Pregnancy – Week 38

You may be feeling tired of waiting for bub to arrive now. Try to keep busy and not feel depressed. You will notice that the fetus is moving about less because the head is down in the uterus.

Mum

While you’re probably not getting any bigger you may be feeling increasingly uncomfortable.

95% of all babies are born within two weeks of the due date so make sure you have a bag packed for hospital.

Sleeping may also be increasingly difficult. Relax and take it easy as this may be your last opportunity for a while.

You might feel shooting pains running down your legs and into your groin area if your baby has engaged. This is the result of his head pushing on your pelvic bones or on some nerves.

Bub

Bub is now around 51cm (20 inches) and weighs approximately 3.4 kilograms (7.5 pounds) and his wrinkled skin is becoming smooth as body fat continues to build up. He is getting antibodies from mum to protect against illness.

His development is complete and he may have a full head of hair now with some babies being born with only peach fuzz.

Your baby’s intestines are accumulating lots of meconium and some move their bowels before birth indicating that bub is under some stress. If the amniotic fluid shows signs of meconium at birth, baby’s throat and lungs will be suctioned thoroughly as this can cause pneumonia if bub inhales any amniotic fluid containing meconium.

Tips

Start to consider whether you will circumcise your bub if he is a boy. Circumcision is considered more a cultural or religious issue than a medical one these days although health care professionals remain divided.
Prepare for your new role as a mum by becoming familiar with feeding, bathing and changing your baby.