You’re so close. At 38 weeks the finish line is in sight, and it’s normal to feel a mix of excitement, impatience and nerves. Here’s what’s typical right now, the early hints that labor may be near, and the symptoms that mean you should pick up the phone.
Are you full term at 38 weeks?
Almost — and close enough that it matters. Babies born from 37 weeks onward are considered term, and 38 weeks is what providers call “early term.” A healthy pregnancy can last anywhere from 37 to 42 weeks, which is why a due date is best thought of as an estimate, not a deadline. Most people don’t give birth on the exact date they were given.
If you’re counting down, our pregnancy week tracker shows where you are in the journey and what’s typical for this week.
What does your baby look like at 38 weeks?
By now your baby is roughly the size of a leek and has done most of their growing — these last weeks are mainly about adding fat, practicing breathing movements, and getting their lungs and brain ready for life outside. There’s less room to stretch out, so the big, sweeping kicks often turn into squirms, rolls and pokes. Less room is normal; less movement is not (more on that below).
What does 38 weeks pregnant feel like?
The third trimester piles on a lot at once. Common, normal sensations around now include:
- Pelvic pressure — a heavy, bearing-down feeling as the baby sits low.
- Braxton Hicks contractions — practice tightenings that come and go and usually ease when you change position.
- Trouble sleeping — a big bump, frequent bathroom trips and a busy mind all conspire against rest.
- Swelling — mild puffiness in the feet, ankles and hands is common (but see the warning signs).
- Frequent urination — the baby is pressing right on your bladder.
- The nesting urge — a sudden burst of energy to clean, organize and get ready.
None of these are pleasant, but on their own they’re a normal part of late pregnancy.
What should you do this week?
This is the “get ready” week. A short, practical checklist:
- Finish your hospital bag so it’s by the door, not a panic the day labor starts.
- Install the car seat now and, if you can, have it checked — you’ll need it to bring baby home.
- Keep doing kick counts to track your baby’s movement pattern.
- Rest when you can. Naps, your feet up, short walks — bank the calm now.
Our hospital bag checklist makes packing painless, and the kick counter helps you keep an easy eye on movements.
What are the early signs labor may be near?
Labor rarely starts like in the movies. The earlier, gentler signs that your body may be getting ready include:
- Losing your mucus plug or a “bloody show” — a thick discharge, sometimes streaked pink or brown.
- The baby “dropping” (lightening) — your bump sits lower, breathing feels easier, but pressure below increases.
- Loose stools — your body sometimes clears out as labor approaches.
- Stronger, more regular contractions — the real thing gets longer, stronger and closer together and doesn’t ease off when you move.
Here’s how true labor contractions tend to differ from practice ones:
| Braxton Hicks (practice) | True labor | |
|---|---|---|
| Pattern | Irregular, unpredictable | Regular and getting closer together |
| With movement | Often ease when you move or rest | Keep coming, get stronger |
| Over time | Stay the same or fade | Longer, stronger, more frequent |
When contractions feel like the real thing, our contraction timer helps you track length and spacing to share with your provider.
When should you call your provider right away?
Some symptoms need a same-day call or an immediate trip in — don’t wait to “see if it passes.” Contact your provider or maternity unit straight away if you have:
- Reduced or changed baby movements — fewer kicks than usual, or a clear change in the pattern.
- Vaginal bleeding (more than a little pink-streaked mucus).
- Fluid gushing or leaking — your waters may have broken.
- A severe headache, vision changes (spots, blurring), severe swelling, or upper-belly pain — these can be signs of pre-eclampsia.
- A fever or feeling generally unwell.
- Regular, painful contractions before 37 weeks — this could be early labor.
When in doubt, call. Maternity teams would always rather hear from you and reassure you than have you wait at home worrying.
A note on your due date
If your due date comes and goes, try not to panic — going a little past is common, and your provider will keep a close eye on you and your baby. Anytime in that 37-to-42-week window is within the normal range. You’re in the home stretch.
This article is for general information only and isn’t medical advice. For anything about your pregnancy, your symptoms or when to come in, your healthcare provider is the best person to ask.