Just a week to go for the big day to arrive! So many thoughts and ideas are racing through your mind right now and you just can’t wait to see the little bundle of joy that you have been bearing inside you for the last 9 months. Your little champ can announce his/her arrival anytime now.
What to expect in my 39th week of pregnancy?
- Discharge of the mucous plug.
- Baby is officially full term
- Chances of water breaking.
- Increase in pain in the pelvic area and discomfort.
- Easier to breathe.
There is not much going on in your body right now and the same old symptoms are lingering this week too. The most satisfying update is that your baby is officially full-term now and is ready to face the outside world. Hang on till the end of the article to have a brief idea about what you will be expecting this week.
39th Week of Pregnancy: Symptoms, Changes, Care & Tips
Expected Changes in the Body
You will be in an uncomfortable position this week. Your uterus is heavier and that is bound to make your movements restricted. The pain in the pelvic area will continue to hike as your baby continues to move down to the birth canal. You are most likely to go into labor this week. Look out for these signs of labor:
- Discharge of blood due to the rupture of the capillaries due to the dilation and effacement of the cervix.
- Water breaking which contains the amniotic fluid
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
There is no denying the fact that the discomforts of pregnancy will still be there, but just a few days to go!
Baby’s Developments
- Your baby is about the size of watermelon now- around 20 inches in length and weighs around 7 to 8 pounds.
- Though your little one’s growth rate has decreased the brain is still growing.
- The cute pinkish skin tone has turned into whitish now.
- The vocal cords are prepared and get ready to hear the cries in the middle of the night.
- The glands which produce tears have not yet formed. It will take around a month for you to rub off the tears from the little one’s cheeks.
- The lungs are still developing and will continue to until your baby is born.
Symptoms
Braxton-Hicks contractions
You’ll be experiencing Braxton-Hicks contractions a lot during this week. Though you will be having them at irregular intervals each of them will make your cervix thinner and prepare your body for delivery.
Heartburn
Just bear with it for a couple of days more. Heartburn and indigestion are on a hike this week. Do not worry, you’ll soon get relief after the delivery. To counter heartburn, make sure you drink ample fluids throughout the day but not while having a meal.
Blood discharge from the vagina
This is a good sign that your baby is not far away from announcing his/her entry! The capillaries of the cervix rupture during this week. So, do not freak out if you notice traces of blood in your vaginal discharge.
Mucous plug
If your mucous plug hasn’t fallen off yet, there is a high probability that it will get flushed out from your body this week. Once it has been discharged, get ready to rush to the hospital as labor is around the corner.
Changes in the Baby’s movements
As your baby continues to move down the pelvis, the space becomes cramped for him/her to roll and kick. You won’t be able to feel all those sudden kicks and fluttering movements inside your belly. Do keep track of your little one’s movements every day.
Water Breaking
The sign confirms that labor is near when your amniotic sac breaks and fluid starts gushing out. You don’t have to worry about flooding your bed because most women are in the hospital when their water breaks. If you notice that your water has broken, call up your doctor immediately and rush to the hospital.
Diarrhea
Mother nature is preparing your body for childbirth and if you are having diarrhea (loose bowel movements) this week, then it is sure that labor is around the corner! The muscles near the rectum also loosen during this period, so that can be a reason too. Keep drinking ample amount of water and skip oily and fatty foods now.
Hemorrhoids
Women usually suffer from diarrhea during this period. If you are amongst the unlucky women who suffer from diarrhea, then you will be lucky enough to not get bothered from your hemorrhoids as you won’t need much pressure to move your bowels. But, do not forget that hemorrhoids usually aggravate while pushing during labor, so make sure you have ample of soothers.
Pelvic pain
Your champ is gradually making his/her way towards the birth canal and his/her head will put pressure on the pelvis and bladder. It is uncomfortable and can cause cramps like the ones you have during your periods and can also cause indigestion.
Backaches
The baby is moving down your pelvis and that can, in turn, cause sharp back pain. As you approach your date the pain will continue to hike. Bathe in warm water or shower with the same to get some relief. This will lead to heavy mood swings, but with proper tips, you can cope with pregnancy mood swings.
Tips for a healthy pregnancy this week
How to know that my water has broken?
If you find your clothes soaked in a liquid that smells like ammonia after you wake, then that is urine, not amniotic fluid. In case you have a water break, the fluid will continue to flow and you won’t be able to control the flow of it.
Opt for a facial at home
If you need a lift or just want to spend the time waiting for your baby to come impatiently, treat yourself to the facial mask at home. One simple way to do this is to take a cup of plain yogurt and add several important ingredients according to the type of skin. Have a cup of yogurt as a dessert when you’re at it.
Dampen the mask for 5 minutes until the application and hold the paste for 20 minutes, to get the maximum results. Add warm water to a paste until it forms a paste, massage the mix in your skin, rinse off and you’ll have the softest skin ever!
