38 weeks pregnant: recovery after birth and registering your baby

At 38 weeks pregnant your baby could come any day, and KKH's planner turns to what happens after. Most of the changes pregnancy made to your body take about 6 weeks to settle. There's admin too: in Singapore you register your baby's birth on the LifeSG app within 42 days.

Your recovery, in numbers

Keep wounds clean and dry, and change dressings when needed. Our guide to postnatal recovery after birth covers the first weeks at home.

Your newborn's first 10 days

• Your baby's first pee usually comes within 24 hours of birth, and the first poo in the next 1 to 2 days.
• The umbilical cord stump usually shrivels and drops off within 10 days. Keep it clean, dry and above the nappy.
• Jaundice is very common and usually shows on the third day. Most cases are mild and harmless, but have your doctor check whether treatment is needed.

Registering the birth and joining the grants

Since 29 May 2022, parents register a birth on the LifeSG app, within 42 days, KKH says. Hospitals and ICA no longer do it in person. You'll then be told to download the digital birth certificate through ICA's e-service; NUH notes it costs $18 and you have 90 days to download it.

Your baby's government benefits are tied to the same step:

• For a baby born before 1 April 2027, you enrol in the Baby Bonus Scheme as part of birth registration on LifeSG. Your child moves to the SG Child Support Package in April 2027.
• For a baby born on or after 1 April 2027, you enrol in the SG Child Support Package as part of birth registration: a $10,000 Baby Gift, $2,000 in Child Credits a year from age 1 to 16, and a $5,000 Child Development Account First Step Grant.
• During the application you choose a bank, POSB/DBS, OCBC or UOB, for your child's accounts. The Made for Families site lists a $5,000 MediSave Grant for Newborns on top.

Check eligibility before you apply at go.gov.sg/bbeligibilitycheck. Our Baby Bonus and family support guide and Baby Bonus calculator show what your child gets.

What's due in Singapore at 38 weeks

When to go to the hospital

Go in with regular contractions, your water bag breaking, bleeding, or fewer movements than usual.

Where to go: at KKH, if you're 22 weeks or more with leaking fluid, bleeding or signs of labour, head directly to the Delivery Suite on Level 2 of the Women's Tower. NUH's Delivery Suite is Ward 22, Level 2 of the Main Building. Other hospitals have their own, so find out where yours is before you need it.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to register my baby's birth?

42 days, on the LifeSG app, KKH says.

Do I apply for Baby Bonus before the birth?

The current Made for Families and LifeSG pages describe enrolment as part of birth registration on LifeSG, after your baby is born.

How long does bleeding last after giving birth?

KKH says it usually gets lighter towards weeks 4 to 6, changing from bright red to pink or brown before it stops.

38 weeks pregnant is how many months?

About eight and three quarter months, counted from the first day of your last period.

Week by week. Previous week: 37 weeks pregnant. Next week: 39 weeks pregnant. Every week from 4 to 40: pregnancy week by week.