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Week
39
How
Big is the Baby at 39 Weeks Pregnant?
By pregnancy week 39 your
baby now probably weighs between 7 and 7 and a half pounds, and is likely
between 21 and 21 and a half inches long during pregnancy 39 weeks!
Your Baby's Growth and
Development
During week 39 it is common to have early signs of
labor. During labor and delivery your baby's heart rate may be monitored. Fetal
heart rate monitoring helps your healthcare team evaluate your baby during labor
to make sure that everything is going as planned. If any problems arise they can
be detected and hopefully adjusted for early on in labor.
Typically when
your uterus contracts the oxygenated blood flow to your placenta is restricted.
Because this is a natural process it will not be a problem for most babies.
However, in some cases this can result in fetal distress. Fortunately a fetal
monitor will be able to assess whether or not your baby is stressed.
Your healthcare provider can monitor your baby's heartbeat either
through external fetal monitoring or internal fetal monitoring. External fetal
monitoring can be used any time during labor. A belt with a receiver can be
strapped onto your abdomen. It works much like ultrasound does in detecting a
fetal heart rate, providing a little feedback strip that tracks your baby's
heart rate during and in between contractions.
An internal fetal monitor
may be used to assess your baby's heart rate as well. To do this an electrode
would be placed on your baby's scalp inside the body. You need to be dilated at
least 1 cm and your membranes must have ruptured in order to use this type of
monitoring.
Your Growth and
Development
You are probably starting to wonder what your baby
looks like during pregnancy at 39 weeks if you haven't already. Since your belly
isn't changing much at 39 weeks pregnant why not dwell on your newborn baby's
looks! Will he look like you or your partner? Perhaps your baby will take on
traits of your ancestors, resembling neither of you too closely!
One
thing you will notice when your baby is born is that newborns look strange! Some
people might say that is being nice, but there are those of us that truly
believe the site of all newborns is simply beautiful.
Newborn babies of
all types share several common features and characteristics. They typically have
big heads, short or no necks, and distended abdomens. Most are born with a
misshapen head that resembles a cone head, particularly if you were in labor for
an extended period of time. Your baby's head will have soft spots called
fontanels, which are openings in the skull that allow your baby's bones to
compress during delivery. This is necessary for your baby's head to fit through
the birth canal. Cute huh?
When your baby is born you may notice his
genitals and breasts are swollen. This is due to a higher than normal dose of
female hormones transferred from you to the baby right before delivery.
Fortunately these 'irregularities' will disappear in the days following
delivery.
Your baby's skin may be smooth as a baby's bottom, or you may
find that your baby is born with acne or other red spots. This is perfectly
normal. Some babies are born with a condition called pustular melanosis, which
is little pus filled bumps on the skin.
Other babies are born with
birthmarks. There are several different types of birthmarks. The more common
include angel kisses and stork bites. Birthmarks may not show up immediately,
but sometimes grow during the first few weeks of life. Others get smaller as
your baby gets older.
Some baby's are born with red and blond hair even when
both parents are dark haired. Keep in mind that regardless of your newborns hair
color, there is a relatively good chance your baby's hair will change colors
once or twice as they are growing. It isn't uncommon for a baby born blond to
turn into a brunette.
Fortunately your baby's skin will start to clear
up in a few weeks. You probably won't have to worry about acne or pimples again
until the teenage years!
Changes in
You
It's almost time to deliver at pregnancy 39 weeks! You have
continued your pregnancy week by week and now you feel ready! Or, at 39 weeks
pregnancy you may be feeling worried, anxious, excited and tired! Many women
experience a variety of emotions after delivery. The more you are informed the
better equipped you will be to handle them.
Once you deliver your baby
your hormones will drop suddenly. This typically results in some postpartum
distress. More than 80 percent of women in fact will report feeling some form of
the blues immediately after birth.
Remember that this is normal, and
should subside in a short period of time. Earlier in our weeklies we mentioned
postpartum depression. This is a more serious form of the blues that is worth
mentioning again. If after the delivery of your baby you start noticing
excessive anxiety, crying for no apparent reason, irritability, depression, low
self esteem or lack of feelings or even harmful feelings toward your baby that
don't go away, be sure to report them to your healthcare provider immediately.
Postpartum depression is a serious issue, but it can usually be resolved with
treatment. Feelings of anger, confusion, panic or hopelessness are more than
just the blues.
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