38 Weeks Pregnant

Swelling in the ankles:
During the final weeks of pregnancy, some swelling in the feet and ankles is normal. However, it’s crucial to contact your doctor or midwife immediately if you observe excessive or sudden swelling in your feet or ankles, substantial swelling in your hands, any facial swelling or puffiness around the eyes, or if you experience a sudden weight gain. These symptoms could indicate a serious condition called preeclampsia.

Most commonly, swelling is a normal occurrence and may even signify healthy blood flow to the uterus, ensuring the baby receives the necessary nutrients. The expansion of the uterus, especially in late pregnancy, exerts pressure on pelvic veins and the leg-to-heart blood vessel, impeding blood return and causing fluid to accumulate in the tissues of the feet and ankles.

To alleviate swelling, it’s advisable to reduce pressure by moving regularly, avoiding prolonged sitting or standing. Elevating your feet whenever possible, such as using a stool at work or placing a pillow under your feet in bed, can make a significant difference. Wearing comfortable shoes and compression socks while on your feet helps maintain proper blood circulation. Staying hydrated also aids in reducing swelling, despite the counterintuitive notion.

Difficulty sleeping:
While the common discourse often focuses on sleep deprivation after the baby arrives, you may already be experiencing challenges in getting sufficient sleep. Achieving a comfortable sleeping position becomes more difficult during late pregnancy, and around two-thirds of pregnant women report insomnia.

Practicing good sleep hygiene can be helpful. Avoiding large meals and excessive water intake in the evening, relaxing in a dimly-lit room without screens before bedtime, and engaging in activities like reading or guided meditation may promote better sleep. If sleep remains elusive after half an hour, it’s advised to move to a different room, engaging in quiet activities until drowsiness sets in.

Crazy dreams:
Once asleep, pregnant individuals often encounter intense dreams, ranging from frightening to joyful or even erotic. Hormonal surges are believed to contribute to the heightened intensity of dreams during pregnancy. These dreams may be a reflection of conscious thoughts and anxieties, with concerns about labor and parenthood fueling unusual nighttime visions.

Lightning crotch:
At 38 weeks pregnant, you might experience sudden, sharp pain in the pelvis or groin known as “lightning crotch.” This sensation, although jarring, is usually harmless and short-lived. It occurs when the baby’s head presses against nerves in the cervix and lower uterus, most commonly during the late third trimester when the baby drops lower in the pelvis. Wearing a supportive belly band can help prevent this discomfort, and changing positions may provide relief when it occurs.

Changes in vaginal discharge:
As labor approaches, there may be changes or an increase in vaginal discharge. Typically, white, creamy, or clear discharge is healthy, while pink or red discharge can also be normal. However, sudden bleeding should prompt a call to your healthcare provider. Green, yellow, foul-smelling discharge, or discharge causing discomfort may indicate an infection.

At 38 weeks, mucousy discharge may be observed, signaling the dislodging of the mucus plug from the cervical canal as the cervix dilates and effaces. This is an early sign of labor, but it doesn’t necessarily mean immediate delivery. The absence of the mucus plug in your underwear is not a cause for concern, as many women do not observe it.

Heartburn:
Heartburn and indigestion may worsen at 38 weeks pregnant due to the expanding abdomen. Eating small meals, especially if prone to heartburn, and sleeping with an elevated chest can help alleviate symptoms. It’s essential to avoid trigger foods and, if experiencing sudden nausea or vomiting, contact your healthcare provider, as it could be a sign of preeclampsia.