You're 39 weeks pregnant. Full term. The bag is packed, the car seat is installed, and time has somehow started moving both very fast and very slowly at once. Here's what's actually happening this week, and what's worth doing before labor begins.
What Is Happening With Your Baby at Week 39?
At 39 weeks, your baby weighs roughly 7 to 8 pounds and measures around 20 inches from head to heel. The lungs and brain are still maturing, development that continues right up to birth and beyond. Vernix, the waxy coating that protected the skin in the womb, is mostly gone by now. Most babies are in a head-down position, settled low in the pelvis.
Your baby is also building up meconium, the dark, sticky substance that becomes their first bowel movement after birth. It's a detail no one mentions until it happens, but it's completely normal.
What Are Common Symptoms at Week 39?
At 39 weeks, common symptoms include pelvic pressure, lightning crotch (sharp nerve pain in the pelvis and upper thighs), Braxton Hicks contractions, lower back ache, disrupted sleep, and increased vaginal discharge. Some women notice a bloody show, a pink or brown mucus discharge, as the cervix begins to change. This can happen days before labor starts, or hours before.
Swelling in the feet and ankles is common at this stage. If swelling appears suddenly in your face or hands alongside a headache or visual changes, call your provider right away. That combination warrants same-day assessment.
What Are the Early Signs of Labor at Week 39?
Early signs of labor at week 39 include regular contractions that get stronger and closer together over time, rupture of membranes (your water breaking), lower back pain that comes in waves, and loose bowel movements. A bloody show often appears in the hours or days before active labor. Braxton Hicks contractions, by contrast, tend to ease off when you change position or drink water.
The classic rule: contractions that follow the 5-1-1 pattern (5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute each, for at least 1 hour) are generally the threshold at which most providers want you to call or come in. Confirm that threshold with your own care team before week 39 arrives.
What Should You Actually Be Doing at Week 39?
At week 39, the most useful things are: confirming your birth plan with your provider, knowing your hospital's triage number by heart, and keeping a record of contraction timing if they start. Most providers also recommend staying moderately active, walking helps with pelvic positioning and is easy to stop if contractions begin.
Birth preparation tasks that are still relevant at week 39
- Confirm who is watching older children when labor starts, have a backup plan, not one name.
- Pack snacks for your support person, not just yourself. Labor support is physical work.
- Write down your triage number somewhere physical. Your phone might be dead.
- If you haven't started perineal massage, week 34 is the recommended starting point, but if you're at week 39 and haven't begun, continue with what you have time for and speak to your midwife about whether to start now.
Is It Worth Starting Perineal Massage at Week 39?
Most guidance points to week 34 as the start of a perineal massage routine, with sessions 3 to 4 times per week for 5 to 10 minutes each. At week 39, there is less time to build a consistent routine, but the practice is still widely recommended by midwives. Speak to your provider before starting, particularly if your pregnancy has been complicated in any way.
The main barrier most women hit is not knowing how to do it consistently. At 39 weeks, reaching around the bump is genuinely difficult. The Perimom perineal massage tool was designed specifically for this: the wide curve allows you to reach independently, without a partner and without having to contort around your belly. If you're starting late, consistency matters more than perfect technique.
How Much Should Your Baby Be Moving at Week 39?
At week 39, you should still feel your baby move every day. Movement patterns may feel different as space gets tighter, rolling and shifting rather than sharp kicks, but the frequency should not drop significantly. If you notice a reduction in movement at any point, contact your provider the same day. Do not wait until your next scheduled appointment.
At-home fetal heart monitors are widely available, but they are not a substitute for professional monitoring. A doppler that picks up a heartbeat does not tell you what the heartbeat pattern means. If movement concerns you, call your provider directly.
What Should You Eat and Drink at Week 39?
At week 39, calorie needs are roughly 300 extra calories per day above your pre-pregnancy baseline, the same as the second and third trimester guidance. There is no evidence that specific foods trigger or delay labor, despite widespread claims about pineapple, spicy food, and evening primrose oil. Staying hydrated helps reduce Braxton Hicks frequency, which is reason enough to keep water intake consistent.
On drinks: water is the straightforward answer. Moderate caffeine (under 200mg per day, roughly one 12-ounce coffee) remains the standard guidance at this stage. Unpasteurized juices, herbal teas marketed for labor induction, and any supplement you haven't discussed with your provider are worth leaving alone at week 39.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is week 39 considered full term?
Yes. Full term is defined as 39 weeks 0 days to 40 weeks 6 days. Babies born at 39 weeks are considered full term, with lungs and brain continuing to mature right up to and after birth. Early term is 37 to 38 weeks; full term begins at 39.
How do you tell the difference between Braxton Hicks and real contractions at week 39?
Real contractions get longer, stronger, and closer together over time. Braxton Hicks typically ease off when you move position, walk, or drink water. Real contractions do not. Timing contractions over an hour gives you the clearest picture. Contact your provider if you're unsure or if anything feels different from what you've experienced before.
Is it normal to lose your mucus plug at week 39?
Yes. Losing the mucus plug at week 39 is common and means the cervix is beginning to change. It can look pink, brown, or streaked with blood. It may come out all at once or gradually over several days. This does not mean labor is starting immediately, but it is a sign your body is preparing.
Can you start perineal massage at week 39?
You can, though most guidance points to week 34 as the recommended start. At week 39, there is less time to build a consistent routine. Speak to your midwife before starting, especially if your pregnancy has been complicated. A few sessions are still worthwhile if your provider agrees.
How much weight should you have gained by week 39?
For a single pregnancy starting at a healthy weight, typical guidance is 25 to 35 pounds of total gain by the end of pregnancy. Starting weight, body composition, and individual health factors all affect what is appropriate for you. Your provider tracks this at every appointment and is the right person to discuss your specific number with.
When should you go to the hospital at week 39?
Most providers use the 5-1-1 rule as a guide: contractions 5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute each, for at least 1 hour. Go immediately if your water breaks, if there is heavy bleeding, or if fetal movement drops noticeably. Confirm your provider's specific threshold before week 39 arrives.
