38 weeks pregnant means two more weeks to go. Congrats! Wondering what's happening inside your womb? Read on to know:
Baby Development:
Your baby is now size of a leek
38 weeks pregnant baby weight in kg is around 3.1 kgs. All organs are now fully formed except the brain and lungs which will continue to develop after birth. Vocal cords are now fully developed for your baby's first cry after birth. Initial eye colour is now formed but a permanent eye colour will be formed at age 1. The fine hair & sticky white coating covering your baby's body has shed. The skin is smooth and hasn't got the pigmentation yet. Few moms notice a protrusion on the belly which is the baby's legs stretching out for space.
Body Changes
Baby bump might be lowered due to dropping which means the baby has gradually dropped lower into the pelvis, which means easy breathing. Your cervix will begin to dilate very slightly to get ready for birth in a few weeks. At 38 weeks pregnant, white milky discharge from breasts is common. You may notice some is clear, pinkish, or slightly bloody vaginal discharge called mucus plug due to cervix dilation. Any extreme 38 weeks pregnant cramping & diarrhoea must be brought to doctors notice immediately. Constant lower back pain, water breaking and extreme abdominal pain are 38 weeks pregnant symptoms not to ignore.
Find your due date/Calculating your due date:
Unless you've been tracking your ovulation, for a health practitioner to exactly know when you ovulated and conceived is hard to say. Most women ovulate about two weeks after the first day of their period. So, to calculate a standard timing, most health practitioners calculate the due date from the first day of your last menstrual period.
38 weeks pregnant symptoms:
Here are a few number of common symptoms a woman may notice throughout her Pregnancy Symptoms Week 38.- Pinkish vaginal discharge
- Increased energy
- Frequent urination
- Insomnia
- Swollen hands and feet
- Constipation and gas
- Varicose veins
- Abdominal pain
- Foggy memory
- Leaky breasts
- Itchy belly
Tips for You This Week
You can support your body to prepare for pregnancy by following the tips below:It's time to learn about various birthing positions and find a comfortable position. Pack due date needs in a bag and keep it handy. Make sure to sit upright while & after eating to deal with heartburn. Feeling energised and a need to clean and decorate? It's called nesting. Enjoy the phase but don't overdo it. Invest in breast pads to help you with leaky breasts. Get plenty of sleep. Elevate your feet slightly when you sit. Always stand slowly after prolonged sitting or sleeping position as the blood pressure of the body is low at this stage. Try sleeping in a semi-seated position on your left side with one or both knees bent. Avoid exercising, eating or drinking too close to bedtime.