39 weeks what to expect
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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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It's not always love at first sight. Give yourself time to bond with your baby and ask for help if you need it.
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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):
To find out about about COVID-19 and pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, have a look at advice on the:
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
Go to week 40
Baby and You at 39 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms & Development
Key Takeaways at 39 Weeks Pregnant
- You have reached the finish line. Babies born at 39 weeks are considered full term, so go ahead and let your little squatter know that they’re being evicted. (Your hospital bag is packed, right?)
- Yes, technically you're due at 40 weeks. But if you have gestational diabetes, preeclampsia or another condition that puts you or baby at risk, your ob-gyn might encourage an induction.
- Contractions are the name of the game at this late stage. You’ll feel your belly hardening throughout the day—especially when you’ve been physically active. If you notice that the contractions are getting more intense and more frequent, it may be go time! Be sure to brush up on the other signs of labor below!
You’re probably feeling like you want to get this baby OUT.
We’re not sure, but the impatience and discomfort moms-to-be feel around 39 weeks pregnant (and beyond!) might be nature’s way of getting you mentally prepared for delivery. At week 39 of pregnancy, you don’t care what it takes, you just don’t want to be pregnant anymore!
Baby at Week 39
Inside your 39 weeks pregnant belly, baby is probably able to flex their limbs now. Baby's brain is still rapidly developing—they’re getting smarter by the week! Baby's nails may extend past the fingertips now.
How big is baby at 39 weeks?
At 39 weeks pregnant, baby is as big as a pumpkin. Your 39-week fetus measures about 20 inches long and weighs about 7.3 pounds. And baby just keeps growing, despite being so crowded inside your 39 weeks pregnant belly.
39 weeks pregnant is how many months?
No surprise here: 39 weeks pregnant is nine months pregnant. Next week, you’ll wrap up this final month of pregnancy and reach your due date (that is, if you don’t go into labor this week).
This is exciting!
39 week ultrasound
A 39 weeks pregnant ultrasound and non-stress test might be in order to check on baby’s well-being—especially if you’re 39 weeks pregnant with twins. After seeing the results of these two tests, your doctor might say everything looks a-okay, or they might recommend an early delivery.
At 39 weeks pregnant, there’s nothing left to do except see the doctor each week, wait for baby and keep your mind busy with little tasks. If they get done, great. If not, no biggie. We know it’s tough to relax, but try!
3D Views: My Baby, My Body
See their progress for yourself with our 3D interactive tool.
See My Baby in 3D
See My Body in 3D
Pregnancy Symptoms at Week 39
Typical 39 weeks pregnant symptoms—the ones that aren’t signs that labor is happening now—are similar to what you’ve been experiencing the past few weeks. Most are signs that labor will happen soon, though.
This includes:
Braxton Hicks contractions
At 39 weeks pregnant, cramping or tightening of your uterus may seem pretty constant, no matter what you do. Usually these “practice” labor pains start in the front of your body and ease up when you switch positions. You'll know it's real labor when they start at the top of your uterus and become more frequent and regular.
Pelvic pressure
While getting into position for birth, baby may be sitting so low that your lower torso feels heavy and uncomfortable.
Lightning crotch
Because baby is so low, their movements can hit some sensitive nerves, giving you sharp sensations in your pelvis and vagina—yep, like a lightning bolt! Yowch!
Urge to nest
Some moms-to-be say they get a surge of energy and strong desire to clean their home right before baby’s debut. Don’t go too crazy, though. You don’t want to wear yourself out before the birth.
Mucus plug and/or bloody show
At 39 weeks pregnant, discharge that’s as thick as mucus and sometimes has a tinge of blood in it is your mucus plug.
(The blood is, you guessed it, the bloody show.) And while many people consider this to be a sign you’ll go into labor soon, there’s no exact science to it, so it’s hard to say when.
What should I be feeling at 39 weeks pregnant?
Probably a little bit of everything! You’re likely cycling through a lot of the 39 weeks pregnant symptoms. One moment you’re racing around with high energy, accomplishing all your pre-baby chores around the house, and the next you want to just curl up in bed with your body pillow and snooze. You may also be feeling anticipation (OMG, baby’s almost here!) with a little bit of nervousness (OMG, baby’s almost here!). You got this, mama! And if you’re the rare mom-to-be who’s 39 weeks pregnant with twins, kudos to you! You’ve kept those babies baking despite the odds of an early delivery (and despite your all-around discomfort). You’re probably feeling many 39 weeks pregnant symptoms, including the urge to get your twosome out of your 39 weeks pregnant belly and into the world.
