You are 38 weeks pregnant.

1-3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39
40 41 42
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 101-149 of about 224 from week 38
5 messages have been added in the last 24 hours.
Previous 1 2 3 4 Next
Show latest comments from all weeks

Lyndsaylou - 17 days ago
mgoodly hurrah another polyhydramnios person! i've got too much fluid, and did with my last baby. whatever you do don't stick it in google lol! it only tells you the worst case scenarios! if your doc isn't worrying about it, that means it's a mild case and probably there's no good reason for it. they do the glucose tolerance test on you? for some women it CAN be a sign of gestational diabetes but i didn't get that with either pregnancy. what it meant for me was that when my waters broke it was like a fecking flood! followed by another flood five mins later...and another! also my tummy visibly shrank the minute they broke. it didn't really cause any difference to my labour. i have heard that if the waters don't go straight away, that the baby's head isn't sitting on the cervix, so that can mean contractions aren't opening it up. it can also mean we'll go a little bit early, but my little girl was only 3 days early, nothing dramatic so don't get your hopes up!

Pocahontas - 17 days ago
mgoodly - hope baby will be here soon and happy mother's day to you too :)

mgoodly - 18 days ago
Well ladies, this is my last week being pregnant. I will be given birth to my daughter on Monday May 13th.. If I dont go naturally thats the plan. I have been having a crazy contractions. They hve been strong and far apart then weak and every 10 mins.. I feel like im kind of losing it...lol they are so strong as soon as I turn in to go to bed.. Its so annoying.. What does it mean if you have to much fluid? I am being told I have a lot of fluid, but im not being told if this is a good thing or a bad thing.. Well, if im not on here before Sunday, Happy Mothers day to all of you ladies in every week.. Be blessed and enjoy your day.. Mothers are a special type...

lizzy831 - 18 days ago
crazy dreams here. every night!

Pocahontas - 18 days ago
Congratulations with all the births! Labour dust to the rest.

tiff93 - 19 days ago
Sugarbaby-So lucky! Wow Joelyne! Congratulations! I feel as if I'll be pregnant forever. Friday I got checked again & was just 1.5cm & 75% effaced. Which isn't bad, but it's not what I hoped for. I do not feel my contractions, last 2 dr visits she said I was having them, but I couldn't feel anything. She said some women don't. Hhmmm... Physically/mentally I am just completely wore out & ready for her to be here(as soon as Friday afternoon hits!) Dr said her ideal date for me is between the 10-12th(12th is Mother's Day) Sounds great to me! My back is killing me & I've been having the strangest/scariest dreams, I wake up so bothered. Anybody else having crazy dreams?

Lyndsaylou - 19 days ago
i know what you mean kristyn :( i feel like i've been doing so much whingeing, but my sister in law is trying so hard to get pregnant and has had 3 miscarriages! that's what this site is for though, hey? everyone here knows what we're going through and won't judge us for wanting our bodies back!

kristynj - 20 days ago
I feel like my ribcage is going to implode...my belly is pulling downwards so hard its kind of squeezing my ribs together! I also feel like my hips are being pushed apart & my tailbone is bruised! Anyone feeling stuff like this? I was under the impression second pregnancies are easier than the first but im proven wrong!! I feel like I've put in enough time, enough pain, sleepless nights, blood, sweat & tears! I feel bad complaining about this stuff, when there's so many women who would do just about anything to feel what im feeling...to feel the good things like baby moving...AND even feel the bad things like the pain. I guess I should start counting my blessings...

irishgirl44 - 20 days ago
i dont feel like this baby is coming any time soon at all i have to say! i didnt loose my mucus plug with my son well i didnt see it.. nothing this time either.. come on baby

irishgirl44 - 20 days ago
joelyn congrats on baby boy how exciting becomes real when the babies all start being born... my surprise sorry about all this stress.. all you want is for that baby to come out healthy. i know the idea of a c section is freaky but then again so does having a 10 lbs baby any which way.. hope it all goes well for you lovely x

