Medically reviewed by Tanja Premru-Sršen Welcome to 39 weeks pregnant!
Your baby has finally reached full term, and you are probably freaking out because the baby’s arrival is so close, and there are so many more things to do!
You are also most likely scared, especially if this is your first pregnancy journey. The best way to overcome these fears is to face them, get familiar with the scenarios, and get ready and prepared!
Keep reading to learn more about what you can expect during the 39th pregnancy week, what your baby is going through, what your body is going through, and what you need to prepare for the baby’s arrival and baby’s birth, which is so close!
You are at a very late stage of your third trimester, which means that your body is in the final stages of preparing for the baby’s arrival, causing all of your pregnancy symptoms to remain similar in the last few weeks before the due date.
Around the week thirty-nine of your pregnancy, some of the main pregnancy symptoms you can expect are going to include:
At 39 weeks pregnant, the sensation of tightening and mild cramping in the pelvic and uterus area is probably a constant feeling that comes and goes during the day.
Braxton Hicks contractions, also called practice contractions, tend to ease up when you switch positions or start walking.
However, once these contractions become frequent and regular, it is go-time!
The baby is slowly turning down and getting into position for birth, which can cause discomfort and pressure in your pelvic area.
Due to the baby’s low position in your body, your baby can hit some sensitive nerves while moving around, which can give you sudden and sharp zaps in your crotch area.
At thirty-nine weeks pregnant, your baby is about 20 inches long and weighs about 7.3 pounds, which is about the size of a pumpkin! Your baby’s development and baby’s body have come a long way during this pregnancy journey!
At this stage of your pregnancy, your baby’s brain and lungs are still developing, and they will continue to develop after the baby has been born until adulthood.
At thirty-nine weeks of baby development, the baby’s lungs are manufacturing surfactant, which will help keep the air sacs from sticking together when the baby takes its first breath.
At thirty-nine weeks pregnant, the baby is pretty big, and it doesn’t have much room to move around, which is usually the reason why many moms-to-be report a change in movements.
You need to fulfill certain tasks to keep up with the journey and ensure you are staying on top of your and your baby’s needs and preparing for the baby’s arrival, which is days away.
The list of things you need to complete during your thirty-ninth week of pregnancy will include:
The last thing you will be in the mood for once your baby arrives is going grocery shopping and cooking meals, so make sure to stock up your pantry and freeze some ready-to-eat meals.
Make sure to get all the sleep you can because the baby will arrive soon, and you will not have much time to get your good sleep in! Naps during the day will be your best friend.
Ensure the baby’s clothes are washed and ready to go once the baby arrives! Your baby’s skin is super sensitive, so avoid using strong fragrances. Pack your hospital bag while you are at it.
At 39 weeks pregnant, signs of labor are probably the biggest things on your mind, and rightfully so. So here are the signs that you need to be on the lookout for!
If you notice any of these major signs, go to the hospital immediately, as you are going into labor.
The experience of your water breaking could be a massive gush of water, just like in the movies, but it could also be a slow trickle or a discharge with a watery consistency for some moms-to-be.
If you notice any of these three options, your amniotic sac has probably ruptured, and labor awaits in the next few hours.
You should go to the hospital immediately and get assistance from the healthcare provider.
Start timing the contractions if you feel a repetitive and painful tightening in the belly and pelvic area.
If the contractions do not stop coming in an hour and they start being closer and closer, you are in the beginning stage of labor, and you should go to the hospital immediately.
Avoiding potentially dangerous and harmful things and activities is essential to protect you and the baby during pregnancy as your due date approaches.
So, during your thirty-ninth pregnancy week, make sure to stay away from:
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