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🌳Third Trimester•Weeks 28-40
Week 38 of Pregnancy
Your baby is the size of leek
📏
Length
19.6 inches
⚖️
Weight
6.8 pounds
🍎
Size Comparison
Leek
👶 Baby Development
- •Baby continues gaining weight at about 1 ounce per day
- •All organs are fully developed and ready to function outside the womb
- •Baby might have a full head of hair or very little - both are normal
- •Meconium (first bowel movement) is building up in intestines
- •Baby is completely ready for life outside and could be born any day
- •Reflexes are strong including rooting, sucking, and grasping
- •Baby is practicing breathing and may have hiccups frequently
💭 Common Symptoms
- •Cervix may be dilating and effacing (thinning) in preparation
- •Possible bloody show (mucus plug discharge with blood)
- •Contractions may increase in frequency and intensity
- •Water may break at any time (happens before labor in about 10% of women)
- •Extreme discomfort and difficulty moving
- •Possible diarrhea as body prepares for labor
- •Increased pelvic pressure
🥗 Nutrition Tips
- •Eat light, easily digestible, nutritious meals
- •Stay very well hydrated with water and electrolyte drinks
- •Avoid heavy, greasy meals that could cause discomfort during labor
- •Stock up on easy, quick postpartum foods and snacks
- •Eat small frequent meals
- •Include foods rich in energy like complex carbohydrates
- •Keep healthy snacks readily available for early labor
✅ To-Do This Week
- •Monitor contractions carefully - track timing, duration, and intensity
- •Know exactly when to call your doctor or midwife
- •Have all emergency contacts readily available and posted visibly
- •Try to relax and rest as much as possible to conserve energy
- •Keep hospital bag in car or by door
- •Ensure gas tank is full
- •Have someone on standby to drive you to hospital
💡
Did You Know?
Your baby could arrive any day now! Only about 5% of babies are born on their actual due date - most arrive within 2 weeks before or after. Stay alert for labor signs!