Day 269 of 280, third trimester
You are 38 weeks and 3 days
If you're having a home birth, you can make the midwife's job as easy as possible by being well organized.
11 days until your due date
If you're giving birth at home, spend this week making sure everything is in order and that the room you plan to give birth in is clean, comfortable, and warm enough.
Your midwife may drop off a pack around now containing everything she'll need. To make her job easier, make sure the bed you'll deliver on (if you're using one) can be reached from all sides, and have plenty of extra pillows and several changes of sheets. Even if you plan to labor in dim light, she'll need a good light source, especially after the birth if you need stitches.
Learn to catnap for 10–20 minutes. It will rest and revive you, and it's a useful technique once the baby is born.
Ask a Doctor
I'm so tired already. How will I ever get through labor?
First, rest whenever you can, even if that means several naps a day. Every bit of sleep helps your energy, especially if your nights are broken. When you feel active, do some gentle exercise, which encourages healthy, restful sleep; swimming is a great way to use energy and take your mind off things, with little or no pressure on your belly or aching joints. Try foods containing tryptophan before bed to encourage sleep, and eat plenty of high-energy carbohydrates during the day to keep your blood sugar stable and avoid energy slumps.
The lowdown
On pushing
Is pushing the baby out natural and instinctive? All women feel an urge to push in labor, but because it's painful they may resist it. Medication such as an epidural interferes with the sensation of needing to push. Your midwife will support you throughout and guide you on when it's safe and most effective to push.
Appointments and key dates around now
- RSV vaccineFrom 28 weeks
Read the full 38 weeks pregnant guide
This is general information based on NHS guidance, not medical advice, and every pregnancy is different. Talk to your midwife or GP about anything that worries you. If your baby's movements slow down or change, or you have bleeding, severe pain or leaking fluid, call your maternity unit straight away. In an emergency, call 999.