - 20 Feb 2010
AvasMommy228 - 21 Feb 2010
babychavez - 21 Feb 2010
caitlyn12284 - 21 Feb 2010
Caydosmommy08 - 21 Feb 2010
corrin - 21 Feb 2010
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Evadne - 21 Feb 2010
FullOfLife2010 - 21 Feb 2010
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LouLou - 21 Feb 2010
mama2b-Kay - 21 Feb 2010
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AleshiaBeverly - 22 Feb 2010
fizzypop2010 - 22 Feb 2010
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MandyGirl11 - 22 Feb 2010
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smallmommy - 22 Feb 2010
tummy bump - 22 Feb 2010
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The due date from members in week 38 is from Thursday 18 February 2010 up to & including Wednesday 24 February 2010. See the full timeline here

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