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38 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby, Your Body and What to Do
Your baby's organs are ready, and the final touches are being added.
Before you use this guide: Pregnancy weeks are counted from the first day of your last period. Sizes are rough averages, and healthy babies vary. This is general information, not an individual medical assessment, so please confirm personal health decisions with your doctor or midwife.
How your baby is growing
Your baby's organs are mature and ready to work, though the brain and lungs keep developing. Your baby has a good layer of fat and, in many cases, a head of hair. Meconium, the first dark poo, is building up in the gut and will pass after birth.
Your baby is probably settled low in your pelvis. If your baby has not yet turned, your midwife will discuss your options.
How you may be feeling
You may feel heavy and uncomfortable, with trouble sleeping, aching hips and frequent Braxton Hicks tightenings. Some people have strong nesting urges. Mixed emotions are normal, from excitement to nerves and impatience.
Your to-do list for week 38
- Spend time with your partner and loved ones, and take a rest day.
- Keep eating and drinking regularly, even if you feel full.
- Practise your breathing and comfortable positions, such as hands and knees or leaning over a birth ball.
- Make sure your birth partner knows the plan and who to call.
When to ask for help
If you are not sure whether you are in labour, call your maternity unit or midwife for advice. They would always rather you called than stayed at home worrying.
For heavy bleeding, severe pain, fluid leaking, a severe headache with vision changes, or a baby who is moving less than usual, do not wait for your next appointment. Contact your midwife, doctor or maternity unit straight away. Our guide to pregnancy warning signs has more detail.
Not sure which week you are in? Use the due-date calculator to estimate your due date and current week.
Useful at this stage: pregnancy weight gain calculator, baby movement counter, hospital-bag checklist and contraction timer.
Trusted resources to read next
These public health resources provide additional information. Guidance can vary by country, so prioritise advice from your own care team and local health service.
- NHS: Pregnancy — Pregnancy care, common symptoms, screening and complications.
- NHS: Week-by-week pregnancy guide — Pregnancy development and care by week.
This content is for general information only and is not medical advice. Every pregnancy and every baby is different. Always talk to your doctor, midwife or paediatrician about your own situation, and seek urgent care if you are worried.