At 39 weeks of pregnancy, the expectant mother is prepared for the appearance of the baby not only mentally, but also physically. It is important for family members to surround the woman with care and affection during this period, and try to reduce emotional stress.
A woman may be bothered by pain. In addition, there are many signs that signal the approach of the hour "X."
39 weeks pregnant: fetus
The fetus at 39 weeks is considered full-term, and its organs and organ systems function in the same way as in a newborn. And this means that the baby is viable and can adapt to environmental conditions.
The fetal digestive system is fully formed and ready for digestion of breast milk or mixtures if breastfeeding for any reason is not possible. At this stage, the baby’s intestines are sterile. Beneficial bacteria will enter it during the first feeding, along with breast milk.
The location of the fetus in the uterus
By this time, the fetus is in its final position in the uterus. There is very little space for the baby at this stage of pregnancy. As a rule, the baby's legs are brought to the knees, and the arms are folded on the chest.
In most cases, at 39 weeks of gestation, the baby is in head presentation. Only in 4% of cases the baby is located legs down.
It is worth noting that the pelvic presentation of the fetus is not a reason for panic. If the fetus is not in the correct position, the doctor more closely monitors the expectant mother, appoints additional examinations.
Most often in such cases, a woman is prescribed a planned operation - a cesarean section. Before the appointed date, as a rule, in 4-5 days, the woman in labor is hospitalized in order to conduct a complete examination of the body of the future mother, ultrasound, and take the necessary tests.
An operation is performed on the appointed date. In rare cases, a woman whose fetus is a pelvic presentation is recommended to have a natural birth, since this is a great risk for both mother and baby.
Belly size
At the 39th week of pregnancy, the stomach drops lower. It becomes much easier for a woman to breathe. Shortness of breath disappears.
If the baby is in the head presentation, the bottom of the uterus is directed forward. At 39 weeks, the cervix begins to shorten. In this way, preparation for an early delivery takes place.
The woman’s belly is large and her skin is stretched.
Discharge at 39 weeks of pregnancy: norm and pathology
At 39 weeks, a phenomenon such as the passage of the mucous plug may be observed. The beginning of this process does not at all mean that childbirth will begin this minute. The cork, as a rule, lasts several days. The process may drag on for a week.
The mucous plug is a thick viscous mucus of a transparent, white, yellowish or cream color. It may also contain streaks of blood, which at this time is the norm and should not frighten the expectant mother.
If bleeding has begun when the cork has been removed, an ambulance must be called in order to prevent a possible premature discharge of the placenta.
In addition, at 39 weeks leakage of amniotic fluid is possible. They are a clean and clear liquid that is odorless. Water with a greenish or brownish tint indicates a baby's possible ingestion of the original feces. In this case, you must immediately contact a medical institution.
The discharge of water signals the imminent start of the delivery process and can occur for some time or every second.
Pain
Harbinger of imminent birth is aching pain at 39 weeks of pregnancy in the lower abdomen. Painful sensations intensify during training fights. Baby movements can also cause pain.
In addition, most expectant mothers complain of pain in the perineum. This is understandable: the child goes lower and lower and presses on the pelvic floor. That is why a woman at 39 weeks of pregnancy often has pulling, shooting and stitching pains in her legs, as well as in the lumbar region or sacrum.
Perhaps the appearance of pain in the area of the mammary glands.
Mom's Feelings
A positive aspect at this stage of pregnancy is the disappearance of shortness of breath and heartburn. This is because the child falls lower and no longer has a strong effect on the diaphragm, respiratory system and esophagus.
However, omission of the abdomen means more frequent trips to the toilet. This greatly complicates the life of the future mother. As a rule, the number of trips to the toilet increases by 2.5 times.
Finding a suitable posture for sleeping or sitting is extremely difficult. At this stage of pregnancy, it becomes problematic for a woman to move due to arising pains in the lumbar region and sacrum.
But, despite everything, it was at this time that the so-called "nesting syndrome" appeared. The future mother begins to collect packages in the hospital for herself and her baby, equips the home, adapting it for a new resident. This phenomenon helps a woman to be distracted, reduce emotional stress, charges with positive energy and optimism.
