Baby Updates at 38 Weeks Pregnant

BABY DEVELOPMENT

Very soon now, your little one will be saying hello to the world! Your baby’s respiratory system is getting ready to work on its own – it’s been borrowing yours up till now – but those small lungs will continue to develop even after birth. At the time of delivery, the brain is actually the least developed organ, but will mature continually from the moment your baby is born up until the age of 18 or 20. In fact, from now until your child turns three, that wonderful brain is growing faster than any other body part! Literally trillions of connections are forming as your baby learns more about our endlessly fascinating world. These connections are formed in part by experiences, which makes each individual – including your sweet darling – totally and incredibly unique. 

YOUR BODY

You’re probably wondering what to expect when you get to the hospital or birthing clinic. Depending on what stage of labor you’re in, you’ll most likely be led to your room and hooked up to a monitoring machine. Your husband will scrub up before joining you. If your birth plan includes an epidural, the anaesthesiologist will come to administer anesthesia. Though labor is challenging and difficult, don’t forget to stay in the moment and share this magical time with your partner. You’re about to become the proud parents of a brand new human being! Try to soak up and enjoy as much of the experience as you can. Expect the father to be going through a lot of different emotions right about now – from excitement to fear to anxiety. Maybe you can show him some breathing exercises!

NUTRITION

You don’t really know how long your labor will last, but you will definitely need energy for it! Be sure to pack some small but healthy snacks in your maternity bag. You probably won’t want to eat a lot, but it’s a good idea to have something to nibble on in case you need a quick energy boost while waiting for baby to come out. Choose light but nutrient-rich food such as bananas, dried fruit, and cereal bars. Even if you don’t eat them during labor, they can come in handy after you go through all the hard work of delivering your baby!

TIPS

Caesarean sections – or simply c-sections – are quite common for various reasons. If your baby by this time has not yet moved into the birth position, your doctor will discuss if you would like to deliver your baby via c-section. Don’t let the thought scare you! Nowadays, a caesarean is a routine operation. The epidural used during a c-section will target your pelvic area alone – i.e. the area between your tummy and thighs, so that you can actually stay awake and be conscious during your baby’s birth. Whichever way your baby chooses to enter this world, the most important thing is to have your little one delivered as safely as possible into your loving, waiting arms.

Looking forward to Week 39? Click here to see what’s in store for you.