39th week of pregnancy: The 39th week of pregnancy at a glance
In the stomach it is quite quiet in the 39th week of pregnancy. Right now, your child is all about growing and gaining weight. Lanugo hair and cheese smear have largely disappeared.
The development of your baby in the 39th week of pregnancy
In the 39th week of pregnancy, your child can hardly move with around 49 centimeters and 3,250 grams, which is why it becomes quite quiet in the stomach. Right now, it’s all about growing and gaining weight.
Unaffected by this, some plants still exist, but have not yet matured, such as the teeth. Even if the first tooth buds were already created in your baby in the12th week of pregnancy, there is still no tooth in sight. There are only strong furrows in the gums, under which the jaw lies. The first tooth appears only around the sixth month of the child’s life.
Well “equipped”, the baby is waiting for birth in the 39th week of pregnancy: Lanugo hair and cheese smear have largely disappeared and protective fat pads have been created.
Your body in the 39th week of pregnancy
The weight of your baby pushes down sharply in the 39th week of pregnancy. This pressure is very uncomfortable when sitting as well as when running. Lie down on the sofa again and again, support your back with a pillow and put a thick pillow under your knees. This brings relief for the pelvic floor. Even if the frequent trips to the toilet are now particularly annoying, you must not reduce the drinking. Stay at around 2.5 liters per day, your circulation will thank you.
The circumference of your abdomen is now around one meter. The skin is stretched to the maximum, which can lead to increased feelings of tension and itching. Therefore, avoid soaps or shower gels when washing, which dry out the skin even further and only use water or moisturizing washing emulsions. You should also apply a rich lotion twice a day.
Questions about the 39th week of pregnancy
A child on the desired date?
Your child should not be born naturally but bydesired caesarean section? You’re not alone. In the meantime, almost a third of all children in Germany are born by caesarean section. This strong growth is due to both an increase in emergency caesarean sections and an ever-increasing proportion of desired caesarean sections. If you ask doctors and midwives, the opinion on this trend is very divided.
Doctors argue that the risk of a caesarean section today is no longer greater than that of spontaneous birth. In addition, gentler surgical techniques, PDA and improved care in the puerperium should contribute to the fact that women no longer experience the former disadvantages of a caesarean section in this form. The Association of German Midwives feels compelled by this trend “[…] to encourage pregnant women to have confidence in their ability to give birth and deal with the pain during childbirth.” Therefore, many midwives try to encourage women and really limit the use of cesarean section to medical emergencies.
What are the umbilical cord anomalies?
- Umbilical cord wrapping: In some cases, the umbilical cord can wrap around individual parts of the child’s body one or more times. The neck, arms and legs are particularly often affected. In most cases, the baby is still well cared for. A risk only exists if the umbilical cord is additionally too thin and only slightly twisted – but this can be easily detected withthe color double ultrasound. If the care of the child is endangered by the wrapping, doctors decide on the further procedure.
- Umbilical cord knots:Â With a very long umbilical cord, the child can slip through an umbilical cord loop and a loose knot is created. But even in this case, complications are very rare. Because with a long umbilical cord, the knot does not contract. It looks a little different when a short umbilical cord knots or the umbilical cords oftwinsget tangled. In both cases, there is a risk to the child, which requires close monitoring with the CTG.
- Umbilical cord prolapse: If parts of the umbilical cord come to lie before the preceding part of the child after the rupture of the bladder, this is called an umbilical cord prolapse. Unlike an umbilical cord wrap, this problem occurs extremely rarely. However, if it does come to an umbilical cord prolapse, serious problems are to be expected – especially if the child is already in the head position. The umbilical cord is then compressed between the pelvic wall and the head and, as a result, less well supplied with blood. The child no longer receives sufficient oxygen.If the woman is already in hospital at the time of diagnosis, anemergency caesarean sectionis required immediately. If it comes to an umbilical cord prolapse at home, you should immediately call the ambulance and let yourself be driven to the clinic lying down. In any case, lie down to reduce the compression of the umbilical cord. Fortunately, if the baby’s head has already entered the pelvis, you don’t have to worry: the head usually seals the opening very well and an umbilical cord prolapse is prevented in this way.
Tips and hints for the 39th week of pregnancy
Green tea against itching
Green tea, for example, can help against the annoying itching on the abdomen. Let a tea bag steep in a cup of hot water for at least four minutes. Dip a cotton pad into it, squeeze it weakly and rub your stomach with it. Witch hazel cream from the pharmacy should also have a nourishing and antipruritic effect at the same time.
Nest building instinct
The so-called nest building instinct begins. You have an energy boost and would like to clean the whole house, scrub the terrace at night or wipe out all the wardrobes during the day. But you should rather spare your strength, because you will need them for the birth.