38 Weeks Pregnant
Welcome to week 38 of pregnancy. Your baby is now about the size of a leek — roughly 49.3 cm from crown to rump and around 3100 grams. Below: what is developing, what you may be feeling, and the appointments that belong to this week.
Baby at 38 weeks
| Size comparison | About the size of a leek |
|---|---|
| Crown-to-rump length | ~49.3 cm |
| Weight | ~3100 g |
| Trimester | Trimester 3 of 3 · about 8.7 months |
What's developing
- Full term from 39 weeks; most babies born now do beautifully.
- The brain and lungs continue maturing right up to delivery.
- Vernix and lanugo (fine body hair) mostly disappear, absorbed into the amniotic fluid.
You at 38 weeks
- Lightening may occur as the baby drops, easing breathing but increasing pelvic pressure.
- Mucus plug loss and irregular contractions (false labor) are common.
- Sleep disruption peaks — rest when you can.
This week's checklist
- Know the difference between practice contractions and labor: regular, strengthening, interval-shortening.
- Confirm your hospital route, childcare, and support plan.
- After 41 weeks your provider will discuss monitoring and induction.
Frequently asked questions
How many months is 38 weeks?
About 8.7 months — use the weeks-to-months converter for the full breakdown.
Is my due date still accurate at this stage?
If your dating came from a first-trimester scan, IVF dates, or tracked ovulation, yes. If your due date rests on a remembered period alone, the multi-anchor due date calculator can show how much other anchors would move it.