Baby is the size of a watermelon
👶 Baby's development
Ready! Fat tissue is 15% of body weight. Chest capacity is enough for the first breath.
💛 How mom feels
Any day could be your baby's birthday. Contractions every 5 minutes — head to the hospital!
📖 Tip of the week
The immune system continues to strengthen. Most babies are born at weeks 39–40. Watch for signs of labor and keep your phone close — time to start counting contractions.
🔬 Detailed baby development
- The baby is now officially full term (39 weeks 0 days to 40 weeks 6 days per ACOG definition)
- The brain is still developing rapidly and will continue after birth — it is about 30% larger than it was at 35 weeks
- The baby continues to build fat reserves for temperature regulation and energy after birth
- The baby's chest becomes more prominent as it prepares for its first breath
- Antibody transfer from mother to baby peaks, providing crucial early immune protection
- The baby is about 50 cm long and weighs approximately 3,300 grams, roughly the size of a small watermelon
🤱 What mom may feel
- Cervical dilation and effacement may progress — your provider will track this weekly
- Increased vaginal discharge, possibly with blood streaks
- Irregular contractions that may occasionally form regular patterns before subsiding
- Extreme fatigue alternating with bursts of energy
- Emotional readiness and eagerness to meet the baby
- Difficulty sleeping, frequent need to change positions
🏥 Tests and check-ups
Weekly prenatal visit with cervical examination, blood pressure check, and fetal heart rate monitoring. If the pregnancy extends beyond the due date, your provider may recommend additional monitoring with non-stress tests (NST) or biophysical profiles (BPP). Induction may be discussed if there are medical indications.
💡 Tips for this week
- Try to stay patient — only about 5% of babies are born on their exact due date
- Continue gentle daily walks to stay active and encourage labor progression
- Practice perineal massage to help reduce the risk of tearing during delivery
- Finalize all last-minute preparations and double-check your hospital bag
- Spend quality time with your partner — soon your family will grow
❓ Frequently asked questions
What if I go past my due date?
Going past your due date is very common, especially for first-time mothers. Your provider will typically recommend increased monitoring after 40 weeks and may suggest induction between 41-42 weeks. Evidence shows that induction at 39-41 weeks may reduce certain risks.
What is a membrane sweep?
A membrane sweep (or stretch and sweep) is a procedure where your provider inserts a finger into the cervix and separates the amniotic membranes from the cervical wall. It can release prostaglandins and may help initiate labor. It is mildly uncomfortable and carries a small risk of infection.
What is a biophysical profile?
A BPP combines a non-stress test with an ultrasound to assess fetal breathing, movement, muscle tone, and amniotic fluid levels. Each parameter is scored, and the total score helps evaluate fetal well-being. It is typically used when there are concerns about the baby.
How do I know the difference between real and false labor?
Real labor contractions become progressively closer together, stronger, and longer over time. They don't ease up with rest or position changes. False labor (Braxton Hicks) contractions are irregular, don't intensify, and usually stop with activity changes or rest.
📝 Week 39 of pregnancy: preparing for birth
At 39 weeks, your baby is fully mature and weighs on average 3.3 kg, measuring around 50 cm — about the size of a small watermelon. Research consistently shows that babies born at 39 weeks or later have better outcomes than those born even a week or two earlier, as the final weeks allow the brain, lungs, and digestive system to reach full maturity. Your baby is practising breathing movements, has fully coordinated sucking and swallowing reflexes, and is ready to meet you. The placenta continues to function well at this stage, though it will be monitored closely if you pass your due date.
Your body may be giving you increasing signs that labour is near — intensifying Braxton Hicks, loose stools, a general sense of restlessness, and an increase in pelvic pressure are all common. Some women experience a sudden burst of energy in the days before labour begins, while others feel heavy and very tired. It is normal to feel anxious, excited, or emotionally unpredictable at this point — all of these feelings are valid. If at any point you feel that something is not right — including reduced movements, unusual pain, or significant bleeding — contact your maternity unit without delay.
Your 39 to 40-week appointment will likely include an offer of a membrane sweep, a gentle internal procedure in which your midwife separates the membranes from the cervix to stimulate the production of prostaglandins and encourage labour. A sweep can be performed if the cervix is sufficiently dilated and may be offered at 39 and 40 weeks before formal induction is considered. Discuss any final questions about your birth plan — including your preferences for delayed cord clamping, management of the third stage of labour, and your wishes if a caesarean section becomes necessary.
In these final days, focus on gentle activity, rest, and maintaining your nutrition. Dates — the fruit — have some evidence supporting their use in late pregnancy to support cervical ripening; consuming around 70 to 75 g per day from 36 weeks has been associated with reduced need for induction in some small studies. Stay close to home and ensure your phone is charged and accessible at all times. Lean on your support network — your partner, family, and friends — and accept help with practical tasks. Trust your body: it is designed for this.
⚠️ When to see a doctor
- Vaginal bleeding
- Sudden decrease in baby movements (fewer than 10 in 2 hours)
- Severe headache or seeing spots
- Swelling of face, hands, or sudden leg swelling
- Leaking or gushing of amniotic fluid
- Regular contractions before 37 weeks (every 10 minutes)
- Fever above 38°C (100.4°F)
Sources
- WHO recommendations on antenatal care (2016)
- ACOG Practice Bulletins
- Williams Obstetrics, 26th Edition
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