39 weeks pregnant baby

39 Weeks Pregnant | Pregnancy

Pregnancy normally lasts around 40 weeks and most women will go into labour a week either side of their due date. That means any day now.

What's happening in my body?

You might be getting a lot more discharge in your pants than usual. This should be thin, white and not smell of very much. If you spot a slimy blob of mucus that's yellow or bloody, then that's called a "show". This sticky stuff used to plug up your cervix and when it comes out, it can be one of the first signs that your baby's on the way. However don't grab your hospital bag just yet, as you could still have days to wait.

You may be getting back pain as your baby moves down your pelvis and starts head butting your spine. You'll probably feel increased pressure at the bottom of your bump now.

You could also be getting sudden bursts of energy and urgently want to fold baby clothes or tidy drawers that you haven't opened for years. That's your nesting instinct kicking in.

If you get any of the following signs, then treat it as an emergency and call your midwife, doctor or NHS 111:

bleeding from your vagina
brown or pink discharge
severe itching, particularly at night
a terrible headache that won't go away
vision problems (blurring, light sensitivity, seeing spots or flashing lights)
pain just below the ribs
extreme swelling of the feet, ankles, hands and face
persistent stomach pains
a high temperature (above 37.5 degrees C) with no other flu or cold symptoms

7 things you might not expect when your baby's born

Babies don't usually come out wailing, like they do in the films. It could take a few seconds before they cry or splutter to clear their airways.
Your baby will be checked out within a minute of being born. You might not be aware of it, as you'll be meeting your baby at the same time. Your baby will be rated on the Apgar scale for their heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, responsiveness and skin colour. This will be rechecked at 5 minutes.
Your baby's hands and feet might be blue, as their circulation is still a work in progress. The rest of their skin will be dark red or purple, then turn a brighter red when they take their first breath. It can take weeks before their true skin colour is revealed. If your baby's rubbed vigorously with a towel, this doesn't mean that there's a problem, it's probably just to help the blood flow.
It can take a few minutes before your baby's breathing regularly. They tend to do lots of fast breaths, then lots of slow breaths. The gap between breaths can be as long as 5 seconds. They're just learning to breathe, so this is normal.
Boys can be born with large testicles – that's just temporary, caused by hormones and water retention. They will settle down and look more in proportion soon.
It's not always love at first sight. Give yourself time to bond with your baby and ask for help if you need it.
It can take 6 weeks for your womb to go back to the size it was. Breastfeeding can speed this process up as it makes your womb contract. Find out more about your body after the birth on the NHS website.

Find out more about what happens when your baby is born on the NHS website.

3rd trimester pregnancy symptoms (at 39 weeks)

You could be getting a lot of practice contractions, but if they start getting painful, then they could be the real deal. Read 5 signs that baby's on the way on week 37's page.

Phone your hospital or midwife when your contractions last for at least 60 seconds and come every 5 minutes – or call any time if you're worried that something is wrong, such as if your baby stops moving or if you're losing blood.

Your signs of pregnancy could also include:

painless contractions around your bump, known as Braxton Hicks contractions
sleeping problems (week 19 has information about feeling tired)
stretch marks (read about stretch marks on week 17's page)
swollen and bleeding gums (week 13 has information about gum health during pregnancy)
pains on the side of your baby bump, caused by your expanding womb ("round ligament pains")
piles (read about piles on week 22's page)
headaches
backache
indigestion and heartburn (week 25 talks about digestive problems)
bloating and constipation (read about bloating on week 16's page)
leg cramps (week 20 explains how to deal with cramp)
feeling hot
dizziness
swollen hands and feet
urine infections
vaginal infections (see week 15 for vaginal health)
darkened skin on your face or brown patches – this is known as chloasma or the "mask of pregnancy"
greasier, spotty skin
thicker and shinier hair

You may also experience symptoms from earlier weeks, such as:

mood swings (week 8's page has information on mood swings)
morning sickness (read about dealing with morning sickness on week 6's page)
weird pregnancy cravings (read about pregnancy cravings on week 5's page)
a heightened sense of smell
sore or leaky breasts (read about breast pain on week 14's page)
a white milky pregnancy discharge from your vagina and light spotting (seek medical advice for any bleeding)

Read Tommy's guide to common pregnancy symptoms.

