Well, here you are: You made it through almost all of your pregnancy, and you’ve only got a tiny bit left to go! No problem, right? We know how hard it is waiting around for baby to be born. You are so completely done with being pregnant, and the days are crawling by.
Will you survive however many days are remaining in this pregnancy? Yup. Will it be fun? Nope. Here’s what to expect—and how to cope—during the final countdown. Continue reading the blog to know more-
Pregnancy Developments and symptoms at 39 Weeks Pregnant:
Some “normal” (i.e., non-labor) symptoms you can expect at 39 weeks pregnant? Here are some of the most common:
- heartburn and nausea
- frequent Braxton-Hicks contractions
- backaches
- pubic pain
- insomnia
- anxiety
- fatigue
- loss of appetite
- Cervical changes:
- As your body prepares itself for delivery, your cervix will start to ripen or soften. This is also called effacement. Your cervix may begin to dilate (i.e. open), too.
- The pressure of your baby’s head on your cervix will help this process along. Your doctor may check for these signs at your weekly exams and let you know if you’re making any progress.
- Diarrhea: Your muscles will do a lot of stretching during birth, so your body starts sending out the signal now that it’s time to relax. These signals affect your digestive muscles, too, and all that relaxation might mean what you eat moves through your intestines much faster than normal, causing diarrhea.\
- Loss of mucus plug:
- To keep your uterus safe during pregnancy, your cervix creates this thing called a mucus plug that prevents germs and bacteria from getting in. As your body gets ready for labor, your cervix will naturally expel this plug along with some vaginal blood.
- It may simply fall out into the toilet, or it may discharge into your underwear over the course of a few hours or days. You might not even notice, but if you do, you’ll see a clump of thick, bloody mucus (it’s also known as a “bloody show,” for what we hope are obvious reasons).
- Water breaking:
- If you’re expecting to feel a huge gush of fluid when your water breaks— like your vagina just popped a water balloon—know this: It may feel exactly like that, or it could feel like a slow trickle (in other words, the total opposite sensation).
- Confusing? Yes. But here’s what you need to know: If the fluid is clear, there’s a lot of it, it soaks through your underwear, or keeps on coming out even after you’ve lied down, it’s probably amniotic fluid, not urine or discharge. Call your doctor.
Baby Development:
Congratulations! Your baby is as big as a jackfruit.
Baby brain: While your baby’s body isn’t growing as much, his brain is. It’s already 30 percent bigger than it was just four weeks ago.
Pink skin turns white: Your baby’s pinkish skin has turned whitish or whitish-grayish and won’t have pigment, no matter what his eventual skin color will be, until shortly after birth.
Baby’s at his birth weight: Your baby has likely reached his birth weight of somewhere between 6 and 9 pounds, about a third of which is accounted for by his head.
39 Weeks Pregnant: What you should be preparing for
- Go for a stroll: Walking is easy on your knees and ankles, which makes it one of the best exercises during pregnancy.
- Eating during labor:
- Research has shown that women who are allowed eating privileges have shorter labors — up to 16 minutes shorter.
- After all, labor lives up to its name — it’s hard work, and hard work requires fuel. Laboring on empty can make it tough to summon up the strength for those last pushes.
- If your doctor gives you the go-ahead to eat during labor, think small, and if your health care team has suggestions, try to stick with them. In general, light snacks can keep your energy up and liquids will keep you hydrated.
- Run through your labor distractions:
- Childbirth education programs generally teach you to cope with labor discomfort by using distraction techniques.
- Relaxation, meditation, and visualization—like imagining your cervix is blooming like a flower (dilating, that is)—are often useful between contractions, whereas breathing exercises can help during them.
- Wear loose, cool clothing:
- Perpetually damp these days? Here come those hormones again. Their effects, along with increased blood flow to the skin and increased metabolism during pregnancy, can make you sweat, even in colder weather.
- To stay cool, wear loose, light clothing or dress in layers (a lightweight cardigan can be worn post-baby and be surprisingly nursing-friendly, if you plan on breastfeeding). Be sure to also drink plenty of water.
- Watch for late pregnancy complications: Unfortunately, serious complications can strike at the end of pregnancy. Be on the lookout for symptoms that require you to call your doctor.
- Read up on baby feeding: Now is a great time to think about how you’ll be feeding your baby. Breastfeeding can be challenging, so talk to the experienced moms in your life about their best tips for breastfeeding successfully.
- Learn about newborn screening tests: All states require newborn screening tests for rare but serious conditions, including hearing loss, congenital heart defects, and metabolic disorders. These tests detect disorders that can cause long-term health problems, or even be fatal, if not diagnosed and treated promptly.
Signs of Labor to Watch For:
At 38 weeks, labor could begin at any time, or it could still be a few weeks away. Keeping an eye out for signs of labor ensures you’re ready when the time comes.
- Regular Contractions: True labor contractions are more intense than Braxton Hicks. They occur at regular intervals, progressively last longer, and grow stronger over time.
- Bloody Show: You might notice a pinkish or brownish mucus discharge, often referred to as the “bloody show.” This is a sign of cervical changes and may indicate labor is approaching.
- Water Breaking: A sudden gush or steady trickle of fluid from your vagina may mean that your amniotic sac has ruptured. This is a strong indicator that labor is beginning, and you should reach out to your doctor or midwife immediately.
- Lower Back Pain: Intense, radiating back pain that doesn’t subside could indicate early labor contractions, especially if it occurs with other signs.
Conclusion
Always consult with healthcare professionals for guidance tailored to your specific needs and circumstances. Enroll in our free lactation webinar to understand more about pain suffered during breastfeeding, possible causes, and solutions for the same.