Pregnancy is a process full of miracles for every woman. The pregnancy process, each period of which is full of different emotions for the mother, is grouped into 3 trimesters. In pregnancy, 39 weeks means that the 3rd trimester and therefore the end of pregnancy is approaching. babies born at 39-40 weeks are referred to in the literature as “full-term” babies. 39 weeks in pregnancy refers to a period when the 9th month is completed and the 10th month is approaching. In this process, it is important for parents to be prepared for birth.
39 Weeks of Pregnancy: Development of the Baby
A 39-week gestation usually means that you are less than 1 week away from delivery. a 39-week-old baby is fully developed and ready for the outside world. Pregnancy should be monitored much more frequently during this period. Your doctor will call you for more frequent check-ups during this period, during which the baby’s height and weight, its general condition and position in the womb will be evaluated.
A 39-week-old baby’s weight is usually between 3200 and 3600 grams and its length has reached 50 centimeters. all organs of 39-week-old babies are developed enough to adapt to the outside world. Although all body systems have completed their development, the baby’s brain continues to develop rapidly during this period. As the baby grows enough at 39 weeks, the uterus starts to feel tight for the baby. Mostly the head of babies in this week is located in the pelvic cavity. The movements of the baby in the birth position are therefore reduced compared to previous weeks. However, in this case, it is normal for the baby’s movements to be felt at least 10 times a day. Although the baby’s movements have decreased during this period, some mothers may think that “the baby is very active at 39 weeks of pregnancy”. The reason for this situation is that the uterus becomes thinner as it prepares for birth and all the baby’s movements can be felt much more clearly.
39 Weeks Pregnancy Birth Symptoms
The 39th week of pregnancy is the time when you are closest to giving birth. Therefore, all signs of labor that may occur during this week should be carefully monitored. One of the most important signs of labor is dilation of the cervix. The cervix usually continues to dilate during the 30th and 40th weeks. When the opening of the cervix reaches 10 centimeters, birth has begun. Apart from this, the discharge of the amniotic fluid containing the baby, which is also called the arrival of water among the people, is also among the birth symptoms. Frequent need to go to the toilet, diarrhea, increase in the amount of discharge, decrease in the baby’s movements and bloody discharge in a slimy structure, which is also called “engagement” among the people, are also among the important signs of birth.
Labor pains at 39 weeks of pregnancy can also be counted among the signs of labor. However, these contractions should not be confused with false contractions. Braxton Hicks contractions, popularly known as “false labor pains”, are contractions that prepare the body for birth. The most important feature that distinguishes these contractions from labor pains is that the contractions pass when you rest and the contractions are irregular. Labor contractions, on the other hand, are felt between the waist and abdomen, do not pass with rest, come regularly and increase in frequency and intensity. If your contractions and pains are like this, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible and reach the hospital.
At 39 weeks of pregnancy, it is also normal to have no contractions. Although most expectant mothers find the absence of contractions in these weeks worrying, there is no need to worry in this case. Many expectant mothers may consult a doctor with the concern of “I am 39 weeks pregnant and still have no contractions”. If there is still time for the birth, if there is no problem in the development of the baby, there is no harm in not feeling any contractions or contractions.
The symptoms of labor are contractions that push your baby down the uterine canal. They start with a cramping sensation between the lower back and abdomen and do not go away with rest or lying down, but become stronger and more frequent. If you experience such symptoms, you should immediately inform your doctor and go to a health facility with your birth bag.
39 Changes in the Mother at 39 Weeks of Pregnancy
As in all stages of pregnancy, 39 weeks of gestation is characterized by many changes in the mother. During this week, the uterus has grown considerably and has filled both the pelvis and the abdominal cavity to a large extent. The most common changes in women during this period are psychological changes. Many mothers may feel excited, anxious or fearful during this period. Especially in first pregnancies, worries about childbirth can cause such anxieties to be felt intensely. On the other hand, the mother may sometimes feel joyful and happy because she is getting closer to the birth and will be reunited with her baby. Such emotional changes can be considered quite normal for the 39th week of pregnancy. Significant changes and complaints in the mother during this week are as follows;
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Nausea at 39 Weeks
Nausea is one of the most common complaints in almost every period of pregnancy. Nausea, which is especially common in the first trimester due to hormone changes, can also be seen again in the 39th week of pregnancy due to the fact that the baby grows considerably and therefore puts pressure on both the stomach and intestines.
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Abdominal Pain at 39 Weeks of Pregnancy
One of the most common complaints in the 39th week of pregnancy is abdominal pain. The main cause of this pain is the growing size of the baby, which puts pressure on both the groin and the pelvic floor. at 39 weeks of pregnancy, groin pain is one of the complaints that arise for this reason. In order to reduce these complaints, it is important for the mother to change position and rest frequently. at 39 weeks of pregnancy, pain in the uterus is one of the complaints that occur due to the thinning of the uterus as it approaches the birth and even the slightest movement of the baby is felt more clearly. Since these pains can also be a sign of labor, the frequency and intensity of the pain should be carefully monitored.
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39 Hardening of the Abdomen at 39 Weeks of Pregnancy
Abdominal hardening during pregnancy is usually seen in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. The abdomen that hardens with contraction does not give the mother a pain like labor pains. This hardening usually lasts between 30 seconds and 2 minutes. It would be a good option to relax by changing position when experiencing this hardening, which increases in frequency in the periods close to birth. Abdominal hardening is a condition that does not require a doctor’s consultation if you do not have a risk of premature birth or miscarriage.
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Heartburn at 39 Weeks of Pregnancy
Just like nausea, heartburn in the 39th week of pregnancy is one of the most difficult complaints for mothers. The reason for this situation is that the uterus reaches its maximum size and thus presses on the stomach and intestines. As a result of this pressure, it is quite normal to experience problems such as reflux and heartburn as the working order of the stomach changes.
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Back Pain at 39 Weeks
In the 39th week of pregnancy, the baby’s head takes the birth position, that is, it descends into the pelvis. This allows the mother to breathe much more easily. However, due to the pressure in the pelvis, the mother may have difficulty walking and balancing the weight. For this reason, low back pain is a common complaint at 39 weeks of pregnancy.
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Back Pain at 39 Weeks of Pregnancy
39. like low back pain, back pain during the week is a symptom of the increased weight of the baby and the birth position. The change in the center of gravity and the baby’s weight increase the load on the mother’s back and lower back, which causes pain. In such cases, getting plenty of rest and using back and lumbar support will be effective in improving the pain.
39 Weeks What Does It Mean If the Baby’s Water Decreases?
At 39 weeks of pregnancy, one of the most worrying situations for the mother is the decrease in the baby’s water. The decrease in the baby’s water at 39 weeks usually means the beginning of labor. The fact that your water has broken is the most important reason for the decrease in water. Although this is usually noticed by mothers, it can sometimes be confused with vaginal discharge. When the placenta cannot provide enough oxygen and nutrients to the baby, the baby’s water also decreases. In risky pregnancies, some conditions can also cause the baby’s water to decrease. 39. the checks that become more frequent during the week are usually carried out to check the baby’s water and to monitor the signs of labor.
The 39th week of pregnancy means that you have a few days left to meet your baby. During this period, all preparations for the birth are mostly complete, so all you need to do is to focus on yourself and wait for the birth. In the 39th week of pregnancy, you may also need to make final checks for your comfort after birth. You can check that you have all the essentials such as a breast pump, lanolin cream, breast milk storage bag and bottle so that you can spend the breastfeeding process, which is the most important for mothers after birth, in the most comfortable way .Moreover, it does not need to be wiped off before breastfeeding.