Don’t worry—the end is so near!
Signs of Labor at 39 Weeks
Other symptoms are your body’s way of telling you baby is making their arrival ASAP. At 39 weeks pregnant, signs of labor are the biggest things on your mind. It’s important to know what they are, but don’t worry too much about going into labor without realizing it. In most cases, labor symptoms will be so strong and so different from what you’ve been experiencing that you won’t be able to ignore them.
Call your OB if you experience either of these:
Water breaking
It might not be like it is in the movies—you might have a slow trickle instead of a huge gush of water. But if at 39 weeks pregnant the discharge is watery instead of its usual consistency, that probably means your amniotic sac has ruptured and you will likely go into labor within hours.
Regular contractions
If you’re having repetitive and painful tightening in your belly, start timing the contractions. If they keep coming and the time between them keeps getting shorter, you’re in the beginning stage of labor.
Just how long this stage lasts will vary from mom to mom (yes, you’ll be a mom very soon!), so keep your OB updated and follow their directions for getting to the hospital by the time you progress into active labor.
When you’re 39 weeks pregnant, no signs of labor may have appeared yet, and that’s fine too! The average first-time mom-to-be goes into labor naturally at 41 weeks, and a second-time mom tends to go at 40 weeks. And while some women start to show signs of labor—a dilated and/or effaced cervix, regular contractions, etc.—weeks or days before they give birth, others go from zero to 10 centimeters dilated within hours.
Can you be in labor without contractions or water breaking?
Contractions are the body’s way of getting ready for delivery, so you need them to be in labor. (We’re talking real contractions, not the Braxton Hicks kind.) It’s a different story when it comes to your water breaking, which doesn’t happen naturally for all women. If you’ve reached the get-to-the-hospital stage of your contractions and your water hasn’t broken, your doctor may take care of that for you when you get there.
If your water breaks and there aren’t any contractions to go along with that, contact your OB, because that can lead to infection risk.
Inducing Labor at 39 Weeks
Now that you’re 39 weeks pregnant (full term!) and itching to give birth, you might wonder how to induce labor naturally at home. Gulping down castor oil and taking herbal remedies aren’t considered safe—and eating spicy food just isn’t going to do it. But there are a few things that are typically safe and may work:
Walking
Tie on those sneakers and go for a long, long walk. It’s not a medically proven method of inducing labor at 39 weeks, but some experts believe gravity will push baby down onto your cervix and the pressure will start dilation.
Acupuncture
Again, it’s not proven, but there’s some evidence to suggest that this ancient practice regulates blood flow, which stimulates your cervix to dilate.
Having sex
Some believe that having an orgasm (which you can safely achieve with or without your partner) can help bring on contractions.
Couldn’t hurt to try, right?
For some women who are 39 weeks pregnant, the doctor might recommend a medical induction. Reasons for inducing labor include complications (preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, a heart condition), placental problems and infection of the uterus. Induction also may be recommended if you’re 39 weeks pregnant with twins or if your water broke but labor hasn’t started on its own.
“Although you may have disturbing visions of your water breaking on aisle nine of the grocery store, fear not! Most women will experience ‘rupture of membranes’ (sounds so dramatic) while actively laboring at their home, hospital or birth center. So walk and shop with confidence. And if there needs to be a clean-up on aisle nine, your birth story will start with a strong opener!” - Julie Lamppa, APRN, certified nurse midwife at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and co-author of Obstetricks: Mayo Clinic Tips and Tricks for Pregnancy, Birth and More.
Tips for 39 Weeks Pregnant
Time is ticking by.
You’re ready to go—and baby will be soon! Here’s what you can do this week as you get ready for delivery day!
To shave or not to shave
If you’re asking: Should I shave before birth, know that at this 39-week stage of pregnancy, shaving your pubic hair is a pretty tricky job to pull off! You’ll be glad to know you don’t have to go through the hassle of shaving before giving birth; in fact, if you’re having a c-section, you’re advised not to.
