Pregnancy Week 38 vs Week 40
Complete comparison of baby development, mom's symptoms, and changes between these weeks
📊
Time Difference
2 weeks apart
🔄
Trimester
Both in 3rd trimester
Baby Size Comparison
Growth Progress
Week 38Leek
Week 40Small pumpkin
Your baby is approximately 98% through pregnancy
Week 38
📏
Length
19.6 inches
⚖️
Weight
6.8 pounds
🍎
Size Comparison
Leek
Week 40
📏
Length
20.2 inches
⚖️
Weight
7.6 pounds
🍎
Size Comparison
Small pumpkin
What Changes Between Week 38 and 40?
👶New Baby Developments
- ✓Baby is ready to meet you and fully prepared for life outside!
- ✓All organs are functioning perfectly
- ✓Baby has strong survival reflexes including sucking, rooting, and grasping
- ✓Coordination is fully developed
- ✓Baby is at complete development
🤰New or Changing Symptoms
- ✓Emotionally and physically ready to meet your baby
- ✓Possible increased contractions that may start and stop
- ✓Feeling anxious, impatient, or frustrated if not in labor yet
- ✓Labor could start at any time - today, tomorrow, or in 2 weeks
- ✓Extreme discomfort and difficulty with daily activities
📈Key Changes Summary
Baby Growth: Your baby continues to grow rapidly, with organs developing and maturing each day.
Your Body: Your body adapts to support your growing baby with various physical and hormonal changes.
Baby Development Milestones
Week 38 Development
- •Baby continues gaining weight at about 1 ounce per day
- •All organs are fully developed and ready to function outside the womb
- •Baby might have a full head of hair or very little - both are normal
- •Meconium (first bowel movement) is building up in intestines
- •Baby is completely ready for life outside and could be born any day
- •Reflexes are strong including rooting, sucking, and grasping
Week 40 Development
- •Baby is ready to meet you and fully prepared for life outside!
- •All organs are functioning perfectly
- •Baby has strong survival reflexes including sucking, rooting, and grasping
- •Coordination is fully developed
- •Baby is at complete development
- •Baby will continue gaining weight if they stay in longer
Common Symptoms
Week 38 Symptoms
- •Cervix may be dilating and effacing (thinning) in preparation
- •Possible bloody show (mucus plug discharge with blood)
- •Contractions may increase in frequency and intensity
- •Water may break at any time (happens before labor in about 10% of women)
- •Extreme discomfort and difficulty moving
- •Possible diarrhea as body prepares for labor
Week 40 Symptoms
- •Emotionally and physically ready to meet your baby
- •Possible increased contractions that may start and stop
- •Feeling anxious, impatient, or frustrated if not in labor yet
- •Labor could start at any time - today, tomorrow, or in 2 weeks
- •Extreme discomfort and difficulty with daily activities
- •Possible signs of labor beginning
Nutrition Tips
Week 38 Nutrition
- •Eat light, easily digestible, nutritious meals
- •Stay very well hydrated with water and electrolyte drinks
- •Avoid heavy, greasy meals that could cause discomfort during labor
- •Stock up on easy, quick postpartum foods and snacks
- •Eat small frequent meals
- •Include foods rich in energy like complex carbohydrates
Week 40 Nutrition
- •Stay well hydrated with water throughout the day
- •Eat light, healthy, balanced meals
- •Keep energy-boosting foods readily available for early labor
- •Avoid overeating which could cause nausea during labor
- •Include foods rich in protein and complex carbs
- •Eat regularly to maintain energy
⚕️When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider
During weeks 38 to 40, contact your healthcare provider if you experience:
- •Severe abdominal pain or cramping
- •Heavy bleeding or passing clots
- •Severe headache with vision changes
- •Persistent fever over 100.4°F (38°C)
- •Sudden swelling of hands, face, or feet
- •Decreased fetal movement