39 weeks 
pregnant

Pregnancy symptoms during week 39

Baby kicks

Keep paying attention to your baby's movements, and let your doctor or midwife know right away if they seem to decrease. Your baby should remain active right up to delivery, and a noticeable slowdown in activity could signal a problem.

Changes to your cervix

At a prenatal checkup, your provider might do an internal exam to see whether your cervix has started ripening: softening, effacing (thinning out), and dilating (opening). But even with this knowledge, there's still no way to predict exactly when your baby is coming. For some women, labor progresses quickly even if they haven't started dilating in advance. Others wait for days or weeks (after their cervix has started to open) for labor to start.

Leaking fluid

Call your provider if you think your water may have broken. When the amniotic sac that surrounds your baby ruptures, sometimes there's a big gush of fluid, but oftentimes there's only a small burst or a slow leak. Call even if you're not sure or only suspect you have a leak. If your water breaks but contractions don't start soon, you may be induced. That's because once your amniotic sac has ruptured, you and your baby are at increased risk of infection.

At 39 weeks, you may also notice that your breasts are leaking small drops of yellow fluid. Your body is producing colostrum, the highly nutritious "liquid gold" that will be your baby's first meal.

Diarrhea

A less-than-pleasant symptom you might experience at 39 weeks: diarrhea. Some people think that having diarrhea can be a sign of early labor, and that it means labor will start in 24 to 48 hours.

The theory goes: As your body prepares for labor it releases hormones called prostaglandins. These chemical messengers tell your uterus to contract, but they can have the same effect on your digestive tract. Contractions cause stool to move through more quickly, leading to diarrhea. (This is the same reason some women experience diarrhea during their periods).

There's no proof that diarrhea means labor's approaching, though. If you have it, be sure to drink plenty of fluids and talk with your provider before taking any antidiarrheal medications. Call your doctor or midwife if you have accompanying symptoms, if your diarrhea lasts longer than a couple of days, or if you think you might have food poisoning.

Pelvic pain

At this point, you may be very familiar with pelvic pain, which one in four women experiences during pregnancy. Carrying around a baby who's now the size of a watermelon can make your symptoms much worse. Some women can even have trouble walking by 39 weeks.

Resting and avoiding painful activities can help. That's tough when you have a baby to prepare for, and possibly other children to look after, but it's important. Limit activities that cause discomfort, such as heavy lifting and carrying, standing or walking for too long, and strenuous exercise. Find new ways to do things that cause you pain (some women find it easier to get out of bed by slowly rolling to one side and pushing up). Take help when it's offered, and don't be afraid to ask for support.

Anytime you have pain during pregnancy, talk to your doctor or midwife. They'll want to make sure it isn't due to any other health problems, and they'll offer options for relief. Starting physical therapy, wearing a pregnancy girdle, taking acetaminophen, and doing some gentle exercise can help your body feel better.

Mood swings

The end of pregnancy can try the patience of even the most mellow mom-to-be. It's no surprise that mood swings might intensify by week 39. You're riding waves of hormones, which can wreak havoc on your emotions; you're likely uncomfortable; and you may be both excited and terrified for labor and motherhood.

Cut yourself some slack, and indulge in all the self-care you won't have time for after your baby arrives. Whether it's a slow walk, a date with your partner, a morning in bed, or a prenatal massage, do whatever feels right to you.

You might want to focus on mentally preparing for parenthood without outside distractions. It's alright to step back from social media or ignore those calls and texts asking if you've had your baby yet.

Mood swings can sometimes signal pregnancy depression – especially if you're feeling blue, sad, or empty every day. If you think you may be depressed, you're unable to handle your daily responsibilities, or you have thoughts of harming yourself, call your provider immediately. They can refer you to a mental health specialist.

Different discharge

As you get closer to your baby's birthday, you might notice changes to your vaginal discharge – more discharge, mucus-like discharge, and brown discharge, for example.

If you see brown discharge, the brown color comes from dried blood, and it's likely nothing to worry about. Same goes for bright-red or pink discharge called "bloody show," which means labor is coming soon. Mucousy discharge is a sign that your mucus plug is coming loose – and it's another normal sign that labor's approaching.

Don't see your symptom?

Wondering about a symptom you have? Find it on our pregnancy symptoms page.