Full term hit last week, and now you're in active waiting mode. The baby is fully developed and just adding final weight. Your partner is likely very uncomfortable and very ready to be done. This is t...
Week 38: Any Day Now
The Quick Brief
Full term hit last week, and now you're in active waiting mode. The baby is fully developed and just adding final weight. Your partner is likely very uncomfortable and very ready to be done. This is the week where every twinge makes you both wonder "is this it?" Keep your phone charged, your tank full, and your patience high.
What's Happening with Baby
Size: About the size of a small pumpkin—roughly 19.6 inches long and weighing around 6.8 pounds.
The baby is fully cooked. All organ systems are functional. The brain continues its final development, adding neural connections at an incredible rate. The liver and lungs are ready for life outside the womb. According to the March of Dimes, your baby's brain is still developing, and liver and lungs are still growing—but at this point, they're ready for the real world.
The baby has likely "dropped" into the pelvis—a process called lightening. This means the head is engaged in the birth canal, getting into position for delivery. You might notice her belly looks different—lower and more forward. The baby is practicing breathing, swallowing, sucking—all the skills needed after birth.
At this stage, the baby is adding about an ounce a day, building up fat stores that will help with temperature regulation and provide energy reserves for the early days of breastfeeding.
What's Happening with Mom
She's uncomfortable. Really, truly uncomfortable. The baby's size makes everything harder—sleeping, sitting, standing, walking. There's no comfortable position anymore. Braxton Hicks contractions may be more frequent. Lightning crotch may be a regular visitor. Back pain, pelvic pressure, and general exhaustion are the norm.
The "is this labor?" guessing game has begun. She may notice an increase in vaginal discharge (possibly tinged with pink) as the body prepares for delivery. The mucus plug might start to come away—this can happen in one piece or gradually over days or weeks. Losing the mucus plug doesn't mean labor is imminent; it can happen weeks before delivery.
Emotionally, she may swing between "I'm so ready to be done" and anxiety about the actual birth. Both are completely normal.
Warning signs requiring immediate attention: Decreased fetal movement, water breaking, regular contractions coming every 5 minutes for an hour, heavy vaginal bleeding, or severe headache with vision changes.
What Dad Should Do This Week
1. Phone always charged, always with you
This seems obvious, but now's not the time to let your phone die during a long meeting. Keep a charger at work, in the car, and by your bed. If you're going somewhere without cell service, think twice about it. You need to be reachable.
2. Know the signs of true labor
True labor contractions are regular, get closer together over time, get stronger over time, and don't go away when she changes positions or moves around. They typically start in the back and wrap around to the front. According to guidelines, for a first baby, head to the hospital when contractions are every 3-5 minutes, lasting about a minute each, for at least an hour, and she can't walk or talk through them. If her water breaks—with or without contractions—head to the hospital. Note the time, color, and amount of fluid when it happens.
3. Practice the hospital route
Drive it again. At different times of day if possible. Know exactly where to go when you arrive—labor and delivery entrance, where to park, what to do if it's the middle of the night. Having this route on autopilot means one less thing to think about when the moment arrives.
4. Keep the gas tank full
Simple but critical. Never let the tank go below half full. The last thing you need when contractions start is to stop for gas.
5. Be present but not hovering
She's uncomfortable and anxious. Don't add to it by constantly asking "how do you feel?" or treating every Braxton Hicks like it's go-time. Be ready, be calm, and let her know you're prepared without making her feel watched.
The Relationship Check-In
Distraction duty is your job right now. One couple created a delivery experience document. Take her to a movie, a slow walk, dinner out. Waiting for labor is harder than labor itself. Also: help her finalize the birth preferences document. Include who she wants in the room, who talks to nurses first (consider being the intermediary so she can focus), ambient preferences (dim lights, music), and contingency preferences for C-section.
The waiting game can be hard on both of you. She wants to be done being pregnant; you want to meet your baby. But pushing for induction or getting impatient doesn't help anyone. If the pregnancy is healthy, babies come when they're ready.
Support her through the discomfort without trying to rush things along. Offer distractions—movies, walks, whatever helps pass the time. And remember: you're both about to become parents. Take some moments this week to appreciate this last chapter of just the two of you.
What's Coming Up
Week 39 is the optimal delivery window—babies born at 39-40 weeks have the best outcomes. But remember: only 5% of babies arrive on their due date. Most first-time moms deliver between 39-41 weeks. If you haven't had the baby by your due date, you'll likely discuss induction options with your provider.