Third Trimester: 39 Weeks Pregnant - December 2024

Your labour day is just around the corner, mums! At 39 weeks pregnant, you're less than two weeks away from meeting your little one. As you conclude the remainder of your pregnancy, it's important to look back at all that you've accomplished for the past 9 months. Motherhood is nearly here and it's almost time to celebrate. Your Baby at 39 Weeks of Pregnancy At this stage, your baby is fully developed and ready to meet the world. Measuring approximately 49 cm in length and weighing about 3,150 grams, they are about the size of a small watermelon. Here’s a detailed look at what’s happening with your little one now that you're 39 weeks pregnant: Fully-formed features: Your baby’s face is now beautifully sculpted, with open eyes and ears that stick out just enough to hear your soothing voice. Some babies even arrive with a full head of hair! Proportional body: In the early weeks, your baby’s head was disproportionately large. Now, their body has caught up, and the head accounts for about one-fourth of their total size. Head and abdomen: Interestingly, your baby’s head and abdomen are of the same circumference, a sign that they are ready for delivery. Physical Adaptations for Birth: Mouldable head: Your baby’s skull remains flexible, allowing it to elongate during birth. Though they may look cone-headed initially, their shape will normalise within 24 hours after delivery. Packed position: Space is tight! With limited room in the womb, your baby is likely curled into the classic foetal position, arms and legs drawn close to the chest. This is how they're engaged for delivery. Preparing for Life Outside the Womb: Lung function: While practising breathing by inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid, your baby’s lungs remain water-filled. Their first breath will trigger vital circulatory changes, enabling oxygen transfer. Umbilical cord transition: After birth, the umbilical cord will stop functioning, prompting your baby to rely solely on their lungs and circulatory system. Most babies are now head-down, ready for their grand entrance—only about 3% remain in the breech position at this point. So, don't worry about your baby not being prepared yet for labour. Your doctor will perform the necessary procedures to ensure your little one is prepped and ready for their big day. Your Body at 39 Weeks of Pregnancy At this point you're probably over your pregnancy. It was fun in the beginning. But between the nausea, the backache, the sore breasts and the sleepless nights, you're ready for this baby to be out of you. At this point, your body is still undergoing changes as it prepares for labour and delivery. Here's what's going on with your body at 39 weeks pregnant: Sleep disturbances: Rest can feel elusive due to frequent urination and pre-birth anxiety. Prioritise short naps and relaxation techniques to stay energised. Swelling and discomfort: Ankles and legs may swell more noticeably. Keep an eye on signs of preeclampsia, such as severe headaches or blurred vision, and inform your healthcare provider if needed. Breast growth: Your breasts may feel fuller and tender, and some women notice leakage of colostrum, the nutrient-rich first milk. If you don’t experience this, don’t worry—your body will still be ready to feed your baby after birth. Walking, even if it feels more like waddling, is still helpful, so don't remain sedentary for long periods of time. Gentle activity helps maintain circulation in your legs and strengthens your pelvic muscles for labour. Now that your labour day is near, it's also a good time to watch out for signs of labour: 'Show': The loss of your mucus plug is a key sign that your cervix is ripening. It may appear as a blob of mucus, sometimes tinged with blood. While this indicates that labour is near, it doesn’t always mean it’s imminent. Braxton Hicks contractions: These 'practice' contractions may intensify as your body gears up for the real thing. Labour contractions, however, will become more regular and steadily increase in strength. Assisted Delivery Not all labours progress smoothly especially if you decide on a natural vaginal birth. Assisted deliveries, such as Caeesarean sections or the use of forceps and vacuum devices, may become necessary. Here may be why your doctor will perform an assisted delivery: Labour stalls: Failure to progress, often due to cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD) or exhaustion, may require interventions like Pitocin or a C-section. Foetal distress: Complications such as reduced oxygen flow can necessitate quick delivery. Unfavourable position: Breech or transverse presentations may lead to surgical delivery. VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean) If you've had a C-section before, you can still have a natural delivery for your current pregnancy. Your doctor will treat the birth just like any other vaginal delivery. However, they will still keep a close eye on your condition to avoid complications like uterine rupture. Your doctor will also avoid certain ripening agents such as misoprostol which can increase the risk of C-sections. Labour Day Reminders The day you’ve been waiting for has almost arrived! But be prepared. The movies are only painting half the story. If this is your first time giving birth, no book, video or pamphlet will prepare you for what's going to happen when you get into that delivery room. Here's what's to expect during labour that they never prepare you for: Shivering: It’s normal to feel cold or experience teeth chattering during labour due to hormonal shifts and physical exertion. Vomiting: Digestion slows during labour, so vomiting may occur, especially if you have an epidural. Screaming: Don’t be shy about expressing yourself—grunts, moans, and even shouting are all part of the process. Bowel movements: This can happen as the baby presses on your rectum, but it’s nothing to worry about. Your healthcare provider has seen it all before! It's a good idea to remind your spouse too about these conditions before they join you in the delivery room. They will honestly see a side of you that they may not be prepared to see. So, it's important that they're mentally ready for what's about to come. Any Day Now, Mummies! Now that you are 39 weeks pregnant, you're almost at the finish line. Your baby is ready to step into the world, and your body is perfectly designed to bring them here. While the process may be unpredictable, every sensation and change is a testament to the miracle of life. As you prepare for labour and the exciting days ahead, remember to lean on your healthcare team and loved ones for support. You’ve got this—your little one will be in your arms before you know it, mummies! References Curtis, G. B., & Schuler, J. (2016). Your Pregnancy Week by Week (8th ed.). Hachette Books. Kaye, P. (2021). Your Pregnancy: Week by Week. SPCK Publishing. Riley, L. (2006). You and Your Pregnancy: Your Ultimate Week-by-Week Pregnancy Guide. Meredith Books. Shanahan, M. K. (2002). Your Over-35 Week-by-Week Pregnancy Guide. Da Capo Press Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner. For more insightful stories and fun recipes, stay tuned to Motherhood Story!

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