38 Weeks Pregnant

You feel and look like a ripe peach this week. All rounded corners and full of promise. Even if you've loved every minute of pregnancy until now, some creeping, nagging doubts may start to surface when you are 38 weeks pregnant. "Am I too big", "Am I too small", "Will this baby ever be born"? And the classic, "How can this baby ever come out of me"? You may swing between sublime calm one minute and a level of near panic the next. Your due date is only 2 weeks away and the reality of the baby is almost upon you. Try not to feel overwhelmed by what is happening and have faith in your body's ability to deliver your baby safely. Have confidence too, in your maternity care providers and be optimistic that all will go smoothly. If not, there are processes in place which are designed to support you and your baby. Remember, the only guarantee of pregnancy is that it will end, someday, and for you this is getting closer.

Was that what I think it was?

Some of you may experience "labour pains" (also referred to as Braxton Hicks) this week. If they don t progress and just subside, consider them your body's practice run for the real thing. Many women lose the mucous plug from their cervix around now and see this as a sign that their labour has started. In actual fact, the operculum or mucousy show can come away weeks before the baby is born, so don t get too excited if this happens.

Finalise your list of baby names and keep an open mind about those you may not have even considered. If you have a nostalgic yearning, search your family's history and think about recycling a family name. Just bear in mind that times change and what may have been thought of as distinguished or suitable in the 19th Century can seem just plain old fashioned now.

Your physical change this week

• You feel bigger, look bigger and have become very aware that your tummy is the first thing which enters a room. It's been weeks since you've been able to see your feet when you're standing so it's as if the world stops from your belly down.
• Finding clothes to fit is getting harder, and even your old faithfuls may be straining at the seams. Be imaginative about letting things out and borrowing from friends who've already had their babies. These final weeks are generally a time of making do.
• At 38 weeks pregnant, finding a comfortable position to lie in can seem almost impossible. Lying on your front isn t an option and flat on your back isn t recommended for either you or the baby. This is because one of your major blood vessels (the vena cava) will become compressed by the heavy weight of your uterus if you lie on your back. The best position is to lie on your left side, with your upper leg bent at the knee and supported by a pillow.
• Keep away from crowds and people who are unwell this week. It's not always possible to avoid getting sick, but if you can, limit your exposure to large groups of people and those who are clearly unwell. You need to be in the best possible shape to deliver your baby and maintain your own energy stores.
• Your feet and ankles may have merged this week, morphing into the much maligned "cankle". It's not funny though and that swelling is uncomfortable. You are probably heartily sick of wearing the same shoes every day but don t fret. After childbirth, most women have a big diuresis, which means they get rid of a large volume of body fluid via their urine. Avoid buying new shoes now; your feet won t be their current puffy size for much longer.
• Your breasts may be producing even more colostrum this week, to the point where some women will need to use breast pads to absorb leakage. If you have breastfed a baby before, this is more common. Although your breasts may feel heavy and uncomfortable, they are preparing for lactation and the all important task of nourishing your baby.