Your baby this week
Your baby is fully developed and ready for life on the outside! The lungs are mature and ready to breathe real air for the first time. Your baby has enough fat to stay warm. The head will mould a little during delivery — it's designed to squeeze through and then round out perfectly. Your baby knows your voice, your heartbeat, your rhythms. And very soon, your baby will be in your arms.
Your body this week
You may feel like you've been pregnant forever! Every twinge makes you wonder 'is this it?' Pre-labour signs include: losing the mucus plug, bloody show, diarrhea, increased Braxton Hicks, lower back pain, and restlessness. Some women feel a burst of energy the day before labour. Others feel extreme tiredness. Every pregnancy is different — trust your body and your instincts.
Common symptoms this week
Every pregnancy is different — you may notice some of these, all of them, or none at all. None of this is a checklist to worry over.
- Mucus plug or bloody show
- Loose stools (diarrhoea)
- More frequent Braxton Hicks
- Lower back pain
- Restlessness
- Sudden energy or deep tiredness
This week’s checklist
- Stay close to your hospital — avoid long trips
- Practice timed breathing for contractions
- Charge your camera/phone for birth day
- Write a note to your baby — a beautiful keepsake
- Relax and trust the process — your body was made for this
What’s normal this week
Most of what you’re feeling is your body doing exactly what it should — the everyday symptoms don’t need a call. The signs below are the rare exceptions: noticing one doesn’t mean something’s wrong, just that it’s worth a quick check.
When to call your doctor
- Regular contractions (5-1-1 rule)
- Water breaking — note the time and color
- Green or brown amniotic fluid (may indicate meconium)
- Baby stops moving or moves much less than normal
This guide offers general information for a typical pregnancy and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Always follow your doctor or midwife’s guidance for your situation.
Frequently asked questions
How big is my baby at 39 weeks pregnant?
At 39 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a mini watermelon.
What are common symptoms at 39 weeks pregnant?
Common symptoms around 39 weeks pregnant include mucus plug or bloody show, loose stools (diarrhoea), more frequent Braxton Hicks, lower back pain, restlessness, sudden energy or deep tiredness. Every pregnancy is different — you may notice some of these, all of them, or none at all.
What is developing at 39 weeks pregnant?
Your baby is fully developed and ready for life on the outside! The lungs are mature and ready to breathe real air for the first time.
When should I call my doctor at 39 weeks pregnant?
Call your doctor at 39 weeks if you notice regular contractions (5-1-1 rule), water breaking — note the time and color, green or brown amniotic fluid (may indicate meconium), baby stops moving or moves much less than normal.
Last updated June 2026
References
Ovyacare’s guidance is written in-house and aligned with leading medical authorities: