Pregnancy is a period of joy and anticipation, but it can also be a time full of physical and mental challenges. As the due date approaches, pregnant women may experience a variety of discomforts related to their changing bodies. These discomforts can range from mild to severe, including period pains and backache. These two common issues are both normal and relatively common in the third trimester of pregnancy. In this blog post, we’ll discuss what causes period pains and backache at 38 weeks pregnant, as well as potential treatments and tips for managing these discomforts. We’ll also discuss the signs that indicate it’s time to contact a doctor or midwife for further advice.
What do contractions feel like?
Early contractions may resemble period pains, and if you’ve already experienced them, you may be wondering if they are simply more Braxton Hicks contractions.
Your tummy will feel hard during a contraction as your womb’s muscles tense up and work to gradually open your cervix and push your baby out. As labour goes on, the contractions will become more intense. After each one, your muscles will unwind, and the discomfort will subside.
Your contractions may stop and start during the latent stage of labor, and they may vary in length, frequency, and strength. You might experience a lot of regular contractions before they slacken or stop altogether.
When labor has officially begun, your contractions will become more frequent and continue. When you experience a 30- to 60-second contraction every five minutes, contact your midwife, a birthing facility, or a hospital labor and delivery room. A home birth will require the midwife to travel to you.
38 Weeks Pregnant: Baby Update
Your baby is approximately 112 feet tall, weighs between 6 and 9 pounds, and is prepared for her grand entrance just like you are. Now that she is outside the womb, her brain is prepared for its next major task. It is perfectly positioned to aid her in coping with the upcoming onslaught of novel sensations, including bright lights, happy faces, new sounds, smells, and touches.
That first breath marks a significant turning point in life, and her lungs are getting ready for the big event as well. Each tiny air sac in her lungs is collapsed, but they are coated with a special chemical to keep them popped open after the initial few lung-expanding breaths.
She starts breathing more quickly as a result of the excitement of entering a new environment, which includes the cool air on her wet body and the light on her face. Even at week 38, she’s set to do it all. However, if she waits 60 to 90 seconds before clamping the umbilical cord, she will receive more blood, oxygen, iron, and stem cells.
Babies lose heat quickly because they have much more exposed skin than adults do due to their big heads, skinny arms, and legs. Your baby has special brown fat that produces additional heat that will be used up over the course of the first day or two in order to help warm her small body. Having skin-to-skin contact as soon as possible is a fantastic way to keep your baby warm, start the breastfeeding process, and to begin bonding with them.
Your Pregnant Belly at 38 Weeks
You’re so close to full term at 38 weeks pregnant; that’s what’s referred to as “early term.” You’ve passed preterm, which begins at 37 weeks, but you aren’t yet at full term, which begins at 39 weeks, so it’s almost like a transitional stage. At this point, you’re counting down the days!.
FAQ
Do period pains mean labour is close?
Do labour pains start like period pains?
Does back pain and cramps mean labor?