Your Pregnancy at Week 38

For your body, the main thing that will be happening at this point, is that your baby will begin dropping into your pelvis further, which in turn brings benefits such as easier breathing, but also brings with it increased pelvic pressure.

You may also find that you begin experiencing some of the things you would usually expect to have during the early stages of motherhood. Most notably, leaky breasts! Time to crack out the breast pads and start colostrum harvesting if you haven't already. Here’s everything you’ll need for colostrum harvesting.

You may be experiencing some additional vaginal discharge and could lose your mucous plug at any time. This gooey glob of mucous has been plugging the cervix for the past 9 months, keeping everything inside. Don't be alarmed, it can have traces of blood in it and is gross, but it's all part and parcel. If you have any suspicions that your waters have broken, you must give the hospital a call. Has your baby's eviction notice been served, we wonder?         

Below is a list of pregnancy symptoms commonly experienced during week 38

Constipation and/or Haemorrhoids: In week 38, constipation might be getting worse again due to the pressure of the growing uterus on the intestines. This can lead to haemorrhoids, which are swollen blood vessels in the rectal area, causing discomfort and sometimes bleeding during bowel movements. Make sure you’re staying hydrated and try to get some more fibre into your diet if you’re suffering from this. Head here for more on constipation during pregnancy.

Heartburn: As your baby grows, the uterus puts pressure on your stomach, leading to heartburn. This uncomfortable burning sensation in the chest occurs when stomach acid flows back into the oesophagus. Here’s more on heartburn during pregnancy.

Stretch Marks: By week 38, your abdomen has likely expanded significantly to accommodate your growing baby, resulting in stretch marks. These pink, red, or purple streaks on the skin occur due to the stretching of the underlying tissues. They’re completely normal, but keeping up with moisturising or using stretch mark cream can help reduce the appearance. 

Swelling or Bloating: Swelling, especially in the feet and ankles, is common in the third trimester due to increased fluid retention. Bloating may also persist as the uterus continues to expand, putting pressure on the digestive organs. Be easy on yourself, and try elevating your feet in the evenings to ease the swelling.

Nesting: As your due date approaches, you may experience bursts of energy and an overwhelming urge to prepare for your baby's arrival. This nesting instinct can involve organising the nursery, washing baby clothes, and tidying up the home in week 38. Don’t attempt anything too energy-intensive!

Braxton Hicks: You may experience more frequent Braxton Hicks contractions in week 38, or experience them for the first time. These practice contractions help prepare your uterus for labour by toning the muscles, but they are typically irregular and less intense than real contractions. Here’s more on what to expect from contractions.

Increased Vaginal Discharge: As your body prepares for labour, you may notice an increase in vaginal discharge. This discharge, called leukorrhea, is usually thin and milky and helps to protect the birth canal from infection. Here’s everything to know about vaginal discharge.

Crazy Dreams: Hormonal changes and subconscious anxieties about labour and motherhood may contribute to vivid and sometimes bizarre dreams during pregnancy, especially during these weeks. Here’s a guide to pregnancy dreams.

Sweating: Hormonal changes and increased blood flow can lead to excess sweating, particularly at night. This is your body's way of regulating its temperature during pregnancy. Consider having a cool flannel to hand by the side of the bed if you’re suffering from this. Here’s how to keep cool during pregnancy.

Interrupted Sleep: Discomfort from heartburn, backaches, and frequent bathroom trips, can disrupt your sleep patterns in week 38, leaving you feeling fatigued during the day. Try to limit your water intake before bed if bathroom trips are keeping you up.

Many women find it helpful to mentally rehearse for childbirth. This week, set aside some time to go over the breathing and relaxation techniques you've decided to utilise during labour and delivery. These are the tools by which you'll manage the pain of labour.

If you've been practicing and visualising and are simply ready for the real thing, try doing something to distract yourself in the meantime, like making a couple playlists of all your favourite songs. 

Let one playlist's purpose be for relaxation and use another for energy and encouragement. Make the playlists as long as you like, because you never know how long labour will last and the same songs on repeat may become more irritating than helpful! Fill a playlist with old school hits, songs that make you smile no matter what and songs that take you to another place in your mind. Creating these lists will help you take your mind off of your backaches, leg tingles, and intensifying contractions!