Full term. Your baby is fully cooked and could arrive any day now. Fingernails have grown past the fingertips, the grip is firm, and the digestive system is stocked with meconium (baby’s first stool) ready for after birth.
Common symptoms at 38 weeks pregnant
- Loss of the mucus plug
- Bloody show — pink or brown-streaked mucus
- Diarrhoea as the body clears for labour
- Increased pelvic pressure and a strong waddle
- Contractions that grow longer and stronger
Tips for week 38
- Rest, hydrate, and eat small nourishing meals so you have energy in reserve for labour.
- Review the birth plan with your partner — flexibility matters more than perfection.
- Practise slow-breathing exercises daily to build the muscle memory you will use in labour.
- Stay off intense internet reading late at night — trust your body and your team.
This week's checklist
- Finalise the birth plan
- Confirm hospital-bag contents
- Pre-load emergency contact numbers
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between real and false labour?
False labour (Braxton-Hicks) is irregular and stops with rest. Real labour contractions get stronger, longer, and closer together, and do not stop.
Can I do anything to speed up labour?
Walking, gentle stair-climbing, and a warm bath can help if labour is imminent. Nipple stimulation and sex are traditional ideas — talk to your provider before trying.
Should I be worried if baby is quieter?
Babies do slow down slightly in the last weeks because they have less room, but the pattern of movement should stay the same. Call your provider for any drop.
When to call your provider
Most weeks of pregnancy pass without alarm, but a small set of symptoms always deserves urgent attention. Call your doctor or head to the nearest maternity emergency room straight away for any of the following:
- Heavy, bright-red vaginal bleeding or the passage of clots
- Severe headache with visual changes, upper-abdominal pain, or sudden facial swelling
- Any leaking of fluid before 37 weeks or a sudden gush of fluid at any week
- A clear drop in your baby’s usual pattern of kicks, or fewer than 10 movements in two hours during their active window
- Fever above 38 °C, painful urination, or one-sided calf swelling
Where week 38 sits in the third trimester
The third trimester begins at week 28 and ends at birth. Baby gains most of their weight now, senses sharpen, and your body prepares for labour with practice contractions and hormonal shifts. Sleep gets trickier and appointments become weekly by the end. Week 38 is one step closer to meeting your baby.
Educational content — not a substitute for medical care. Contact your obstetric provider urgently for heavy bleeding, severe headache with visual changes, one-sided leg swelling, upper-abdominal pain, reduced fetal movement, or any concern that feels wrong to you.