Exercises for childbirth at 39 weeks pregnant. Gymnastic exercises for pregnant women are the best preparation for childbirth! Pregnancy dragged on: is it possible to speed up childbirth

fetus at 39 weeks pregnant

This is the penultimate week of pregnancy, if we take into account the ideal 40-week duration. But childbirth can occur a few weeks earlier or later, which is the norm. At 39 weeks of gestation, the fetus is completely ready for independent functioning. The lungs are fully matured and will work immediately with the first portion of the inhaled air. Digestive system able to receive, promote, digest and assimilate food: villi have already formed on the mucous membrane, the pancreas produces the necessary enzymes. True, the baby's intestines are still sterile, but after the very first meal, bacteria will begin to colonize it.

The little heart works properly, pumping blood throughout the body, and the kidneys, removing metabolic products through the mother's excretory system. The amount of amniotic fluid at the 39th week of pregnancy is noticeably reduced, but they do not stop being updated every 3 hours, and this happens until they leave.

The baby's vision is already well developed: he not only reacts to light and darkness, flickering and movement in front of his eyes, but is also able to focus his eyes at a distance of 20-30 cm, that is, while feeding, he will see your face! Be sure to smile at him!

The development of the central nervous system of the crumbs is still ongoing. This process will continue after his birth.

A child at the 39th week of pregnancy is already very beautiful and looks like a baby: the skin has smoothed out and acquired a pleasant pinkish tint, folds and cheeks have appeared, fluff and original grease have almost completely disappeared. Despite the cramped space, he continues to grow and get better: his full height(size) already exceeds 50 cm, and the weight reaches 3500 g. Of course, these data are very individual.

Feel

The uterus tightly envelops its tenant, so the mother feels almost every movement. Try to capture this moment in your memory: it will never happen again...

You are probably looking forward to giving birth: after all, the state of heaviness in the whole body and discomfort is not just tired for for a long time but has reached its peak. The uterus with all its weight presses on bladder, which makes going to the toilet seem endless! To maximize bladder emptying, lean forward when you urinate and don't rush to get up. You also experience strong pressure on the perineum and pelvis, which causes aching, stabbing and shooting pains that radiate to the legs. It hurts to walk, it’s uncomfortable to sit, it’s hard to lie down, sometimes it’s impossible to find a comfortable position for sleeping…

Nevertheless, despite the weakness and fatigue, it is not known where most mothers get strength and inspiration from: the “nesting syndrome” begins. A woman with a twinkle in her eyes begins to put things in order in the house, creating coziness and comfort for the whole family and especially its new member. This is perhaps the most pleasant feeling before childbirth. It allows mom to be distracted and charges her with the necessary optimism. But don't overdo it. Now it is necessary to conserve strength for childbirth, so take the role of a foreman, and let your relatives carry out your instructions.

Do not forget about daily walks, because the child needs oxygen now more than ever: the placenta begins to age and no longer performs the functions assigned to it so diligently.

At the 39th week of pregnancy, the cervix begins to shorten and open. You will begin to feel the baby's head in the pelvis between the thighs, which presses on the bottom of the pelvis.

Stomach

The belly at 39 weeks of gestation has most likely already dropped. In nulliparous women, this happens a few weeks before childbirth, in multiparous women it can happen right the day before, and in some cases the stomach does not fall at all. But the baby is already rushing to the exit: its presenting part (the one with which it will appear into the world), in most cases this is the head, enters the pelvic area. The doctor can feel it during examination - both externally and internally. The tone of the abdominal walls decreases - and the bottom of the uterus deviates slightly anteriorly.

The belly is just huge! The skin is strongly stretched, which is why it often itches, the navel can bulge outward. Don't let that worry you: after giving birth, everything will fall into place.

In recent weeks, you have had the good fortune to watch your baby dance: your stomach was literally shaking. Before the birth, the discos stop, the baby calms down, but you still have to feel his movements every day, they just aren’t so active anymore - it’s become too crowded inside for activity.

Weight at 39 weeks pregnant

Neither a big belly nor continued weight gain by the baby should no longer affect your own weight at 39 weeks pregnant. By this time, the total increase for the entire period of gestation was 11-16 kg (plus or minus). And now you don't have to get better. On the contrary: before childbirth, a woman usually loses a little weight (literally 1-2 kilograms) due to increased excretion of fluid from the body. It's planned by nature preparatory stage: a woman should be flexible and mobile in order to give birth easier.

Therefore, do not stop weighing: a sudden underweight will alert you to early delivery.

Often a woman's appetite disappears a few days before giving birth. But it also happens that there are no special changes in this regard.

Sex

Sex at 39 weeks pregnant is actually sex before labor begins. Is it possible and worth it to practice? Doctors answer this question differently, and each couple must decide for themselves. Until recently, doctors imposed a strict ban on intimacy in the last 6 weeks of pregnancy. The main argument for this position is that orgasm stimulates uterine contractions and can cause premature birth. Now they are no longer afraid of you, and this point of view has long been refuted. You should focus solely on the well-being of a woman. Some of them are quite tired and feel unwell, so in recent weeks they have not experienced attraction to their spouse. But many, on the contrary, need intimacy with him, want to feel loved, desired, needed. Sex at 39 weeks of gestation is not forbidden if the integrity of the fetal bladder is maintained, and future parents need to be close to each other. Moreover, doctors around the world have long come to the conclusion that sex before childbirth is the best natural stimulation for them, and in some countries it is even recommended to have sex after the onset of regular contractions in order to prepare the cervix for dilatation and generally facilitate and speed up the delivery process. The fact is that male secretion contains the hormone prostaglandin, which prepares the cervix, and endorphins released in the mother's body during sex act as a mild pain reliever.

