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Only a couple more weeks to go! You can do this. We know you’re ready to meet your little one, but first, your body’s got to see to a little unfinished business with baby. Here’s what’s happening on the inside and out during week 38.
How Big is Baby?
Your baby may be nearly 20 inches long and weigh about 7 pounds now.
What’s New with Baby?
Baby is preparing for that big transition out of the womb, which includes producing a substance called surfactant in the lungs, says Dr. Diane Huynh, an Ob/Gyn at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Surfactant helps the lungs’ air sacs stay inflated which helps baby breathe after birth.
Diane Huynh, D.O., is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UT Southwestern Medical Center who specializes in minimally invasive robotic surgery, high- and low-risk obstetrics, and menopausal care.
What’s New with Mom?
We must get comfortable with being uncomfortable, it’s true. Fatigue, an aching back, pelvic pressure, and swelling are the name of the game at the 38-week point, Huynh explains. The trick is to stay hydrated (despite the need to urinate more frequently), prioritize your rest whenever possible, and practice tried-and-true relaxation techniques using pillows for support. Consider every pillow in the house up for grabs.
Fun Fact
Are you familiar with the terms “vernix caseosa” or “lanugo”? Up until this point, baby’s entire body had been covered with a waxy coating and super fine hair follicles, respectively. But now, both of these begin to disappear, or rather, shed.
Recognizing the Signs of Labor
Ah, false labor pains. The will-they-won’t-they actually lead to true labor can be frustrating, especially for first-time mothers-to-be, who are feeling these pains for the first time.
Some mothers-to-be may already be feeling these, called Braxton Hicks contractions, as early as the late second trimester (if so, call your doc) and more often in the third trimester – especially for first-time moms to be. Often, when the time nears, there are specific differences you can spot between Braxton Hicks contractions and true labor. The best way to differentiate false labor from true labor is with the rhythm and intensity of the contractions.
According to Huynh, false labor contractions are normally irregular, with varying intensity that is not progressively stronger or more uncomfortable. Those false labor contractions generally decrease in frequency if you completely stop activity and sit or lay down to rest. The contractions of true labor won’t decrease in frequency or stop if you rest; they will continue in the same rhythmic pattern moving ever closer and closer together, becoming more and more uncomfortable.
Remember the 5-1-1 rule:
• You have contractions every 5 minutes.
• Each one lasts 1 minute or longer.
• And when contractions have continued for 1 hour.
Then it is time to head to the hospital for evaluation of labor. And don’t hesitate to contact your healthcare provider for guidance or ask questions, voice your concerns, and advocate for yourself and your baby.
“These last couple weeks of pregnancy, less than 1% of moms will experience the rupture of their amniotic sac—or their water breaking—before the onset of labor,” notes Huynh. “While it is normally experienced as a large gush of liquid soaking your clothes, it can sometimes be a slow, steady trickle. If you think your water has broken, contact your health care provider.”
And let’s discuss the “mucus plug.” This beauty serves the purpose of protecting you against developing an infection, Huynh says, and losing your mucus plug may happen anytime during the final days or final weeks before labor. Even so, “losing the mucus plug does not necessarily mean labor is imminent, but it can be a sign that the cervix is changing in preparation for labor.”
As you well know, it’s tough to predict exactly how long the labor process will last, but there are some clues. “Early labor can last for several hours to a couple of days, while active labor and delivery typically take several hours. First-time mothers often have longer labors than those who have given birth before,” says Huynh.
Others mothers-to-be may have the opposite issue: when you are ready to get this show on the road but have no contractions. If baby is still moving but otherwise not showing any signs of budging and you’re tempted to go down the route of attempting to naturally induce labor, Huynh strongly advises you to consult your doctor first. Some well-known natural methods—such as spicy foods and castor oil (both tend to upset your GI instead), acidic foods like pineapple, herbal remedies, acupuncture or massage—are more likely not to be effective and some might even be harmful.
So what can you do safely and effectively? Taking a walk, bouncing on a birthing ball, and yes, having sex may all help prep the body for labor, but will not induce labor. Despite what you may have heard, that last one is generally not harmful during pregnancy, except with specific conditions, such as placenta or vasa previa, for which your Ob/Gyn may recommend you have “pelvic rest.”
As they say, hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Near the end of your pregnancy, always be within cell signal to call 911 in case of an emergency delivery at home or if you’re on the way but can’t make it to the hospital in time. It happens! We’re still blown away by this labor and delivery nurse who knew exactly what to do.
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This blog is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute the provision of medical advice or professional services. This blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
The above article was written by DFWChild editor Elizabeth Smith with information provided by UT Southwestern Medical Center as part of their sponsored content.