What does my baby look like?

Your baby, or foetus, is around 50.7cm long from head to heel, and weighs about 3.3kg. That's approximately the length of 5 courgettes and the weight of a mini watermelon.

A few weeks ago, your baby's skin was almost transparent but now they're growing a tougher new layer that's looks more solid. This is better at protecting their internal organs and helping with temperature control.

The skin will be coated in a white, waxy substance called "vernix", which means varnish in Latin. This creamy layer helps to protect their skin and eases your baby down the birth canal. Your baby might be covered in it when they are born, or it could be mostly gone.

Action stations

Be on full alert in case your waters break, as this could happen at any time. Don't expect a tidal wave, as it could be just a trickle. If you think it's started, then call your midwife or doctor and ask for advice. You might have just wet yourself, but if your waters have broken, then your labour may need to be induced as your baby will be at a greater risk of infection.

This week you could also...

You're probably on leave now. Find out how much maternity leave and pay you're entitled to.

It's a good time to tone up your pelvic floor muscles. Gentle pelvic floor exercises can help to prevent leakage when you laugh, sneeze or cough. Get the muscles going by pretending that you're having a wee and then stopping midflow.

To keep bones and muscles healthy, we need vitamin D. From late March/early April to the end of September, most people make enough vitamin D from sunlight on their skin. However, between October and early March, you should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement because we cannot make enough from sunlight.

Some people should take a vitamin D supplement all year round, find out if this applies to you on the NHS website. You just need 10 micrograms (it's the same for grown-ups and kids). Check if you're entitled to free vitamins.

It's recommended that you do 150 minutes of exercise while pregnant. You could start off with just 10 minutes of daily exercise - perhaps take a brisk walk outside. Check out Sport England's #StayInWorkOut online exercises (scroll to the pregnancy section). Listen to your body and do what feels right for you.

There's no need to eat for 2. Now you're in the 3rd trimester, you may need an extra 200 calories a day, but that's not much. It's about the same as 2 slices of wholemeal toast and margarine.

Try to eat healthily, with plenty of fresh fruit and veg, and avoid processed, fatty and salty foods. You may be able to get free milk, fruit and veg through the Healthy Start scheme.

How are you today? If you're feeling anxious or low, then talk to your midwife or doctor who can point you in the right direction to get all the support that you need. You could also discuss your worries with your partner, friends and family.

You may be worried about your relationship, or money, or having somewhere permanent to live. Don't keep it to yourself. It's important that you ask for help if you need it.

Having another baby is probably the last thing on your mind. However now is a good time to start planning what type of contraception you would like to use after your baby is born.

Getting pregnant again could happen sooner than you realise and too short a gap between babies is known to cause problems. Talk to your GP or midwife to help you decide.

You and your family should follow the government and NHS guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19):

read government guidance on how to stay safe from COVID-19

get NHS advice about COVID-19

use the NHS COVID-19 app for England and Wales – it's the fastest way of knowing when you've been exposed to COVID-19

To find out about about COVID-19 and pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, have a look at advice on the:

NHS website

Breastfeeding Network

World Health Organization

This week's treat

Spend some time in nature. Go and kick leaves in the park, walk in the woods, water your garden or plant some seeds (use gloves to avoid the risk of infection). This is good exercise and will encourage your brain to release 'feel good' chemicals.

Go back to week 38

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Why at least 39 weeks is best for your baby

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Why at least 39 weeks is best for your baby

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KEY POINTS

If your pregnancy is healthy, it’s best to stay pregnant for at least 39 weeks. Wait for labor to begin on its own.
Scheduling means you and your provider decide when to have your baby by labor induction or cesarean birth.
If your provider recommends scheduling your baby’s birth, ask if you can wait until at least 39 weeks so your baby has time to fully develop.
Your baby’s brain, lungs, liver and other important organs are still developing in the last weeks of pregnancy.
Babies born too early may have more health problems at birth and later in life than babies born later.

Are you thinking about scheduling your baby’s birth?

