Your baby is the size of an Iceberg Lettuce. Discover exactly what is happening to your body and your baby this week.
Baby Development: Baby is early term (ACOG: 37w0d–38w6d). All organs function. Baby continues gaining fat. Vernix and lanugo shed and are swallowed into the amniotic fluid.
Pregnancy Symptoms: The nesting instinct often kicks in strongly. Irregular contractions and backache may signal that labour is not far away.
Weekly Tip: Double-check your hospital bag is packed. Make sure your birth partner knows the route, where to park, and which entrance to use.
At 38 weeks pregnant, your baby is approximately the size of an Iceberg Lettuce.
Week 38 in detail
Full term. Organs work. Fat is still being added. Vernix and lanugo shed and get swallowed (they help build meconium). The baby is waiting; you are allowed to be bored and terrified in the same hour.
Nesting can hit. Irregular tightenings and backache are common. Kick counts still matter — a term baby should not go silent. Partners should know the route at night.
The bag should already be in the car. Partners: park, entrance, phone charger. The checklist above is pressure relief, kicks, and contacts. Use the timer when contractions are regular, not when you are rearranging the linen cupboard.
A general guide, not medical advice. Scan timing and symptoms vary — ask your clinician.
This chart visualizes the average length of the baby from week 1 to 40. Values are based on standard clinical averages.