How Your Baby Grows During the Thirty-Eighth Week
Your baby's crown-to-rump length will not get too much longer now, and is still about 14 inches. She is 20 to 21 inches long now. Her body is filling out and laying up the important stores of fat. In fact, she is probably still gaining about an ounce a day.
With less room in the uterus, a breech baby will have less room to turn to a head down position but it may still happen. In fact, there are documented cases of breech babies turning during labor, although this is not common. Less room also means that movements may be lighter, with less force behind the kicks and hits.
What the Mother Feels During the Thirty-Eighth Week
Many mothers feel concerned when their baby's movements are less pronounced, however this is normal. The baby is more restricted in the womb so the movements have less force. It is normal, but if you are concerned about not feeling movements by the baby during a time when she is normally active, do not hesitate to call your health care provider.
Your uterus is six or seven inches above your bellybutton now and will not get any higher, although it may still expand outward. If your baby has dropped you may notice strange pressure, movement sensations or shooting pains in the pelvis or vagina. This happens when the baby's head puts pressure on nerves in the pelvic region, or from movements of her hands and feet.
Bouts of Braxton Hicks contractions are not uncommon, and some women may become confused about whether they are really in labor or not. Braxton Hicks contractions are like warm-up contractions to tone and strengthen the uterus in preparation for your upcoming labor.
Resources:
The Pregnancy Book: Month-by-Month by Dr. Sears
The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth by Sheila Kitzinger
