Your Pregnancy: Week 39

Tired, peeing every five minutes, and experiencing some seriously swollen feet? That’s all par for the end-of-pregnancy course … along with these symptoms:

Braxton Hicks contractions
Your body is still practicing for labor, which can definitely become a bit uncomfortable. But if these Braxton Hicks suddenly start feeling like the real thing, it’s a good idea to call your OB-GYN.

Back pain
You’re essentially carrying around a full-grown newborn in your belly, so of course aches and pains are going to come with that. A warm bath can help with the pain, and so can taking a break to stay off your feet.

Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are, sadly, a fact of pregnancy for many women, and you may still be dealing with them now (and well into your postpartum life). Keeping products like Tucks pads on hand can help ease that discomfort.

Leaking breasts
As you prepare for labor, your breasts are preparing to make milk for your baby once they arrive … and that can lead to some pretty inconvenient leakage. If you’ve already invested in nipple pads, now might be a great time to start wearing them.

In week 39 of pregnancy, how many months along are you? You’re nine months pregnant this week!

The next time you see your sweet baby’s face will probably be when they’re born, unless you choose to have an elective ultrasound. But if you did get a peek in there, you’d see baby doing baby things — sucking their thumb, possibly having the hiccups, and waiting until the time is right to come out and meet you.

Now that you’re 39 weeks pregnant, your baby is just about done growing, and so are you. Around this time, you’ve probably gained between 25 to 30 pounds, though everyone’s body and pregnancy is different — and don’t be surprised if you go up another pound or two before you give birth.

Though many people claim that babies become less active at the end of pregnancy because they’re “running out of room” in there, that’s actually a myth. Your baby will definitely have less room for their big tumbles, but they will probably still be exhibiting their normal patterns of activity, and if they aren’t, that’s cause for concern.

“There’s less room for the baby to let go with a big kick or punch, but there should still be frequent rolling or squirming,” Dr. Christine Greves told Self. “You may not feel them kick like they’re trying to kick a field goal, but you should still feel it.”

A change in activity can mean problems with the placenta, preeclampsia, or a lack of amniotic fluid, so if your baby’s activity decreases, call your OB-GYN or head to labor and delivery ASAP.

Before you know it, your baby is going to be in your arms — and your free time is going to be a lot more limited. In these final days, you should:

• Make sure your go-bag is ready and waiting in the car
• Iron out any last-minute birth plan details that you haven’t already
• Prepare for your postpartum recovery by ordering any supplies you might need and asking for help if you’ll need it
• Make getting sleep a priority — you’ll need your strength and energy!

As your baby is about to come out to meet you after all these months, you want to make sure you’re providing them (and you) with the nutrients they need before their arrival. Zinc will help you boost your immune system before you give birth, and can be found in foods like:

• Lean meat
• Almonds, nuts, and cashews
• Chickpeas
• Dairy products like cheese, milk, and yogurt
• Grains like quinoa and rice

Right now, it’s important to be on the lookout for signs that your baby is less active or that labor is about to begin, like:

• Your baby isn’t as active as they usually are or isn’t meeting kick counts
• Contractions that are five minutes or less apart
• Bleeding
• Your water breaks
• Sudden and unusual swelling, which could indicate preeclampsia

At this point in your pregnancy, your OB-GYN may advise you to go straight to labor and delivery instead of calling them first. Be sure to find out what the protocol is with your office.

Note: If you are visiting a medical professional during COVID-19, make sure to ask about the facility’s safety measures and confirm that they are following COVID protocols as indicated by the CDC.

You’ve probably had your blood pressure checked at every prenatal appointment so far, and right now it’s more important than ever to pay attention to the signs that something is off. A serious condition called preeclampsia can arrive in late pregnancy, and it often requires immediate medical attention — for your safety and your baby’s safety.

Sometimes, preeclampsia has no symptoms, but signs to look out for include headaches, sudden swelling, changes in vision, decreased urination, and shortness of breath. If you’re feeling any of these symptoms (or if you feel like something isn’t right), contact your OB-GYN immediately.