39 weeks pregnant: full term, and nearly time to meet
Most babies arrive within a week either side of the due date. Here is what to watch for, and a few honest things about the first minutes after birth.
Updated October 13, 2026 · sources checked October 13, 2026
In short
At 39 weeks your baby is full term by every definition and about 50.7 cm from head to heel (NHS). A show, more discharge and backache can all be early signs. The one thing to do this week: know the warning signs that mean calling straight away, and ask about a membrane sweep if you would like one.
Where you are at 39 weeks
Full term: ACOG and Cleveland Clinic count 39 weeks 0 days to 40 weeks 6 days as full term, and the NHS has called your baby full term since 37 weeks. The NHS adds that most women go into labour within a week either side of the due date, so any day now. If your due date came from IVF, ACOG explains it is set from the embryo's age and transfer date: your clinic's date is the one that counts. The pregnancy week calculator gives you today's exact count.
Your baby this week
The NHS gives about 50.7 cm from head to heel and compares your baby to a small watermelon. The skin, almost see-through a few weeks ago, now has a tougher layer that protects the organs and helps with temperature control. Your baby may be born covered in vernix, the white waxy coating, or it may be mostly gone. Both are normal.
Your body and common symptoms
- More discharge. It should be thin, white and not smell much.
- A show. A slimy blob of yellow or blood-streaked mucus can be an early sign that labour is on the way, but the NHS says you could still have days to wait.
- Backache and pressure as your baby moves down and presses on your spine.
- Bursts of energy. Folding tiny clothes at midnight is the nesting instinct. Go with it, then rest.
Is this normal? When to call
The NHS week 39 guide lists 9 signs to treat as an emergency, calling your midwife, doctor or NHS 111:
Bleeding from the vagina; brown or pink discharge; severe itching, especially at night; a terrible headache that will not go away; vision problems (blurring, light sensitivity, spots or flashing lights); pain just below the ribs; extreme swelling of the feet, ankles, hands and face; persistent stomach pain; a high temperature (the NHS guide gives above 37.5C with no cold or flu symptoms). Also call straight away if your baby moves less, or if contractions last at least 60 seconds and come every 5 minutes. UK: maternity unit, NHS 111, 999 in an emergency. US: labour and delivery or your OB-GYN; the CDC adds trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting and thoughts of harming yourself or your baby as urgent signs; 911 in an emergency.
Appointments and tests around 39 weeks
- UK: a membrane sweep is usually offered after 39 weeks (NHS) and NICE asks teams to discuss it at visits from 39+0 weeks. Your 40-week appointment comes next if this is your first baby.
- US: weekly visits. ACOG says induction may be considered for healthy women from 39 weeks, and that an elective induction should not happen before 39 weeks. Ask what your hospital offers and what it would mean for your birth preferences.
Seven things that surprise people at birth (from the NHS)
- Babies do not always cry straight away; it can take a few seconds.
- Your baby is checked within a minute (the Apgar score) and again at 5 minutes, often while you are meeting them.
- Hands and feet may look blue at first while circulation settles.
- Breathing can be irregular, with pauses of up to 5 seconds. Newborns are learning.
- Boys can be born with swollen-looking testicles; this settles.
- It is not always love at first sight. Bonding can take time, and asking for help is normal.
- Your womb takes about 6 weeks to return to its usual size.
More on the first days in our newborn care guide.
Your checklist for week 39
For your partner
Keep your evenings free, have the car fuelled, and know the 9 warning signs too: she may not be the first to notice that something is off.
Previous and next week
Week 38: the 38-week check · Week 40: due date week · The third trimester · All weeks · Due date calculator
Questions parents ask
Is 39 weeks full term?
Yes. ACOG and Cleveland Clinic define full term as 39 weeks 0 days to 40 weeks 6 days. The NHS uses full term from 37 weeks, so at 39 weeks every source agrees.
What is a membrane sweep?
During an internal examination, the midwife or doctor sweeps a finger around the cervix to separate the membranes, which releases hormones that may start labour. The NHS says it is usually offered after 39 weeks; it can be uncomfortable and cause some cramping or spotting. NICE says it should be discussed, and done only with your consent.
Did my waters break or did I wet myself?
It can be hard to tell, and the NHS says it may be just a trickle. If you think your waters have broken, call your midwife or maternity unit for advice, because once the waters break there is a higher risk of infection and labour may need to be induced.
Sources
- NHS — Week-by-week guide to pregnancy, week 39 checked October 13, 2026
- Cleveland Clinic — Fetal development, week-by-week stages of pregnancy checked October 13, 2026
- NHS — Inducing labour (membrane sweep) checked October 13, 2026
- NICE NG207 — Inducing labour, recommendations checked October 13, 2026
- ACOG — Labor Induction checked October 13, 2026
- CDC — Urgent maternal warning signs (Hear Her) checked October 13, 2026
Mamavela explains; it does not replace your midwife, doctor or pediatrician, who know your situation. If something worries you, call them. In an emergency, call 911 (US), 999 (UK) or 112.