Scheduling your baby’s birth means you and your health care provider decide when to have your baby by labor induction or cesarean birth instead of waiting for labor to begin on its own. Depending on your health and your baby’s health, scheduling your baby’s birth may be best. But scheduling birth a little early for non-medical reasons can cause problems for you and baby. If your pregnancy is healthy, it’s best to stay pregnant for at least 39 weeks and wait for labor to begin on its own.

When you schedule your baby’s birth, you schedule either labor induction or a c-section. Labor induction (also called inducing labor) is when your provider gives you medicine or breaks your water (also called amniotic sac) to make your labor begin for vaginal birth. Vaginal birth is when the muscles of your uterus contract (get tight and then relax) to help push your baby out through the vagina (also called birth canal). Most babies are born by vaginal birth. A cesarean birth (also called c-section) is surgery in which your baby is born through a cut that your provider makes in your belly and uterus.

You may not have a choice about when to have your baby. If there are problems with your pregnancy or your baby's health, you may need to have your baby early. But if you have a choice and you're planning to schedule your baby's birth, wait until at least 39 weeks.

Why does your baby need 39 weeks?

Babies born too early may have more health problems at birth and later in life than babies born later. Being pregnant 39 weeks gives your baby's body all the time it needs to develop.

Your baby needs 39 weeks in the womb because:

Important organs, like your baby’s brain, lungs and liver, need time to develop. The brain develops fastest at the end of pregnancy. A baby’s brain at 35 weeks of pregnancy weighs only two-thirds of what it will weigh at 39 to 40 weeks.
He’s less likely to have health problems after birth, like breathing, vision and hearing problems.
He can gain more weight in the womb. Babies born at a healthy weight have an easier time staying warm than babies born too small.
He can suck and swallow and stay awake long enough to eat after he's born. Babies born early sometimes can't do these things.
He’s less likely to have learning problems and health problems later in life than babies born before 39 weeks.

Can scheduling an early birth cause problems for you and your baby?

Yes. Sometimes it's hard to know exactly when you got pregnant. Even with an ultrasound, your due date can be off by as much as 2 weeks. If you schedule an induction or c-section and your date is off by a week or 2, your baby may be born too early. Ultrasound uses sound waves and a computer screen to show a picture of your baby inside the womb.

Problems from a c-section:

Breathing and other medical problems for your baby. Babies born by c-section may have more breathing and other medical problems than babies born by vaginal birth.
Needing a c-section in another pregnancy. Once you have a c-section, you may be more likely in future pregnancies to have a c-section. The more c-sections you have, the more problems you and your baby may have, including problems with the placenta.
Longer recovery for mom. A c-section is major surgery. It takes longer for you to recover from a c-section than from a vaginal birth. You can expect to spend 2 to 4 days in the hospital after a c-section. Then you need about 6 to 8 weeks after you go home to fully recover. You also may have complications from the surgery, like infections, bleeding or blood clots. So it's important to stay in touch with your health care provider even after you go home.

What questions can you ask your provider about scheduling your baby's birth?

If you’re planning to schedule your baby’s birth, print out this article and take it with you to your next prenatal care checkup. Ask these questions:

If your provider recommends that you have your baby before 39 weeks:

Is there a problem with my health or the health of my baby that makes birth before 39 weeks necessary?
Can I wait to have my baby until I’m closer to 39 weeks?

About inducing labor

Why do you need to induce labor?
How will you induce my labor?
What can I expect when you induce labor?
Will inducing labor increase the chance that I’ll need to have a c-section?

About having c-section

Why do I need to have a c-section?
What can I expect during and after a c-section?
What problems can a c-section cause for me and my baby?
Can I have a vaginal birth in future pregnancies?

See also: 39 weeks infographic

Last reviewed: October, 2018

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harbingers of childbirth in multiparous and primiparas, what happens, active movements of the baby

What happens to a woman at the 39th week of pregnancy?

The fetus at the 39th week of pregnancy is already large and takes up all the space in the uterine cavity. The kid is constantly on the move - so he not only reminds himself, but also trains the muscles on the arms and legs. He can no longer move as actively as before, but nevertheless these movements disturb the expectant mother both day and night, because the kicks of the grown-up peanut are quite noticeable and even painful. You should not expect that the baby will get tired of this activity, and the rest of the pregnancy will pass without unexpected blows to the internal organs: if the child is very active, he will calm down only by the birth.

