What pregnancy week 38 means
Ready for the outside world. “38 weeks pregnant” means 38 weeks have passed since the first day of the last menstrual period — the standard way pregnancy is dated. Conception usually happened about two weeks after that date, so the baby’s own age (fetal age) is roughly 36 weeks. Week 38 runs from 38 weeks 0 days to 38 weeks 6 days; on the following day the pregnancy is 39 weeks.
Your baby at 38 weeks
Most organs are ready to work outside the womb. The lungs are producing more surfactant, and the brain and nervous system keep refining their connections.
A common way to picture it: the baby is now about the size of a pumpkin — roughly about 49.8 cm and about 3.1 kg. These are averages; babies grow at different rates, and ultrasound measurements vary.
Your body at 38 weeks
Many people feel ready to meet the baby. Sleep can be hard, and pelvic pressure, back pain and frequent bathroom trips are common.
Care and appointments around week 38
Keep your maternity unit’s number handy and know who will take you. Your provider may discuss what happens if you go past your due date.
The timing of tests and appointments differs between countries and care providers. If anything worries you — such as bleeding, severe pain, fluid leaking, fever, or a change in your baby’s movements — contact your midwife, doctor or maternity unit straight away rather than waiting for your next appointment.
Week 38 in your pregnancy timeline
Week 38 is in the third trimester (weeks 28–40+) and in pregnancy month 9, which covers roughly weeks 36–40. Full term begins at 39 weeks, 1 week from now.
| Pregnancy start (first day of last period) | |
|---|---|
| Estimated conception | |
| Full term (39 weeks) | |
| Estimated due date (40 weeks) |
Dates assume you are exactly 38 weeks 0 days today. For dates based on your own last period, use the calculator above or the main Pregnancy Calculator.
38 weeks pregnant in days and months
38 weeks is 266 days of pregnancy — 95% of a 40-week pregnancy. Counted in calendar months, 38 weeks is about 8.7 months, which is usually described as month 9 of pregnancy. Months are only a rough grouping; healthcare professionals almost always talk in weeks and days because they are more precise. See Pregnancy Month Calculator for how weeks map to months.