However, the future dad should be extremely affectionate and accurate. And if mom feels pain and discomfort during sex, then it is better to stop it.

Pain at 39 weeks pregnant

In the last weeks of pregnancy, you probably already experience aching pains in the lower abdomen, which portend an imminent birth. The training contractions became more painful than before. The movements of the child also often cause pain to the woman. When you try to stand up or change the position of the body, you may experience pain in the abdomen, side, back.

At the 39th week of pregnancy, the perineal region hurts the most: the baby has sank and presses on the pelvic floor. You may also feel this pain in the lower back (lower back and sacrum).

Due to the divergence of the bones in this area, aching appears, sometimes sharp pain. Shooting and stabbing pain also radiates to the legs, especially while walking.

When real contractions begin, the pain will grow and intensify. It is important to learn how to relax in response to pain, so if you still have a day or two, then use it to master relaxation and breathing techniques.

In addition, the chest may begin to hurt. This is not strange, because very soon she will have to feed the baby: the production of colostrum has already begun.

Allocations

Because of this, you may notice milk coming out of your breasts. In no case do not squeeze out colostrum: observe hygiene, wash your breasts at least 2 times a day, gently blot the liquid on the nipples.

If the mucous plug has not yet begun to move away, then this can happen now. However, the whole process usually takes several days (or even weeks), since most often the mucous plug comes out in parts, and not all at once. This is indicated by the discharge of thick, viscous mucus at the 39th week of pregnancy. It is clear, white, yellowish or creamy in color, but may also contain blood streaks.

The discharge of the mucous plug is one of the harbingers of childbirth, but does not mean that they have already begun. Therefore, calmly continue your business, considering only that the cervix is now open to infections, which means that sex and bathing in stagnant water should be canceled. Brownish or reddish marks in the mucus indicate that the birth is likely to be several hours away.

However, if the discharge of the mucous plug is accompanied by bleeding, then you must immediately go to the hospital, since premature discharge of the placenta is possible.

In addition, the impending birth portends the discharge of amniotic fluid. They can leak in small portions, which you observe as a clear liquid from the genital tract. And it happens that the fetal bladder bursts, and the water flows out at the same time, in a stream - you certainly won’t miss this.

Most often, the water breaks in the morning when a woman gets out of bed or has not even gotten out of bed yet, but in general this can happen at any minute. At the same time, many hear a muffled pop that precedes the outflow of water. The opening of the fetal bladder and the discharge of water is not accompanied by any pain.

Usually after this labor activity begins. If the waters receded immediately, literally gushed out of you, then do not wait for contractions, but immediately get ready for the hospital. Do not worry if the contractions have already become intense, and the waters have not yet broken: this often happens already in the maternity hospital, and it is possible that the fetal bladder will be specially pierced - this does not mean anything bad.

Normally, the amniotic fluid is clean and transparent, and may contain white flakes of the original lubricant that the baby was covered with. They are odorless or have a slightly sweet smell. However, sometimes meconium, the baby's original feces, gets into the amniotic fluid, and there is a high risk of it being swallowed by the baby. This condition is a little dangerous, so if the water is greenish or brownish, you need to go to the hospital immediately.

Harbingers of childbirth

We have already considered many of the signs of childbirth. In particular, we know that before childbirth, the stomach aches, the lower back, back, perineum, legs, and also the bones of the hip joint hurt. The stomach itself drops, which makes it easier for a woman to breathe, work gastrointestinal tract getting better a little, and this nasty heartburn, which has been annoying the expectant mother for so long, may even disappear! But more frequent trips to the toilet: due to the pressure of the uterus, the bladder and rectum are forced to empty more often. Sometimes even an upset stomach occurs, as if you were worried - this is the work of hormones preparing the body for childbirth.

You will again remember what sharp mood swings are, or rather, your relatives will remember this. Let them not take to heart your nervousness, which can grow especially strongly from the moment regular contractions begin.

Appetite before childbirth usually decreases (although not always). And last but not least, this leads to a slight decrease in body weight.

Meanwhile, the baby is also preparing for birth. And besides the fact that he descends and puts pressure on his mother's crotch, he still behaves more modestly - he practically calms down. However, periods of calm can be replaced by increased activity (as far as possible in cramped conditions): the baby is working out the tactics of action in childbirth.

The uterus has long begun to train, periodically contracting. But when the labor begins, the contractions will become real.

Many mothers worry that they will miss the beginning of childbirth, but this is in vain: believe me, you will immediately understand that this is it. Firstly, the fact that the ice has broken will tell you the discharge of the mucous plug and amniotic fluid. Secondly, even if this does not happen, you will not miss real contractions: they begin to repeat every 10-15 minutes, then every 5 minutes, then even more often, while the pain grows all the time: try to relax and rest as much as possible between contractions. If your appetite suddenly woke up, then have a light snack (it’s good to be ready for this in advance).

From this moment, real labor activity begins, and you are already moving into a different status - women in labor.

