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Sign InWeek 38 — Ready for the World
Overall Pregnancy
Your Baby is About
leek
Your baby is about 49cm and 3.1kg — the size of a leek. The nervous system is fully developed and the brain is responding to sounds and voices it recognises from the womb. Lanugo has mostly disappeared, and the vernix is thinning. Your baby is essentially spending these final weeks adding weight and fat. Most babies are in the head-down position by now, and the head may be pressing firmly against the cervix.
Only about 1 in 20 babies are born on their actual due date. Labour can begin naturally any time from now to Week 42 and beyond. Most providers will discuss induction if you reach 41–42 weeks, as the placenta begins to function less efficiently after the due date. If your waters break without contractions starting, contact your hospital immediately — they'll want to assess you and may recommend induction.
The moment your baby takes their first breath triggers a cascade of changes that happen in seconds: the lungs inflate for the first time, blood flow redirects away from the umbilical cord and through the lungs, a hole in the heart that was open during pregnancy closes, and blood is oxygenated for the first time directly from air. A system that ran entirely differently for 38 weeks switches over in seconds. It's one of the most dramatic physiological transitions in biology.
Rest as much as you possibly can this week. Sleep when you can, delegate what you can, and resist the urge to get everything done before the baby arrives. The one thing you can't stock up on after a baby arrives is sleep — so bank as much as possible now.
Snacks you can eat one-handed will become invaluable after birth — stock up now. Nuts, granola bars, cheese sticks, fruit, and crackers are all easy to eat while holding a baby.
Pack your hospital bag snacks now — granola bars, sandwiches, nuts, and a flask for hot drinks. Labour can be many hours and a hungry birth partner is not a helpful one.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation. Read full disclaimer