This week, your baby is finally considered fully developed and is therefore ready for birth. Are you ready too, or will you soon miss your round baby bump? Read on to find out what awaits you in this (possibly last) week of your pregnancy.
How big is your baby in the 38th week of pregnancy?
Your baby is about 33 centimeters long this week and roughly the same size as a leek. The crown-to-heel length is approximately 48 centimeters.
38th week of pregnancy: What's changing for you
Your uterus has reached its full size this week and is lying flat in the womb. Since your vaginal area is now better supplied with blood, you may notice increased discharge. If there is also a little reddish-brown blood, it could be your mucus plug, which gradually dissolves as the cervix slowly opens. This so-called "show" can be a sign that labor is imminent. If you experience heavy bleeding or feel that labor is starting, you should contact your doctor.
Other symptoms that may occur this week include nausea, fatigue, urinary urgency, and itching on the abdomen due to stretching skin. Diarrhea may also occur if your uterus contracts and relaxes again during early, mild contractions.
During the weekly check-up, your doctor mainly checks whether your placenta is still providing good nourishment to your baby and whether there is enough amniotic fluid. This is important to ensure your baby is well cared for until the end of pregnancy.
The stages of labor
Now that birth can begin at any time, it can help to tune in once more and become aware of what to expect during a natural birth. Most births start with the latent phase, during which initial contractions open your cervix up to three centimeters, but they may also subside again. Only when the contractions persist and occur regularly every 20 to 30 minutes do you enter the active phase, the longest phase of labor. Once the contractions occur every three to six minutes, it is time to notify your midwife or go to the hospital.
Next comes the short but intense transition phase, which fully opens your cervix and leads into the pushing stage. During the pushing phase, your baby gradually moves through the birth canal and is finally born. But the birth isn't quite over yet, because the afterbirth phase follows, during which the placenta is expelled with the help of afterbirth contractions. Does all of this sound quite theoretical at first? In the article “ ” you can read in detail what each phase entails and what happens to your body during this time.
38th week of pregnancy: Your baby's development
Your baby's bones continue to harden thanks to the calcium his body receives from you. This week, his liver has completed your child's blood formation. In addition, his body is now beginning to produce cortisol, the hormone that prepares him for independent breathing. Your baby's rhythm in the womb already matches that of a newborn: he drinks (amniotic fluid), excretes urine, and sleeps.
Most babies have now assumed their final birth position and have settled firmly into the pelvis, so Braxton Hicks contractions no longer occur. However, if your baby is not in a cephalic presentation but is positioned in a way that could make a natural birth dangerous for both of you, a planned cesarean section will probably be scheduled at this point. Planned cesarean sections are often scheduled as early as the 38th week of pregnancy to prevent labor from starting prematurely. If this is the case for you, you will soon be welcoming your baby into the world! You can find everything in our magazine article on the topic.
This is now important
Don't worry if you no longer feel the familiar baby movements. Since your baby has now moved deep into your pelvis, there is very little room to move, and you may not feel the movements as intensely as you did a few weeks ago.
Have you and your partner already decided on a name? After the birth, you have up to 7 days in Germany to officially register your baby's name at the registry office. If you're still looking, simply swipe comfortably from your sofa through the name finder of the LILLYDOO App and find your perfect match.
Remember what you learned in your childbirth preparation course, and bring to mind breathing and relaxation techniques. If you want, you can also try out the different birth positions to see what options are available and which ones you might feel comfortable with.
Tip from LILLYDOO Midwife Sissi
Birth is a process, and especially with your first child, it can take quite some time from the first contractions to the moment your baby sees the light of day. During this time, you need strength. Therefore, have a light meal at the start of contractions, drink plenty, and try to rest a little as long as the contractions allow.
With our pregnancy calendar, we want to accompany you through this exciting time and provide you with relevant information, also through exchange with our
