3rd trimester · Week 38
38 weeks pregnant
Full term is close
Full term is 39+0 to 40+6 weeks in many guidelines. Vernix decreases. Cervical checks are optional and do not predict the day of birth well.
How big is your baby at 38 weeks?
- Length
- 49.8 cm
- Weight
- 3,080 g
- Size
- Cantaloupe
On average about 49.8 cm long and 3,080 g. Size comparison: Cantaloupe.
These are averages; every baby grows at their own pace.
How is your baby developing at 38 weeks?
The brain is still adding connections. The fetus is usually head-down. Length is often about 50 cm; weight near 3.1 kg. Passing meconium before birth can happen and needs clinical assessment if waters are stained.
What changes in your body at 38 weeks?
Pelvic pressure, trouble walking far, and Braxton Hicks that feel “more real” are common. A mucus plug can pass days or weeks before labor — it is not a deadline.
Tips for this week
If you have a planned cesarean or induction, confirm fasting and arrival times. For spontaneous labor, rest between tightenings. Seek care for bleeding like a period, fever, or if you cannot feel movements.
