Week 38. You are full term. Your baby weighs about 3.1kg and could arrive any day. If you have been doing perineal massage since week 34, you have had 4+ weeks of consistent practice.
Your Body at Week 38
- Your baby is fully developed and gaining the last bits of fat for temperature regulation.
- You may notice more Braxton Hicks. Some women experience prodromal labor — irregular contractions that come and go for days before real labor starts.
- Cervical changes are happening. Your cervix is softening, thinning, and may begin to dilate.
- Energy fluctuations — some days you feel exhausted, others you get a burst of energy.
Birth Prep at Week 38
Review the signs of labor. Regular contractions increasing in frequency and intensity, water breaking, persistent lower back pain, bloody show. When in doubt, call your healthcare provider.
Rest as much as possible. Labor is a physical event. Go in rested.
Review your breathing techniques. The controlled breathing you have been practicing during perineal massage will serve you well during labor.
Stay connected. Keep your phone charged, your partner informed, and your support network on standby.
Perineal Massage at Week 38
At this stage:
- The stretch should feel manageable. What felt unfamiliar at week 34 should now feel routine.
- Your breathing should be automatic. Slow inhale, long exhale through the stretch. You have been practicing this for weeks.
- Keep sessions short and consistent. A few minutes, 3-4 times per week. No need to do more.
If you are using the Perimom massage wand, make sure your massage oil is topped up. You will want some left to bring to the delivery room if your midwife or birth team asks for it.
A Note on Timing
Not every baby arrives at 40 weeks. Some come at 38, some at 42. Whatever happens, the perineal massage you have done has helped your body become more familiar with the stretching sensation, and the breathing practice has prepared your mind for labor.
You have done the work. Trust your preparation.
The full week-by-week series
- Week 33: Preparing to Start
- Week 34: Starting Perineal Massage
- Week 35: Building Your Routine
- Week 36: It Is Getting Easier
- Week 37: Early Term
- Week 38: Full Term — You Are Here
