Week 38 of Pregnancy: Signs of Labour & What to Expect

WEEK- 38 of Pregnancy

Intro:
Hi there, Supermom! I’m Dr. Heal, and congratulations on making it to Week 38 of your pregnancy. Today, we will dive into the changes you and your baby will expect this week!

Key Information:
Right now, your baby is slowly shedding the white sticky layer that was covering their skin - the vernix. They have a nice layer of fat now, and smooth skin. Your baby has also lost the soft, fuzzy hair that once covered their body, known as lanugo.
At 38 weeks pregnant, your body is gearing up for labor. You may notice common symptoms like swollen ankles, leg cramps, back pain, and headaches. You also might have some trouble sleeping and will need to take a trip to the bathroom often. There might also be sharp pelvic pain caused by your baby pressing on your nerves. Your heartburn and nausea might become more intense, so it’s important to eat small meals and stay hydrated. Braxton hicks contracts and shouldn’t be painful. If you see some mucus, know that it's an early sign of labor approaching. At this point, your doctor might ask you to have a pelvic exam done to check how much your cervix has been opened, or dilated, to understand how close you are to giving birth to your little one!

Conclusion:
Avoid big meals or drinking too much water in the evening. In the hour before bedtime, relax in a quiet, dimly-lit room, and avoid screens- yes, even your phone - to rest well. If you have questions or need advice, Apollo doctors and our supportive community are always here for you. You’ve got this supermom!