As an expectant mother in week 39 of pregnancy, your main focus is on rest and waiting. Contractions can start at any minute now, and labor can begin. A large majority of all babies are born during the 39th week of pregnancy. You are likely observing your body very closely now, watching for the smallest signs of the onset of labor.
In our pregnancy calendar, you can find out how your baby develops shortly before birth and how big and heavy it has become. We also summarize which symptoms are typical now and how you are feeling. In the process, we also introduce you to our innovative automatic baby hammock, which functions as an effective sleep aid for your baby.
How your baby develops in week 39 of pregnancy
Your pregnancy is drawing to a close in the 39th week. Your baby is now viable on its own: all organs are working, the immune system is functioning, and the lungs are ready to take their first breath. Your baby is already practicing breathing in your womb and will also inhale amniotic fluid in week 39. This trains its muscles and advances the development of the lungs.
At the same time, your baby continues to swallow amniotic fluid. As a result, the digestive system is already working in the womb, and your baby will excrete meconium (also known as fetal stool) after birth.
Your baby is now fully developed and is only gaining a little more weight and size. There is hardly any room left in your belly, and it is lying deep in your pelvis. It is therefore possible that you hardly feel any kicks or movements from your baby anymore.
Would you like to provide your baby with a great sense of security even after birth? In the automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep, it lies snugly enclosed, reminding it of its time in the womb. This allows your baby to relax better and find sleep more easily. Feel free to take a look at our proven sleep aid!
Size & weight: This is how big your baby is in pregnancy week 39
You have now been pregnant for 39 weeks and are carrying a fully mature baby inside you. You can tell from your abdominal circumference that your baby has grown significantly in recent weeks and months. In week 39, it is about 50 centimeters long. Some babies are a little larger, others a little smaller.
This also applies to weight: not all babies have the same weight at birth. In the 39th week of pregnancy, your baby should weigh between 3,100 and 3,400 grams, making it reminiscent of a watermelon. Not only the timing of the birth but also genetic predisposition determines how big and heavy your baby will actually be at birth.
How you are doing in the penultimate week of your pregnancy
If you are in week 39, you are likely very tense. Your baby could be on its way at any time, and you are going through a roller coaster of emotions. This is completely normal, as the birth of your child will be one of the greatest experiences of your life.
This tension is intensified by your physical discomfort. You may feel the first contractions and have abdominal pain due to the enormous strain on the round ligaments. Your baby's weight also presses on your bladder and organs. These complaints often lead to pregnant women being irritable in week 39 and hardly being able to wait for the upcoming birth.
Many women report suffering from extreme fatigue shortly before birth. Your body is showing you that it needs further energy reserves for delivery. Listen to these signs and treat yourself to sufficient rest and sleep.
At the same time, some expectant mothers report a surge of energy towards the end of pregnancy. They feel a strong nesting instinct and want to check one last time if everything is prepared for the arrival of their baby. If you feel good, you can follow this instinct. However, do not overdo it and make sure to take enough breaks.
As part of the preparations, you should also take a look at the automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep. For over 24 years, we have been working on our mission to support parents in the first months with their newborn. Our sleep aid reduces the stress caused by lack of sleep. If babies sleep well, parents are also more rested and can enjoy the exciting time with their baby to the fullest.
Expectant mom in the 39th week: These symptoms are bothering you
In week 39, it can start at any time. Until your baby finally sees the light of day, you still have a few strenuous days ahead of you. In the last days of pregnancy, you will likely struggle with the following symptoms:
Increased discharge:
If the mucus plug that seals the cervix detaches, you will notice this through increased discharge. This is a clear sign that birth is imminent. A rupture of membranes, where the amniotic sac tears, can also lead to heavy discharge. In this case, be sure to contact your doctor or midwife.
Diarrhea & nausea:
Your baby is pressing on your internal organs. This can lead to diarrhea and nausea. Abdominal pain is also not uncommon for this reason. If you have already had initial contractions, the contractions can also be the cause of diarrhea.
Tingling in the legs:
If the weight of your baby pinches your nerves in the pelvis, this can lead to strong tingling in the legs. You feel as if ants are running over your legs. This symptom is typical in advanced pregnancy and is therefore no cause for concern.
Cold symptoms:
Shortly before birth, many pregnant women report cold symptoms. These are often triggered by your body gathering strength for the birth and the immune system working less strongly than usual. As a rule, however, it is not a full-blown cold.
Many expectant mothers wish for the birth to happen in week 39. The enormous weight of your baby becomes a greater burden from day to day, and the discomfort increases. In many cases, these thoughts take away the fear of the upcoming birth for pregnant women.
How to recognize the start of labor
You are likely constantly tense now and paying attention to every little signal from your body that could announce the upcoming birth. The easiest way to recognize the onset of delivery is by the contractions. Labor contractions occur at regular intervals that become shorter and shorter. Their intensity also increases. This allows you to distinguish them well from Braxton Hicks contractions, which are primarily noticeable by your belly becoming hard.
Many pregnant women also report suffering from extreme restlessness and severe back pain immediately before birth. Frequent bowel movements and diarrhea can also be signs that contractions will soon begin.
You should be particularly careful if you notice unusual discharge. If this is slimy and slightly bloody, it is likely the mucus plug. A premature rupture of membranes is also noticeable through discharge. If the amniotic sac bursts, amniotic fluid gushes out. Your baby's head then presses directly on the cervix. Birth is then imminent, and you should go directly to the hospital.
Most babies make their own way during week 39 to see the light of day. So it is not yet necessary to induce labor.
If your baby is still taking its time, you can find out about the automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep. It is a gentle sleep aid that rocks your baby to sleep with light up-and-down movements. This allows it to calm down more easily and fall asleep better. Sleeping through the night is also much easier in our automatic baby hammock.
Automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep: Gentle sleep aid for the time after birth
With our smarla automatic baby hammock, you are perfectly prepared for the arrival of your baby. The hammock has a silent motor that reacts to your baby's movements. If it wakes up, the motor adjusts the movements to rock your baby back into the land of dreams. At the same time, you can also easily control the automatic baby hammock via your smartphone and the corresponding app.
We produce our smarla automatic baby hammock in Germany and rely on the highest quality standards. Our hammocks are particularly durable and sustainable. This also applies to the hammock itself. It consists of 100% organic cotton and has the Oeko-Tex certificate. This makes the hammock particularly skin-friendly.
Not only does your baby benefit from the automatic baby hammock: it also offers numerous advantages for you as parents. If your baby sleeps well, you are also more relaxed and can better enjoy the precious time with your newborn. There is also more time for other things, such as the household or your partnership. If your baby is relaxed, so are you. Have we convinced you? Then take a look at our smarla automatic baby hammock now!
