you're 39 weeks pregnant.
last revised · baby is about 50.7 cm (20.0") · 3290 g (116.0 oz)
At 39 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 50.7 cm and 3290 g — Full term.
about the size of a…
Full term. Your baby is fully developed and ready to meet you any day now.
this week's highlights
- Full term reached
- Lungs fully mature
- Skin pink and smooth
- Brain ready for breathing
how your baby looks
A plump, ready-to-be-born baby. Skin is smooth and pink, hair on head varies, and limbs are well-proportioned.
body in focus
- head
- Skull bones still soft to fit through birth canal.
- body
- Body is fully ready for newborn life.
- hands
- Hands grasp tightly — perfect for the first cuddle.
- feet
- Tiny kicks in tight quarters.
what's happening in your body
Anticipation peaks. Watch for water breaking, regular contractions, or a bloody show — early labor signs.
symptoms at 39 weeks
- Prodromal contractions
- Real-feeling contractions that build for a few hours and then fizzle are common now, especially at night. Frustrating, but each round does genuine preparatory work on the cervix.
- Deep pelvic fullness
- The baby is as low as it gets before labour. Walking feels like carrying a bowling ball — because in effect you are.
- Surges and slumps of energy
- Bursts of nesting alternate with heavy fatigue. Ride both waves without over-spending the highs.
- Loss of appetite
- With the stomach compressed and hormones shifting, big meals lose appeal. Graze on small nutrient-dense snacks instead — fuel still matters.
- Show or mucus changes
- Losing the plug or a blood-streaked show is common now and worth mentioning to your midwife. Fresh red bleeding is always an immediate call to your maternity unit.
- Movements — unchanged rule
- Strong regular movements should continue right through these final days. Reduced movement at 39 weeks is treated seriously: contact your maternity unit immediately.
gentle tips
- Take naps every chance you get.
- Walk and bounce gently on a birth ball.
- Eat small frequent meals to keep energy up.
- Stay close to your delivery hospital.
- Trust that labor will start when ready.
your week 39 checklist
- Discuss what happens next at your 40-week appointment, including how your unit handles going past the due date.
- Charge a power bank so hospital phone-battery anxiety never happens.
- Do a last check of the postpartum station: pads, comfortable clothes, snacks within reach of the feeding chair.
- Sleep, eat, walk gently, repeat — the best labour preparation left is rest.
what to expect next
Labor can start any moment. Hospital bag ready, support team alert, car seat installed — you're set.
common questions at week 39
How big is the baby at 39 weeks?
At 39 weeks, the baby measures about 50.7 cm and weighs approximately 3290 g (50.7 cm (20.0") · 3290 g (116.0 oz)).
What is developing at 39 weeks?
A plump, ready-to-be-born baby. Skull bones still soft to fit through birth canal. Key milestones this week include: Full term reached; Lungs fully mature; Skin pink and smooth; Brain ready for breathing.
What symptoms are common at 39 weeks pregnant?
Anticipation peaks. Watch for water breaking, regular contractions, or a bloody show — early labor signs.
What should I do at 39 weeks pregnant?
Labor can start any moment. Take naps every chance you get. Walk and bounce gently on a birth ball. Eat small frequent meals to keep energy up.
What is a membrane sweep and does it hurt?
A sweep is a vaginal examination in which your midwife runs a finger around the inside of the cervix to separate the membranes, releasing hormones that can nudge labour to start — it is typically offered from around 39 to 41 weeks. It can be uncomfortable and cause cramping or spotting afterwards, and it works within 48 hours for a proportion of people. It is entirely optional, so ask questions and decide what suits you.
Why do my contractions keep starting and then stopping?
Stop-start contractions, sometimes called prodromal labour, are common in the final weeks — the uterus rehearses and the cervix softens, but the pattern breaks before establishing. It is not wasted effort: this work often means faster progress once true labour begins. Rest between bouts, eat and drink normally, and call your maternity unit when contractions hold a regular strengthening pattern or if you are unsure what you are feeling.
How long does the latent phase of labour last?
The latent phase — irregular contractions while the cervix opens to around four centimetres — can last hours or, especially with first babies, a day or more, and it commonly pauses and restarts. Home is usually the most comfortable place for it: baths, movement, snacks, and rest between contractions. Your unit will advise when to come in, and call sooner if your waters break, you bleed, movements reduce, or you cannot cope with the pain at home.
helpful tools
- Kick Counter
Daily kick counts are an important reassurance in the third trimester.
- Contraction Timer
Time contractions and track frequency when the moment comes.
- Hospital Bag
Curated packing checklist for labor and delivery.
Medically aligned with guidance from WHO, NHS and ACOG. How we write.