Delivery at 39 weeks pregnant

Now you need to focus on yourself and the baby. Help each other, listen to each other, breathe properly, follow all the instructions of the medical staff.

The longer you stay on your feet, the better, so walk around during contractions, stopping to rest. When contractions begin to feel intense pain, it's time to apply breathing techniques. During the fight, breathe evenly, deeply, calmly - this will moderate the pain and save strength for the second period.

Do not rush to push - this can only be done at the doctor's command when the cervix opens completely. Then push no matter what, stopping only as directed by the doctor. Do not be embarrassed by unexpected urination or other unforeseen nuances - they do not matter to anyone now. It is very important to take a comfortable position of the body during the attempts - this point, ideally, should have been discussed with the doctor in advance. In the period between attempts, it is extremely necessary to relax and rest, restoring the spent forces as much as possible.

In the second stage of labor, when the baby is born, you will need a lot of strength and effort. It is important to give your best. different women experience this period of childbirth differently: some feel simply inhuman fatigue, others seem to be reborn and accumulate all their resources.

Your thoughts should now be directed in one direction: the baby is trying very hard, and you are obliged to help him to be born as easily and naturally as possible. Don't be afraid of anything! Do not be afraid of pain: it will not exceed the threshold that you will not be able to overcome, nature has taken care of this.

Relax as much as possible and remember everything you read and heard about in preparation for childbirth. The most important thing is that childbirth at the 39th week of pregnancy is timely and physiological. The baby is fully matured and absolutely ready for birth, he did well, because he chose the right moment for this.

Immediately after the birth of the child, obstetricians will clamp the umbilical cord, and when it stops pulsing, they will cut it. Ideally, the little one should be attached to the mother's breast - this is the best outcome of childbirth for both you and the baby. Getting your baby's first colostrum is incredibly important! This is his immunity, health and strength. But first, if the baby suddenly swallowed water with meconium, obstetricians will clear its bronchi from the contents (that is, they will carry out lavage).

The 39th week of pregnancy refers to the period of full-term pregnancy, so the onset of labor can be expected every day. Always be on the alert and do not miss the harbingers of childbirth in order to get ready and arrive at the hospital on time.

Baby development at 39 weeks

At 39 weeks, the baby is ready to be born, very soon you will be able to press him to your chest and hug him.

Here is what happens in the development of the fetus at 39 weeks of gestation:

The state of internal organs;

The organs are already formed, at this stage there is an accumulation nutrients and minerals, for example, iron, which will come in handy later for independent hematopoiesis;
Immediately after birth, the lungs will fill with air, and now it is important that they are completely covered with a special substance that will not allow them to stick together after exhalation;
The intestines inside are covered with villi, thanks to which nutrients will be absorbed;
In the body of the fetus, enzymes are already produced to break down breast milk.

By the way, look at the online course in order to properly attach the baby to the breast in the hospital and not encounter feeding problems. Follow the link to the course: Breastfeeding Secrets >>>

baby size;

The fetus at the 39th week of pregnancy reaches 50-53 centimeters in length, with a weight of about 3 kg. Please note that all the parameters of the baby are individual, perhaps you are expecting a hero weighing over 4 kilograms.

The main thing is that the weight gain and height throughout the pregnancy should be uniform, and the numerical coefficient depends on both genetics and your diet, the weight of the fetus can also be affected by the diseases you suffered during pregnancy.

Fetal activity;

The movements of the baby at the 39th week of pregnancy are not as active as before.

The child sleeps more, especially before childbirth, as if gaining strength before the last jerk. This is how your anti-stress hormones, which your body abounds, act on it.

In addition, at 39 weeks of gestation, the fetus is already large enough and takes up the entire space of the uterus, so it will not swing much.

However, movements should be observed, so in 12 hours the child should move at least 10 times.

Emotional condition;

At the 39th week of pregnancy, everything that happens to the mother is felt by the baby. Any stress, noise scares the child, talk to him more often, stroke the tummy.

Know! The kid feels the change in your mood and is afraid of the upcoming changes no less than you.

Location in the uterus;

At the 39th week of pregnancy, the baby should already take a head-down position;

Breech or transverse presentation is the reason for the appointment of a caesarean section. But there are situations when doctors in a pelvic position take a woman into natural childbirth. Look for those options.

Outwardly, the baby is already fully formed, there are hairs on the head, the skin is pink, there are folds on the arms and legs, on the fingers the nails reach the edge.

The eyes, as a rule, are blue or blue in all children at birth, but in the first months of life they can change.

Mom's well-being

In the last weeks before giving birth, and the 39th week may be such, you are covered by clearly opposite feelings.

You want to make a nest, but as soon as you start work, the feeling of fatigue knocks you down. You simultaneously want to see the baby, but are terribly afraid of childbirth.

Information for peace of mind. During the prenatal period, the hormonal background of a pregnant woman changes significantly.

Substances that are produced in the body immediately before contractions and childbirth are akin to strong opiates in their action, which is why doctors advocate natural childbirth without drugs - nature has already taken care of you.

For peace of mind and confidence, take the online course Painless Childbirth: 10 Ways to Naturally Relieve Labor Pain >>>

As for rest, take it easy.

You can’t redo all the work, but now you need to save your strength, because childbirth can occur at any moment.

