38 Weeks Pregnant: Is This It - Let’s Talk Labor Prep, Pressure, & Power | 200

38 Weeks Pregnant: Is This It - Let’s Talk Labor Prep, Pressure, & Power | 200

Author: Trish Ware, RN September 3, 2025 Duration: 12:50

Hey Mama! In this episode of Pregnancy Unpacked, Trish gets into the final stretch of pregnancy with honest, empowering advice. She addresses the annoyances of constant questions about your due date, celebrates your body's power, and shares practical tips on labor preparation, prenatal visits, and emotional well-being. Whether you're feeling the pressure (literally and figuratively) or just need a boost of confidence, this episode reminds you that you're right on time - and your baby is almost here!

Key Takeaways

  • Baby's Growth: Your little one is about the size of a mini watermelon (19.5 inches, ~6.8 pounds), building fat stores, shedding vernix, and maturing their brain and lungs.
  • Labor Prep Tips: Prioritize gentle movement like walking, stretching, and birth ball exercises to "grease the gears" for birth.
  • Prenatal Insights: Cervical checks are optional and don't predict labor; discuss Group B Strep results thoughtfully; consider membrane sweeps carefully.
  • Signs of Labor: Watch for regular contractions (stronger, longer, closer), back pain, bloody show, or your mama intuition.

More from this episode:


Helpful Timestamps:

  • 00:59 Welcome to Week 38 of Pregnancy
  • 02:27 Embracing the Final Weeks
  • 02:51 Baby's Development at 38 Weeks
  • 03:28 Baby Weight Myths
  • 05:05 Labor Prep Essentials
  • 05:57 Prenatal Visits and Cervical Checks
  • 07:15 Group B Strep Results: Handling positive results without fear
  • 08:22 Membrane Sweeps 
  • 08:40 Signs of Labor to Watch For
  • 09:36 Navigating Emotional Challenges
  • 10:18 Positive Birth Affirmations

Resources:

Join our 5 Days to A Fearless Birth Experience and watch 5 Online Birth Classes FOR FREE!!

Join the #1 Birth Course for Confident Birth!

Over 15,000 women have used our classes to prepare for birth with the knowledge and tools provided by a Labor Nurse.

💻 Self-paced and lifetime access

👩🏻‍⚕️ Perfect for all births- hospital, birth center, or home!

🎧 Includes birth meditations and prayers.

🌍 Women all over the world have loved our classes.

✅ Start now

Join The Birthpod ™ course

Join The Calm Labor Confident Birth Course

Connect w/ Trish:

On Instagram

On YouTube

For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services


Ever find yourself scrolling through endless forums late at night, wondering about the real, unfiltered details of childbirth that no one seems to talk about plainly? The Birth Experience with Labor Nurse Mama is here to change that. Hosted by Trish Ware, RN, this podcast draws directly from her years in the delivery room, where she’s helped bring thousands of newborns into the world. She knows the questions that keep you up at night, from the logistical-like how to effectively push or what Pitocin actually does-to the vulnerable fears about epidurals, VBACs, or those embarrassing but totally normal moments. Trish moves beyond clinical jargon to offer honest, compassionate, and evidence-based insights that feel like a conversation with a trusted friend who’s seen it all. Each episode tackles a specific aspect of pregnancy, labor, and early parenting, like navigating breastfeeding challenges or figuring out newborn care, with the goal of replacing anxiety with practical knowledge. Tuning into this podcast means getting a seasoned labor nurse’s perspective delivered with warmth and a deep understanding of what you’re going through, helping you feel more prepared and empowered for your own journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Birth Experience with Labor Nurse Mama
Podcast Episodes
37 Weeks Pregnant: What You Need to Know | 198 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:05
Trish, your birth bestie, gets into what to expect at 37 weeks of pregnancy. From baby movements and their importance, to what happens during your 37-week prenatal appointment, Trish covers it all. She offers in-depth ad…
Pitocin 101: What Every Mom Giving Birth Needs to Know | 197 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:45
Trish discusses the essential topic of Pitocin - a common intervention used in labor and delivery. She breaks down what Pitocin is, why it's used, and the critical choices you have around its application. She covers its…
Pregnancy Unpacked Week 36: Preparing For the Final Stretch | 196 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:19
Welcome back to Pregnancy Unpacked, where Trish is guides you through week 36 of pregnancy. As you approach full term, Trish breaks down what’s happening with your baby, your body, and how to prepare mentally and physica…
Pregnancy Unpacked Week 35: You Are Closer Than You Think | 194 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:04
Hey mama! Welcome back to Pregnancy Unpacked with your birth bestie, Trish. In this episode, Trish unpacks what it's like being 35 weeks pregnant. From what’s happening with your baby, like gaining fat and practicing bre…
Overcoming Loneliness in Pregnancy: How to Feel Supported | 193 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:56
In this heartfelt episode, Trish opens up about the often-unspoken topic of loneliness during pregnancy. Drawing from her personal experiences and those of her community, Trish shares emotional insights and practical tip…