Pregnancy Week - 39 Weeks Pregnant

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Pregnancy Week 39

**Please note- Your Due Date is calculated from the date of your last menstrual period, which corresponds to our Pregnancy Week by Week articles.

Week 39

Your Baby's Growth and Development
During week 39, it is common to experience early signs of labor (mild contractions or Braxton-Hicks contractions). If you start to have contractions, you should start timing them. If they come at irregular intervals and do not increase in strength, then they are probably false labor pains. During true labor, you contractions come at regular intervals, getting closer together as time passes, and they will also increase in strength.

During labor and delivery, your baby's heart rate may be monitored. Fetal heart rate monitoring helps your healthcare team evaluate your baby during labor to make sure that everything is going as planned.

Typically, when your uterus contracts, the oxygenated blood flow to your placenta is restricted. Because this is a natural process it will not be a problem for most babies. However, in some cases, this can result in fetal distress. A fetal monitor will be able to assess whether or not your baby is stressed.

Your healthcare provider can monitor your baby's heartbeat either through external fetal monitoring or internal fetal monitoring. External fetal monitoring can be used any time during labor. A belt with a receiver can be strapped onto your abdomen. It works much like ultrasound does in detecting a fetal heart rate, providing a little feedback strip that tracks your baby's heart rate during and in between contractions.

An internal fetal monitor may be used to assess your baby's heart rate as well. To do this, an electrode would be placed directly on your baby's scalp via your vagina and cervix. You need to be dilated at least 1 cm and your membranes must have ruptured in order to use this type of monitoring.

Your Growth and Development
You are probably starting to wonder what your baby looks like during your pregnancy at 39 weeks. Since your belly isn't changing much, why not dwell on what your newborn baby might look like! Will he look like you or your partner? Perhaps your baby will take on traits of your ancestors, resembling neither of you!

One thing you will notice when your baby is born is that newborns look strange! Some people might say that is being nice, but there are those of us that truly believe the sight of all newborns is simply beautiful.

All newborn babies share several common features and characteristics. They typically have big heads, short or no necks, and swollen abdomens. Most are born with a misshapen head that resembles a cone head, particularly if you were in labor for an extended period of time. Your baby's head will have soft spots called fontanels, which are openings in the skull that allow your baby's bones to compress during delivery. This is necessary for your baby's head to fit through the birth canal.

When your baby is born, you may notice that his or her genitals and breasts are swollen. This is due to a higher than normal dose of female hormones transferred from you to the baby right before delivery. Fortunately, these 'irregularities' will disappear in the days following delivery.

Your baby's skin may be smooth as a baby's bottom, or you may find that your baby is born with acne or other red spots. This is perfectly normal. Some babies are born with a condition called pustular melanosis, which is little pus filled bumps on the skin.

Other babies are born with birthmarks. There are several different types of birthmarks. The more common include angel kisses and stork bites. Birthmarks may not show up immediately, but sometimes grow during the first few weeks of life. Others get smaller as your baby gets older.

Some babies are born with red and blond hair, even when both parents are dark haired. Keep in mind that regardless of your newborn's hair color, there is a relatively good chance your baby's hair will change colors once or twice as they are growing. It isn't uncommon for a baby born blond to turn into a brunette.

Fortunately, your baby's skin will start to clear up in a few weeks. You probably won't have to worry about acne or pimples again until the teenage years!

Changes in You
It's almost time to deliver at 39 weeks! You have continued your pregnancy week by week and now you feel ready! Or, at 39 weeks of pregnancy you may be feeling worried, anxious, excited, and tired! Many women experience a variety of emotions now and after delivery. The more informed you are the better equipped you will be to handle them.

Once you deliver your baby, your hormones will drop suddenly. This typically results in some postpartum distress. More than 80 percent of women will report feeling some form of the blues immediately after birth.

Remember that this is normal, and should subside in a short period of time. Earlier in our pregnancy week by week articles, we mentioned postpartum depression. This is a more serious form of the blues that is worth mentioning again. If after the delivery of your baby you start noticing excessive anxiety, crying for no apparent reason, irritability, depression, low self esteem or lack of feelings or even harmful feelings toward your baby that don't go away, be sure to report them to your healthcare provider immediately. Postpartum depression is a serious issue, but it can usually be resolved with treatment. Feelings of anger, confusion, panic or hopelessness are more than just the blues.

Nursing Pillows
Good For Long Term Shoulder Pain

After having my first baby, I started to develop a nagging and burning sensation in my left shoulder. This turned into a chronic condition resulting in neck and shoulder pain. After visiting several doctors, one suggested that I try a nursing pillow to help alleviate some of the pressure on my left side while nursing. I figured this was a good suggestion, given my baby preferred to nurse on the left side almost exclusively.

Turns out the doctor was right! Investing in a high quality-nursing pillow such as those offered from Snoozer Pregnancy Pillows and Nursing Pillows is a good idea if you plan to nurse your baby for extended periods of time. Without proper support, neck and shoulder pain commonly develop among nursing women.
Watch our pregnancy pillows video on youtube.com.

Maternity Clothes
Active Collections For Sports Minded Moms-to-Be

Are you an active mom-to-be? Why not look great while working out all at the same time? Fortunately for active mothers, there are wealth of Active Collections at Destination Maternity that move with you and support you before, during and even after your pregnancy.

When shopping Active Collections Dresses at Motherhood Maternity, keep in mind you will need to find clothes made of breathable and stretch fabric. These items will grow with you, move with you and more importantly, and breathe with you while you work out during your pregnancy. Rest assured, most active collections provide extra support particularly for a woman’s chest and belly, the two areas that require the most attention during pregnancy!

Pregnancy Health Tips
Some women will require forceps or vacuum delivery. You might have thought about this by 39 weeks pregnant. While relatively uncommon sometimes a little assistance is needed to help the baby during labor and delivery.

Forceps are an instrument that resemble a pair of tongs. They are sometimes used if the baby isn't moving into the vaginal canal. This may happen for a number of reasons, but typically occurs if the uterus isn't contracting well enough to expel the baby. Forceps are sometimes also introduced if the baby has to be delivered quickly because it is in distress.

If you doctor needs to use forceps, he will likely numb your vaginal area and may perform an episiotomy. The forceps are placed on the sides of your baby's head and used to help pull the baby out. The risks of using forceps when used correctly can be relatively low, but may include bruising or swelling on your baby's head and scalp.

In other cases, your doctor may need to use a vacuum extractor. This is a device that is shaped like a cup. It is placed on top of your baby' head. The vacuum extractor applies a gentle suction to the top of the baby's head to help pull your baby out of the birth canal. This can help prevent the baby's head from being pushed back up the birth canal in between contractions. Bruising or swelling might also occur when a vacuum extractor is used.

In most instances, neither of these instruments will need to be used, but there is always a small possibility. If you have any concerns be sure to check with your doctor prior to labor and delivery. They can help explain the risks and potential need to you in greater detail.

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