Eat right during labor
According to researchers, labor can be as short as 16 minutes if the woman is allowed to eat properly during the onset of labor. Labour, as the name suggests is hard work for the body and requires a lot of energy for the last few pushes.
Stick to what your doctor has to say and make sure you have light foods at your arm’s reach to get a sudden energy boost and keep yourself well hydrated. Ideally, you should have soups, toasts, ice pops, or plain pasta to get the required energy.
Sleep well
Close your eyes, pop a pillow in between your legs, turn to your left side and sleep! Your body is working day and night to meet the demands of the baby- your body needs rest too. Do not stress on unnecessary matters and even overexcitement is nit good now.
Take naps whenever you get time. You’ll be thankful for all the accumulated energy on the day of delivery.
The lightning crotch is natural
Can you notice agony running through your legs from your vagina? Don’t be bothered, this is just “lightning crotch,” which could result from your baby putting pressure on the pelvic nerves. The positive news is that it is not harmful. This is not a warning.
No need to worry if your baby is breech
Breeching is a special scenario when the baby’s head is not facing downwards. To fix baby breech, midwives recommend some exercises. Pelvic tilts may help, or try to kneel off the hip-width of your knees to bend your breasts and almost touch the floor, and your belly. Three times a day can bring about changes!
Have DHA
Identified in scientific circles as docosahexaenoic acid, DHA is an omega-3 that will give your baby’s brain a boost — even this late in the game. A robust DHA consumption can also help prevent postpartum depression, another reason to keep this wonderful fat going.
How do you do? When would you locate it? All the usual suspects cover wild salmon and sardines from such fatty fish as herring to DHA larvae. Don’t abandon your DHA habits when your baby is in the arms instead of your belly — particularly when you breastfeed. In the first three months of development, the DHA quality in your child’s brain is tripled.
Takeaway
You are almost there. The good news is that your baby is officially full-term and he/she can make his/her entry any time soon! Keep yourself hydrated and prepared for the contractions to hit any time now.
Do not panic unnecessarily and enjoy the last few days of your pregnancy. Maintain a journal and maybe have a photoshoot now with the baby bump to relish these moments years later when your baby grows up!
Congratulations! You’ll officially be a mother soon!
Frequently Asked Questions about 39th pregnancy Week
1. When will I finally get rid of my back pain in Pregnancy?
Back pain will sadly begin very early in your pregnancy. For many people, backaches begin about week 18, early in the second quarter. Some women feel this in the first half but not many others. They can continue or often intensify with the advancement of the second quarter and especially the third quarter before you give birth (when they are sometimes substituted by back pain).
2. How can I deal with hemorrhoids?
-The easiest approach to manage hemorrhoids during pregnancy is to drink healthy, so get lots of fluids and food to reduce constipation.
-Kegel exercises during pregnancy can help avoid hemorrhoids by enhancing the airflow in the neck, as well as strengthening the perineal floor for conception.
-Don’t sit down or stand at a time for long periods, try taking a quick five-minute stroll an hour to increase the movement around the region. And if the doctor is OK, hold the workouts healthy before your due date.
-Take a warm bath for 10 to 15 minutes
-If you find difficulty in sitting, get yourself a doughnut-shaped pillow to ease the pressure.
Consult your doctor to get the right treatment.
3. My water broke: now?
You must have obtained a variety of directions when the water breaks from the medical provider. Obey them. If you do not know the directions, call, night, or day, or wonder how to proceed.
Whether the advice is to wait 12 hours or so for contractions, now that the amniotic sac defensive membrane has been weakened, you and your baby will need to be wary against infection. Utilize snap liners or maxi tampons, not tampons, to prevent wetting your clothing with the amniotic material to hold the surface clean. In particular, wipe from front to back when you are going to the bathroom.
4. What is the sign that my baby has dropped?
The kid is feeling even smaller and appearing even better and looks much lower. Many people will see the difference, too. Your sister-woman or doctor may usually tell you how much the cervix is softening and diluting by feeling your stomach or when testing your cervix.
5. Is it true that women poop on the delivery table?
It may sound weird but it is natural during pushing. This shows that the woman is focused on and trying her best to push the baby out by applying the pressure on the exact muscles.
6. What type of movements should I feel of my baby’s this week?
Your baby is nearly full weight and length — at least not relative to the short parts. You ‘re not going to notice the fast pumping vibrations, but stronger pumping and more motions (for eg, when the baby flips over) should certainly catch your attention. So do any babies want to force their throats on the cervix — maybe they know where the escape is?
You can probably feel something else: a sweetheart ‘s foot (or feet) that may bite through your ribs. A gentle nudge, a shift in your position, or a set of pelvic tilts might bring some relief.
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Mother of Two children. I’m a former teacher with a background in child development and a passion for Good parenting. I understand child development and know how to develop activities to help children learn and grow. Spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and volunteering in my community.