It is normal for the baby to display its temperament at 39 weeks of gestation. However, many women note a decrease in the motor activity of the baby.

This is also quite natural and is due to the fact that there is simply no room in the uterus for active movements of a grown child.

If the baby began to move significantly less at the 39th week of pregnancy or, on the contrary, shows excessive activity, it is necessary to contact a specialist. An unexpected change in the character or behavior of the baby, as well as his extremely active movements, may indicate a lack of oxygen.

Important!

Count baby's movements. In one day, the child must push more than ten times.

At the 39th week of pregnancy, the amniotic fluid becomes less, but it continues to be renewed several times a day. As before, all nutrients reach the fetus through the placenta. This means that now it is no less important for the expectant mother to monitor her diet than in the early stages of pregnancy.

A woman may notice changes in her condition, which are signs of the imminent onset of "hour X". The so-called harbingers of childbirth include the prolapse of the abdomen and the associated relief of breathing, the discharge of the mucous plug, and more abundant discharge.

How is the baby feeling?

At the 39th week of pregnancy, the formation of all organs and systems is already completed in the child. He looks well-fed due to a well-defined fat layer, and his skin has acquired a pinkish tint. Light crumbs are ready to crack down to inhale the first breath of air after birth. The digestive tube can actively promote the contents, and the glands produce the necessary enzymes to digest food - the baby is ready to receive nutritious colostrum in the first minutes after birth.

The kidneys of the fetus independently filter the liquid and are able to fully remove metabolic products from the body. And even the nervous system, the most complexly organized of all body systems, is already functioning. The child is able to distinguish tastes, reacts to light and pain. After childbirth, the maturation of the nervous system will continue, and other vital organs will adapt to work in a different environment.

39-40 weeks of pregnancy, the baby's head descends and presses firmly against the exit from the uterus.

Harbingers of childbirth

A woman at the 39th week of pregnancy should be attentive to the signals of her body. Some changes that are imperceptible at first glance indicate the beginning of the birth process, and it is important not to miss them.

The harbingers of childbirth do not differ between primiparous and multiparous, however, by the second and subsequent births, a woman learns to better recognize them. Here are the main harbingers of childbirth:

The stomach drops and it becomes easier for the woman to breathe. Heartburn decreases (not always) and nausea due to a decrease in uterine pressure on the stomach area.
The mucus plug comes off. This can happen both 3 weeks before delivery and on the day of delivery.
Training contractions appear, but they may not be.
The fetal movement has become more intense or, on the contrary, it is felt that the child has calmed down.
The fetal head is lowered and inserted into the pelvic opening. At the same time, the woman feels pressure, her stomach pulls.
Loose stools may be observed 1–2 days before delivery.

Important!

Some women think that one of the signs of childbirth should be a headache. It's a delusion. Such a symptom is often a sign of late gestosis and, in general, not a very good prognostic sign!

Even the absence of labor warnings does not mean that it is too early to think about the hospital ward. Sometimes the birth process can begin suddenly. However, if the expectant mother does not observe any precursors, she should consult a specialist. Most likely, he will send the woman for an ultrasound to find out about the condition of the fetus. If the child is actively moving, the problems may be something else.

During the second, third pregnancy, a woman will no longer worry about some of the harbingers of childbirth. Experts assure that the second and third births are more painless compared to the appearance of the first child, and, as a rule, multiparous people manage to give birth faster.

Not much left! In just a few days, for the first time, you will take in your arms and press to your chest the best, charming and beloved baby in the world!

39 weeks pregnant: sensations, weight and fetal development

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All organs and systems of the small body are already working as they should. Your baby is actually ready for his birth and life outside the mother's womb. So much so that often a planned caesarean section is prescribed for this particular week.

Still pregnant? If this is your first child, chances are high that you will have a little later than your due date. Even if you are 100% sure that all the calculations were made correctly, this is not a guarantee that the birth will happen exactly on the planned date.

