⭐38th week of pregnancy: what happens

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38th week of pregnancy

In this 38th week of pregnancy we are in the ninth month, the baby completes his growth and its development. Doctors conventionally calculate and date the expected delivery date to be 40 weeks after the last menstruation but in reality the baby's formation is complete after about 38 weeks.

How the child grows

Her dimensions they are about 48 cm in length and about 2,800 in weight. His reflexes they are coordinated and a black substance called meconium has accumulated in her intestine, her first stool, made up of the amniotic fluid she swallowed during pregnancy. His bone marrow he starts making white blood cells and his liver works. The baby gains weight by about 30 g per day.

Symptoms at the 38th week of pregnancy

Pregnancy is coming to an end, nausea and fatigue can make your life difficult.
You may notice that the baby is moving less now and instead of feeling his whole body move, you will feel punches and kicks and a strange sensation in the vagina caused by the head moving against the pelvic floor muscles.

What to do?

In these last days of pregnancy take care of yourself: massage your skin, do a scrub, moisturize it. Try to get as much rest and sleep as possible.
Check that the hospital suitcase is ready and that the kit is complete.
Ask for confirmation at maternity ward hospital to find out what you will need in the delivery room and in the ward (generally you need nightgowns with buttons on the front that can be opened to breastfeed; maxi diapers, disposable underpants, dressing gown, slippers, towels and beauty products case with cosmetics and toothbrush) and what you will need to bring for the baby.
What do you need for the newborn layette? Without exaggerating with the purchases, three are certainly indispensable you change suits (body, one-piece suits, or shirt + gaiters); socks and hat and a blanket.

How the body changes at the 38th week of pregnancy

Le joints they relax under the weight of the baby and the belly. You can feel some pain and some contraction, if they are regular, call your doctor.
On the other hand you can also lose the mucus plug this week - this substance is found at the entrance to the cervix and protects the baby from infections. Loss of the stopper means that labor is imminent.

How to tell if this is the case with go to the hospital?

here are the signals that you must not ignore

close contractions (e.g. a 40-45 second contraction every 5 minutes)
copious loss of amniotic fluid, especially if the color of the fluid is unclear and has traces of meconium or traces of blood
severe pain in the abdomen or in the lumbar region
more blood loss than the simple loss of the mucous plug

Thirty-eighth week of pregnancy, curiosity

The first liquid produced by your breasts is called colostrum and is a yellowish substance rich in protein. The actual milk will arrive two or three days after giving birth, but it will take a few weeks for the whipped milk and to regulate itself with the milk production and the baby's requests.

Video 38 week of pregnancy

Weeks of pregnancy

If you want to learn more about the other 40 weeks of pregnancy, she has created a nine-month calendar with advice on health, nutrition and tests to take during the 40 weeks. You will also be able to find out about the changes in the mother's body, how the baby bump grows and how the fetus develops.