Closer to birth, the amount of amniotic fluid becomes less and less, although it is still renewed every three hours and will continue to do so even when labor begins. You should no longer be gaining weight, but the baby continues to grow. At week 39, it weighs an average of 3300 g and reaches more than 50 cm in length.
Fetus at 39 weeks of gestation: movements
And, since the baby is already very large and already occupies almost the entire uterine cavity, he has nowhere to move much. Accordingly, if before this you could observe periodic “dancing” of the baby in your tummy, now he will only push you from the inside from time to time.
Although he has nowhere to move, the baby, nevertheless, tries to move. Moreover, through movements, the child trains coordination and gradually builds muscle strength. The intensity and nature of the movements should continue to be monitored: the mask should respond about 10-12 times per day. If the child shows excessive activity, pushes strongly and often, or, on the contrary, his movements are felt weakly and rarely, immediately inform the doctor about this: a change in the nature and frequency of movements in one direction or another indicates trouble.
Baby at 39 weeks of pregnancy The heart, lungs, intestines, kidneys - everything is ready to support the life of the baby outside the womb. However, the processes of development and improvement do not stop and will continue after birth. In particular, the central nervous system develops unevenly.
The pancreas begins to produce enzymes that will break down food entering the baby’s stomach. But beneficial bacteria will begin to populate the intestines only after tasting - now it is sterile.
In most cases, immediately after birth, the newborn's intestines are emptied with meconium. But it often happens that this happens in the womb before the birth process begins (most often the cause is a lack of oxygen in the last stages of pregnancy). In such cases, doctors and obstetricians who deliver babies perform a special procedure to cleanse the bronchi, called lavage. As before, all nutrients reach the child through. But in recent weeks it begins to age: its service life is coming to an end. The umbilical cord will be cut after childbirth only when it stops pulsating. And only then does the birth of a child’s place take place - the last third.
Future mom
At the 39th week of pregnancy, the baby is already completely ready for independent existence, but ideally the pregnancy should still last this and next weeks. But you should have been completely ready for childbirth a few weeks ago. Although this does not mean at all that the expectant mother is obliged to lose peace and be in constant anticipation of the start of contractions.
If your bags for the maternity hospital are packed, and you are psychologically prepared for the events awaiting you, then you should not care. But it’s easy to say, but not easy to do, right? Some anxiety and nervousness are still present. The main thing is to listen to the baby, talk to him, reassure him before giving birth, but ask him not to linger - the time is approaching.
You will certainly understand that it has “started”: spasms will appear in the lower abdomen, repeating 5 times an hour, and then more often; you will feel nagging pain in the lumbar region; Your water may break and you may have some spotting. During the initial period of labor, the mother may develop an appetite - prepare yourself some light, low-fat snack in advance.
Childbirth at 39 weeks of pregnancy: harbingers
In the meantime, until it “starts”, listen to yourself and track possible changes that will indicate the imminent onset of labor. Shortly before the start of labor, a woman learns about its approach by changes in appetite - it noticeably decreases. The weight of a pregnant woman can also decrease: many accomplished mothers say that the weight at the end of pregnancy, if it does not stop, then decreases by 1-2 kg.
False contractions, which until this time were painless and infrequent, now become more intense and palpable. In addition to the fact that contractions begin to appear more frequently, they occur against the background of a pulling in the abdomen and lower back: nagging pain that rings the lower abdomen and lumbar region is another of the harbingers of labor. You can distinguish false contractions from real ones - and many expectant mothers are very afraid of confusing them - by changing the position of the body. Do you feel like you're giving birth? Get up, walk around the apartment, sit down on the chair again. If the contractions have passed with a change in body position and type of activity, then it is too early to go to the maternity hospital.
The appearance of mucus in the vaginal discharge will indicate that labor is approaching - it can be either transparent or pinkish or brown. An admixture of mucus is particles of a mucous plug that closes the entrance to the uterus. Now the cervix is gradually softening and contracting, preparing for childbirth, so the particles of the plug come out. But you can see the mucus plug itself in the form of a lump of mucus, possibly streaked with blood, the volume of which is approximately 2 tablespoons. The release of the mucus plug is another signal that labor is about to begin.
