You have made it to 'full term'! A baby born at 39 weeks is considered fully developed and ready for the outside world. The lungs are mature, the brain is highly networked, and the fat stores are thick enough to regulate body temperature. The waiting game begins in earnest.
🍼 What's Happening With Your Baby
Now the size of a mini-watermelon, your baby's physical development is complete. Any time spent in the womb now is just for adding a bit more fat and continuing brain development.
The baby's head has likely engaged deep into the pelvis, locking into the starting position for birth.
The endocrine system is primed. During labor, the baby will produce massive amounts of stress hormones (adrenaline and noradrenaline) which are essential for clearing fluid from their lungs and helping them survive the journey.
🤰 What You're Feeling This Week
Every twinge, cramp, and ache will make you wonder, 'Is this it?' False alarms are common. Braxton Hicks contractions can become very strong, but they lack the consistent rhythm and increasing intensity of true labor.
You might notice a 'bloody show'—a discharge of mucus tinged with pink or brown blood. This indicates that the tiny blood vessels in the cervix are rupturing as it thins and dilates.
Your water could break, though this only happens before contractions start in about 15% of pregnancies. Most of the time, the amniotic sac ruptures during active labor.
Officially Full Term
The 39-week mark is the gold standard for birth. The baby's brain and lungs are fully matured, drastically reducing the risk of respiratory complications or feeding issues after birth.
✅ What To Do This Week
-
✦
Stay close to home — Do not travel far from your hospital or birthing center. Labor can progress rapidly, especially if this is not your first baby.
-
✦
Rest your mind — The psychological wait is grueling. Try to distract yourself with light reading, movies, or gentle walks. The baby will come when they are ready.
-
⚠️
Know when to go to the hospital — Go immediately if your water breaks, if you have bright red vaginal bleeding, if the baby stops moving, or if contractions follow the 5-1-1 rule.
"The architecture is complete. The scaffolding is ready to fall away. Your body is holding its breath, waiting for the chemical cascade that will initiate the birth."
— A Note From Your Body, Week 39