Your baby is about the weight of a large watermelon 3.3kg and measures 50.7cm (head to heel)…
YOUR GROWING BABY
Most of the lanugo is gone as the baby prepares for its final days in the womb.
The lungs are maturing and surfactant, a naturally occurring substance that reduces the surface tension of fluid in the lungs, is increasing. The brain is still developing rapidly and the skin has become much paler in appearance due to a thick layer of fat beneath the skin.
There’s not too much room left inside now so your baby’s movements may change, but you should still be able to feel your baby move just as frequently. After nine months of growth and development your baby is almost ready to be born.
WHAT’S HAPPENING TO YOU
You could go into labour at any time now so your body is preparing. Although you can’t feel it, your cervix is ripening in preparation for labour. You will notice more frequent and more intense Braxton Hicks contractions. Your uterus is taking up a great deal of space so you will be feeling very uncomfortable.
If this is your first pregnancy you may be worried that you won’t know when labour has started. Be prepared for some false alarms and trust your instincts. It will help to be aware of the signs that can indicate the beginning of labour, such as a ‘show’, which is when the plug of slightly bloody mucus that has been protecting your uterus from infection is discharged from the vagina. A dull pain in your lower back could also indicate that things are about to start. Your waters may break before contractions start, but this is more likely to happen once you are in established labour.
NEED TO KNOW
Things for you to consider during week 39 of your pregnancy:
- If you have any concerns about labour or the birth discuss them now with your healthcare professional.
- Phone your midwife if your waters break. Go straight to the hospital if they break and are tinged with blood or greenish-black.
- Make sure phones/tablets are charged.
- Make arrangements for childcare and pet care if you are not planning a home birth.
- Even if you are planning to drive to the maternity unit, have a phone number for a reliable taxi firm to hand, just in case you need it.
- If you are driving to the maternity unit have a few practice runs at different times of the day so you know how long the journey will take when it’s busy.