38 Weeks Pregnant: Early Term and Almost Ready

At 38 weeks pregnant, you’re in the early term period and your baby could safely arrive any day! Your baby is about 19.6 inches and weighs approximately 6.8 pounds (3.1 kg). All organ systems are nearly mature, and your baby is almost ready for life outside the womb.¹

What’s Happening at 38 Weeks

You’re in the early term window. Per ACOG’s definition, early term is 37 0/7 through 38 6/7 weeks, while full term begins at 39 0/7 weeks. Your baby’s development is nearly complete, and if labor begins spontaneously, your baby will likely do well—though each additional day in utero through 39 weeks supports final brain and lung maturation.²

Prenatal visits are weekly. Your provider monitors your cervix, baby’s position, and heart rate. You may be dilated 1-3 cm without labor being imminent—cervical dilation alone doesn’t predict when labor will start.

How Big is My Baby?

Your baby measures approximately 19.6 inches (49.8 cm) and weighs around 6.8 pounds (3.1 kg), though size varies significantly. Your baby continues gaining about half an ounce daily.³

Baby Development at 38 Weeks

Fully mature organs: All systems are ready for birth.

Complete lung maturity: Surfactant levels are optimal for breathing air.⁴

Fat stores: About 15% of body weight is fat, providing insulation and energy.

Brain development: Continues rapid growth, forming billions of neural connections.

Reflexes functional: All newborn reflexes (rooting, sucking, grasping) are present.

Vernix mostly absorbed: The protective coating is mostly gone, though some remains.

Movement changes: Less rolling, more stretching and pushing due to tight space.

Common Symptoms

Pelvic pressure: Your baby may have dropped lower, increasing pelvic discomfort.

Braxton Hicks: Practice contractions may be frequent and sometimes intense.

Frequent urination: Constant bathroom trips as baby presses on your bladder.

Heartburn: Often severe in late pregnancy.⁵

Trouble sleeping: Physical discomfort and anticipation make rest difficult.

Back pain: Carrying weight and loosened ligaments cause discomfort.

Fatigue: The final weeks are exhausting.

Swelling: Mild edema is normal; severe swelling needs immediate attention.

Signs Labor May Be Near

Regular contractions: True labor contractions are rhythmic, increase in intensity, and don’t stop with rest.

Water breaking: Amniotic fluid leak or gush.

Bloody show: Mucus plug with blood streaks.

Baby dropping: Your baby settles into your pelvis (may happen weeks before or during labor).

Increased pelvic pressure: Intense feeling of baby pushing down.

Diarrhea: Hormonal changes can cause loose stools before labor.⁶

When to Go to the Hospital

Contact your provider or head to the hospital when:⁷

• Contractions 5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute, for 1 hour (or your provider’s guidance)
• Water breaks (gush or leak)
• Heavy bleeding
• Decreased fetal movement
• Severe headache or vision changes
• Severe abdominal pain

Tips for Week 38

Stay ready: Hospital bag packed, car seat installed, phone charged.

Rest: Conserve energy for labor.

Stay active gently: Walking may help encourage labor.

Eat well and stay hydrated: You need energy.

Practice relaxation: Breathing exercises help manage anxiety.

Monitor movement: Track kicks daily; report decreased movement.⁸

Communicate with provider: Ask final questions about labor and delivery.

Be patient: Your baby will come when ready.

Ready to Meet Your Baby with Nooko

You’re early term—baby could arrive any time! Nooko’s contraction timer helps you track labor, kick counter monitors movement, and countdown shows how close you are. Log symptoms, track contractions, and get ready to meet your little one!

Download Nooko on the App Store | Get Nooko on Google Play

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References

Footnotes

1. ACOG. (2025). “How Your Fetus Grows.” https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/how-your-fetus-grows-during-pregnancy ↩

2. ACOG. (2013). “Definition of Term Pregnancy.” https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2013/11/definition-of-term-pregnancy ↩

3. BabyCenter. (2025). “38 Weeks Pregnant.” https://www.babycenter.com/pregnancy/week-by-week/38-weeks-pregnant ↩

4. Merck Manual. (2025). “Respiratory Distress Syndrome.” https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/children-s-health-issues/lung-and-breathing-problems-in-newborns/respiratory-distress-syndrome-in-newborns ↩

5. ACOG. (2025). “Problems of the Digestive System.” https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/problems-of-the-digestive-system ↩

6. ACOG. (2025). “How to Tell When Labor Begins.” https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/how-to-tell-when-labor-begins ↩

7. ACOG. (2025). “How to Tell When Labor Begins.” ↩

8. Tommy’s. (2025). “Your baby’s movements.” https://www.tommys.org/ ↩