Baby’s Minor Development at Pregnancy Week 39
Right now, your baby is over 3 kilograms heavy, the length of a leek and has filled out enough fat under her skin to keep her warm when outside the womb. 39 weeks pregnant means her growth has slowed as the birth process will be just as taxing for her as it will be for you so she needs to hold onto the energy.
Her tear ducts and brain are rapidly developing and will continue to for the first few weeks and months after she is born. She will not be able to shed tears until a month after birth but you will be able to monitor her brain development by how she responds to the stimuli all around her when she’s born.
Related: Pregnancy Week 38: Baby Development and Other Changes to Expect
Your Body at Pregnancy Week 39
You are exhausted and this is understandable because after all, you are 39 weeks pregnant! Your belly is as stretched as it can be and these last days may even feel longer than normal. Rest as much as you can to reserve the energy for the birth process.
Don’t forget to keep up the light walking and gentle pregnancy exercises that you’ve been doing. Keep listening as well to make sure your baby is still moving. Your breasts at this point will continue to fill out with milk and they may start to leak if they weren’t already.
You could also be feeling more anxious with the knowledge that your baby can come anytime which is completely normal this week. Speak to your healthcare provider and confide in your partner or a supportive mum who’s likely to have gone through the experience.
Now is also the time to familiarize yourself with what happens in the delivery room, what to expect during and after childbirth, and how to take care of your newborn. Your doctor or midwife has probably already mentioned some of these things but if they haven’t, staying informed can take some of the anxiety away. Your partner or support person will also play an important role in the delivery room and it’s important to educate themselves too for an easier experience.
Pregnancy Week 39 Tip
Now that your baby is ready to meet the world, you might go into labour any time soon. Again, your healthcare provider has probably explained the signs to watch out for including:
- Water breaking
- Increased pelvic pressure
- Intense lower back pain
- Mucus discharge
They will also explain the warning signs, such as a high fever, slow or no fetal movement, changes in vision, and swelling in your face or hands, which require immediate medical attention.
Also Read: 10 Signs of Labor You Shouldn’t Ignore: Insights From a Midwife
Labor and Delivery Care at Malaica Hospital
Whether you’re delivering via a vaginal birth or C-section, Malaica’s goal is to make your experience as smooth, safe, and empowering as possible, while honoring your wishes and preferences. We provide comprehensive birthing packages with services such as routine prenatal monitoring, deliveries led by a gynecologist, post-delivery hospital stay with nurse checkups for recovery monitoring, high risk pregnancy support, essential newborn immunization, and more.
If you’re still shopping for a maternity care hospital, call us at +254 746 610643 to learn more about Malaica’s services and how we can support your delivery experience.
More Resources: