38 Weeks Pregnant: Early Labour, Comfort & Your Newborn List

38 Weeks Pregnant: Early Labour, Comfort & Your Newborn List

At 38 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a pumpkin and ready to meet you soon. Labour could start any day, so it's a good time to know how to cope with early labour at home, find ways to stay comfortable and tick off the last items on your newborn list.

Baby's size
About the size of a pumpkin (around 49cm long, 3.1kg)
Big development
Lungs, liver and vocal cords ready for birth
Common symptoms
Swelling, trouble sleeping, Braxton Hicks and loose bowels
This week
Finish your newborn list

What's happening this week

Your baby is almost fully developed and will keep laying down fat until birth. Their brain will keep growing and developing for years after they're born.

Ready to breathe

And cry

Your baby's lungs are making plenty of surfactant, and their vocal cords are ready for that first cry.

Shedding

Lanugo and vernix

Most of the lanugo hair has gone, and the vernix is thinning, though some babies are born with a little still on their skin. Their nails may need trimming soon after birth.

Eye colour

Wait and see

Your baby's eye colour may change over their first year. Eyes often get darker, but rarely lighter.

In boys, the testicles have usually moved down into the scrotum. If not, they often do in the first few months, and your doctor will keep an eye on it. Keep getting to know your baby's pattern of movements, and call your hospital straight away if they slow down, stop or change.

Coping with early labour at home

Early labour can last hours or even days, especially with a first baby, and most people spend it at home. Here are some ways to stay calm and comfortable until it's time to go in. Here's how to recognise the signs of labour and when to call.

Rest and fuel

Save your energy

If contractions start at night, try to rest or sleep between them. Eat light snacks, such as toast, fruit or yoghurt, and sip water or a sports drink.

Move and breathe

Stay upright

Walk around, sway, lean forward on a bench or rock on a birth ball. Slow, deep breathing through each contraction can help you stay relaxed.

Warmth and support

Comfort measures

A warm shower, a heat pack on your lower back, massage from your support person and your favourite music can all help.

Time your contractions from the start of one to the start of the next, and call your hospital when they're strong and regular, as they advised. Always call straight away if your waters break, you have bleeding or your baby's movements change. Our tips for the labour support person have more ways they can help.

Symptoms at 38 weeks pregnant

  • Swollen ankles. Put your feet up and keep moving. Call your hospital if swelling is sudden or severe.
  • Trouble sleeping. Aches, a big bump and a busy mind can keep you awake. Nap when you can.
  • Vivid dreams. Common and normal as your mind works through the big changes ahead.
  • Braxton Hicks. They should ease when you change position. Call if they become regular, strong or painful.
  • Leaking colostrum. A little yellowish fluid from your nipples is normal. Breast pads can help.
  • Loose bowels. Hormones that soften your cervix can also loosen your bowels, and it can be an early sign of labour. Call your doctor if you have blood or mucus in your poo, or it lasts more than 48 hours.

Call your hospital straight away if your waters break, you have bleeding, strong regular contractions or your baby's movements change. Also call if you have sudden swelling, a severe headache, blurred vision or pain under your ribs.

Staying comfortable

Unless your doctor has advised otherwise, gentle activity like walking and swimming can ease aches and swelling and lift your mood. Keep up your pelvic floor exercises, rest with your feet up, go to sleep on your side with plenty of pillows, and try a warm (not hot) bath to ease sore muscles.

The final items on your newborn list

Most of the big things are probably sorted. Here's a last check of the everyday items you'll need in the first weeks.

Clothes
Six to eight bodysuits, four to six sleepsuits, a couple of hats, socks, and a few wraps in newborn and 0000 sizes.See the newborn clothing list
Changing
Plenty of newborn nappies, fragrance-free wipes, nappy cream and a change mat.See the baby changing list
Feeding
Breast pads, nipple balm and a nursing pillow, or bottles, teats, formula and a steriliser if you plan to formula feed.
For you
Maternity pads, big comfy undies, a supportive nursing bra and easy snacks for night feeds.See the postpartum recovery list

It's also worth stocking the pantry, freezing a few easy meals, and deciding how you'll share your baby's arrival with family and friends.

Your to-do list for week 38

Helpful for this stage

The postpartum recovery listCare for you after the birthSee the list Bodysuits and rompersSoft basics for the first weeksShop bodysuits Compression wearSupport for your recoveryShop compression wear

Week 38 FAQs

How big is my baby at 38 weeks?

About the size of a pumpkin, around 49 cm long and roughly 3.1 kg, though healthy babies vary a lot in size at birth. They'll keep adding fat until they're born.

What can I do in early labour at home?

Rest if you can, eat light snacks and keep drinking. A warm shower, a heat pack on your back, walking, rocking on a birth ball and slow breathing can all help. Time your contractions and call your hospital when they're strong and regular, as advised.

Is diarrhoea a sign of labour?

It can be. Loose bowels are common in the days or hours before labour as your body releases hormones that soften your cervix. Call your doctor if you have more than a few loose bowel motions a day, blood or mucus in your poo, or diarrhoea that lasts more than 48 hours.

What newborn clothes do I need?

Around six to eight bodysuits, four to six sleepsuits, a couple of hats, socks and a few wraps or swaddles in newborn and 0000 sizes is plenty to start. Newborns grow quickly, so it's best not to overbuy. Our newborn clothing list has the details.

Can walking bring on labour?

There's no strong evidence that walking starts labour, but staying active is good for you, can ease aches and swelling, and may help your baby settle into a good position. Keep to gentle walks and rest when you need to.

This article is general information and isn't a substitute for advice from your doctor or midwife.

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