Uterine size

The height of the uterus at the 39th week of pregnancy reaches 40 centimeters, but, along with the prolapse of the abdomen and the bottom of the uterus, such dimensions do not bother you much.

Another thing is that the whole mass is now pressing on pubic part and bladder.

Feeling that the stomach turns to stone at 39 weeks of gestation is normal. These are training fights that gradually become longer.

Pain at 39 weeks

Painful sensations begin to disturb you long before childbirth, but, immediately before them, they intensify and there is a physiological explanation for this.

Back pain;

The impressive volumes of the abdomen cause a shift in the center of gravity, your spine is in constant tension, hence the pain.

The situation is aggravated by the preparatory processes in hip joints. Under the action of the hormone relaxin, there is a softening of the pelvic bones and ligaments, expansion of the bones, this process is accompanied by constant pulling pains.

Stomach ache;

Tension ligaments are directly related to the sensations that pull the stomach at 39 weeks of gestation.

Pain symptoms are aggravated during training bouts. Aching pains can also bother you after a walk, you need to lie down and relax, as a rule, pains after rest recede.

Note! At the 39th week of pregnancy, it is not recommended to wear a support bandage, this may affect the natural course of labor.

Pain in the legs;

At 39 weeks pregnant, you may experience leg pain, numbness, or shooting pain. Blame the drooping uterus, which squeezes the veins and the femoral nerve. Relaxing or swimming in the pool will help relieve some pain.

Headache;

The main cause of a headache at week 39 is nerves, worries and insomnia.

Do not rush to swallow pills, take a walk before going to bed, constantly ventilate the room, drink soothing tea (read the article on the topic Herbal tea during pregnancy >>>), head massage will help.

Pain in the chest;

At the 39th week of pregnancy, you may be bothered by hemorrhoids caused by squeezing of the veins or frequent constipation;

It is necessary to treat this phenomenon, and both diets and local remedies.

Another problem is swelling. In the prenatal period, there is an accumulation of fluid in the body, swelling at the 39th week of pregnancy can also occur due to not proper nutrition, for example, the use of pickles or smoked meats, water with gas.

Study the book on nutrition to know all the useful and necessary products for you now: Secrets of proper nutrition for the expectant mother >>>

Bleeding. Allocations

Discharge at 39 weeks of gestation is considered normal, clear or slightly whitish in color with no obvious odor and in moderation.

In the prenatal period, you may notice mucus impurities in the secretions, this is the result of the gradual discharge of the protective plug. The mucous plug can also come off at one time;
Allocations of a greenish, yellow hue indicate inflammatory processes, they cannot be left unattended;
The curd consistency of discharge with a clear sour smell is a symptom of thrush. It often appears before childbirth against the background of a weakened immune system (for details, see the article Thrush during pregnancy >>>);

First of all, you need to remove all sweet and bakery products from your diet.

If the thrush is accompanied by burning and itching, then you will have to carry out local treatment with candles, but the doctor will prescribe the specific names of the drugs.

Small amounts of blood may be present in the discharge, it may be particles of mucus, cervical erosion or hemorrhoids may bleed. Read about hemorrhoids during pregnancy >>>

But when the spotting is plentiful, while the stomach becomes stony, at the 39th week of pregnancy this may indicate an abortion, placental abruption - urgently see a doctor!

Feelings at 39 weeks

Fatigue and insomnia, worries about the upcoming birth - these are the main feelings at the 39th week of pregnancy.

But there are also some positives. As a rule, at this time your weight stops, you can even lose a couple of kilograms. This is due to a decrease in appetite, more frequent trips to the toilet.

By the 39th week of pregnancy, your stomach has dropped, the pressure on the chest has decreased, so you are now breathing to the full chest;
But if heartburn and shortness of breath have passed, then the urge to go to the toilet has become more frequent. You want to empty your bladder every 10 minutes, but, as a rule, when you go to the toilet, you understand that the urge is false, just the uterus presses on the bladder;
Be attentive to edema. Watch their nature. Read more about edema during pregnancy >>>;

If they appear in the evening and disappear in the morning, then this is a normal physiological process.

Narrow issues of pregnancy

Closely monitor all changes in your body, especially in the prenatal period. It is important to distinguish which of them are normal, physiological, and which signal pathologies.

Temperature

In the prenatal period, your body works in an enhanced mode, there is a load on circulatory system increases the total blood volume. At the same time, blood pressure and body temperature may slightly increase.

During pregnancy, a temperature in the region of 37 degrees is considered normal. But if there are accompanying symptoms, such as a runny nose, aching joints, a sore throat or a cough, we are already talking about a cold.

Cold at 39 weeks pregnant

In the prenatal period, your body is weakened and any infection can cause illness. It is better to refrain from visiting crowded places, visiting people.

At the first symptoms of the disease, treatment should be started, bed rest, plenty of fluids, vitamins and phytoncides are required.

Sex

If there are no contraindications, pain or discomfort does not occur, then sex at the 39th week of pregnancy is not prohibited. You can enjoy intimacy with your partner, especially since you will have to abstain for several months after childbirth.

Making love has a positive effect on your mood, the hormone endorphin is transmitted to the baby.

In addition, the partner's sperm contains the hormone prostaglandin, which makes the walls of the uterus more elastic and contributes to its normal opening.

Active sex is also one of the ways to give birth at 39 weeks of pregnancy. If you want to see the baby as soon as possible, you can bring the date closer in this way.

