You're 38 weeks pregnant!

Medically reviewed by Carissa Stephens, RN, CCRN, CPN & Adda Bjarnadóttir, MS, LN

What's going on with you this week?

Welcome to week 38! At this point, you are probably counting down the days until your baby finally arrives. The struggle is real right now, because being 38 weeks pregnant is no picnic. Keep chugging along, get rest when you can, and save some of that energy for delivery day.

When you're considering different diaper options. For yourself

If you didn't start experiencing this pretty symptom last week, you might get the pleasure of it this week. Diarrhea at this stage is one of the ways that your body gets itself ready for giving birth. Of course it's unpleasant, but there isn't much you can do to avoid it.

Try to think of it as a good sign that your baby is on their way and make sure to stay hydrated. Eat lighter meals that won't upset your stomach and, above all else, always know where the nearest bathroom is located.

Are we there yet? Are we there yet?

One of the worst symptoms of late pregnancy is straight up impatience and the anxiety that goes along with it. You're ready, but also scared. You want it to be over, but you also don't want to go through with it.

The mix of emotions can make your looming birth deadline feel like both the best and the worst thing all at the same time. Try to relax as much as you can and focus on things other than your due date, if possible. It's a tall order, we know, but give it a shot. Deep breaths help.

Real talk — it's time to take it easy on yourself.

We get it. You're 38 weeks pregnant and there is still SO much to do. Plus, who else is going to obsessively track any and all potential signs of impending labor? The last few weeks of pregnancy can be really difficult to deal with on a physical level, but in many ways that is not nearly as bad as the mental effects.

You might be feeling anxious about giving birth, about becoming a parent, and about the health of your baby. These are all completely valid (and normal) feelings and there's no reason to keep them to yourself.

Chat with some other friends who have been there and also share how you're feeling with your partner. Sometimes just talking about these anxieties can make them feel just a bit smaller. Do something for yourself this week that will distract you. Pick up a fun beach read, get a pedicure, or go to the movies.

You've done everything you can do at this point to have a healthy pregnancy and now you're in a waiting game. It's never helpful to tell a stressed-out person to stress out less, but we're going to try. You've done the work. The rest is just gravy, baby. Your body was designed for this, and that's pretty powerful.

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GET STARTED

Eat

5-Minute Breakfast Parfait. Diarrhea can deplete your potassium levels and cause muscle aches, so this breakfast is a good addition to your rotation.

Easy Chicken and Rice Soup. Light meals are best at this point, and rice is a good food to eat if you have diarrhea.

Yogurt Fruit Ice Pops. Eating ice pops is a good way to stay hydrated, and using prebiotic yogurt in these may help introduce some good gut bacteria.

Drink

Water. Drinking water is the best way to keep your body feeling good right now.

Do

Read up on your first days with your newborn. Sleep patterns, play time, nutrition… there's a lot to know about your soon-to-arrive baby!

Finish making freezer meals. If you're still up for it, continue stocking your freezer with meals that you can simply heat up and eat after you bring your baby home. Or better yet, if your MIL is already wanting to help, put her to work in the kitchen.