Pregnancy Calendar at Week 39
What's Happening with the Baby
At 39 weeks of pregnancy, or the end of the second trimester, it corresponds to 37 weeks since the egg was fertilized. The baby's weight ranges from 6.4 to 7.7 pounds, but a larger baby can reach up to 9.5 pounds. The baby's length is between 18.5 and 21.6 inches. At 39 weeks, the baby is ready for independent life:
- The lung structures and respiratory system are fully formed;
- The hearing and vision organs are well developed;
- The central nervous system is stable, though it continues to develop;
- The swallowed fluid is converted into meconium - the baby's first stool - in the intestines.
Even though nutrition and oxygen are still supplied through the placenta, the digestive system is well developed. The baby already responds to the mother's psycho-emotional state and shows activity during the emotions she experiences. In most cases, the baby's head is covered with hair, and some areas have fine hair and vernix caseosa.
What's Happening with Mom
Feelings:
The end of pregnancy brings about certain changes in a woman's body, all of which are related to the onset of labor. There are both internal and external changes that signal that labor is about to begin.
Uterus and Belly
The uterus is quite large - its top rises about 16 inches above the pubic bone, the walls are thinned, and the muscle structures are in constant tone - women feel a pulling sensation in their belly and periodic contractions. The belly is quite large, with a clearly visible vertical dark line dividing it into two equal halves. There is a gradual lowering of the uterus and belly - a key sign that labor is near.
Digestion
At the end of pregnancy, women often feel relief due to the lowering of the uterus - heartburn and heaviness in the stomach disappear, and some even notice a slight weight loss. During this period, it is still important to monitor your diet. Difficulties with bowel movements worsen, and there are conditions that can lead to the formation of hemorrhoids.
Pain
Pain mainly affects the lower part of the torso, caused by the separation of the pelvic bones, high load on the spine, and lower limbs. Constant headaches in the third trimester of pregnancy are often a result of high blood pressure and late-term complications. Cramping pains in the belly can indicate either Braxton Hicks contractions or the onset of labor.
Discharge
It's normal to see an increase in the volume of vaginal discharge, which can be either mucous or watery in nature. The discharge should have a slightly acidic or neutral smell. You should see a doctor immediately if you experience painful sensations, a strong unpleasant odor, bloody discharge, or other unusual elements (like pus or cloudy mucus).
Body Weight
A pregnant woman's weight should not exceed 33-37 pounds (15-17 kg) throughout the entire pregnancy. At 39 weeks, there is usually a weight reduction of 4-6 pounds (2-3 kg) due to the elimination of excess fluid, which brings some relief. The growing fetus does not significantly affect the mother's weight, so any weight gain could indicate late-term complications.
Swelling
Physiological swelling decreases, and the heaviness in the legs lessens. However, if the swelling persists and becomes constant, it could be a sign of gestational diabetes, pregnancy-related nephropathy, cardiovascular issues, kidney diseases, or preeclampsia and eclampsia. The latter condition is life-threatening not only for the fetus but also for the mother.
Urination
The gradual descent of the uterus and increased pressure on the bladder trigger frequent urges to urinate. As the fetus grows, the maximum capacity of the bladder decreases. Many consider frequent urination to be one of the truly significant issues of pregnancy, starting from the second trimester.
Emotional and Psychological State
The anticipation of imminent childbirth is accompanied by anxiety, worries, and stress. Changes in a woman's emotional and psychological state depend on hormonal balance. Increased stress factors negatively affect a woman's condition and can lead to postpartum depression.
It's important to study and monitor all the changes happening. If any unclear symptoms, new sensations, or nonspecific signs appear, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Medical Examination
A routine medical examination for a woman is usually not required, as the full list of necessary tests and studies has been completed earlier. Additional diagnostics are indicated in cases of risk of complications, concurrent diseases, or suspected problematic pregnancy.
Doctors
- obstetrician-gynecologist;
- cardiologist for heart and vascular conditions;
- nephrologist for suspected nephropathies;
- general practitioner;
- endocrinologist for thyroid function disorders
Tests
- general urine test (sterility test and bacterial culture if necessary);
- blood test;
- cervical canal smear;
- vaginal discharge analysis.
Studies
- fetal heartbeat monitoring;
- ECG;
- fetal ultrasound if pathologies are suspected;
- maternal internal organ ultrasound.
