pregnancy week 39

Pregnancy Guide: Week 39

Your baby’s body might not be growing much anymore, but his brain is. It’s about thirty per cent bigger than only four weeks ago. His pink skin is now white and won’t have much pigment until soon after he’s born. He’s already at his birth weight, or very close to it, and a third of that weight is made up with his head.

39 weeks pregnant is how many months?

You are eight months and three weeks pregnant. Next week, you’ll be a full nine months pregnant, but unfortunately, it could last for another two weeks or so. Next week is your due date, you are full-term now, and it could be anytime between now and 42 weeks.

Your Baby at 39 Weeks

You officially have a full-term baby. He’s at his birth weight and length, or very close to it, and won’t grow much in the next few weeks. 

However, his brain is still growing rapidly and will continue to do so for the first three years. You will soon be able to witness that growth first-hand in the form of learning.

Your baby isn’t manufacturing tears just yet, and he won’t until he’s about a month old. So, while your baby may cry to communicate, you won’t see any tears. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t need something, and you’ll soon learn to differentiate between each sound.

Your baby’s skin is white now, and it may be disconcerting if you expect your baby to have pigment, but that will develop soon after he’s born. A thick layer of fat is between his skin and the blood vessels, meaning you can’t see any colour yet.

How big is a baby at 39 weeks?

Your baby is the size of a pumpkin. He’s crowded in your belly at 50.9 centimetres long and 3435 grams.

Your Body at 39 Weeks

The end of your pregnancy is in sight, and you’re definitely feeling it. If your baby comes late, these last few weeks may drag on as you struggle to waddle around with a lot of extra weight and a baby’s head in your pelvis. Try to distract yourself by researching gift ideas for grandparents, something fun like a baby halloween costume or dress up, or something special for yourself.

Your pelvis is achy, and your baby is bearing down. Braxton Hicks is your constant companion, and you only wish it were the real thing. But that’s good because you’re preparing physically, mentally, and emotionally for the real thing.

Look for signs of real labour now like diarrhea or nausea, the loss of your mucus plug, or bloody show. All of these could indicate that labour is coming soon. If your contractions get stronger and closer together, they are no longer Braxton Hicks. 

If your water breaks, it could mean you’re in labour. If either of those things happens, call your doctor right away.

If you already know you need a C section, you can prepare for that. In the event you need to have an unexpected C section, that’s never something you can expect, but it is something you can educate yourself about just in case.

No matter whether your C section is planned or unexpected, be prepared to make the demands that you want. Being awake, keeping your hands free to hold the baby immediately, using a mirror to watch the baby emerge, or listening to music are all reasonable requests and plausible as long as it’s not an emergency.

pregnancy week 39

Symptoms

Continuing your list of symptoms are Braxton Hicks contractions, changes in fetal activity, haemorrhoids, heartburn, and indigestion. However, there are plenty of new ones to look out for now that you are so far along.

Your vaginal discharge may be picking up the pace, and along with it, your bloody show. Your discharge could be tinged with pink as your cervix dilates and your blood vessels break. It’s just a sign that your body is doing what it’s supposed to do.

You may or may not notice losing your mucus plug. It could fall out in your underwear or the toilet, or it may not fall out at all. It doesn’t mean that labour is happening immediately, but it does mean you’re close.

Your water breaking also doesn’t necessarily mean you’re in labour, but it could if it’s coupled with regular contractions. Your amniotic sac will break, releasing amniotic fluid in preparation for your baby’s arrival. That normally doesn’t happen until you’re already at the hospital with contractions, but if it happens early, call your doctor if it breaks to see what she wants you to do.

Diarrhea is your body’s way of clearing out excess waste to make room for your baby to come. Your muscles will continue to loosen everywhere, including your rectum, causing bowel movements.

Pelvic pain is normal now because of the added pressure of a dropping baby. Back pain is also expected, but back pain can also indicate labour. Contractions are sometimes felt in your back and your abdomen and could be an early sign of labour.

Tips/Things to do

Look into a certified reflexologist who can help you with your labour pains. It’s a great alternative therapy that can help you shorten labour and deal with the discomfort. It can also bring on contractions, so some reflexologists won’t help unless you are already in labour.

If it’s allowed, eat some snacks during labour. It can shorten your labour by up to ninety minutes. Labour is hard work and requires energy, so healthy snacks can help you keep your strength up. Eat light snacks and stay hydrated. Keep in mind that if there’s a chance you may need anaesthesia, the doctor may not let you eat.

Take a lot of naps right now. Your body needs to rest up for all that work. It’s okay to keep exercising if you feel like it, but also make sure you don’t wear yourself out or increase your fatigue any more than necessary.

If you happen to feel shooting pains starting at your vagina and running down your legs, that’s normal. The baby is pressing against your pelvic nerves. It’s not dangerous or problematic; it just hurts.

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