What’s happening in week 39 of your pregnancy?
• Your baby weighs between 6.5 and 9 pounds (2.9 to 4 kilograms) and measures about 20 to 22 inches from head to toe (50.8 to 55.8 centimeters).
• The umbilical cord is now almost two feet long (60.9 centimeters) and has allowed you to feed your little one with nutrients from what you eat. It’s time for your little one’s last spurt of growth before he is born, so continue eating healthy foods with a range of essential nutrients to nourish him.
• Your baby’s immune system is using the antibodies you’ve been giving him. These antibodies will protect him from infection for up to 12 months after birth, until he can produce his own.
How is your baby’s brain developing?
• Your baby’s brain has now developed up to 100 billion of brain neurons, some of which are responsible for learning and memory.
• Boost your little learner’s cognitive development by making sure that you’re still consuming 200 milligrams of DHA on a daily basis through your diet.
What pregnancy symptom might you experience this week?
If your vagina is leaking fluid, it may not be a sign of immediate labor but a premature rupture of membranes (PROM). Here’s how to maintain a healthy pregnancy until the end:
• Call your doctor right away. Tests at the hospital will check if your membranes have ruptured.
• Know the other signs of labor. Contractions can signal the onset of labor. These painful contractions will occur at regular intervals and feel stronger and longer over time.
Mom’s Tip of the Week
Watch out for your water breaking or not breaking. If it breaks, expect a trickle or a small gush unlike the flood of water you may be imagining. If it doesn’t break, and you’re experiencing signs of labor past your due date, the doctor may break it for you to aid the pregnancy labor. Remember to talk to your doctor about this, and other pre-labor symptoms.
