39 Weeks Pregnant

Your baby at 39 weeks

Your baby is now full term and mostly putting the finishing touches on growth, adding a bit more fat and strengthening the immune system as antibodies pass from you across the placenta. The lungs continue producing surfactant, a substance that helps the air sacs work properly after that first breath. Your baby is ready to meet the world and is simply gaining strength while waiting for labor to begin.

Your body this week

You may feel significant pressure low in your pelvis, frequent urination, and stronger or more regular contractions as your body readies itself. Backache, loose stools, and a renewed bloody show can all show up in the days before labor. Many people feel anxious or eager at this point, which is completely understandable.

Tips for week 39

Watch for the signs of true labor: regular contractions that get closer together and more intense, your water breaking, or persistent low back pain. Keep your provider's number handy and know when they want you to call or come in. Rest, eat well, and lean on your support people; it is okay to ask for help and to take this final stretch one day at a time.