What is happening in week 39
Doctors count pregnancy weeks from the first day of your last period, so week 39 sits in the third trimester (week 28 until birth). That is about 1 week to go until week 40, and about 9.0 months by a rough conversion. In week 39 the baby is about 50.7cm long and its skin is protected by vernix.
Your baby
The NHS guide gives about 50.7cm, a watermelon. The baby is growing a tougher, more solid skin layer that protects internal organs and helps control temperature, and vernix eases the passage through the birth canal.
Your body
You may have thin white discharge, a show of yellow or bloody mucus (which may still be days from labour), back pain and nesting urges.
This week’s to-do
- The NHS suggests calling the hospital when contractions last at least 60 seconds and come every 5 minutes.
- Keep your hospital bag and documents ready.
- Rest between tightenings and drink fluids.
When to call
Call your doctor or hospital if you have vaginal bleeding, severe itching especially at night, a persistent severe headache, vision problems, pain below the ribs, extreme swelling, or if the baby stops moving.
Chaitanya Hospital in Kadapa, near RTC Bus Stand, Simhapuri Colony, provides delivery and emergency care 24/7. Our antenatal check-ups team can answer questions about your own pregnancy.
Use the week-by-week guide to jump to your week, or the due date calculator to work out your dates. Timings for scans and tests come from NHS guidance in the UK and can differ from your doctor’s schedule, so always follow your own doctor’s advice. This page is educational and not a substitute for a doctor.
Sources
Text on this page is paraphrased from the sources above. Sizes are averages and vary between babies.