Pregnancy

38 Weeks

How your baby’s growing:

Your baby has really plumped up. He weighs about 6.8 pounds and he’s over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). He has a firm grasp, which you’ll soon be able to test when you hold his hand for the first time! His organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

Wondering what color your baby’s eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If he’s born with brown eyes, they’ll likely stay brown. If he’s born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time he’s 9 months old. That’s because a child’s irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after he’s born, but they usually won’t get “lighter” or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

How your life’s changing:

For many women, the next couple of weeks are a waiting game. Use this time to prepare your baby’s nursery or to take care of necessary tasks you may not get around to for a while after your baby’s born. Take naps, catch up on your reading, and spend uninterrupted time with your partner while you can.

Some swelling in your feet and ankles is normal during these last weeks, but call your practitioner without delay if you notice excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles, more than slight swelling of your hands, any swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes, or have a sudden weight gain. Also let her know immediately if have severe or persistent headaches; visual changes (such as double or blurred vision, seeing spots or flashing lights, light sensitivity, or a temporary loss of vision), intense upper abdominal pain or tenderness, or nausea and vomiting. These are symptoms of a serious condition called preeclampsia.

38 Weeks (3rd Trimester) December 3rd

37 Weeks (3rd Trimester) November 26th

36 Weeks (3rd Trimester) November 19th

35 Weeks (3rd Trimester) November 12th

34 Weeks (3rd Trimester) November 5th

33 Weeks (3rd Trimester) October 29th

32 Weeks (3rd Trimester) October 22nd

31 Weeks (3rd Trimester) October 15th

30 Weeks (3rd Trimester) October 8th

29 Weeks (3rd Trimester) October 1st

28 Weeks (3rd Trimester) September 24th

27 Weeks (2nd Trimester) September 17th