39 WEEKS PREGNANT

Wow your baby is now full term this week and is ready to meet the outside world. If no complication arises, your doctor will usually wait one more week till week 40 before you give birth.

We’re sure at this stage you can’t wait to meet your little one. What seemed like a long journey when you first started out is now nearing the end and you’re just a week to meeting the little one! 

It is not uncommon for first time mums go past their due date which is after 40 weeks. Your doctor will perform fetal testing to ensure it is safe to continue the pregnancy.

However, you won’t be allowed to go more than two weeks overdue, and your doctor will usually do a medical induction when you’re between one to two weeks overdue.

If you are choosing a Caesearan section, your doctor will usually perform the c-section at week 40.

WHAT MAKES UP THE WEIGHT YOU HAVE PUT ON DURING PREGNANCY?

Have you wondered where all that added weight goes?

Here’s what makes up all that weight you have been putting on since becoming pregnant:

An average full-term baby = 3.4 kilograms

Placenta = 0.68 kilograms

Uterus = 0.91 kilograms

Amniotic fluid = 0.91 kilograms

Maternal stores of fat, protein, and other nutrients (needed for breastfeeding!) = 3.18 kilograms

Breast tissue (also for Breastfeeding) = 0.91 kilograms

Increased fluid volume = 1.81 kilograms

Increased blood volume = 1.81 kilograms

39 weeks pregnant is how many months? 39 weeks pregnant is nine months and three weeks pregnant. You got about one week till your due date.

39 WEEKS BABY SIZE

How big is baby at 39 weeks? Your baby is the size of a pumpkin, which is about 50.8cm.

The current weight of your baby is about 3.25kilograms.

39 WEEKS PREGNANT WEIGHT GAIN

This is the weight gain that you must achieve this week.

39 WEEKS PREGNANT SYMPTOMS

If you are not experiencing labour, your pregnancy symptoms will be similar to what you have been experiencing for the past weeks.

Being 39 weeks pregnant, here are some signs and symptom that your body might be experiencing:

• Braxton Hicks Contractions. Your body is getting ready for the actual delivery, so you will experience what is called “false” labour contractions, aka Braxton Hicks contractions. If your contractions happen every five minutes for at least an hour and they do not ease up despite changing positions, inform your Doctor.

• Nesting. The urge to nest is strong, and you will want to start cleaning everything. However, do remember to always keep yourself and the baby safe.

• Pelvic Pressure. As your baby is sitting low in your pelvic region, this puts tremendous amounts of pressure in your pelvis area which is the very cause of your pains and discomfort.

• Bloody Show. If you discharge your mucus plug, which is a mucus-like discharge that has a tinge of blood, it is a sign you will soon be going into labour.

The average first time mum should give birth around closer to week 41, while a second time mum should give birth around week 40.

39 WEEKS PREGNANT SIGNS OF LABOUR

Here are some 39 weeks pregnant signs of going into labour:

• Water breaking. When your water breaks, this means you will be going into labour soon. If you feel water leaking from your vagina in a slow trickle or even a gush, that is probably amniotic fluid, indicating that the time to give birth is near. If your water is broken, you should call your doctor and get to the hospital.

• Vaginal discharge. When you pass out your mucus plug, which is a bloody thick red/pink/brown mucus-like lump, this will mean your cervix is starting to dilate. This could come loose up to a few days before labour begins.

• Contractions. If you are having contractions, remember to track your contractions which should occur within five minutes apart for at least an hour. This is often mistaken for Braxton Hicks contractions, but if your contractions are very frequent, this means the time is near. Thereafter when you get into active labour, where you experience stronger contractions, you should be at the hospital by then. 

• Loose Stools. As your body gets ready for childbirth, it will release chemicals to cause the uterus to contract and the cervix to dilate. These chemicals will also cause you to get loose stools or even diarrhoea. Your muscles in the uterus (and rectum) are also loosening in preparation for the birth. It is also suspected that the emptying of your bowels is nature’s way of giving more room to the baby for birth. 

HOW TO INDUCE LABOUR AT 39 WEEKS PREGNANT

At 39 weeks pregnant, you might be thinking how to induce labour so you can give birth asap! Remember though, it is best to do it at week 40 as your baby is still developing the lungs and brains this week.

Here are some ways to induce labour that are safe and could work:

• Have lots of Sex. Many women have succeeded in inducing labour by having sex. Orgasms help to stimulate uterine contractions and semen can help soften the cervix.

• Go for a Walk. While it is not scientifically proven, experts believe that through walking, gravity will help push your baby down onto your cervix and this will help start dilation in your cervix.

• Nipple stimulation. Rolling the nipples between your (your partner) fingers can help to jump start uterine contractions. However, this could cause severe contractions and it might affect the baby, so only do this in the presence of medical care.

For women who have medical complications, your doctor might recommend a medical induction at week 39.

These include complications such as preeclampsia, placental problems or gestational diabetes.

HOW IS MY BABY AT 39 WEEKS PREGNANT?

Your baby is now able to bend his or her arms and legs, this occurs outside the womb when the little one is crying for milk or is soiled. The brain is still developing this week, and is getting smarter by the day.

The nervous system is also well developed, meaning the little one can suck, swallow and stay awake long enough to eat, which isn’t always the case for babies born earlier.

Fats are still being accumulated under the skin, which will make your baby soft and extra huggable once he or she is born. The fats also serve a purpose to help your baby control his or her body temperature once born.  

Your baby’s neck muscles have now strengthened and it can hold his or her head away from the chest wall, though it is helped by the buoyancy of the amniotic fluid. Having said that, once baby is born, you will still need to support his or her neck until the neck muscle is further strengthened.

WHAT TO DO AT 39 WEEKS PREGNANT

Reminders for the week:

• Get ready for birth next week

• If you are doing a C-section, research on the recovery needed

• Ensure everything baby-related is ready