38 Weeks Pregnant
You’re 38 weeks pregnant — in the third trimester, and 2 weeks to go until your due date. Your baby is about the size of a leek this week.
How big is your baby at 38 weeks?
Size of a
leek
Length
~49.8 cm
Weight
~3083 g
Last week your baby was about the size of a winter melon; this week it's grown to roughly a leek.
Sizes are averages from standard fetal-growth references. Every baby grows at its own pace — your provider tracks yours at scans.
Baby development at week 38
The baby continues to add fat, which will help regulate body temperature after birth. The grasp reflex is strong, and organs are ready to work on their own. The lungs are producing more surfactant in final preparation for that first breath. Eye colour at birth may still change in the months that follow. About the length of a leek.
Your body at 38 weeks
Common symptoms many people notice around week 38 include:
- Strong pelvic pressure
- Swelling in the feet and ankles
- Trouble sleeping
- Possible early signs of labour
Symptoms vary enormously from person to person and pregnancy to pregnancy. Not having a symptom on this list is just as normal as having it.
Tips for week 38
- Rest and conserve energy for labour
- Report sudden severe swelling, headache, or vision changes
- Review your birth preferences with your support person
What trimester is 38 weeks?
Week 38 falls in the third trimester. As a quick map: the first trimester runs weeks 1–13, the second covers weeks 14–27, and the third is week 28 through birth (a due date is set at 40 weeks). Want your own dates? Our Pregnancy Due Date Calculator shows your due date and exactly how far along you are today.
The third trimester (weeks 28–40+) is about growth and getting ready for birth. Prenatal visits become more frequent, the baby gains most of its weight, and you'll watch for the signs of labour. Tiredness and physical discomfort tend to return as the due date approaches.
Frequently asked questions
- How many months is 38 weeks pregnant?
- 38 weeks pregnant is about 9 months. Pregnancy months don't divide evenly into 4-week blocks, so week-to-month conversions are approximate — most providers track pregnancy by week, not month.
- How big is the baby at 38 weeks?
- At 38 weeks, the baby is about the size of a leek, roughly 49.8 cm and around 3083 g. These are averages — healthy babies vary, and your provider tracks your baby's own growth curve at scans.
- What trimester is 38 weeks?
- Week 38 is in the third trimester. The first trimester is weeks 1–13, the second is weeks 14–27, and the third is weeks 28 to birth (around week 40).