Alcohol at 39 weeks

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy is strictly prohibited. Ethanol easily penetrates the child's body, poisoning him, while affecting the fragile nervous system baby.

Know! Any craving for alcohol can be explained and a healthy alternative found.

Instead of a glass of red wine, to stimulate contractions, have sex with your loved one;
The advice to raise hemoglobin with wine is also questionable, since alcohol does not promote absorption in any way. useful substances, but vice versa;
If you want beer, eat foods rich in vitamin B. But you can’t replace beer with a soft drink, since it’s not so much the degrees that cause harm as hops, which contain the natural hormone phytoestrogen, which causes miscarriage.

Harbingers of childbirth

It is impossible to specify exactly what scenario your childbirth and preparation for them will follow. AT this issue there is not even a genetic connection; a mother and her grown daughter can give birth in completely different ways.

You can only highlight the most common harbingers of childbirth at 39 weeks of gestation.

Lower back pain;

If your lower back hurts at 39 weeks of gestation, this may indicate an expansion of the pelvic bones, which means that childbirth is coming soon.

cork discharge;

The entrance to the uterus throughout pregnancy was closed by a dense mucous plug. Before childbirth, the cervix gradually shortens, the plug moves and comes out gradually or at a time.

This process can occur immediately before childbirth or a few days before childbirth.

If you are not giving birth for the first time and your cork has come off at the 39th week of pregnancy, then it's time to get ready for the hospital, since in multiparous women, labor usually goes twice as fast.

Water leakage;

The process when water leaks at the 39th week of pregnancy is normal. Depending on the location of the tear of the amniotic sac, the water comes out gradually or in one fell swoop.

There are cases when the amniotic sac is pierced already in the hospital. In addition, water somewhat reduces pain during contractions.

contractions;

You are already accustomed to training contractions, which gradually become more pronounced and even painful. But it is important not to confuse them with the real ones.

If the intensity of contractions at the 39th week of pregnancy increases, while the interval between them is shortened, and the contraction itself becomes longer, contractions are not allowed while walking, then we are talking about the onset of labor and the gradual opening of the cervix.

This process can take up to a day, but there are cases when childbirth occurs in a few hours.

The urge to go to the toilet;

Your changed hormonal background is designed to promote the opening of the uterus, the relaxation of the muscular system. At the same time, the muscles of the intestines also relax and, as a result, liquefaction of the stool and frequent urge to go to the toilet.

Also, just before the birth, fluid is actively excreted from the body.

Change of mood.

If you suddenly want to hide, retire to a secluded place, then childbirth is just around the corner. This is a natural urge, draw a parallel with wildlife, isn't this how animals behave before giving birth?

It is very doubtful to consider the prolapse of the abdomen as a harbinger of childbirth. In some pregnant women, the belly may drop a few weeks before the birth of the baby, while in others, immediately before childbirth, along with the discharge of amniotic fluid.

At the 39th week of pregnancy, the harbingers of childbirth in multiparous women may appear a day or even a few hours before childbirth.

How to speed up childbirth

You may hear the term induction of labor. Due to various circumstances, the uterus does not want to open or does not open to the prescribed distance, and the contractions themselves may be absent.

In this case, medical intervention is supposed. A pregnant woman is injected with oxytocin to stimulate contractions;
To open the cervix, hormonal prostaglandin or estrogen gels are applied topically. It is better to avoid such procedures.

How to speed up labor at 39 weeks?

At home, the opening of the uterus can be facilitated by having sex, exercising on a fitball, walking;
You can also stimulate contractions with an active massage of the nipples. The uterus comes into tone as soon as you touch the breast.

By the way, after childbirth, while feeding the baby, you will clearly feel this pattern, when the baby suckles the breast, the uterus contracts.

But, if the child is not in a hurry to be born, I advise you to wait. It happens that a woman is given the wrong PDR and, with the stimulation of labor, the child may be born prematurely and end up in intensive care.

Wait for the natural onset of labor.

What is important to do at 39 weeks

At the 39th week of pregnancy, what happens to the baby can be recognized by its movements.

If he calms down and sleeps for a long time, then he is accumulating strength before childbirth;
Actively pushes - he suffers, the reason may be your hunger or being in a stuffy room.

At the 39th week of pregnancy, you visit the doctor every week, under the control of weight, pressure, abdominal circumference and height of the uterus, the baby's heartbeat, and the presence of edema.

Take care of yourself!

Do you notice signs of childbirth behind you? Which? Share in the comments.

This period of pregnancy is the most difficult, as the legs swell and pulling pains appear in the lumbar region. The body of a pregnant woman is preparing for labor.

Special exercises during pregnancy for a period of 36 to 40 weeks relieve unwanted stretch marks and tears during childbirth.

An active image during the entire pregnancy is the key to a quick birth and good health. Performing exercises for a period of 36 to 40 weeks is not only very beneficial for future mother, but also a charge of vivacity for the baby.

Physical exercises at this stage of pregnancy associated with sudden movements, jumping, active running are not allowed. When performing exercises for a period of 36 to 40 weeks, they should be smooth and not hasty.

The complex includes exercises from various provisions: normal walking, on toes, on outside feet and heels; from a position, standing, kneeling, knee-carpal position and supine.

The set of exercises for pregnant women is included.