Take it easy and just trust that the baby knows better when he will be ready for birth. Every baby is unique and needs a different, individual time frame to grow up and prepare for life outside of the mother's womb. Your impatience and desire to quickly give birth to a baby is understandable, but you should not dream that the remaining days of pregnancy will disappear. Although now you are doing a lot for the development and nutrition of the child, after the birth you will have to do even more.

Was that what I thought?

Any pain sensation will most likely make you sit down and listen to your body - what if what you felt was a harbinger of childbirth or even contractions? At 39 weeks, many body signals can make a woman think she is in labor and call her doctor.

Feel free to contact the doctor if you need to. And when you come to him for an inspection, ask all the questions that interest you. If you don't rely on your memory, make a list or ask your partner to remind you of what you wanted to ask.

Looks like the baby is ready to jump out of you!

At this time, people around you will especially often be interested in when your child is due to be born. You will attract the attention of a wide variety of people, even complete strangers, and many of them will seem genuinely interested in your affairs. On any outing to the street or to the store, be prepared for inquisitive glances and questions, as well as for the sympathy of women who have already traveled this path. It's okay if you don't answer someone's question about the due date. It is not at all necessary to dedicate every person you meet to your affairs, besides, repeating the same thing over and over again can be very tiring.

Physical changes at 39 weeks of gestation

In a series of changes that have happened to you over the past 9 months, you may have noticed that you have more hair. Some of them seem to have gotten lost and settled on the face, back and even on the nipples. Feel free to remove them if they are not aesthetically pleasing to you. Some future mothers do it on their own, others continue to go to the beautician during pregnancy. Don't worry - removing the hair won't hurt the baby, it will only hurt you.
You may feel dry eyes and feel as if they have sand in them. This is because the shape of your eyeballs has changed due to extra fluid in your body. Tears that normally moisten the outer surface of the eye now deviate from their usual route and run down the cheek. Keep tissues and moisturizing eye drops handy if this situation irritates you.
Your weight may be fixed at a stable level, but the child still deposits fat under the skin. The baby’s brain has thermoregulation mechanisms, but they are still immature, so the tiny body needs a fatty layer to protect vital organs from temperature extremes.

Emotional changes at 39 weeks of pregnancy

This week you may feel a little on edge, as if waiting for the starting pistol to fire. You will not want to go too far from home and will not take too long walks. Probably, you and your loved one have already discussed everything a hundred times and are ready for anything, however, you may worry that you missed something.
If you don't have much experience with children, what you have to do may seem a little intimidating. Find pictures of you and your loved one as babies and have some fun picking out traits that you would like to see in your own baby and those that would be better off not. If you already have children, look at their early photos to remember how small and defenseless a newborn looks.
Listen to your body's signals. It is not clear what exactly is the catalyst for the onset of labor, but one theory says that the baby's body begins to produce a certain protein that starts the birth mechanism in the mother's body.

What happens to the baby this week of pregnancy

The baby continues to practice breathing, and surfactant is produced in his lungs. If your baby were born now, he would be able to breathe on his own and would not need medical attention.
Your baby weighs about 3.5 kg and is about 53 cm long. His body is ready to exist outside the mother's womb.
Your baby's brain is actively building new neural connections, and this will continue for the next few years. Try reading him a story, listening to music together, or singing a good song. Encourage your loved one to participate in these fun and enjoyable activities. Your baby will not think that you are acting stupid, on the contrary, he will grow up smarter due to early brain stimulation.

Tips 39weeks

Go to the nearest swimming pool, especially if it's summer. The water will support your body and you will enjoy the feeling of weightlessness. Don't worry about how you look. If no one else cares, why should you care? Swimming and even just being in the water is a great way to lower your core temperature, so get undressed and get in the pool.
Read more, watch movies, call friends and write letters. Enjoy what you didn't have time for before. If you have kids, look for activities you can do together. Involve them in preparing things for a new brother or sister, load them with useful work. Consider giving each older child a gift on their behalf after the baby is born—this is an effective way to build good relationships between siblings. Tell them who will take care of them when you leave for the hospital and promise that they will be able to visit you and the baby. If you keep children in the loop, they think they are involved in decision making and tend to cope with change more easily.