This is the week of refreshing your phone for no reason and feeling every twinge twice. At 39 weeks you're full term and the baby could meet you any day now.
At 39 weeks, your baby is roughly the size of a watermelon, around 50.7cm from head to heel.1
How big is the baby at 39 weeks?
About 50.7cm head to heel, close to a watermelon.1 The baby's skin has formed a tougher outer layer now. That layer protects the organs underneath and helps the baby regulate its temperature once it's born.1
What's common around 39 weeks
Back pain is commonly reported this far along.1 As the baby moves down into the pelvis it presses against the spine, and that pressure is what many people feel low in the back during these final days.
Your midwife or doctor knows your pregnancy and is the right person to ask about anything you're feeling.
One thing to do this week: a practice run of the route
A quick dry run of the drive to your birth location takes the guesswork out of the real thing. Time it, note where you'll park, and you've removed one decision from a day that will have plenty of them.
While you're at it, look at how the "baby's here" handoff works in nappi. Setting the birth date is the single tap that turns the countdown into the baby's tracker, so the moment the baby arrives you're logging feeds and sleep on the same profile you've been building all along. No new account, no fresh start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the baby's skin toughen at 39 weeks?
The tougher outer skin layer forming now protects the organs beneath it and helps the baby hold its body temperature after birth.1
Is back pain common at 39 weeks?
Yes. As the baby moves down into the pelvis it presses against the spine, which is why back pain is commonly reported this close to the end.1
References
1. NHS. "You and your baby at 39 weeks pregnant." Link