Starting exercises during pregnancy for a period of 36 to 40 weeks should be with the permission of the doctor in order to eliminate all the risks of pregnancy during this period.

Performing exercises, a pregnant woman should not bring herself to severe fatigue, this is not good. Tired, lie down, rest, and then if you feel good, continue to do the exercises.

Exercise during pregnancy at 36 to 40 weeks

The first set of exercises, while walking:

We start the exercises with normal walking: two steps - inhale, four steps - exhale, 30 seconds.
Then 30 sec. walking on toes, hands in a free position.
30 sec. walking on heels. In this case, the hands are fixed on the belt.
And the last type of walking on the outside of the foot, also for 30 seconds.

The following exercises during pregnancy for a period of 36 to 40 weeks, we will perform while standing:

We put our fingers on our shoulders: we take our elbows back - inhale, we take them forward and connect - exhale, 4-5 times.
We become sideways to the gymnastic wall, we perform the exercise slowly. We make lateral inclinations of the body, after which the sides change, from 4 to 5 times.

Knee stand:

Stand on all fours (knee-carpal position):

We get on our knees and hands, perform swings first with the right foot up - inhale and come back - exhale, change legs and perform 3-4 times.

For further exercises, you must lie on your back:

We lay on our back, spread our arms to the sides so that the palms are at the top: Alternately we connect the palms to the right, then to the left 2-4 times.
Position as in exercise number 1. We raised our hands up - inhale, gently pull the right knee to the stomach, lower our hands - exhale, now hands up - inhale and pull up the left knee, lower our hands - exhale. Repeat this exercise 3-4 times.
Now we put our feet on our feet, spread our arms to the sides: we perform lifting and lowering the pelvis at a leisurely pace 4-6 times.
The legs are straight, the arms are spread apart: we first begin to take one leg to the side, then throw it behind the other leg, then take it to the side again and return back to the original one, then change the leg and repeat 3-4 times.
We do the exercise at an average pace, breathing is free. Spread your arms to the sides with your palms up: the hands are clenched into fists, pull the feet towards you, then unclench the hands and feet away from you, 8-10 times.

Final exercise, walking:

Walking for 1-2 minutes, arms through the sides up - inhale, then lower - exhale.

The birthday of a child, unfortunately, or fortunately, cannot be planned when it comes to natural childbirth. After all, childbirth is a rather complicated process, which depends on many factors. Carrying a child in each case is individual, just like the course of pregnancy. For some women, the 42nd week of pregnancy is easily tolerated, while someone dreams of speeding up this process from 38-39 weeks.

Methods of stimulation

The desires of pregnant women sometimes defy any logic. One of these desires is the birth of a child at 39 weeks of gestation. Of course, childbirth during this period is safe for a child who has already fully formed and is ready to be born. But, before embarking on such an undertaking, it is necessary to make sure not only that the child is ready for birth, but that the woman's body is ready for this, because the consequences may not be the most pleasant. Therefore, it is worth considering several times whether it is necessary to bring closer something that does not depend on us.

Nevertheless, having this or that reason, pregnant women repeatedly ask themselves the question: “What can be done to bring the birth closer and give birth at 38-39 weeks of gestation and not harm either themselves or the baby?”. There are several ways in which at home you can bring the date of birth closer:

You can speed up childbirth at 38-39 weeks of gestation by resuming sexual activity. In this way, it is possible to prepare the genital tract for the upcoming process of childbirth, and the excitement that a woman feels during intercourse causes the uterus to contract. In addition, sperm that has entered the female genital tract acts as a stimulant to the uterus, causing it to contract and open.
A natural method to speed up the process of childbirth at 38-39 weeks of gestation is a stimulating massage of the nipples of a pregnant woman. When performing such a massage, it is important to remember the hygiene of the massager's hands and the woman's nipples in order to avoid infection in the mammary glands. The process of massaging the nipples brings the uterus into tone and at the same time allows you to properly prepare the woman's breasts for the upcoming breastfeeding.
Active physical activity is also good if necessary to speed up labor at 38-39 weeks of gestation. To do this, it is not necessary to attend classes for pregnant women, because you can implement the method at home. Many pregnant women a few days before giving birth experience physical activity, which can provide household chores, walks. Even the usual climbing stairs at 38-39 weeks of pregnancy can give the desired result.

In some cases, after consulting a doctor, you can resort to an enema. The procedure can not be called the most pleasant, but in most cases the result does not make you wait. In addition, having cleansed the intestines, having an effect on the uterus, it is possible to avoid the use of suppositories, which are prescribed to women in labor immediately before childbirth.

If it doesn't work at home...

If all the home methods that promised to bring the birth closer did not work, and the woman wants to give birth at the 39th week of pregnancy naturally, you can contact the doctor, who, after examining the condition of the fetus and the readiness of the uterus, will suggest proven ways to bring the birth closer. You should not be afraid of the intervention of doctors in order to bring the birth closer at the 39th week of pregnancy. In this case, you can feel safe.

Do not experiment on own health and the life of the unborn child, testing methods that were not mentioned by experts. After all, the result can be the most unpredictable, and the health and even the life of the baby may be at stake. If, after trying home methods, there was no result approaching the birth, and there is no desire or opportunity to contact the doctor, it is better to get rid of this idea and wait for the time when the body is ready for childbirth.