Kristynj - 21 days ago
Mysurprise-I, too have to get a c-section done (again) but for different reasons...and when I get home have to take care of my 20 month old. So I hear ya!! I'm glad she could walk because I can't lift anything heavy after the surgery...i think they say nothing over 10 lbs. I had a c-section with my first due to complications during labor...the recovery was a little rough & uncomfortable. Its scary when u dont know what to expect...but im scared cuz i DO know what to expect!! But during my first c-sect, once I heard my dd cry I could care less what the doc was doing. I won't lie...its a hard recovery. But baby will be safe & healthy!! Just remember, you're a strong momma!! Dont under-estimate your strength & what you can make it through!!

mysurprise - 21 days ago
So I had another apt yesterday...baby's belly is measuring 43weeks! The rest of him is measuring right on target...so a big belly, wide shoulders, and a high fluid level all indicate that I have gestational diabetes, and it must have developed after 26wks b/c I passed all my glucose tests. Damn PCOS...my doc wants to deliver by C-sect on Tuesday, I'm deathly afraid of a C-sect, but doc said if I try a vaginal birth, there is a chance he could get stuck and break his collar bone [Shoulder distotia (sp?)] I'll have to take care of 3 babies (4, 19mo., and newborn) when I get home all alone, while recovering from major surgery, so I'm totally freaking out over here :(

mysurprise - 21 days ago
Congratulations Joelyne!!!

Kristynj - 21 days ago
joelyne-congratulations on your baby boy!! Hope u have a quick recovery!! Sugarbaby-how exciting thing are moving along!! Hopefully soon you'll have your baby!!

joelyne - 21 days ago
Hi ladies, I gave birth to Victor on May 3rd 2013 @ 7:16pm he weighed 7lbs 10 oz. 19 inches I was Induced after being seen at my 38 week appt. Please of swelling & High Blood Pressure otherwise known as Preeclampsia. He delivery was absolutely drug free. Well I didn't have any pain meds. Pictures will be posted later.

sugarbaby1980teamblue - 22 days ago
I've been losing my mucus plug all day I guess that's a good sign. I have pressure too, lots of it.

Kristynj - 22 days ago
Pressure, pressure, pressure! Too many nights of constantly waking up having to use the washroom...now contractions are getting painful...theyre in my back & they always seem to stop when im about to call the doctor!?! Baby starts moving a LOT when contractions stop too!! Does this happen to anyone else? Goodnight!!

sugarbaby1980teamblue - 22 days ago
Tiff I stopped working on April 15th! :)

tiff93 - 22 days ago
Mysurprise-Wow! Good luck today, I hope everything goes well for you and baby. 38 Week check up today, hope I've progressed since last appt. I was 1cm 50%. I am ready to be done with this pregnancy thing! LOL But not for another week because my last day of work isn't until the 10th. Anyone else still working? Do I share my misery?

vikingbabies - 22 days ago
This waiting and knowing it could be any day is torture! My girls came fast in week 34 and so I had no time for this waiting game, it was all such a surprise! Now I really want to meet this little person! Going now to the midwife...

sugarbaby1980teamblue - 23 days ago
Mysurprise, is that your biggest baby so far of all your pregnancies? At least there is a light at the end of the tunnel for you. :)

mysurprise - 23 days ago
Not so good ladies. I had my ultrasound this morning, baby looks great, but he's measuring 40+ weeks and is estimated at 9lbs 6oz...the on-call doctor called me this afternoon because he got the report before my doctor did, he said he's much too big for gestational age, and we'll talk induction at my apt tomorrow morning ::sigh::

sugarbaby1980teamblue - 23 days ago
I'm at 38 +4. Doing squats, walking up and down my stairs, trying everything to get this party started. I feel that pulsing thing on my cervix too and every time it happens I say to myself, oh please let my water break.

