39 Weeks Pregnant

At 39 weeks, your baby is fully cooked, or in other words, “full term.” Your due date is imminent, and your body is preparing for labor. Here’s what you can expect from week 39 of pregnancy.

How Big Is Baby at 39 Weeks?

Your baby is 19.9 inches long and weighs 7.3 pounds this week. That’s about the size of a Cabbage Patch Kid doll.

How Many Months Is 39 Weeks Pregnant?

39 weeks pregnant in months is nine months pregnant, which is part of the third trimester of pregnancy.

Your Baby at 39 Weeks

Congrats, baby, you’re officially full term! Your baby is getting ready to make their debut any day now. This is what else is going on at 39 weeks.

• Full term: Your baby’s officially considered “old enough” for delivery. Even though you may be ready for baby to be born, this week they’re still putting down fat deposits, and their brain keeps developing to get them ready for the wild stimulation of the world.
• Milder baby movements: Your baby isn’t kicking and moving around as wildly when you’re 39 weeks pregnant because it’s tight quarters in there. Even if they’re not as sharp, your baby’s movements should be just as often as usual. If you have trouble getting your baby to move, try drinking some cold water to wake them up; if that doesn’t work or you have any concerns, call your healthcare provider to check in. They may want to monitor baby’s movements with a nonstress test.
• Skin cell turnover: Your baby is forming new skin cells to replace the older ones. The new cells will help with temperature regulation after birth.

Your Body at 39 Weeks Pregnant

Remember how you used to be so nervous about delivery? By the time you get to 39 weeks pregnant, you’re probably more than ready for your baby to be born. After all, your baby is around 20 inches long, you’ve probably gained a total of around 25-35 pounds and you’re more than a little uncomfortable—not to mention really eager to meet your little one!

Though everyone around you might seem to have a guess as to when you’ll have your baby, predicting when labor will actually start can be difficult as we still don’t know exactly why people go into labor when they do. “Science still can’t explain what makes someone go into labor but it’s believed that there is an intricate dance between the mother’s hormones secreted by her adrenals and the baby’s adrenals also secreting hormones,” says Venus Standard, a nurse midwife and assistant professor at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine.

Rest assured your baby will arrive when they’re ready. As you wait it out, try to take advantage of the time you have left by relaxing and maybe getting a pedicure or some other self-care. You are this close to meeting your baby!

39 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms

Your body is gearing up for labor, and you may be experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions or find out that you’re dilated. Here are some of things you may be experiencing when you’re 39 weeks pregnant.

Lightning crotch

This phenomenon is almost as exciting as it sounds. It’s a short, shooting pain in your pelvis that can get triggered when you or your baby moves. It hurts because your baby’s head is putting pressure on your cervix, where you have a ton of nerves. Most of the time it’s just uncomfortable and goes away quickly. For relief, if you have access to a pool, go for a dip. Swimming will lighten the load on your pelvis.

Braxton Hicks contractions

These practice contractions may still be happening, and they may be getting a bit uncomfortable. Take note of the tightening—when it starts getting regular and undeniable, it’s no longer Braxton Hicks; it’s the real deal!

Dilation and effacement

At your appointment, your ob-gyn or midwife will probably do a cervical exam to see if you are starting to dilate or efface. This is what happens: they put a couple fingers into your vagina to determine if your cervix is opening. This can help determine if the labor process is starting, but it can’t accurately predict when you’re going to deliver. Some people have early labor that they don’t even feel as their bodies ramp up for childbirth, and others stay at zero centimeters until after their water breaks.

Vaginal discharge

It’s normal to have an increase in discharge when you’re 39 weeks pregnant. But don’t mistake leaking amniotic fluid for discharge. Amniotic fluid is thinner and waterier—seek medical guidance right away if you notice it or if you’re unsure of what you’re experiencing. Amniotic fluid can be mistaken for leaking pee too.

Soreness and joint pain

Hauling around your baby, their placenta and the amniotic fluid that surrounds them can be hard on your body. Hormone shifts that help ready your body for labor can also contribute to the discomfort you feel in the final weeks of pregnancy.

“Hormones, primarily relaxin and progesterone, increase during pregnancy,” says Dr. Rodney Wise, a fellow of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and Market Chief Medical Officer at AmeriHealth Caritas, “which results in the loosening of ligaments and joints.” Rest assured that you’ll feel some instant relief after your baby is born and your belly loses much of its heaviness.

Real Baby Bumps at 39 Weeks Pregnant

Pregnancy Symptoms Coming up in Week 40

There’s a pretty good chance you could already have your baby by this time next week, especially if you’ve delivered a baby before. If not, try not to stress, it won’t be long. In week 40 you can expect many of the same symptoms to continue with fatigue, increased vaginal discharge and difficulty sleeping, all common challenges in the last weeks of pregnancy.

Commonly Asked Questions About 39 Weeks Pregnant

Is it safe for me to have sex?

In most cases, sex is safe up until labor begins (as long as your water hasn’t broken). Plus, having sex in the last week or two may actually help to induce labor. The theory goes that orgasms can cause contractions. So, if the mood strikes, don’t hold back.

What is a membrane sweep?

If they haven’t already, your ob or midwife may soon offer to perform a membrane sweep, which is when they swipe their finger around your cervix to separate the amniotic sac from the uterus. Studies show that this may reduce the need for a medical induction. It’s safe, quick and can be performed more than once, although it’s not the most comfortable feeling in the world.

Recommended Products for 39 Weeks Pregnant

Your due date is mere days away. Is the anticipation killing you? Here are some things to shop for as you wait for contractions to start.

• If you’ll be delivering at a hospital or birth center, you’ll want to bring along a “coming home” outfit. You can’t go wrong with an outfit that is simple, neutral and comfortable.
• Create a keepsake without the mess by adding an inkless footprint kit to your shipping cart. You’ll want to remember just how tiny those feet are forever—we promise.

Sources

• Venus Standard, a nurse midwife and assistant professor at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine
• Dr. Rodney Wise, a fellow of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and Market Chief Medical Officer at AmeriHealth Caritas