Week 39 of Pregnancy

Key Takeaways at Week 39

• You've reached the finish line. Babies born at 39 weeks are considered full-term, so you could deliver any day now. If your hospital bag is not fully packed, you may want to do that now.

• Yes, you are technically due at 40 weeks. However, if you have gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, or another condition that puts you or the baby at risk, your obstetrician may recommend an induction

• Contractions are the order of the day at this late point. You will notice your tummy stiffening throughout the day, especially if you have been physically active. If you notice the contractions become more intense and regular, it may be time to depart! Make sure to brush up on the other labour signs!

• You probably want to get this baby out. We're not sure, but the impatience and discomfort many moms-to-be experience around 39 weeks pregnant (and beyond!) could be nature's way of preparing you emotionally for delivery. At week 39 of pregnancy, you don't care what it takes; you simply don't want to be pregnant anymore!

• If you are in Week 39 of your pregnancy you are in the third trimester and in the ninth month

• 1 more week remaining in your pregnancy

Baby's Movement and Baby’s Development at Week 39

Baby is most likely able to flex their limbs inside your tummy. Baby's brain is still fast developing and they are becoming smarter by the week! Baby's nails may now be longer than their fingertips.

Believe it or not, baby's skin is changing quite a bit this week: not only is it growing a layer of fat beneath the outer layer to help regulate their body temperature and stay warm, but the skin itself is hardening and growing a tougher, more solid layer that is no longer translucent. This will also help them control their body temperature and keep them safe from damage.

At 39 weeks, your baby should still be moving about in your womb; the idea that newborns move less as labour progresses is not true. However, the type of movement you feel will most likely differ due to how little room the baby has in there!

Instead of kicks, flips, and twists, you may notice more rolling movement, as well as babies attempting to stretch, turn, or get comfortable in their cramped quarters. It may be more difficult to "count kicks" at this point, but you may still keep note of how many times you feel your baby move (approximately ten movements every one to two hours).

• Baby Weight: In between 3-4 Kg
• Baby Length: Over 21-22 inches long
• Baby Size: Comparable to watermelon

Baby Position at 39 Weeks

Your baby has been on the go for the past nine months. By now, however, your child should be lying low on your pelvis, head down and body facing your back. If your baby's head is not down, they are called breech, and your doctor may discuss other choices for labour and delivery.

Your Baby's Brain is Developing

The baby's brain continues to develop at an incredible rate. During the final nine weeks of pregnancy, your baby's brain weight doubles. Following birth, brain development continues at a high rate. By the age of three, your child's brain has grown to be roughly 85% the size of an adult. That is why it is critical to supplement your diet with brain-nourishing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which can be obtained from breast milk or infant formula.

Pregnancy Symptoms and Body Changes This Week

During week 39 of pregnancy, your body is rapidly changing. As your baby grows, so will you, and you may feel specific pregnancy symptoms throughout this period.

Keep a look out for indications of labour, such as diarrhoea and water breaking. Your doctor may also look for cervical effacement, which occurs when the cervix stretches and thins as the baby's head descends into the pelvis. Of course, contractions are the primary indication that the baby is ready to roll.
Losing the mucus plug indicates that labour is almost here. The plug develops early in pregnancy, establishing a barrier to the cervical opening that has helped keep microorganisms out of the uterus. While the plug is easily unnoticed, you may detect a somewhat bloody or pink discharge.
The bloody show, or the production of a small amount of blood and mucus, is also a symptom of approaching labour. It's evidence that the cervix has begun to efface and dilate, indicating that labour is approaching, closer than when the mucus plug is removed.
You may still be experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions. How can they be distinguished from true labour contractions? Braxton Hicks contractions are more uncomfortable than painful, and they pass within two minutes. Labour contractions are powerful, regular, and increasing in intensity.
You may also suffer pelvic pressure or "lightning crotch," a quick, abrupt shooting pain in the vagina, rectum, or pelvis caused by the baby's position or movement pressing on nerves.

Body Changes This Week

Probably a little of everything! You're probably going through a number of pregnancy symptoms. One minute you're running around with great energy, completing all of your pre-baby activities around the house, and the next you want to curl up in bed with your body pillow and sleep. You may also be experiencing a mix of excitement (OMG, the baby is almost here!) and nervousness.

Congratulations to the uncommon mother-to-be who is 39 weeks pregnant with twins! You've kept those babies in despite the likelihood of an early delivery (and your overall pain). You're undoubtedly experiencing a variety of symptoms, including the desire to bring your twosome out of your tummy and into the world.

39-week Ultrasound

An ultrasound and non-stress test may be necessary to monitor the baby's health, particularly if you are pregnant with twins. After reviewing the results of these two tests, your doctor may conclude that everything is fine or propose an early delivery.

At this stage, there's nothing left to do but go to the doctor every week, wait for the baby, and keep your mind occupied with minor tasks. If they get done, that's terrific. If not, no problem. We know it's difficult to relax but try!

