What should you be feeling at 39 weeks pregnant? How likely is it to go into labour at 39 weeks? Is 39 weeks a good time to deliver?
At this point, all you could probably think about is going into labour, and you just cannot wait to give birth and meet your little one. But there is still a lot more you can experience. Read on to learn more about the final weeks of your third trimester.
39 Weeks Pregnant in Months
At 39 weeks pregnant, you're essentially at the beginning of your ninth month of pregnancy. Full-term pregnancy typically lasts around nine months, so you're just days away from reaching the finish line and welcoming your baby into the world. Preparing for labour is the primary focus now, and your healthcare provider will monitor you closely.
Now, let's learn more about your baby and your pregnancy at this stage.
Pregnancy Week 39: Baby
Congratulations! You're getting so close to meeting your little one. The baby has fully formed and will be ready to come out soon with all their organs and tissues working. The baby's head is getting larger as it prepares for birth. The baby can open its mouth and suckle if born prematurely.
Baby’s Growth
At 39 weeks, your little one is about the size of a baby watermelon, or roughly 50.7 cm, and weighs 3.25kg. No wonder you’re feeling heavy!
This week, your baby is getting ready to move into their final position. They'll be facing head down so that they can make their way out as soon as possible! Suppose you're feeling some discomfort in your abdomen. In that case, this may be why: your baby is getting heavier and exerting more pressure on your bladder (and possibly other organs), which can cause some mild discomfort for mamas-to-be.
Your baby's lungs are fully developed and functioning, and the baby can breathe on their own. Their eyes are open and they hear sounds from the outside world such as mum's voice. The baby's skin is wrinkled and covered with a fine hair called lanugo, which will soon be shed.
The brain is still growing and developing, which accounts for the rapid increase in its size. At this point, your baby has started to develop some fat tissue, which will help them survive outside of the womb when they're born.
Baby's Development
At week 39 of pregnancy, your baby is considered full-term, meaning they're more likely to be born healthy than babies born earlier. In this week-by-week pregnancy guide, you'll learn that:
- Physical development aside (your baby can now flex their limbs!), your baby’s brain continues to develop, making them smarter by the week.
- Their nails may extend past the fingertips. Your baby can open their eyes, and is breathing well.
- Besides making your baby’s cheeks kissable and pinchable, the thicker layer of fat deposited over their blood vessels causes their skin to turn pink to white. This is regardless of how dark-skinned they will be eventually; pigmentation occurs soon after birth.
Baby’s Hearing
You might not think about your baby's hearing until it's time to talk to them, but they're actually listening to everything you say from the moment they're born.
In week 39 of your pregnancy, your baby's hearing develops, and you can help them develop their language skills by talking with them.
By 39 weeks pregnant, your baby has already developed all of the hearing-related structures in their body. However, they won't be able to hear you until around three months after they're born.
The ability to hear starts with picking up sounds and processing them. This process starts with nerve cells in your baby's inner ear that send signals through a bundle of nerves called a cochlear nerve (the same one that transmits information from your eyes to your brain).
Baby’s Teeth
At this point in your pregnancy, your baby's tiny teeth are beginning to form under their gums. Their taste buds are also developed
Baby’s Movement
You’re probably starting to feel like you know your baby pretty well. You may even be able to predict when they will move because they are certainly active!
The average baby is considered term at 37 weeks, so if you are this far along or beyond, your little one has been kicking and moving around for quite some time.
Lots of movement and pressure at 39 weeks pregnant - what does this mean?
Feeling lots of movement and pressure at 39 weeks pregnant is entirely normal and can be a sign that your baby is preparing for birth. As your due date approaches, your baby's space in the womb becomes more limited, and you might sense increased pressure as they engage lower into your pelvis.
The movements might also feel different because there's less room for somersaults but more room for stretching and pushing. Keep track of how many times per day your baby moves at this time, so that you know what activity level they were at when they arrived (and can compare it with future pregnancies).
If you experience strong, regular contractions along with this pressure, it could be a sign that labour is on the horizon. However, it's always advisable to consult with your healthcare provider to ensure everything is progressing as expected.
39 Weeks Pregnant: Your Body
This week, you're getting ready for birth—but you might not know what that means yet.
At 39 weeks pregnant, your body is preparing for labour and delivery by releasing hormones called prostaglandins. These hormones help your body make its own natural painkillers (called endorphins) and will help reduce the pain of contractions during labour.
In addition, your baby's head is engaged in your pelvis now—meaning the cervix is fully closed off from the vagina and the baby's head is pressing against it. This causes pressure on the cervix, which can cause contractions if you're not already having them naturally.
