Week 39 of Pregnancy
Your baby is about the size of a pineapple
Your Baby This Week
Development milestones for week 39
At 39 weeks pregnant, you have officially reached full term. Your baby weighs approximately 7 to 8 pounds and measures around 50 centimeters, comparable to a small watermelon. All that baby fat accumulated over recent weeks gives your little one the adorable chubby cheeks and rounded limbs you will soon see. The brain has been developing at an incredible pace, growing about 30 percent from week 35 to 39. This is why doctors now recommend waiting until 39 weeks for elective deliveries when possible. Your baby's immune system is receiving antibodies through the placenta, providing protection against various illnesses for the first few months of life. Reflexes are fully functional. Your baby can grasp, suck, and swallow effectively. They are ready for life outside the womb, just waiting for the signal to make their entrance.
Your Body This Week
Changes you may experience
If you were not uncomfortable before, you definitely are now. Every position feels wrong, sleep is nearly impossible, and you have memorized the path to the bathroom with your eyes closed. Pelvic pressure is intense as your baby's head sits low in your pelvis, potentially causing that shooting lightning crotch pain with every step. Braxton Hicks contractions may be strong enough that you find yourself timing them, only to have them fizzle out. This is called prodromal labor, and it can continue for days, which is emotionally exhausting. You might notice increased mucus discharge, possibly tinged pink or brown (bloody show), indicating your cervix is changing. Some women experience diarrhea, back pain, or a general sense that something is different. Your body knows what it is doing, even when you feel lost in the waiting.
Tips & Advice for Week 39
Practical guidance from real moms
The comments from everyone asking when you will have that baby become maddening right about now. Feel free to ignore texts, turn off social media notifications, and prioritize your mental peace. Many moms find distraction helpful: watch an entire TV series, start a puzzle, bake cookies, do whatever keeps your mind occupied. If your provider offers a membrane sweep (stripping the membranes), research suggests about 50 percent of women go into labor within 48 hours afterward. It can be uncomfortable but is considered safe at full term. Stay close to home and hospital. Have your partner's phone charged and ready. Make sure your car has gas. These practical preparations reduce anxiety when labor actually starts. Trust your body and try to enjoy these final moments of pregnancy, even when enjoyment feels impossible.
Medical Guidance for Week 39
What to discuss with your healthcare provider
Weekly appointments continue with cervical checks and baby monitoring. If your provider offers a membrane sweep, this can potentially encourage labor to begin. Discuss your comfort level with waiting versus scheduling an induction if you approach 41 weeks. Know exactly when to call: contractions 5 minutes apart lasting 1 minute for 1 hour, water breaking, heavy bleeding, or decreased movement. Your provider should review these signs clearly with you.
Disclaimer: For educational purposes only. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.