During pregnancy, which falls on the 39th week, experts recommend paying special attention to your health, and, using the methods of approaching childbirth, do not forget about safety. After all, a sharp movement, experience, stress, can affect the child. During this period, there is a high probability of the umbilical cord entwining the fetus, as a result of which it may be deprived of the necessary nutrients, oxygen, so it is better to entrust the stimulation of labor to doctors.

In the absence of contraindications, the doctor may prescribe drugs that contain hormones that stimulate uterine contractions and the appearance of contractions. At 39 weeks pregnant, labor can be induced with Prostaglandin. This is the most popular drug that allows you to speed up labor.

The use of the drug should be carried out after consulting a doctor and with his consent, as he has and side effects, which at this stage of pregnancy can be dangerous to the health of the baby. We are talking about the appearance of vomiting and diarrhea, fever. The drug can be introduced into the body in the form of:

gel;
candles;
injections.

If the body of the future mother is not ready for the onset of childbirth, then all the measures taken may be useless, or they may cause significant harm to the health of the mother and call into question the possibility of having children in the future. If the stimulation of labor is carried out in the maternity hospital under the supervision of specialists, then the risk of negative consequences is reduced, but not completely eliminated. In some cases, doctors may decide to pierce the amniotic sac, which can bring the long-awaited birth closer.

Is it worth it to induce labor at this time?

During this period, the child is already fully formed and ready for the appearance, but this does not mean that childbirth should be stimulated. His birth will occur at the moment when the body is maximally prepared. When deciding to hasten the birth of a baby, a woman must understand all the risks that may arise. Uncertain about health and proper development fetus, the readiness of her body, a woman is not recommended to use the methods mentioned above.

In most cases, the baby is born at the 40th week of pregnancy, so the 39th week is not an indicator that it is necessary to stimulate labor. Especially if a woman has health problems that call into question the likelihood of having a baby naturally.

Finally, the baby is ready to be born. Now he looks better than ever, his features are fully formed, his eyes are open, his ears are moving away from his head. (Not like his grandfather's, hopefully, but there's not much that can be done about it right now.) His head may be covered in hair, but don't be surprised if it's an odd color; in many families where both parents are blonde, children are born with dark hair, and mom and dad with dark curls can have children with fluff on their heads, like a peach.

The child's body has grown so much that it has already caught up with the head, which is now only one-fourth of the body instead of almost one-half, as it was on early term pregnancy. One strange fact: the baby's head and belly are now the same volume, so it's easy to see why it's sometimes so difficult for babies to put things on over their heads.

In any case, the child can forget about water ballet. The uterus has become so crowded that it pushes and pushes your organs into literally to make room for yourself. Fortunately, it doesn't usually matter how big the baby gets, because the head can stretch to fit the shape of the birth canal. Because of this, the shape of his head after birth may be strange, but you should not pay attention to it. She will become as beautiful as he is approximately 24 hours after birth.

How to find out the future weight of the baby?

How much will the baby weigh? At birth, the "average" weight of children is between 3 and 4 kg. Many children weigh just about 3.3 kg. Boys usually weigh 100g more than girls. The baby will continue to gain weight as long as you take care of him. Studies have shown that the optimal weight is important not only for the health of the baby and how the birth will go, but also for his health in the future. Babies who weighed less than 2 kg at birth may develop various health problems both immediately after birth and later. It is known that children weighing more than 14 kg are also at risk, because they can develop obesity both immediately after birth and later.

Your body at 39 weeks pregnant

Surprises of childbirth

You've read all the baby books and diligently jotted down what your instructor told you about contractions, breathing, massages, changing positions, and possibly painkillers. Despite all the preparations, the baby may surprise you, because neither in courses, nor from books, nor even from your best friends, you will learn about childbirth without embellishment. Even if labor goes like most women, it can come as a shock if you haven't heard from anyone how it actually happens, so it's good to know everything better beforehand. For starters, don't be scared if you forget everything you were taught in the courses. Because of the pain during childbirth, the head may be empty. Breath? Fight positions? What? It may happen that you lie on your back and grab onto the bed, even if this is the last thing you thought you would do during childbirth. To prepare for this, you need to make sure that the person who will be present at the birth knows all the breathing techniques, has photos of the birthing positions you mentioned, and your wish list for the best and worst options development of events. At some point, you may start chattering your teeth. About half of the women who gave birth complained of trembling and chattering of teeth, although the body temperature was even higher than normal. This is normal, nothing to worry about here.

You may feel sick. Nausea is normal; when you give birth, digestion slows down, and there may still be food in the stomach when strong contractions begin. Sometimes women feel sick when they get an epidural because it can drop their blood pressure. In movies, women growl and moan and then cry when they give birth. Chances are, you know that it can actually help with childbirth; if you scream, you feel more energetic and strong during contractions or when you push during the second stage of labor. However, be prepared for the fact that you will be angry and delirious, perhaps yelling at the doctor and swearing at your partner. Most of all, this happens if pain relief is not given, because a woman gets tired quickly, she will be in pain and all she wants is for the torment to finally end. Don't be embarrassed; the doctor has heard all this before, although the partner may be shocked.

