In every week of pregnancy, no matter how you feel (tired, excited, scared...), you probably ask yourself with every little contraction you feel in your belly: have labor pains started?. But unlike other weeks, at 38 weeks pregnant, you're now so close to the big day (the fetus is fully grown this week) that the answer might actually be yes.

Diarrhea?.. can be a sign of labor pain!.. Abnormal secretions?.. can be a sign of labor pain!.. Sudden fear that you are not ready to be a mother?.. Again, it is a sign of approaching labor pain!

Okay... that last one isn't very accurate, but how you feel at 38 weeks pregnant can give you some clues about what's next (for example, when the pregnancy is over and you can hold your baby).

In the following, we mention the points that you should know about this week very close to the end of pregnancy.

General symptoms of the thirty-eighth week of pregnancy

We'll get to the good stuff soon enough (like whether curls are caused by crimps or curling), but first, we need to remind you that you may still have a long way to go.

Actually, the due date is in two weeks and some women don't give birth until 42 weeks....I'm sorry.....Please don't be upset with us!

Whether you're close to going into labor or not, at 38 weeks you'll be dealing with symptoms like:

• Heartburn, nausea and indigestion
• Constipation
• Mood swings
• Breast secretion
• pelvis pressure
• Slight back pain
• Urine frequency
• Braxton Hicks contractions
Swelling of feet and ankles
• Increase in vaginal secretions

From the 38th week of pregnancy, the mucous plaque (the mucus that prevents cervical infection) disappears.

Usually people think that this indicates that labor pains are coming these days, but the fact is that the mucous plaque may be removed several weeks before the onset of labor pains....

In other words, going to the bathroom to pee and seeing gelatinous discharge on your underwear is just "another day" during pregnancy.

Symptoms you should not ignore

Although the range of symptoms you experience in late pregnancy can range from annoying and unpleasant to strange, some symptoms are not "normal" and you should contact your doctor immediately if you experience them.

including:

• rupture of the amniotic sac (i.e.. sac of water)
Dizziness, severe headache or blurred vision
• Severe vaginal bleeding
• Fever
• Disturbance in emptying urine or feeling pain during emptying
• Vomiting or severe heartache
• Sudden swelling of hands, feet or face
• Significant reduction of fetal movement or immobility

Except for a ruptured water sac, other symptoms usually do not indicate that labor pain is imminent, so if any of these symptoms occur, you should call your doctor.

Symptoms of labor pain in week 38

Well, the moment you've been waiting for: how to know when labor has started?

The truth is, it's confusing...it's been a few weeks since I started having Braxton Hicks contractions that are just practice contractions and it's hard to tell the real Braxton Hicks contractions!

But when the real pain starts, you notice the following:

• Regular contractions that are not relieved by lying down
• The intensity of the contractions gradually increases and the interval between each contraction decreases
• rupture of the amniotic sac
• Disappearance of plaque mucus (again, we must mention that this may happen a few weeks earlier, but it is significant if it occurs along with other symptoms)
• diarrhea
• Fetal head descent, which is sometimes called uterine prolapse

Still not sure if it's time to give birth or not?... In any case, contact your gynecologist!

Most pregnant women (especially those who will be mothers for the first time) mistakenly think that labor is imminent at least once... After you go to the hospital with the certainty of the onset of labor pains, do not be embarrassed if they say no.. At least you will be relieved that you have been examined.

Fetus at 38 weeks of pregnancy

As we said before, the fetus is indeed fully developed, but that does not mean it is 100% ready for delivery.

Although the vital organs (heart, lungs and brain) are complete, they are still developing, so as long as there are no problems, it is best to let the fetus stay in the womb until it is completely ready for birth.

At this time, the baby says goodbye to fluffy hair, prepares for its first bowel movement, and gains more fat.... It probably weighs about 2 or 3 kilos and is 45-50 cm tall, but the weight and height of the baby at this stage of pregnancy is very variable (just like the height and weight at birth!)

In the best case, the fetus is in the right position for delivery, that is, its face is upside down and its head is down.

Although most babies will change their position to this position by week 36, others take a little longer to get into this position... but it is better to talk to the doctor to suggest ways to lower the baby's head.

Fetal movement in week 38

The fetus moves until birth (and, in fact, it moves the same way after birth) but as the fetus grows in the womb, its movement definitely changes in the third trimester.

Many of the movements you feel at this stage are due to the fetus stretching and arching in the womb... these movements are lighter than before, so you need to be careful to count the beats.

Sometimes the movement of the fetus decreases a little just before the onset of labor pains .... The reason for this is still unknown .... But if you do not feel any movement, you should not ignore it, you should still notice the movement of the fetus at least a few times an hour ... only these movements become mild a day or two before the onset of labor pains.

Checklist for the 38th week of pregnancy

We know you have already done everything and now you are eagerly waiting for the arrival of the baby..... But if you have the energy and motivation, there are still a few things you can do:

• Prepare food: In the first few months of a baby's birth, no matter how much you cook dinner and soup and keep pizza in the freezer, it's not enough (especially when you're too tired to even think about cooking).. and breastfeed.
• Spend time with your friends: After giving birth, it takes a while to get physically or mentally ready to talk and drink coffee with your best friends, so make the most of the last few weeks of your pregnancy.. waxes and foot massages.
• Do all the important things: Think about packing the hospital bag, installing the child seat in the car, and who you want next to you in the delivery room.

How to relax your mind and body in the 38th week of pregnancy

In the last weeks of pregnancy, you can't do anything but wait and maybe you don't want to hold your hands (that is, you say to yourself: so when will this baby come?!), but your life will change once and for all, so now is a good time to put yourself first.

If you are too anxious, talk to your doctor...he can reassure you about some of the things that are on your mind....If talking to a doctor doesn't put your mind at ease, find someone in person or online who has a history of motherhood and can put your mind at ease.

If you are not physically comfortable, sleep as much as you can, walk or do yoga, eat small but frequent meals, stretch your legs and watch a movie at night.

Later, there will be time to stay up all night Googling ways to reduce a baby fever, so don't do that now... instead, look up ways to relax before labor and then really relax.

Summary

NOTHING LEFT!.. The finish line is near, but there is no way to tell when you will reach the finish line.... It could be tomorrow.... or 3 weeks from now.

Keep calm, rest as much as you can and try to be patient.. most importantly, pay attention to your body mechanisms as they give you clues to prepare for labor pain.. and as always, don't ignore the warning signs.. If you are concerned about anything, contact your doctor or gynecologist.

Forums related to this article

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Source: Healthline