39 weeks pregnant
Our guide to your 39th week of pregnancy
Your Baby
Between now and next week when you get to meet your baby for the first time, it will put on yet more fat to keep it warm. It will weigh somewhere between 2.5kg and 3.8kg by the end of week 40.
New skin is forming on your baby as the old vernix caseosa sheds. Your baby should now be in the right position for birth if it hasn’t moved already. It should have its head down at your cervix.
You
Time seems to be moving at a snails pace. But things will start to happen in the next few days. Your Braxton Hicks contractions will probably happen more often now. This is a good sign as it shows everything is in working order and your body is preparing for labour. This is your body’s way of doing a trial run.
You may have noticed an increase in your vaginal discharge. This could be what’s known as ‘the show’, a plug of gooey mucus that seals the cervix. If you notice this when you go to the toilet, chances are you haven’t got too long to go.
At this week’s antenatal visit, your midwife may check your cervix to see if it has started to thin out and open. These are yet more signs your body is preparing and gearing itself up for labour.
What To Expect From Your Body After You’ve Given Birth?
Every mother wants her body to ‘ping back’ to what it was prior to birth. Sadly, this does not happen overnight and without some effort on your side. However, you will lose several kilograms immediately after giving birth as along with your baby, which is around 2.5kg-3.8kgs, you’ll lose the placenta, amniotic fluid and blood. In the next week you will lose another few kilos that was stored as water and breastfeeding will help you lose even more. However, your pregnancy tummy may take some time to eradicate and restore to its pre-pregnancy glory.
You will still be aware of heightened emotions. This can last for several weeks after giving birth and isn’t helped by lack of sleep incurred through caring for your newborn. The best thing is to try and rest whenever you can and don’t be too tough on yourself in terms of dieting and exercise. Remember to give yourself a break.
You will continue to have heavy vaginal discharges for a few weeks. This is called the lochia discharge. It is made up of the cells from the lining of your uterus as well as blood. Over time, the percentage of blood decreases and it ends up looking just like a white or yellowish mucus.
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