Pregnancy Week 39 - Pregnancy Week by Week

Welcome to Pregnancy Week 39.

Changes to Mother During Pregnancy Week 39

You will be able to breathe easily and more normally. Sometimes, Braxton Hicks develop during this stage and are similar to actual contractions.These are less regular and less painful than actual contractions. However, the occurrence of these contractions may make it difficult to identify your true contractions. If you feel contractions becoming more stronger and intense as you move about, contact your doctor immediately. It may be time for you to go into labour. Another indication of labour is when your water bag breaks. This could be either as trickles or a large gush. Most women experience this only after they have moved well into labour.

Your uterus contracts a little and the oxygenated blood flow into your body is restricted. This does not harm the baby in most cases.

Changes to Baby During Pregnancy Week 39

Most of the vernix and lanugo surrounding your baby's skin disappears during this stage. He is considered to be full term. However, some of them may still be present after your baby is born. His lungs continue to develop. Sometimes, the umbilical cord wraps itself around the baby's neck during this stage. This usually causes no harm. In rare cases, it may cause fetal distress. Your doctor may recommend a caesarean delivery if pressure is applied on the umbilical cord during delivery.

Your baby's heart is monitored by either external fetal monitoring or internal fetal monitoring. External fetal monitoring can be done any time during labor and is similar to ultrasound. For internal fetal monitoring, you must be dilated at least 1 cm. Also, it is essential for your membranes to rupture for this type of monitoring to take place.