You will make other sounds that are not talked about on TV. For example, you may pass gas as your baby moves through the birth canal, especially if an epidural has been performed. Maybe you'll be too busy to notice. But if you notice, know that this is a normal sound, and you should not worry about it. It is possible that bowel activity will also show up during labor, because the muscles will be directed to push the baby and everything else out due to the fact that the baby is squeezing the rectum as his head moves through the birth canal. You may be so busy during contractions that you won't notice it, but if it does, don't worry. There is nothing new here for the doctor. Your partner may also be shocked by such details, and you may secretly (or not secretly) be annoyed by his disgust with emotional and chaotic childbirth. Don't be too demanding: your partner will be just as frightened by the birth as it will be you, and later his emotions will be pride in how strong you are and joy at the sight of the baby, part of both of you.

Communication with a partner

You have completed all the tasks at work. You renovated the nursery, bought a baby shower. Now you are completely focused on pushing the Morse table from the stomach. Women are so focused that they can forget that their man is also experiencing more and more every day, while the time to give birth is approaching. Perhaps while you have nowhere to go from good wishes friends or strangers who want to touch the belly, he may pull away and be frightened by his changing mood due to the fact that the body of his woman becomes unrecognizable.

A man may be hesitant or worried about your love for a person who is completely abstract to him, and afraid of what you have dragged yourself into. To get him closer, talk to him about how he can help during childbirth.

Here are the most important tasks with which he can handle:

be with you during contractions when you are most likely to be at home. Take a walk, rent a movie and watch it together, take a nap
massage your lower back
help getting in and out of the shower
feed you ice fruit pieces and ice chips
give you a massage
count the time of contractions and calm you down in between

Diet and exercise at 39 weeks pregnant

Why is it important to drink enough fluids?

Whether you have severe swelling, how often you need to go to the toilet, or how much you have eaten, keep drinking water. This is very important at the end of pregnancy. You can start giving birth at any time, and if there is enough fluid in the body, you will be more energetic and enduring, and if there is not enough fluid, then there will be less strength. Also, if you've been drinking enough, you probably won't need an IV. Drink water, milk, decaffeinated tea or coffee, fruit juices, mineral water or sports drinks; suck on ice cubes; you can eat frozen fruits and fruits that contain a lot of water, such as watermelon and grapes, anything that would help get those same 8 glasses of fluid per day.

Walking late

If you've been walking all week 39, there's no reason to stop. Keep walking until the birth, if you can. Walking will help keep your muscles toned, help stabilize your blood sugar, strengthen your heart and lungs, improve your mood, and make you feel like you've achieved something. Keep drinking enough water and plan your route so that you can go to the toilet. If you get tired quickly, do not climb hills, and it is better to walk several times in a short time than once and for a long time.

Frequently Asked Questions at 39 Weeks Pregnant

I am afraid that I will have a rush labor like my mother and I will have a baby at home or in the car on the way to the hospital. What should I do if I find myself in such a situation?

Chances are you won't be in that situation. You already know about your predisposition to rapid labor, so you will start counting how long the contractions last from the first minutes of labor and, due to anxiety, you will immediately go to the hospital. However, if the contractions lasted quite a bit, and you already feel the urge to push, calm down. Wherever children are born - in hospitals, taxis, elevators, kitchens or huts - they can usually do all the work themselves. But if you prepare for an urgent delivery, it will help to calm down and be sure that any situation can be dealt with if something happens.

If you've started giving birth at home and don't think you'll be able to get to the hospital on time, it's best to stay where you are; it would be better for a baby to be born at home than in the back seat of a car. Call your doctor right away. If he's at work, he can give instructions over the phone while he's driving." Ambulance". If you cannot get through to the doctor, call 03. Ask for assistance with childbirth and have the operator contact the hospital and the doctor. Women are advised to pack a first aid kit for such an occasion. Everything should be put in a waterproof bag away from children and pets.

It should contain the following:

a pack of large plastic-lined hygienic bags to keep the sheets free of all sorts of nasty liquids
baby syringe (made of soft plastic, often called an ear syringe; it should not be a nasal syringe because the plastic tip is not suitable for a baby's nose)
small bottle of isopropyl alcohol
set of large cotton balls
box of recycled plastic or latex gloves
white shoelaces (to tie the umbilical cord)
sharp scissors (to cut it)
twelve large pads
dry ice pack (the kind where the ice comes out when you push)
bottle with warm water(to keep baby warm)
six disposable diapers
pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
a small bar of antibacterial soap or liquid disinfectant

I have just arrived from the hospital and the doctor told me that the cervix is dilated by 3 centimeters and flattened by 50%! Does this mean I'm having a baby today?

In simple terms, contractions are the process of thinning (smoothing) and opening (expanding) of the cervix. Due to false contractions in the last weeks of pregnancy, the doctor may say that the cervix is flattened by 50% or more. Initially, during pregnancy, the cervix looks like a cone with thick walls, but before childbirth, it becomes like a flat, thin cylinder next to the baby's head. If the cervix is 50% effaced, that means you're still halfway there.

Contractions will gradually open the cervix to the magic number of 10 centimeters. When it expands to this extent (almost the width of the palm of your hand), your midwife or doctor will tell you that you can push between contractions and have a baby. The fact that the cervix is 3 cm open means that it has already begun to expand. it good sign. However, when exactly you will start giving birth is unknown. On average, when contractions begin, the cervix usually dilates 1 cm per hour if it's the first baby, and 1.5 cm if it's the second baby.