How to recognize the birth commencing at the 38th week of pregnancy? Can stomach ache be one of the harbingers of childbirth in the 38th week of pregnancy? What is the baby's weight at 38 weeks of pregnancy and can it be an indication for a cesarean section? Change in the color of vaginal discharge towards the end of pregnancy - when should it be alarming? If you are interested in what happens to the pregnant woman and the baby in the 38th week of pregnancy, see our post.
We begin the 38th week of pregnancy: labor is fast approaching
These are the last moments before childbirth, which can now happen at any moment!
Being 38 weeks pregnant (37.1-38 tc), the woman is 9 months old, which is the final stage of the third trimester.
From this week onwards, a pregnancy is considered full-term (from 37 weeks gestation). Many pregnant women feel internally torn. On the one hand, they experience immense relief – the certainty that the baby is fully developed and ready to meet the world. On the other hand, the bothersome discomfort of 38 weeks of pregnancy has many women eagerly counting down the days until delivery, eagerly anticipating the moment they meet their baby.
How to relieve stress before giving birth in the 38th week of pregnancy?
During this time, it's worth revisiting the exercises from childbirth classes. Especially breathing techniques and positions to ease pain during uterine contractions. The website of the hospital you choose for your delivery offers a detailed list of equipment available for non-pharmacological pain relief during labor, such as a large ball, a bean bag, or a birthing chair. Many pregnant women also search the Internet for information about a given medical facility. At 38 weeks pregnant, online forums and the comments they contain can raise many concerns in expectant mothers.
It's important to remember that every birth is slightly different, and each woman has her own individual requirements and preferences. These can differ significantly and influence widely differing opinions about a given hospital. Just before giving birth, it's a good idea to reread your birth plan, review the contents of your hospital bag one last time, and visit the "news" section on the website of your chosen medical facility.
38 weeks pregnant: baby's weight, appearance and readiness to be born
During this stage of pregnancy, the baby is fully formed and ready to function independently outside the mother's belly.
The child's weight at 38 weeks of pregnancy ranges from 3000 to 3500 grams, and its body length is approx. 50 cm. These parameters are strongly correlated with the genetics of the fetus and environmental factors, including with the lifestyle, diseases or anatomical conditions of the pregnant woman. If the child weighs more than 4,5 kg, it is considered a fetal macrosomia, which may indicate a cesarean section.
A baby born at 38 weeks of pregnancy looks like a full-term newborn. Therefore, only a trained medical professional can tell that a given baby was born two weeks before 40 weeks. A baby is not considered premature at this time, so if their health allows, a 38-week-old baby spends the entire hospital stay at their mother's side (or rather, at their breast).
Can my baby's movements be less frequent in the 38th week of pregnancy?
The fetus has very little space in the uterus, so its activity is severely limited to infrequent, single "kicks." A pregnant woman's abdomen often shows distinct bulges. Some parents can even tell if their baby has moved a leg or arm.
At 38 weeks gestation, your baby's poor movements may be worrying if they happen less than 10 times in an hour. It is best to conduct observation 3 times a day, after main meals, lying on the left side.
It is also worth visiting a doctor as soon as possible if you notice strong movements of the baby in the 38th week of pregnancy. And it is not about an extremely unpleasant kick, but an unnaturally increased activity of the fetus, which may be due to, inter alia, about his hypoxia.
Any disturbing changes in the baby's activity in the mother's womb should be discussed with a doctor, who will perform a CTG (cardiotocography) to professionally assess the fetus's well-being. Low amniotic fluid levels at 38 weeks of pregnancy are also a physiological symptom due to the baby's large size in the uterus. However, if the doctor detects oligohydramnios (amniotic fluid volume less than 200 ml), further medical treatment will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Symptoms at 38 weeks of pregnancy: stomach ache "as per period", difficulty sleeping and frequent visits to the toilet
Towards the end of pregnancy, many women's abdomens begin to drop (this can happen several weeks, and for some pregnant women, a few days, before delivery). Shortness of breath decreases, and it's finally possible to take a deep breath.
The gradual descent of the uterus and the baby's head into the birth canal cause many pregnant women to complain of lower abdominal pain , resembling menstrual discomfort, during the 38th week of pregnancy. This is a completely normal symptom at this stage of pregnancy. At the same time, the descent of the uterus puts pressure on the bladder, urging the expectant mother to visit the bathroom frequently.
Despite these inconveniences, proper hydration (at least 2 liters of fluids per day) should not be forgotten. This is important for the health of both the pregnant woman and her baby. During the 38th week of pregnancy, abdominal pain at night, which may be caused by the gradual shortening of the cervix, can make it difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position. When lying on your side, it's a good idea to place an extra pillow or rolled-up blanket between your legs. You can also purchase a special pregnancy pillow to facilitate a comfortable night's rest.
Childbirth in the 38th week of pregnancy: when to go to the hospital?
Most first-time mothers worry that they won't be able to recognize the moment labor begins and need to go to the hospital. Panicked, they search for information about how labor begins at 38 weeks. Online forums on most parenting websites are often full of contradictory information on this topic. This is usually due to the fact that every pregnant woman is unique , with slightly different pain thresholds, anatomical conditions, and pregnancy itself.
Remember that every woman gives birth to many things in common, as well as individual differences.
When does the 38th week of pregnancy actually begin and should you go to the hospital?
We should go to the birth ward when the following occurs:
- bleeding from the genital tract;
- the green amniotic fluid drains away;
- departure of amniotic fluid. They are transparent in color and have a slightly sweet smell. After the amniotic fluid has broken, we go to the hospital within 6-8 hours maximum. If the pregnant woman has a positive GBS result, go to the hospital as soon as possible;
- regular uterine contractions. The contractions are very painful and often radiate to the loins. At the beginning, they occur on average every 30 minutes, and their frequency increases with time. When the first contractions occur, take a warm shower, massage the loins and rest a lot. We go to the maternity ward if the contractions occur in the sequence: 3 contractions per 10 min. In the case of a multiparous woman (a woman giving birth again), we go to the hospital faster, because the delivery may proceed faster than in the case of a primiparous woman;
- detachment of the mucous plug (usually it has a slightly brown or slightly bloody color), but only when it is accompanied by regular contractions of the uterus. The mucus plug may detach even a few days before the birth, and therefore it should be remembered that if it is not accompanied by any other symptoms, there is no need to go to the hospital immediately;
- in some women, the above symptoms of labor accompanied by diarrhea and nausea.
We also go to the hospital urgently when we notice a change in the activity of the fetus (lack of movements or abnormally high mobility).
It's best to watch your baby's movements 3 times a day, after the main meals, lying on its side. Within an hour, the pregnant woman should feel min. 10 "kicks" of the child.
Examination at 38 weeks of pregnancy
During this time, it's a good idea to visit your doctor one last time before delivery, who will evaluate the tests you've ordered: a complete blood count and a urinalysis . If you notice yellow discharge in your 38th week of pregnancy, inform your gynecologist, as it may indicate a vaginal infection.
During your appointment, you'll also undergo a gynecological examination to assess your cervix. It should remain firm and long throughout your pregnancy (although this varies from woman to woman and requires regular checkups). A soft cervix at 38 weeks of pregnancy, significantly shortened cervix, and slightly dilated cervix are signs of imminent labor.
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Anna Milewska Senior specialist in the Department of Assessment and Cooperation Development, Institute of Mother and Child
Consultation :
Ph.D. n. med. prof. IMID Tadeusz Issat - Head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic at the Institute of Mother and Child;
Maria Krowicka-Wasyl – resident physician during specialization in gynecology and obstetrics, Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Institute of Mother and Child.
