Week 38 of pregnancy
Week 38 is in the last stretch. Much of what's left for the baby is maturing and putting on weight.
How the baby is getting ready
The soft hair called lanugo is mostly gone, and the bowels are storing meconium, the baby's first poop. [1]
How your body may feel
Your midwife or doctor will measure your bump and check your blood pressure and urine for signs of pre-eclampsia. [1]
Everyone's pregnancy is different. If something worries you, call your midwife or doctor.
Worth doing now
Ask what happens if you go past 41 weeks. You may be offered an induction. [1]
Questions you could bring to your next appointment
- What should I do if the baby's movements change?
- Which signs mean it's time to call or come in?
- Can we go through my birth preferences?
Questions
What if the baby's movements change?
The NHS says to call your midwife or maternity unit straight away if the baby is moving less than usual or the pattern changes. Don't wait until the next day, even in the middle of the night.
Do movements slow down near the end?
They shouldn't. The NHS says you should feel your baby move right up to and during labor. There's no set number of kicks to count: get to know your baby's usual pattern.
Is my baby exactly this size?
Probably not exactly. The length is the average the NHS gives for this week, and the weight is the middle value (50th percentile) of the WHO fetal growth charts. Your scan results are the ones that count.
Sources
- NHS: 38 weeks pregnant guide Checked October 30, 2026
- NHS: Your baby's movements Checked October 30, 2026
- WHO: The World Health Organization fetal growth charts (Kiserud et al., PLoS Medicine 2017), table 11: estimated fetal weight Checked October 30, 2026
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