Before giving birth, many women develop a nesting instinct: out of nowhere, strength and an irresistible desire to improve the house, making it as comfortable as possible, appear. Do not deny yourself this pleasure, but entrust the hard physical work to your assistants. Save your strength for the most important event in your life.
In the last days before giving birth, a woman may also notice disorders in the digestive system. Diarrhea, nausea, indigestion, perhaps even vomiting - all these symptoms may well precede the onset of labor. Well, while your tummy is calm, provide your baby with sufficient oxygen supply - go for a walk. But don’t go too far and be sure to take it with you.
Belly at 39 weeks of pregnancy: tugs, hurts, droops
A drooping abdomen is another sign by which you will know that labor is imminent. In theory, the belly drops between 36 and 38 weeks of pregnancy, but this can happen now. Or it may not happen at all - some women do not notice a drooping belly until the onset of labor. If your stomach drops, you will definitely feel relief: it becomes easier to breathe, and the annoying heartburn will subside. Instead, there is a need for more frequent urination: the uterus puts pressure on the bladder, which means the need for more frequent emptying increases.
Do not worry if you suddenly find pain in the lower abdomen, extending to the lower back. Nagging pain localized to the “lower abdomen-lower back” at the 39th week of pregnancy is one of the normal variants, indicating the approach of labor.
Pain at 39 weeks of pregnancy
So, we already know about the nature of pain in the lower abdomen and lower back - these are the consequences of preparing the body for the upcoming birth and its attempt to tell the woman about their inevitable approach.
Again, due to the body’s preparation for an imminent birth, you now probably feel pain in the pelvic region, in the sacrum, in the pubis. The body actively produces the hormone relaxin, the main task of which is to soften and relax ligaments and bones. Plus, the softened pelvic bones at this stage gradually diverge, preparing the baby the most favorable conditions for traveling through the birth canal. So the mother has to endure the pain caused by such changes in the body and wait for childbirth, after which the pain will go away on its own.
Surely you are already familiar with pain in the sacrum, in the back, in the spine. This is the result of a mixing of the center of gravity and increased loads. Leg pain is common for the same reason. In addition: due to compression of the femoral nerve, you may feel a shooting, aching pain in the back of the leg, sometimes reaching the knee. Recommendations for minimizing pain in the back, legs, and sacrum are still the same: regular unloading, sleeping in the correct position, proper rest, wearing a prenatal bandage.
By the way, by this time you may feel that your chest hurts. Don’t be surprised or scared: your breasts are now noticeably larger and heavier, and very soon they will be needed to feed your baby. Well, for now you patiently remove colostrum from your nipples and endure the usual pain and heaviness in your chest.
Discharge at 39 weeks of pregnancy
An important point this week is vaginal discharge: normally it should have a light milky color, uniform consistency and a slight smell of kefir. Don't be surprised to notice a slight increase in vaginal discharge - this is a normal symptom of the 39th week of pregnancy. Also, you should not be alarmed by the presence of mucus impurities in the discharge: transparent, perhaps with a shade of pink, brown, beige, the mucus is particles of the mucus plug that still covers the cervix today.
But here - mucopurulent discharge, curdled or flaky, green or yellow discharge should be a mandatory reason to consult a doctor. A change in discharge in this direction clearly indicates the development of any genital infection, and while there is still little time left, it is imperative to undergo treatment. After all, if this is not done and the infection remains with the mother, the woman will probably “share” this very infection when the baby travels through the birth canal.