Signs of Labour at 39 Weeks

Other symptoms are your body's way of informing you that your baby will be arriving soon. When you're 39 weeks pregnant, the first thing you think about is labour indicators. It is crucial to understand what they are but don't be too concerned about going into labour without realising it. In most situations, labour signs will be so intense and distinct from what you have been experiencing that you will be unable to ignore them.

Call Your OB if You Encounter Any of the Following

• Water breaks: It may not be as dramatic as it appears in the movies—you may experience a gradual trickle rather than a large gush. However, if your discharge is fluid rather than solid, it could indicate that your amniotic sac has ruptured and you will most likely go into labour within hours

• Regular contractions: If you're experiencing repetitive and painful tummy tightening, start timing your contractions. If they keep coming and the intervals between them get shorter, you're in the early stages of labour. The duration of this stage varies from mother to mother (yep, you'll be a mother very soon!), so keep your doctor informed and follow their instructions for getting to the hospital by the time you enter active labour

You may not have seen any indications of labour yet, which is fine! On average, a first-time mother-to-be will go into labour naturally around the 41-week mark, but second-time mothers deliver closer to 40 weeks. While some women begin to exhibit signs of labour like a dilated and/or effaced cervix, regular contractions, etc.—weeks or days before giving birth, others move from zero to 10 centimetres dilated in hours.

Is it possible to be in labour without having contractions or your water breaking?

Contractions are the body's way of preparing for delivery, thus they must occur while in labour. (Real contractions, not Braxton Hicks.) It's a different scenario when it comes to water breaking, which does not occur naturally for all women. If your contractions have progressed to the point that you need to go to the hospital and your water has not broken, your doctor may take care of it for you when you arrive. If your water breaks and there are no contractions, contact your OB immediately, as this can lead to infection.

Inducing Labour at 39 weeks

Now that you're 39 weeks pregnant (full term!) and ready to give birth, you might be wondering how to induce labour naturally at home. Gulping castor oil and trying herbal cures aren't deemed safe, and eating hot meals won't cut it. However, there are a few items that are usually safe and could work:

• Walking: Put on your trainers and go for a long, long stroll. It is not a medically established strategy for inducing labour, but some experts believe gravity will push the baby down against your cervix, causing dilatation

• Acupuncture: Again, it is not established, but there is some indication that this ancient method modulates blood flow, causing your cervix to dilate

• Have an orgasm: Some people feel that having an orgasm (which can be done safely with or without your partner) can assist in inducing contractions. It can't hurt to try, right?

For certain women who are 39 weeks pregnant, the doctor may propose a medical induction. Complications (preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, a heart issue), placental difficulties, and uterine infection are all possible reasons for inducing labour. Induction may also be considered if you are pregnant with twins or if your water broke but labour did not begin on its own.

Tips for 39 Weeks Pregnant

Time is ticking away. You're ready to depart, and the baby will follow soon! Here's what you can do this week to prepare for delivery day!

• If you're wondering whether you should shave before giving birth, keep in mind that shaving your pubic hair at 39 weeks pregnant is a difficult task! You'll be relieved to know that you don't have to go through the inconvenience of shaving before giving birth; in fact, if you're having a C-section, it's best not to
• One of the most effective things you can do while nesting is to organise your kitchen. Stock up on pantry necessities and create meals that can be frozen and warmed when you get home with the baby. Trust us, you won't want to go grocery shopping or cook complex meals while getting to know your infant
• At 39 weeks, you're probably ready to burst at the seams. Go for a swim to relieve pressure and weight; however, consult your OB first to ensure you are not dilated. You will feel weightless while floating in the water, which can help ease aches and pains
• If you haven't already, you (or your partner) should tick this off your to-do list before heading to the hospital. To ensure that you've done the task correctly, go to a local inspection station, such as the police or fire station!
• This could be the only week you have to try to sleep through the night, so take advantage! Get to bed early and take naps as needed during the day. You'll need your strength on the big day!

Checklist for Week 39

• Schedule a prenatal visit.
• Read up on what happens during birth (preparation is essential!)
• Create a "Baby's here!" contact list.
• Decide on a name! Ideally, you should resolve this before you leave the hospital.

Frequently Asked Questions on Week 39 of Pregnancy

1. What are the medical alternatives to epidurals?
   If you are concerned about pain during labour and delivery but are hesitant to receive an epidural, there are other options for pain management. This includes: A local anaesthetic is used as a nerve block to relieve delivery pain; however, it does not help with contraction discomfort and only lasts some time. Nitrous oxide, also known as "laughing gas," is typically safe and easy to administer and provides minor pain relief, although it is not yet available in all hospitals.
2. How can I tell if it's the mucus plug or ordinary discharge?
   It might be difficult to distinguish between a mucus plug or bloody show and normal pregnancy discharge; normal discharge can also contain blood, especially if you have a bacterial or yeast infection. However, consistent discharge is not associated with any other indicators of labour, such as uterine contractions. It will also most likely be thinner and more consistent, coming out in small amounts over time, as opposed to the mucus plug, which is heavy and may come out all at once or over the course of many hours.