Challenges of Pregnancy
Despite nearing the end of the pregnancy journey, a woman's body becomes significantly fatigued and often experiences various issues. The main challenges of pregnancy include:
- Difficulty with mobility (having to maintain a specific position while sleeping);
- Sleep disturbances due to stress and frequent urges to urinate;
- Abdominal pain;
- Fatigue and overall exhaustion.
Another challenge is the constant desire to sleep (more than 12 hours a day). This is a normal state, as the body requires a protective regimen and aims to prepare the woman for the upcoming childbirth. If there are older children in the family, it is advisable to temporarily delegate the primary care of them to close relatives.
What You Can and Can't Do
At 39 weeks, expectant moms have more restrictions than allowed activities, but all of them are related to the upcoming due date and are aimed at preventing risky situations.
What an Expectant Mom CAN Do:
- Continue taking vitamin supplements;
- Maintain a proper and healthy diet;
- Have sex with your partner if there are no contraindications;
- Visit exhibitions, art galleries, and stores;
- Prepare for childbirth and create a welcoming environment for the baby.
What an Expectant Mom CAN'T Do:
- Have sex if there are contraindications, discomfort, or pain;
- Avoid lifting heavy objects (heavy shopping bags, rearranging furniture) - all of this can trigger uterine bleeding or rapid labor;
- Go to the movies - prolonged sitting can cause blood stagnation in the pelvis, and loud sounds might scare the baby;
- Travel far from home without your maternity card and accompanying medical documentation.
If you have an infectious disease at 39 weeks, full treatment is necessary, as the baby can get infected with viruses, pathogenic bacteria, or fungi while passing through the birth canal.
Signs of Labor
Signs of labor consist of a whole set of symptoms indicating the onset of imminent physiological childbirth:
- Cramp-like pains in the lower abdomen - the main difference from true contractions is the lack of a shortening rest period and their chaotic occurrence;
- Dropping of the belly - a clear sign of impending labor, the uterus descends towards the birth canal, and the baby usually takes the final head-down position;
- Softening of the stool - bowel movements become more frequent and change in consistency;
- Decreased appetite and weight loss - before labor, a woman's body aims to rest as much as possible to gather strength for the upcoming birth;
- Discomfort in the lower abdomen and in the lumbar-sacral region of the spine.
From the onset of these signs to the actual date of labor, it usually takes 1-3 weeks. It's important to understand that true contractions with decreasing intervals between them are a signal that labor is beginning.
Helpful Tips
Women at 39 weeks should pay special attention to rest and their emotional well-being. It's important to eliminate stress factors, regulate sleep patterns, wakefulness, and diet. To reduce the strain on the back, wearing a support belt is necessary. Compression garments not only alleviate pain but also improve skin condition, preventing the development of deep stretch marks and striae. For the best aesthetic results, it's recommended to moisturize the skin with baby oil.
Labor
Natural childbirth is a physiological process that women typically endure well, despite the intense pain. Being prepared and informed can help reduce pain, stabilize the overall condition during labor, and lower the risk of complications. Pain can be exacerbated by stress, fear, and improper body positioning, which is why it's crucial to understand your own anatomy and know what happens during childbirth.
The main signs of labor include:
- the breaking of the amniotic sac and the mucus plug;
- loose stools;
- contractions.
Contractions have several main stages. Stage 1 lasts 5-8 hours with contractions lasting 45 seconds and intervals of 4-5 minutes. Stage 2 lasts 4-5 hours, with each contraction lasting 45-60 seconds and intervals of 2-3 minutes. Stage 3 lasts 1-1.5 hours, with frequent, long contractions and short intervals. If it's a woman's second or subsequent childbirth, the total duration of contractions may be reduced by 1.5-2 times.
Choosing the right body position is a crucial aspect of labor. Comfortable positions during different phases of labor can significantly reduce pain during contractions. Women can choose their own positions: on all fours, on their side, semi-sitting, squatting, or standing. During contractions, massaging the lower back and sacral area can help alleviate discomfort.
Breathing during labor can help ease contractions, relax muscles, normalize blood pressure, and sometimes even manage the birthing process. The main techniques include "panting like a dog," "train breathing," and "blowing out the candle." Breathing can be deep, intermittent, shallow, or rapid. These are the aspects that expectant mothers are taught in prenatal classes. To minimize the risk of complications, it is recommended to follow all medical advice throughout the delivery process.