Is my baby fully developed at 39 weeks?
Yes — at 39 weeks your baby is considered full term, with lungs, brain, and other organs ready for life outside the womb. Most of the waxy vernix coating and the fine lanugo hair have shed, though some babies are still born with a bit of both.
Your baby likely weighs somewhere between 2.9 and 3.8 kg (about 6.5 to 8.5 lb) and measures around 50 cm, but healthy babies vary quite a bit outside that range too. Fingernails may now extend past the fingertips, and there's less amniotic fluid than a few weeks ago, so movements can feel more like rolls and presses than big kicks.
The brain keeps developing rapidly and will continue to do so well into childhood. There's nothing more to 'finish' before birth at this point — your baby is ready, whenever labor starts.
What symptoms are normal at 39 weeks pregnant?
Pelvic pressure, frequent urination, and difficulty sleeping are all very common as baby settles lower. Many people also notice a burst of energy or the urge to clean and organize — often called nesting.
You may lose your mucus plug, which can look like thick discharge tinged with pink or brown blood (sometimes called 'bloody show'). This can happen days before labor starts or right at the beginning — it doesn't tell you exactly when.
Braxton Hicks contractions usually become more frequent and can feel stronger than earlier in pregnancy. Backache, achy hips, and swelling in your feet and ankles are also typical this close to your due date.
How do I know if labor is starting?
True labor contractions get progressively stronger, longer, and closer together, and they don't ease off with rest or a change in position. A common guide is the 5-1-1 rule: contractions about 5 minutes apart, lasting around 1 minute each, for at least 1 hour.
Your water breaking — a sudden gush or a slow, steady trickle of fluid — is another sign labor may be starting, whether or not contractions have begun yet. Call your provider either way, since the timing of care can depend on how labor is progressing.
Braxton Hicks, by contrast, tend to be irregular, don't intensify over time, and often calm down with water or rest. If you're not sure which you're feeling, it's always reasonable to call and describe what's happening.
What should I do this week?
Keep doing daily kick counts and get to know your baby's usual movement pattern. Have your hospital bag, car seat, and route to the hospital or birth center sorted, if you haven't already.
Your provider may offer a cervical check at this week's appointment to look at dilation and effacement, but these numbers don't reliably predict when labor will start. Some people are 2 cm dilated for weeks; others go from 0 to active labor quickly.
You may hear about ways to encourage labor naturally — walking, sex, spicy food, among others. Evidence for most of these is weak, and none are guaranteed to work, so check with your provider before trying anything, especially if you have any pregnancy complications.
When to call your provider
Call if you notice a significant decrease in your baby's movement — do a kick count and contact your provider if it hasn't picked up within an hour or two. Also call for any fluid leaking or gushing, even without contractions.
Get in touch right away for vaginal bleeding heavier than light spotting, contractions following the 5-1-1 pattern, or a severe headache with vision changes or swelling in your face and hands, which can signal preeclampsia. Fever or a general sense that something feels wrong are also worth a same-day call.