We reached the final stretch in our Pregnancy journey week by week stopping at Week 39 of pregnancy . Here we are going to know all the changes that occur in the baby and in the mother during this week, so close to the birth of the baby.
But if there is something that interests every woman preparing for childbirth, it is knowing when the time has come. We also talk about it, since if you are reading this there is probably little time left for you to feel these signs of labor .
Changes in the baby at week 39 of pregnancy
The baby was ready to be born in the 38th week of pregnancy, this is what is known as “a full-term pregnancy.” The baby continues to grow although it is likely that you will notice his movements less, because he does not have as much space as in the previous weeks.
In the 39th week of pregnancy, the length of the baby is about 36 centimeters from the crown to the buttocks (about 52 centimeters in total) and the weight is around 3250-3300 grams.
It continues to receive many nutrients from the mother, through the umbilical cord, which is approximately 1.3 centimeters thick. Antibodies also cross the placental barrier and strengthen the baby’s immune system by the time it is born, and it continues to accumulate fat.
The lanugo has largely disappeared, the nails continue to grow and the baby perceives more and more stimuli from the outside. The lungs have been ready for extrauterine life for a week.
Changes in the mother at week 39 of pregnancy
The cervix is softening in preparation for labor, and contractions are becoming more frequent. Labor contractions can begin at any time or water ruptures if the amniotic membrane ruptures.
As the baby continues to grow, the bladder is more and more trapped, we will have to go to the bathroom more often. They also increase the problems of constipation or hemorrhoids (do not neglect a diet rich in fiber) and the difficulties to find the position to sleep.
To these physical discomforts are added the nerves due to the proximity of delivery, or due to impatience for it to arrive at once. Try to stay relaxed and keep practicing the preparation exercises to stay fit and face the moment of delivery with strength and courage. But how do you know when that great moment arrives?
Signs of labor
Any woman wonders how to know when you are in labor. The symptoms of true childbirth are going to be noticeable quite clearly. True contractions differ from the previous ones, known as Braxton Hicks contractions.
When antepartum contractions lead to stronger, longer, and more frequent ones, your baby is likely on the way. These contractions increase if we are active and do not reduce or disappear even if we change our position.
These are contractions similar to intestinal cramps (sometimes accompanied by diarrhea) or severe menstrual cramps, and can radiate pain down the lower back or legs.
They tend to be of increasing intensity and quite rhythmic, although more and more followed. You can have one of these contractions every hour, every half hour, every ten minutes, five minutes, every two minutes, every minute… for several hours. It’s time to go to the hospital if you have several rhythms in an hour.
Also if the membranes break, labor is approaching . It does not usually happen spontaneously, but if it is your case (around 15% of women break water) you have to go to the hospital, with special hurry if the water is “dirty” or accompanied by contractions.
In the event of a water break without another sign of labor, the expectant mother has time to take a shower and calmly go to the hospital. There are even those who take a few walks around the hospital before entering (also if the contractions allow it) to help the baby go down.
We hope that this information about the changes that occur in the baby and in the mother during the 39th week of pregnancy will be useful to you. Soon you will see the baby face and we will end our pregnancy journey week by week at week 40 of pregnancy.
Next week: 40th week of pregnancy
Photo | Amina Filkins at Pexels
In Babies and more | Pregnancy calendar: from week 37 to week 40, Pregnancy month to month: the ninth month
