The bag is (mostly) packed and you're checking your phone a little more than usual. At 38 weeks, that anticipation is well earned. Your baby could meet you in a couple of weeks, give or take.
At 38 weeks you're in what doctors call the "early term" window, 37 to 38 weeks, with "full term" running from 39 to 40 weeks.2 Your baby is about the length of a stick of rhubarb, roughly 50cm head to heel.1
What does "early term" mean?
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists splits the old single "term" label into four windows: early term (37 to 38 weeks), full term (39 to 40 weeks), late term (41 weeks), and postterm (42 weeks and beyond).2 The categories exist because a baby's readiness keeps maturing right through these final weeks.
What's happening with the baby at 38 weeks
The soft, downy hair that covered your baby earlier in pregnancy, called lanugo, is mostly gone now, though some babies are born with a few patches.1 Your baby is also storing up meconium, the sticky dark substance that becomes their first nappy after birth.1
What's common around 38 weeks
Many people feel a wave of energy to clean, sort, and organize in the last couple of weeks, often called nesting. Others feel mostly tired and heavy. Both are common this close to the end.
One thing to do this week: pre-register at the hospital
If your hospital or birth center offers pre-registration, this is a good week to do the paperwork. Filling out forms in advance means one less thing to manage when labour actually starts. While you're at it, double-check the route and where you'll park.
It's also worth opening nappi and looking at how the "baby's here" handoff works, so the switch from counting down to tracking feeds and sleep is a single tap when the day comes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 38 weeks full term?
Not quite. ACOG calls 37 to 38 weeks "early term" and 39 to 40 weeks "full term," because outcomes keep improving as the baby matures through these weeks.2
What is nesting?
Nesting is the burst of energy some people feel in late pregnancy to prepare the home for the baby. It's commonly reported, though there's nothing wrong with not feeling it.