As a result of the fact that the cervix begins to slowly shorten and open, the woman begins to feel the baby’s head in the pelvis between the hips.
Harbingers of Childbirth
A woman may have unusual sensations at 39 weeks of gestation. Harbingers of childbirth are a number of symptoms that appear in a pregnant woman a few days or weeks before them. Their main role is to indicate the readiness of the body of the future mother to the beginning of labor.
It is worth considering that during the first pregnancy, the precursors of childbirth are not always noticeable, do not differ in regularity and may appear at different times. There are several harbingers of early birth, manifested at 39 weeks of pregnancy:
- Abdominal prolapse is more noticeable in primiparous women, which is explained by the greater elasticity of the abdominal muscles. As a rule, it is observed a couple of weeks before the expected date of birth.
- Bulging navel when lowering the uterus.
- A change in gait as a result of a shift in the center of gravity of a pregnant woman. In primiparous, as a rule, this precursor appears 2-3 weeks before birth.
- Exit mucous plugs. Her gradual departure may begin several days or weeks before the date of the intended birth. Most often, the mucous plug departs gradually and may contain particles of blood.
- Frequent changes in mood are observed in women throughout pregnancy. However, a few days before birth, this phenomenon manifests itself more often and more intensively. This is due to the emotional stress of the future mother and fear of the upcoming birth. This phenomenon is especially pronounced in primiparous women.
- Weight loss, which is observed 2-3 days before delivery.
- Training contractions are one of the most common precursors of early childbirth and are found in most pregnant women.
It is worth noting that these signs may not appear at the same time. In addition, some precursors may be absent altogether. Some women say that they did not even show any signs that signaled the imminent start of the birth process.
False contractions
False contractions or, as they are commonly called, training, are arrhythmic in nature. In addition, their intensity is much lower than that of true contractions, signaling the onset of labor. They can last several weeks.
Their main function is to prepare the uterus for work during childbirth. Until the 37th week of pregnancy, contractions are not a harbinger of an early birth, but are called Brexton-Hicks contractions.
Training fights are harbingers short and relatively painless. They can appear up to five times a day and more often. They activate the blood circulation of the mother and provide the baby with the delivery of more nutrients. The abdomen at 39 weeks of pregnancy pulls, but the pain does not last long.
Preparatory contractions of the uterus pass through a short period of time on their own or after taking a shower. As a rule, they last about 5-7 minutes. The use of medications or a relaxing massage will help to soften training contractions.
Is childbirth dangerous at a given gestational age?
At the 39th week of pregnancy, all the baby's organs are ready for full functioning. And this means that the child is considered full-term. That is why childbirth at 39 weeks of pregnancy is quite acceptable.
Delivery at this time does not pose a threat to the life and health of the baby and mother. At this stage, the average weight of the child is 3300 kg, and height 49 cm. The baby is able to breathe independently.
What to do if childbirth has begun
At the very beginning, the contractions are not very painful and are more like training ones. The interval between them is 20-30 minutes, sometimes more.
It is worth noting that in some women, the onset of labor is not accompanied by the discharge of water. In such cases, amniotic fluid is pierced by doctors in a hospital. In addition, the onset of labor in each woman can occur in different ways. Both the intensity and frequency of contractions can also vary.
When the first contractions appear, you need to call an ambulance or get to the maternity ward yourself, if possible. You need to take things with you on the list for yourself and the newborn baby, as well as all the necessary documents: passport, exchange card, birth certificate, medical policy, SNILS.
It is better to collect packages with all the necessary things for the future mother and baby in advance, in order to avoid unnecessary panic and running around at the time of X.
Instead of a conclusion
39th week is an important stage of pregnancy. At this time, it is important not to confuse the precursors of childbirth with signals of their onset.
A woman becomes somewhat awkward in her movements. The abdomen increases even more in size and falls down. The number of trips to the toilet is increasing, but shortness of breath and heartburn, which caused discomfort to a woman for several months, disappear. There are pains in the back, lower back and legs of a different nature: stitching, aching, shooting.
It is during this period that a woman manifests a "nesting syndrome." The future mother is happy to equip the house, collects bags in the hospital, buys things for her baby, tries on the role of mother. This helps the woman to get distracted, get rid of emotional stress and fear of the upcoming birth.