At 39 weeks pregnant, your baby is almost ready to make his or her appearance in the world. He or she probably weighs between 7 an 8 pounds, and is likely between 19 to 21 inches long from head to heel. (Every baby is different, but in general, boys typically weigh more than girls.)
Your baby is full formed by 39 weeks pregnant. Although you may be anxious for your baby to arrive, if he or she is not willing to come out, try to be patient. A full-term baby can be born anytime from now until 42 weeks pregnant
Fun Fact: There's no way to tell whether or not your baby will come out with a full head of hair. Some babies are born with only a few strands of hair, or no hair at all. Others are fortunate to have full locks.
(After pregnancy week 42, your baby is "post-term" and your caregiver will have to deliver him or her with a labor induction or cesarean section.)
By 39 weeks pregnant, your baby's eyes have developed, but their neural networks are still maturing. When your newborn baby arrives, his or her vision will be fuzzy for a couple of weeks.
Although room in the womb is very limited, your baby is still attempting to move around. At this point, your baby's movements are helping building his or her coordination and muscle strength.
Apgar Score
After your baby is born, his or her health will be evaluated with an "Apgar score" (also called an Apgar test).
The Apgar score is calculated based on your baby's lung maturity, his or her cry, his or her lung maturity, the strength and regularity of his or her heart rate, and his or her skin color. An Apgar score ranges from 0 (a stillborn infant) to 10 (a completely health infant). It's rare for a newborn to score a perfect ten, since most babies are born with slightly blue hands and feet. A majority of healthy babies receive a score of 8 or 9. An Apgar score that is lower is 8 often means your infant needs medical care.
Try not to dwell on your baby's Apgar score. This test doesn't predict your baby's future outcome. If your healthcare provider is concerned about your baby's health, you will be informed.
At 39 weeks pregnant, your belly isn't changing much. As you wait for your labor to start, why not dream about what your newborn baby will look like? Will he or she look identical to you, or your partner? Maybe your baby will take on the traits of other family members - maybe your grandfather or grandmother. It's always fun to think about what your little bundle of joy will be like.
You should be having weekly prenatal visits by 39 weeks pregnant. At each doctor's appointment, your midwife or doctor will perform an abdominal exam to check your baby's position and his or her overall well-being. Your healthcare provider may also check to see if your cervix has started ripening. However, even with this information, your doctor won't be able to tell you the exact day you'll give birth.
While you're waiting for baby to arrive, make sure that you pay attention to how often he or she is moving. If you suddenly notice a decrease in your baby's movements, call your doctor right away.
At 39 weeks pregnant, you'll want to watch out for any of the following signs of labor:
Loss your mucus plug - The mucus plug has protected and sealed your cervical canal throughout all nine months of pregnancy. When you pass your mucus plug, you may experience mucus discharge that is tinged with bloody. For this reason, this is called the "bloody show." You can lose the mucus plug days or weeks before your labor will actually start.
Regular contractions - At 39 weeks pregnant, this is one of the strongest signs that you're in actual labor. Once Braxton Hicks contractions become real contraction, it's a good time for you to get out your stopwatch and time them. Record the exact time that each contraction strikes and how long each one lasts. In early labor (when you're at home), contractions can occur 30 minutes apart. As the hours pass, your contractions will get closer and closer together. It's time to call your doctor or head to the hospital when your contractions are five minutes apart for at least one hour.
Rupture of the membranes (Your water breaks) - If your water breaks at 39 weeks pregnant, you'll want to see your healthcare provider or midwife. For many women, they are having regular contractions when their water breaks. For some, your water may break first and labor will soon follow. Unlike what you see on television, your water doesn't always come out in a large gush. Sometimes, it comes out as a small trickle.
At 39 weeks pregnant, it's almost time for you to deliver your baby. If your baby is cooperative, he or she may arrive this week. Sometimes, it may take another week or two before he or she decides to make his or her appearance. Be on high alert for any signs of labor.
Mild contractions or Braxton Hicks contractions are hitting you hard at 39 weeks pregnant. If you are still having Braxton Hicks contractions, you may notice that they're occurring more often and getting stronger. It's common for Braxton Hicks contractions to transform into real contractions during pregnancy week 39. To be on the safe side, make sure you start timing your contractions.
If your contractions are coming at irregular intervals and do not increase in strength, then they are probably false labor pains. During true labor, your contractions come at regular intervals, getting closer together as time passes, and they will also increase in strength.
Pelvic pressure and discomfort is a common pregnancy symptom at 39 weeks pregnant, and it's a sign that your body is preparing for labor and delivery. As your baby's head burrows deep into your pelvis in preparation for his or her arrival, you may feel increasingly uncomfortable. Just take heart in knowing your baby will soon arrive.
Diarrhea and flu-like symptoms may strike at 39 weeks pregnant. In the day or two before your labor starts, you may have diarrhea, indigestion, nausea and vomiting. Within 48 hours prior to birth, you may have the need to constantly go to the bathroom. Frequent bowel movements are also common as "pre-labor" symptoms.
Increased vaginal discharge is also a common pregnancy symptom at 39 weeks pregnant. As your body prepares itself for the task of labor and delivery, you'll definitely have more discharge. If you notice mucus discharge that's tinged with pink, red, or brown blood, this may be a sign that you've passed your mucus plug.
Emotions at 39 Weeks Pregnant
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.
There's only one week until your due date. Emotions are probably running high this week. Your weight gain at 39 weeks pregnant might be between 25 and 35 pounds. This is the recommended weight gain for the average-sized woman.
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.
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.
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!
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At 39 weeks pregnant, your belly isn't changing much. As you wait for your labor to start, why not dream about what your newborn baby will look like? Will he or she look identical to you, or your partner? Maybe your baby will take on the traits of other family members - maybe your grandfather or grandmother. It's always fun to think about what your little bundle of joy will be like. 
At 39 weeks pregnant, it's almost time for you to deliver your baby. If your baby is cooperative, he or she may arrive this week. Sometimes, it may take another week or two before he or she decides to make his or her appearance. Be on high alert for any signs of labor. 
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. 
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. 
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. 