At 39 weeks pregnant, you are in a liminal space. Your baby is full term. Your body is no longer just supporting pregnancy; it’s actively preparing for birth.
You may feel deeply in tune with your body, or completely disconnected from it. You may feel calm one moment and impatient the next. All of this is part of the biology of transition. Here’s what’s happening now, and how to move through it with clarity and care.
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How You’re Feeling in Your Body
By week 39, the sensations of pregnancy are unmistakable — and purposeful. Much of what you’re feeling is driven by hormonal shifts that signal to your body that birth is near.
Heaviness, pressure, and pelvic awareness
If your baby has settled low in your pelvis, you may feel an intense sense of pressure — in your hips, perineum, tailbone, or inner thighs. This is partly mechanical (baby’s position) and partly hormonal. Rising levels of relaxin and prostaglandins soften ligaments and connective tissue, allowing your pelvis to open and adapt for birth. The result can feel slow, weighty, and sometimes uncomfortable — but it’s a sign your body is doing exactly what it’s meant to do.
Practice contractions with purpose
Braxton-Hicks contractions often feel stronger and more frequent now. These aren’t random. They increase blood flow to the uterus, encourage cervical changes, and help your uterine muscle coordinate for labor. Unlike true labor contractions, they tend to remain irregular and ease with rest or hydration — but they’re still meaningful preparation.
Digestive shifts and subtle signals
Heartburn, nausea, looser stools, or appetite changes are common at this stage. As prostaglandins rise, they don’t just affect the cervix, they can stimulate the digestive tract as well. For some people, these shifts happen quietly in the background; for others, they feel more pronounced in the days leading up to labor.
Sleep that feels elusive—and that’s okay
Late-pregnancy sleep is often fragmented. Discomfort, frequent urination, vivid dreams, and a nervous system on high alert can make deep rest hard to come by. Even so, rest doesn’t have to look like eight uninterrupted hours. Lying down, slowing your breath, and letting your body soften still supports recovery.
Emotional sensitivity and awareness
Your emotional landscape may feel heightened—more reflective, more tender, more alert. This is not just psychological. Hormones like oxytocin and estrogen are rising in preparation for labor, caregiving, and bonding. Emotional sensitivity at this stage is part of how your body prepares you to respond, connect, and care.
What’s New With Your Baby
Fully developed, fully capable
Your baby’s organs—including the heart, lungs, brain, kidneys, and digestive system—are mature and functional. The lungs have completed the final stages of surfactant production, which helps keep air sacs open after birth. Your baby is physically ready to breathe, feed, regulate temperature, and adapt to life outside the womb.
Building energy reserves
In these final weeks, your baby continues to build fat stores. This isn’t just about appearance — these reserves support blood sugar regulation, temperature control, and stamina in the first days after birth.
Neurological fine-tuning
While the brain has been structurally developed for weeks, neural connections continue to refine. These subtle changes support reflexes like sucking, swallowing, and coordinated movement—all essential for feeding and bonding.
Movement feels different, but still matters
Because space is limited, your baby’s movements may feel slower or more rolling than sharp kicks. What’s important is consistency. You should continue to feel daily movement patterns. A noticeable decrease is always worth checking in about.
Immune support from you
Through the placenta, your baby has been receiving antibodies that help protect them after birth. This immune handoff continues through breastfeeding, offering ongoing support during the newborn period.
Your 39-Week To-Do List
This week isn’t about productivity—it’s about readiness, softness, and support.
1. Clarify labor logistics
Make sure you know when to call your provider, when to head to your birth location, and what to do if your water breaks. Having clarity reduces stress if labor begins suddenly, which it might.
2. Keep your birth bag accessible
Your hospital or birth-center bag should be packed, zipped, and easy to grab. Beyond essentials, include items that help your nervous system feel safe and grounded, comfortable clothing, familiar scents, music, or personal care items.
3. Confirm postpartum support
Check in with your partner, family, or support network about the first days after birth. Who’s helping with meals? Who’s on call if you need rest or reassurance? Support now makes recovery later gentler.
4. Create ease at home
A few small preparations can make a big difference: clean sheets, stocked snacks, a simple feeding or rest area, and baby essentials within reach. Think less about perfection, more about ease.
5. Prioritize nourishment and hydration
Your body needs fuel, especially as labor approaches. Eat regularly, hydrate consistently, and choose foods that feel grounding and easy to digest.
6. Rest without guilt
This is not the moment to push through exhaustion. Rest supports hormonal balance, energy reserves, and labor endurance. Even brief periods of intentional stillness matter.
7. Honor the emotional transition
You are not just preparing to give birth, you are preparing to become someone new. Reflection, journaling, quiet conversation, or simply acknowledging this shift can help you feel more present as you cross this threshold.
The Takeaway
At 39 weeks pregnant, your body and baby are in constant communication, through hormones, movement, sensation, and instinct. Even if labor hasn’t begun yet, preparation is happening beneath the surface.
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and we recommend that you always consult with your healthcare provider. To the extent that this article features the advice of physicians or medical practitioners, the views expressed are the views of the cited expert and do not necessarily represent the views of Perelel.
References:
1. Mayo Clinic. 3rd trimester pregnancy: what to expect.
2. What to Expect. 39 Weeks Pregnant.
3. Babylist. 39 Weeks.
4. The Bump. 39 Weeks.
