Week 38

At 38 weeks of pregnancy, you are nearly at term. Therefore, preparing your body for labour is crucial to help alleviate pain and reduce the risk of requiring intervention during labour.²

Birthing ball exercises can help to reduce pain during the first stage of labour, shorten the first stage of labour, and may help to reduce the risk of requiring a caesarean section (C-section).²

Easy birthing ball exercises include:³

• Rocking hips side to side
• Hula-hoop circular movements

Ensure you have the right size birthing ball. For example, if you are 5’8” or under, choose a 65cm ball. If you’re 5’9” or taller, choose a birthing ball with a diameter of 75cm.³

• Back aches and sciatica⁴
• Leg cramps and restless leg syndrome⁵
• Breast changes
• Pelvic pain
• Diarrhoea
• Insomnia
• Frequent urination
• Oedema (swelling)
• Vaginal discharge (with or without spotting) and loss of mucus plug
• Foetal movement

Your baby is nearly ready to make their appearance. They now weigh around 3.2 kg, and from head-to-toe measure 48–51 cm.¹

Their lungs are maturing, and they continue to shed vernix (the oily layer on the skin) and lanugo (the fine body hair) to prepare for birth. Your baby is also swallowing amniotic fluid, which will help form its first bowel movement after birth.¹

• Try to remember your prenatal vitamins^6,7
• Staying active and keeping a healthy weight can help support overall health⁸
• Pack your hospital bag
• Count the kicks⁹
• Be aware of the main symptoms of pre-eclampsia. These include:¹⁶