While this does not mean that you're going into labour anytime soon (even though some women do experience false labour), it does mean that you'll want to stay active and be aware of any unusual sensations or pains in your abdomen. If they don't go away within an hour or so after they begin, call your doctor or midwife right away!
39 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms
What should you be feeling at 39 weeks pregnant?
At 39 weeks, you may feel a mix of excitement, anticipation, and some anxiety as labour could begin at any moment. You might experience increased pressure in your pelvis, Braxton Hicks contractions, and difficulty sleeping due to discomfort. Here are other things to expect this week:
- The urge to nest (cleaning and tidying up your space) becomes stronger, though try not to stress yourself while cleaning. Do not be the one carrying or packing away heavy items.
- Your heartburn may be at its peak this week, but not to worry. Relief is coming soon.
- As your body prepares for childbirth, your rectal muscles may loosen, resulting in pregnancy diarrhoea. Be careful that you do not get dehydrated when it happens.
- On your prenatal checkup, your doctor might perform an internal examination to see whether your cervix has started ripening: softening, effacing (thinning out), and dilating (opening).
To help alleviate these discomforts, consider trying the Simply Slimming Enzyme. This supplement contains a blend of 36 fruits and vegetables enzymes to aid digestion, kudzuvine flower extract to burn calories, and gamboge fruit to promote metabolism. It can be taken twice a day with room temperature water after meals. Remember to consult with your doctor before starting any new supplement regimen.
39 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms Not to Ignore
While some discomfort and changes are expected at 39 weeks, there are symptoms you shouldn't ignore, including:
- severe or persistent abdominal pain
- sudden swelling
- severe headaches
- vision changes
- a decrease in fetal movement
These could be signs of complications like preeclampsia or problems with your baby's well-being. Always consult your healthcare provider if you're concerned about any unusual symptoms.
Maternal Weight Gain
The best way to measure your baby's growth is by using the ultrasound. This way, you can keep track of how much your baby has grown each week and compare it with the average weight gain of other pregnant women. During pregnancy week 39, you should expect to gain approximately 1 pound (0.5kg) per week.
Nutrition
As we enter the final weeks of pregnancy, it's important to ensure that you take care of yourself. You've got a baby to think about now, which means ensuring your body is set up for success. Here are some tips for keeping yourself healthy and strong during these final weeks:
Eat a balanced diet. This means eating plenty of lean protein, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Avoid foods that are high in saturated fats or sugar—these can lead to weight gain and other health problems later on down the line.
Get enough sleep! Staying asleep through the night will help both you and your baby get the rest they need so that they're ready for labour day morning!
Stay hydrated! You'll need plenty of water (and maybe some herbal tea) to keep things running smoothly inside your body right now!
Labour at 39 Weeks Pregnant
How Likely Is It to Go Into Labor at 39 Weeks
At 39 weeks, full-term pregnancy is well underway, and it's common for many women to go into labour at this stage. In fact, research shows that 25 per cent of women give birth at 39 weeks pregnant.
However, the exact timing can vary widely from woman to woman. Some may go into labour before 39 weeks, while others may carry their pregnancies a bit longer. It's a period of high anticipation.
Is 39 Weeks a Good Time to Deliver
Delivery at 39 weeks is generally considered full-term and safe for most babies. It's an ideal time for labour to begin as your baby's organs and systems are well-developed. However, always follow your healthcare provider's advice and consider individual circumstances and any medical recommendations.
How Do I Know If I Am Close to Labor at 39 Weeks
Signs of being close to labour at 39 weeks can include:
- cervical dilation
- the "bloody show" (mucus plug discharge)
- regular contractions that become stronger and closer together
- your baby descending into the pelvis.
These are typical signs that labour is approaching, but remember that the exact timeline can vary from person to person.
Pregnancy Care: Your Checklist at 39 Weeks Pregnant
- It is important that you continue to eat a nutritious diet and get enough sleep. You will need all the strength that you can muster to go through what’s right around the corner: your delivery!
- Ensure your hospital bag has all that you need and is ready to go.
- Watch out for signs of low amniotic fluid in pregnancy and know when it's time to call the doctor.
- Go through your action plan just in case you go into labour: Who do you call? What do you bring? Where should you go? What should you do when you’re in a certain situation? Since all you can do now is wait, use this time to ensure that you have every single detail in place.
- Don't forget to update your pregnancy journal. And if you haven't yet, now's your cue to write a letter for your unborn baby, before they make their big entrance into the world.
Anytime now, mum! Remember, you got this. We're rooting for you!
Your next week: 40 weeks pregnant
Your previous week: 38 weeks pregnant
Updates from Pheona Ilagan
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