You are 38 weeks pregnant and full-term. Hooray! It's almost over and baby will be in your arms soon. If you've found that you can suddenly breathe again, you should read below to find out why!
- You Might Be Able to Breathe Better
![an ultrasound of a baby in the womb]()
Breathing when there's a baby all up in your ribs can be difficult at best. As your baby starts to descend into your pelvis in preparation for labor you might find a sudden reprieve—ah, sweet, sweet air. You'd forgotten what it was like to be able to walk across the room without getting winded. People around you might notice that your belly has fallen a few inches or that the baby has "dropped."
- Your Baby is Getting Chubbier
![a closeup of a pair of legs from a chubby baby]()
The last weeks of pregnancy are when your baby really starts to pack on the pounds. Those adorably plump baby cheeks and thighs are getting bigger every day. Right now your baby will likely weigh between 6 and 7 pounds, and will continue to gain another pound over the next two weeks.
- Your Breasts Are Getting Ready
![a pregnant woman's belly]()
Your body has been preparing for this for a few months now, but you might notice an increase in leaking colostrum in the final weeks of pregnancy. Colostrum is the precursor to breast milk. It's full of antibodies and proteins made specifically to pump up your baby's immune system once he's here. If you're not leaking, that's okay—not everyone does. If you do notice more leakage, you might want to start using breast pads to keep your bra clean.