Week 39: Woah baby!
You're just one week away from your due date and have probably reached the point where the only thing you want is to be on your way to delivery. Trust us, we get it and we totally understand.
It's been a long journey to get to milestone and your patience is probably wearing thin as you're feeling enormous.
Your changing life
False labor is a common pregnancy symptom at this stage. The pain typically starts in the front of your body and will dissipate when you change positions or get up and walk. You may have even had a few false alarms, going to the hospital thinking "this is it" only to be sent home after a few hours of observation. You'll know you're in real labor when the contractions and pains get increasingly stronger, start at the top of your uterus and become closer together.
There's a chance that your water could break. Your baby is full term, so if you did, your doctor likely wouldn't do anything to stop labor unless there was a health risk posed to either you or the baby.
Beware: Your water break isn't going to be anything like what you see in the movies. On TV, it's always a dramatic scene where the woman is often standing in a puddle of water. In fact, when your water breaks – if it does – it will probably feel like you peed your pants.
Heartburn, pelvic pressure, trouble catching your breath and hemorrhoids will continue until baby is born. So stock up on antacids, prop yourself up, walk slow and lay down to help relieve some of these issues.
The urge to nest is probably unlike anything you've noticed throughout your pregnancy. You're going to want to rearrange and go through everything before baby gets here. While this is OK, you may want to focus more on getting as much sleep as possible and prepare for the big change you're about to experience.
Your growing baby
Baby is the size of a watermelon at week 39! Can you believe it? You're actually carrying something as big as a watermelon around with you. Baby weighs between 6 and 9 pounds and measures in between 18 and 21 inches long.
Your little babe is still developing, as he or she will continue to do years after being born. The tiny one can flex his or her limbs now, and their nails may even extend past the fingertips. The brain is developing and he or she is getting smarter every day. Baby will know who you are when they're born, despite not being able to see you, and will also be able to recognize your heartbeat.
Now that the thicker fat layer has settled over baby's blood vessels, his or her skin is white. Regardless of how dark-skinned he or she will be, babies are born with light skin. The pigmentation will settle in shortly after birth.
Despite the cries, there won't be any tears in the delivery room following childbirth. Babies' tear ducts aren't ready to produce the waterworks yet, and this won't happen until he or she is at least one month old.
Enjoy yourself
Baby will be here any day now, so it's important to go out and allow yourself a few treats before he or she makes the big debut.
Head to the movies if you want to pass the time. It's also one of the last times you'll be able to see a movie with your significant other without needing to find a babysitter. Pick out something that you've been wanting to watch for a while or check out the latest action film. Either way, make the adventure something that you and your partner will enjoy. If watching a movie isn't your thing, go for a walk in the park, grab dinner at your favorite restaurant or enjoy last shopping spree to pick out clothes for the baby.
If you haven't already, get a massage, relish in a pedicure or spend the day at the spa. This is one of the most relaxing ways to reduce the stress of waiting for baby to get here. Many spas offer a massage that caters specifically to pregnant women, so you shouldn't have an issue finding a professional who can give you what you're looking for. It's probably been a while since you've seen your toes, so consider adding a pedicure to your list of spa services. Since your feet may be swollen, having them rubbed down can help move some of the fluid around and decrease the swelling. Be sure to have them painted in your favorite color so you can leave the spa feeling fabulous.