Get cooking
One of the most productive things you can do during your nesting phase is get your kitchen in order. Stock up on pantry essentials and prepare meals that can be frozen now and then reheated after you come home with baby. Trust us, the last thing you’ll want to be doing while you get acquainted with your newborn is grocery shopping and cooking elaborate meals.
Go for a quick dip
At 39 weeks, you probably feel ready to burst at the seams. Take all the pressure and weight off you by going for a swim—check with your OB first to ensure you aren’t dialated.
You’ll feel weightless floating in the water, and that can help relieve aches and pains.
Install your car seat
If you haven’t done so already, this is a task you (or your partner) should check off the to-do list before you leave for the hospital. Visit a local inspection station, such as your local police or fire station, to make sure you’ve done the job right!
Catch as many ZZZs as you can
This may be the last week you get to try to sleep through the night for a while, so take advantage of it! Get to bed early and take naps if you need to during the day. You’ll need your strength for the big day!
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Pregnancy Checklist at 39 Weeks Pregnant
Reminders for the week:
39th week of pregnancy what happens to the fetus
At the thirty-ninth week of pregnancy, almost complete formation of the systems and organs of the unborn child is noted. The fruit is quite well-fed thanks to a very pronounced layer of fat.
The skin of the unborn child becomes pink. The lungs look as if they are ready to crack down any day, start breathing: inhale the air with the first breath immediately after birth. The digestive tube of the unborn child may begin to actively promote its contents, and the internal glands of the fetus, almost ready for birth, begin to produce the enzymes necessary for the future digestion of food.
The fetus, almost ready for birth during this period of time, occupies almost the entire space inside the uterus. The muscles in the arms and legs are constantly in motion, they train. The kicks and movements are very intense, even painful, they are not as active as before, but still they disturb the expectant mother.
You should not expect kicks and movements to stop, since it is most likely that the unborn child will calm down only for childbirth, since there may be practically no room left in the uterus for movements.
It is at the thirty-ninth week of pregnancy that the so-called demonstration of the temperament of the unborn child can take place.
But noticeable changes in the intensity and strength of shocks and movements, both in the direction of their amplification and in the direction of reduction, can occur due to changes in the supply of oxygen, and therefore a pregnant woman who pays attention to such changes should contact a specialist for examination .
It is very important for a pregnant woman to watch her diet during this period of time. Amniotic fluid becomes much smaller, but they change much more often, this happens several times a day. The baby is fed through the placenta.
By this period, the unborn child has almost completely formed all the organs and systems of the body. His skin has a pink color, and under it there is a well-defined subcutaneous fat layer.
The growth of the fetus ready for birth reaches about fifty centimeters, and the weight is more than three kilograms.
The nervous system of the unborn child is already functioning, as it reaches its maximum development during the thirty-ninth week.
The kidneys during this period are already filtering the liquid on their own and are already able to remove metabolic products from the body of the unborn child.
The fetus in this period is already able to distinguish taste, it actively begins to respond to light and pain.
After childbirth, the development of vital organs and body systems of the unborn child will continue and they will adapt to work in new conditions and in their new environment.
Precursors of childbirth during this period for primiparous and multiparous women become approximately the same, but a multiparous woman is better and faster able to recognize the signs of labor precursors, adapts faster.
In addition to the prolapse of the abdomen and the removal of the mucous plug, training contractions may occur, but they may not be at all. The head of the fetus is lowered so that it is inserted into the pelvic opening of the expectant mother. The movement of the fetus becomes stronger or, on the contrary, weakens.
And one or two days before childbirth, a weakening of the stool in a pregnant woman may occur.
A woman must understand that in this period before the birth of her child, there is very little time left.
39 weeks of pregnancy - fetal development, mother's feelings. What happens to mom at 39 weeks pregnant?
Usually at this time, the baby is introduced head into the birth canal. You will feel when this happens - it will immediately become easier to breathe, heartburn will decrease or disappear, but the pressure on the bladder and pubic joint, unfortunately, will increase.
The child is completely ready for life outside the uterus. He has complex reflexes, can focus his vision at a distance of 20-30 cm, which means he will be able to see your face while feeding. Adipose tissue, which will help him keep warm, makes up 15% of his total body weight.
Hormones start the process of childbirth: by the end of pregnancy, the content of progesterone in the blood decreases, and the content of estrogen, on the contrary, increases, the concentration of placental lactogen reaches a maximum.
