Baby development

At 38 weeks of gestation, which is almost 9 months of pregnancy, it is common for the belly to become stiff and there are severe cramps, which are the contractions that may still be the training or may already be the contractions of childbirth. The difference between them is the frequency with which they appear. Learn how to identify contractions.

The baby can be born at any time, but if it is not yet born, the pregnant woman can take the opportunity to relax and rest, to ensure that she has enough energy to care for the newborn.

The development of the baby at 38 weeks of gestation is already complete, so if the baby is not yet born, it will probably only put on weight. Fat continues to accumulate under the skin and, if the placenta is healthy, the baby continues to grow.

The appearance is that of a newborn baby, but it has a greasy and white varnish that covers the entire body and protects it.

As the space in the womb decreases, the baby starts to have less space to move around. Even so, the mother should feel the baby move at least 10 times a day, however, if this does not happen, the doctor should be notified.

Size and photos of the 38-week-old fetus

The size of the fetus at 38 weeks of gestation is approximately 49 cm and the weight is about 3 kg.

What changes in women

Changes in women at 38 weeks of gestation include tiredness, swelling of the legs and weight gain. At this stage, it is normal for the belly to become stiff and there is a feeling of strong colic, and what should be done is to observe how long this colic lasts and if it respects a certain rhythm. The contractions are likely to be more and more frequent, and increasingly close to each other.

When contractions occur in a certain pattern of time, every 40 minutes or every 30 minutes, it is recommended to contact the doctor and go to the hospital, as the time for the baby to be born may be near.

If the woman has not yet felt any contraction, she should not worry, because the baby can wait until 40 weeks to be born, without any problem.

The mother's belly may still be lower, as the baby can fit into the bones of the pelvis, which usually occurs about 15 days before delivery.

Your pregnancy by trimester

To make your life easier and you don't waste time looking, we have separated all the information you need for each trimester of pregnancy. What quarter are you in?