Pregnant: What happens in week 39 of pregnancy

Your baby's development in the 39th week of pregnancy

Baby teeth are forming: Under your baby's gums, in week 39 of pregnancy there are alreadyclearly visible grooves appearing. The tooth buds for the first baby teeth are now being formed.However, for most babies it takes until around the 6th month of life for the teeth to emerge.

Hormone production increases: Your baby's body already produces increased amounts of hormones before birth that support its start in life.Cortisone ensures that the lungs can expand easily on the first breath and stabilizes the breathing rhythm. Additionally, increasedstress hormones are released that help your child's body function independently of the placenta.

Amniotic fluid becomes milky: In week 39 more and more vernix caseosa is shed from your baby's skin and accumulates in the amniotic fluid. Also manydead skin cells now discolor the fluid,because the outermost layer of skin renews itself again before delivery.

What can be seen on the ultrasound image?

It's time:You're literally carrying a watermelon with you now – if you take into account your baby's hefty weight ofup to 3300 gramsand a length ofabout 51 cm. In the last weeks of your pregnancy, yourabdominal circumference now measures about 1 meter,unbelievable, right? And since your little wonder's energy stores can never be big enough for the strenuous birth, it continues to build fat reserves in week 39.

Physical changes – what happens to the mother in week 39?

With your 1-meter belly in the 39th week of pregnancy many things become more difficult and you often don't feel very fit.Everyday movements are now strenuousand you often rest.Don't stress and listen to your body – it will tell you what it needs. Your pregnancy complaintsare similar to those in the38th week of pregnancy. Your baby is pressing quite far down in your belly, so you may continue to feel a pulling in the lower abdomen, diarrhea, nausea and back paincan notice. Find out what else is happening in your body here at a glance:

Inner restlessness: In week 39 it is perfectly normal to be emotional and for your feelings to run wild. Betweenanticipation for your baby, fear and excitement you will probably notice an inner feeling of restlessness. Instead of wearing yourselves out and cleaning the apartment now, you should take iteasy. That will probably be hard for you, but too vigorous movements can trigger contractions. Take the time your body needs.

Early contractions: Now you will certainly pay special attention to how your body feels and whether contractions are already on their way. If your belly becomes hard and you feel a pulling sensation from the vagina to the back, these can be signs of contractions. Whether they are just Braxton Hicks or actual labor contractions can be determined by the first signs of labor from the 37th week of pregnancy determine.

Circulatory problems: If you are now more often accompanied in the final weeks of pregnancy byfainting spells and dizziness accompanied, the cause can be vena cava compression syndrome be the reason. Because especially when lying on your backyour uterus presses on important blood vessels and can thereby impair your circulation. Our tip: Lie on your left side, this relieves the vessels.

A natural birth: what to expect?

A natural birth typically proceeds in four consecutive phases . How long you are in each phase and how long the birth lasts overall is difficult to predict. In most cases first-time mothers need a bit longer, but of course there are exceptions to the rule.

Latent phase: In the first phase of labor most women stay at home in their familiar surroundings, take a bath and rest. The contractions are already stronger and begin to dilate the cervix, but usually it still takes some time before the regular contractions announce the imminent birth.

Opening phase: When contractions come about every 5-10 minutes and become more painful, the opening phase begins. The cervix is about 4 cm dilated. Most parents now make their way to thebirth center or hospital. The amniotic sac also usually ruptures in this phase. However, it can still be several hours until birth.

Expulsion phase: Now thecervix is about 10 cm dilated. Your baby presses even more into the birth canal and by now the amniotic sac usually ruptures. You as expectant mothers now feel a strong urge to push. With the strong and regular pushing contractions, which last about one minute and occur every 2–3 minutes, you deliver your baby through the birth canal.

Afterbirth phase: After the baby is born, you can hold it in your arms. Placed on your chest and warmed with blankets, it experiences the first moments of its life. The midwife will check whether the placenta detaches from the uterus. The afterpains then drive it out of the body as the afterbirth. The first breastfeeding can also stimulate afterpains through hormone release.

Tips to shorten the wait for your baby

Togetherness: Your main occupation as parents in the 39th week of pregnancy is waiting. If your partner has taken time off before the birth to support you, then let them pamper you once more. A massage or a relaxed evening together is a good idea.

Household tasks: You can gladly channel the restlessness you feel while waiting for the first contractions into cleaning or cooking. Pay attention to your body and don't overexert yourself.

Create distractions: As expectant mothers shortly before birth you are reluctant to go far from home. That's not a problem, because you can find plenty of distractions from waiting at home: the favorite TV series, a relaxing bath, or a short walk, to get your circulation going, can help to shorten the time until birth.

For the 40th week of pregnancy