irishgirl44 - 23 days ago
hi sugarbaby.. still here too.. 38 + 5 now.. think i am in for the long haul. my attempted sweep did not work.. i keep feeling like pulsing down in my cervix no lightning crotch as such but feeling very heavy and big..

sugarbaby1980teamblue - 23 days ago
Good morning everyone. Still here.

irishgirl44 - 23 days ago
congrats on baby sam ... i think i am in for the long haul with this baby..

mysurprise - 24 days ago
Congrats Candida!!! My doc apt today was a major disappointment :( I haven't progressed since last week, still 3-4cm and my contractions have somewhat slowed down gosh darn it! Out of 7 pregnancies, this one is officially my longest! Come on baby boy!!!

Kristynj - 24 days ago
Irishgirl-happy birthday!! Congratulations Candida!! Best of luck to u & your family!!

CandidaAndPaul - 24 days ago
Samuel Paul Lagasse was born at 12:17 on the 30th and weighed 6lb 6 ozs.

sugarbaby1980teamblue - 24 days ago
Having period like cramps when I sleep but then when I wake up and start moving around they go away. Come on baby!

irishgirl44 - 24 days ago
woke up with the worst back pain last night for a couple of hrs took paracetamol and a heat back and finally got back to sleep for a few hrs. its my 30th today would love it if he wanted to come today xo

Kristynj - 25 days ago
Well I go in tomorrow morning for my doctor appt. She's going to do an internal exam...for some reason I feel like I won't be dilated or softened, AT ALL! Even though I've had so many pains & contractions, and not to mention the dreadful lightening crotch! Anyone know if that stuff REALLY matters? Lady luck has never really been in my corner when it comes to this stuff! I still have hope...wish me luck!

sonic - 25 days ago
Good luck Candida. Lordy, can't believe we're all nearly at the end of this journey. Did my last gym class last night as I want to spend the last week and half with my son before the chaos. This hoping for a little early delivery I think is wishful thinking. Hope all you ladies are doing well and love popping in each day, even if I don't comment.

sugarbaby1980teamblue - 25 days ago
Just saw the doc and I'm only 1cm. So frustrated. Congrats candida!

irishgirl44 - 25 days ago
oh my gosh candida yay .. good luck with the baby cant wait to hear the update.. my attempted sweep did not work i am still here ;-) x

Kristynj - 26 days ago
Good luck Candida!! Wishes for a fast, safe & easy labor...prayers for a healthy baby!! CONGRATULATIONS!!

mysurprise - 26 days ago
Awesome Candida! Good Luck!!! :)

CandidaAndPaul - 26 days ago
Well my sweep worked, DH is bringing the kids to his moms now and I plan on heading to the hospital within the next hour or 2. Contraction are about 7 minutes apart.

CandidaAndPaul - 26 days ago
Irish- I had mine today (2 hours ago) and I was 3 cm, but this is our 5th so he said that its usually easier to do a sweep with each baby. I am feeling VERY crampy and uncomfortable now though :(

irishgirl44 - 26 days ago
i feel so weird tonight. i had my attempted sweep today, i say attempted cause hse said she really couldnt do it she said i was 1 cm dilated and soft cervix babies head is engaged which is good for a 2nd pregnancy . ive had curry , pineapple and raspberry leaf tea.. walked around the shopping center so thats about all i can do today! i feel a bit sick now though . not cramping or anything just feel sick!

brookeecookee - 27 days ago
Good gosh the hormones! I've been fairly even all along, with only a few crazy moments, until this past week. Its all I can do to keep myself together. Today I'm a sob monster. Ugh! And I'm getting nervous about how this is all going to go down. I can't imagine how OC planning women handle the not knowing when its going to happen. Keep reminding myself its what every woman goes through.

irishgirl44 - 27 days ago
congratulations lovely name.. hope you get better soon xox

Kristynj - 28 days ago
Congratulations momoffour!! Hope your bp goes back to normal so you can have some bonding time with your little one!

