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Third trimester

38 weeks pregnant

At 38 weeks 0 days to 38 weeks 6 days, you are still early term by ACOG's definition, and full term begins at 39 weeks 0 days. Your baby is mostly finishing off and gaining weight. Many care teams use this time to talk about labor plans and what happens if you go past your due date.

This page covers 38 weeks 0 days to 38 weeks 6 days (38+0 to 38+6), counted from the first day of the last period. Check how far along you are

Enter it to see the calendar dates of your week 38.

Botanical illustration of a jackfruit

About the size of a jackfruit

Typical estimated weight 3.24 kg (7 lb 2 oz) at 38+0, about 3.41 kg (7 lb 8 oz) by 38+6. This is the 50th centile; healthy babies commonly vary by about 12.7% either way.1

A reference value, not a measurement of your baby.

How your baby is developing

  • The soft, downy hair called lanugo that covered your baby earlier is mostly gone by about now. Some babies are born with a few patches, often on the upper arms and shoulders.2,3
  • Your baby is storing a sticky green substance called meconium in their bowels. It forms from what they swallow in the womb, including amniotic fluid, and usually comes out after birth as the first poo.2
  • Between about 38 and 40 weeks, fingernails may grow past the fingertips and head hair becomes coarser and thicker.3
  • If a baby passes meconium during labor, it can be a sign of distress, so the baby will be monitored closely.2

Changes you may notice

Everyone’s experience is different. You may notice some of these, or none.

  • Feeling frustrated, restless or even bored is common as you wait. Swollen hands and feet and Braxton Hicks contractions may continue.2
  • Some symptoms need urgent attention. Treat these as an emergency and call your midwife or doctor straight away: vaginal bleeding, a severe headache that won't go away, vision problems, pain just below the ribs, extreme swelling of the feet, ankles, hands and face, or severe itching, especially at night.4
  • Your baby should keep moving right up to and during labor. If movements slow down, stop or change, call your midwife or maternity unit immediately rather than waiting.5

Care around this week

  • UK: a 38-week antenatal appointment is part of the routine schedule. Your bump is measured, your blood pressure is checked and your urine is tested for protein, which can be a sign of pre-eclampsia.2,6
  • You may talk about what could happen if your pregnancy goes beyond 41 weeks, including the option of induction.2
  • If you are having a planned cesarean, NHS information says it is usually booked for at least 39 weeks to give your baby's lungs the best chance to fully develop.2

Questions to ask your provider

  • Is my blood pressure and urine still normal?
  • What would happen if I go past my due date?
  • If I'm having a planned cesarean, when will it be scheduled?
  • Which symptoms should make me call you right away?
When to contact your provider straight away

Call 911 (US) or 999 (UK) in an emergency, such as heavy bleeding or bleeding with severe pain, a seizure, chest pain, or severe trouble breathing.9,10,11,12

These symptoms are not always serious, but each one needs prompt advice from your provider, midwife or maternity unit (or NHS 111 in the UK if you cannot reach them) rather than waiting for your next appointment, and it helps to tell them you are pregnant.

  • Vaginal bleeding or spotting at any stage of pregnancy. Call 911 or 999 if the bleeding is heavy or comes with severe belly pain, shoulder pain, or feeling faint or dizzy.11,13
  • Fluid leaking or gushing from your vagina, or discharge that is unusual for you. Get checked straight away if the fluid is greenish, colored or smells bad.8,11,12,14
  • Your baby moving less than usual, not moving, or a change in their usual pattern of movements. Call immediately, even in the middle of the night, and do not use a home Doppler to check yourself.5,11
  • A severe headache that does not go away with simple painkillers or gets worse, or sudden changes in your vision such as blurring or seeing flashing lights.9,11,12
  • Sudden swelling of your face, hands or feet, or swelling, redness or pain in a leg.9,11,12
  • Belly pain that is severe or does not go away after resting, or pain just below the ribs.9,11,15
  • Regular tightenings or contractions, period-type pains, or backache that is unusual for you before 37 weeks, which can be signs of preterm labor.14,15
  • A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or feeling hot, cold or shivery.11,12,14
  • Shortness of breath that comes on suddenly or happens when you lie flat, chest pain, a racing or pounding heart, or dizziness or fainting.11,12
  • Very itchy skin, especially on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet, or itching that is worse at night.16
  • Being sick so often that you cannot keep food or drink down, or signs of dehydration such as dark urine, peeing very little, or feeling dizzy.11,17
  • Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby. Get help right away, and call 911 or 999 if you think you might act on them.11,18

Questions about 38 weeks

Is 38 weeks full term?

Not by ACOG's definition. 37 weeks 0 days to 38 weeks 6 days is early term, and full term runs from 39 weeks 0 days to 40 weeks 6 days.7

How can I tell Braxton Hicks from real contractions?

Braxton Hicks contractions are usually painless, short and irregular, and they don't build up. Labor contractions get longer, stronger and closer together as labor goes on.8

Can a planned cesarean be done at 38 weeks?

NHS information says planned cesareans are usually booked for at least 39 weeks to give the baby's lungs the best chance to develop. Your care team will explain if there's a reason to plan it differently for you.2

Sources

  1. In utero analysis of fetal growth: a sonographic weight standardRadiology 181(1):129–133, 1991
  2. Week 38NHS Best Start in Life
  3. Fetal developmentUS National Library of Medicine
  4. Week 39NHS Best Start in Life
  5. Your baby's movementsNHS (England)
  6. Your antenatal appointmentsNHS (England)
  7. Committee Opinion No. 579: Definition of Term PregnancyAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2013
  8. Signs of going into labourNHS Best Start in Life
  9. Pre-eclampsiaNHS (England)
  10. Epilepsy and pregnancyNHS (England)
  11. Urgent Maternal Warning Signs and Symptoms (Hear Her campaign)US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  12. Pregnancy symptoms you need to get help forNHS (England)
  13. Vaginal bleeding in pregnancyNHS (England)
  14. Premature labour and birthNHS (England)
  15. Stomach pain in pregnancyNHS (England)
  16. Itching in pregnancyNHS (England)
  17. Severe vomiting in pregnancyNHS (England)
  18. Depression in pregnancyNHS (England)

Links checked November 12, 2026. Citing a source does not mean it endorses this site.

Written from the sources above and checked against them on 2026-11-12. Not reviewed by a clinician. Our editorial policy