Try  to get as much sleep in possible in the days before your due date. Curl up in bed with a good book and some relaxing music to help you drift off.

Your baby at 39 weeks

Although you’re just days away from your due date, your baby’s brain is still undergoing rapid development, which will continue well after birth. Most of the lanugo (soft, fine hair) that’s been covering your baby is gone, though some of it may remain after you give birth.

Your baby has precious little room to move around, but you’ll still feel some movement as arm and leg muscles are strong now.

Your baby is still around 20 – 21 inches from head to toe, and weighs around 7.5 – 8 pounds, similar in size to a medium-sized pumpkin.

Every baby is different, so don’t worry if your baby doesn’t conform to these measurements! Also, girls are usually lighter than boys.

Your body at 39 weeks

Your breathing will be easier if your baby’s head has reached the pelvic area in preparation for birth, though the flip side of this is that you’ll find it difficult to walk properly. Braxton Hicks contractions are stronger and more frequent now, and are probably as painful as true labour contractions, though they won’t be quite as regular.

You might notice a bloody show (when vaginal discharge is a pink-red colour), which means labour isn’t too far off, though it could be anywhere between hours and weeks. Your water might break as well, which could be anything from a trickle to a gush.

Pregnancy fact

Water breaks on its own in just 10% of all pregnant women!

How you’re feeling at 39 weeks

You’ll be feeling a wealth of different emotions in the days leading up to your baby’s birth, and you might even feel sudden bursts of energy and a desire to do things around the house. This phenomenon is known as ‘nesting’, and is quite common.

There’s a chance you’ll feel a little blue after you give birth (not literally, we hope!). This is because your hormones are returning to normal. However, if you become depressed, angry, irritable, or feel hopeless, you could be suffering from postnatal depression. Talk to someone close if you have any of these feelings, as there will be help at hand.

Pregnancy advice

• Labour could begin at any moment now, so keep an eye out for any signs, such as frequent contractions and your water breaking. If you don’t go into labour on your own, your doctor will normally induce it when you’re a week or two overdue. Your doctor may induce labour sooner if your baby is considered to be a risk while still in the womb.
• Do you know about delaying the clamping of the umbilical cord? It can be beneficial to baby in his or her first few minutes.
• Be sure to report any reduction in your baby’s movements, as this could be a sign that something’s wrong.

38 weeks pregnant ← 39 weeks pregnant → 40 weeks pregnant

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