mysurprise - 28 days ago
MOMoffour38 ~~~Congratulations! My last baby was born at exactly 37 weeks and he was 7lbs 13oz lol they're considered full term at that point happy to hear she's doing well...you hang in there. I've had pre eclampsia with my other 3 pregnancies, I was told to lay on my left side (Even tho I already had my baby) And that seems to help your blood pressure, worked for me anyways...congrats again! :)

Momoffour38 - 28 days ago
Hey everyone hope all is well I had my baby at 37 weeks, I was due on may 5th. Had a baby girl named her Bella Raine Alexander...6 pounds 4 ounces. Very rough pregnancy very painful. The pressure never let up in my pelvic area and in my back. My mucus plug had been coming out for over a month then finally the bloody show. After the bloody show, i had her 34 hours later. My water bag broke at 7:30 am and I had her at 10:25am 3hours of intense labor. I begged for an epidural...i was at 4 centimeters when i got to the hospital. in 15 mins i went from 4 to 10 centimeters. 2 pushes later she was born. She was 3 weeks early but she still weighed 6 pounds 4 ounces. I haven't been able to enjoy being with her because i keep getting hospitalized for high blood pressure. Just want to say good luck to all of you and god bless

sugarbaby1980teamblue - 29 days ago
I am strep b positive again so I have to go to the hospital as soon as my water breaks. Anyone else?

mommys2miracles - 29 days ago
Ugh...ive been feeling sick to my stomach, heartburn and sporadic contractions all day...not sure if this is the start of something ot if im feeling the after affects of some hot wings and pizza o ate yesterday :/

mommys2miracles - 29 days ago
Irishgirl44- Im really thinking about getting some tea. Just been inserting the oil daily so far.

mommys2miracles - 29 days ago
brookeecookee- yes! That is exactly what I feel.crazy thing is when I get up and walk around im just fine after a moment.

mommys2miracles - 29 days ago
Lyndsaylou- thanks for the advice..that actually sounds like it would feel so good to go to chiropractor. But im hoping to just hang in there..since I only have 9 days until my due date...my do said she would induce me as soon as the next day along as my cervix was favorable. At 36wks I was 2-3cms and 40% effaced..hopefully that's considered favorable enough..and maybe I've progressed some more as well.Fingers and toes crossed!

More weeks:
1-3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39
40 41 42
Born & Birth stories

More comments:
Previous 1 2 3 4 Next

Recent comments:
Recent comments from all weeks

Leave a comment

Abbreviations used

Only members cam leave comments.
Sign up free

In which week/month am I?
Calculate your due date, how many weeks you are along and see how big your baby has grown!

Members in week 38:

MercyLew - 02 Jun 2013
sarahinoz - 02 Jun 2013
Ethanmyangel - 03 Jun 2013
Jamesonsmamma - 03 Jun 2013
jennster - 03 Jun 2013
Court1008 - 04 Jun 2013
junebear2 - 04 Jun 2013
Babybean~no5 - 05 Jun 2013
dssmonoka - 05 Jun 2013
HappyManda - 05 Jun 2013
lilmommafuller - 05 Jun 2013
mom2beof5 - 05 Jun 2013
RowdyRandi - 05 Jun 2013
AZW0710 - 06 Jun 2013
Bgscoobyluver - 06 Jun 2013
excitedmommytobeag... - 06 Jun 2013
rinstar77 - 06 Jun 2013
SunShyne11 - 06 Jun 2013
Cherry - 08 Jun 2013
itty-bitty - 8 Jun 2013

The due date from members in week 38 is from Sunday 2 June 2013 up to & including Saturday 8 June 2013. See the full timeline here

Not on the list?
This list is updated twice a day. The list shows members who were online within the last 14 days at the time it was generated. It may take up to 12 hours before you see your name after you've made changes to your due date or if you haven't been online for 14 days or more.