Do not delay your visit to the maternity hospital if you notice even small amounts of amniotic fluid. You will recognize amniotic fluid by detecting a thin, watery discharge, perhaps of a slightly yellowish tint. The rupture of amniotic fluid is a sure sign that labor will begin in the very near future. At the same time, the water cannot always be poured out immediately, in one stream: it is possible for the amniotic fluid to drain in small portions. This happens when the integrity of the membranes is worn out or the integrity of the membranes is damaged, and poses a certain danger to the child - if the integrity of the membranes is damaged, he becomes vulnerable to infections. This is why the appearance of amniotic fluid cannot be ignored in any case.
Without delay, contact the ambulance operator even if you notice bloody discharge. Blood from the genital tract is a sign of abruption of a normally located placenta, a serious pathology that threatens the life and health of the baby. True, vaginal bleeding may also indicate placenta previa, but doctors have probably already ruled out this condition through preliminary multiple examinations.
Ultrasound
An ultrasound at 39 weeks of pregnancy is usually not required, however, there may be individual indications for repeat ultrasound examination. As before, during an ultrasound, the doctor examines the baby, its size, and determines the degree of development.
Again, the condition of the uterus, its size, and the degree of maturity of the cervix will be assessed. An important criterion is also the assessment of the quality and quantity of amniotic fluid. The degree of maturity of the placenta will be determined: at the 39th week of pregnancy, the placenta is often in the third degree of maturity. The higher the degree of maturity of the placenta, the greater the degree of wear and tear. But for now, the placenta continues to serve well - through it, antibodies are supplied to the baby from the mother, which take part in the formation of the immune system.
An ultrasound at 39 weeks of pregnancy will also give an idea of the location of the umbilical cord and eliminate the risk of the fetus being entangled in the umbilical cord. Keep in mind that entanglement with the umbilical cord is not a clear contraindication for natural childbirth: the umbilical cord is 55-65 cm long, which allows a woman to give birth on her own, and the umbilical cord itself is removed from the baby’s head immediately after birth. But, even if the umbilical cord is short and the noose around the neck is tightened as the baby passes through the birth canal, doctors, when monitoring and monitoring the birth process, react quickly and can decide to deliver by caesarean section.
Especially for- Elena Kichak
It's 39 weeks of pregnancy. The baby has grown big, he, like his mother, feels the need for change. He may well be born this week.
We will tell you in this article what the baby has become in 37 embryonic weeks (which is 39 obstetric weeks).
Height and weight
The woman has been pregnant for 8 months and three weeks. During this time, from a microscopic set of cells, the baby became a big and strong little man, ready for independent life outside the mother’s belly. This week his height and weight are very individual and depend on hereditary factors and how well the pregnancy proceeded in all previous months.
The baby's weight this week in most cases has surpassed the psychological mark of 3 kilograms.
The minimum average value for this period is considered to be an estimated weight of 2900 grams, and a large child can weigh as much as 4 kilograms.
The more complete the pregnant woman’s nutrition, the easier the gestation period, the greater the chance of giving birth to a “hero.” Heredity also plays a huge role - large mothers and fathers usually give birth to large children, and thin parents of short stature “receive” a baby with less impressive parameters in the maternity hospital.
The baby's growth at 39 weeks is more than 50 centimeters, but even here it cannot do without individual genetic “corrections”.
If labor does not begin this week, the baby will still grow and gain a little weight, but not more than 50-100 grams. The baby's growth rate slows down in the last weeks of pregnancy.
Norms for fetometry
Norms for fetometry, which are calculated by ultrasound measurements, at this stage no longer have as much diagnostic value as before, because now children have individual sizes.
They are more needed to predict the weight of the fetus and plan delivery tactics.
On average, the norm for basic sizes is as follows:
- biparental head size(BPR) - 94-95 mm (a value from 86 to 102 mm is also considered normal);
- fronto-occipital head size(LZR) - 119 mm (from 108 to 129 mm is also acceptable);
- femur length(DBC) - 73-74 mm (fluctuations from 68 to 79 mm are not excluded);
- leg bone length(DKG) - 65-66 mm (normally it can be from 61 to 71 mm);
- humerus length(WPC) - 64-65 mm (from 60 to 70 mm is also acceptable);
- forearm bone length(DKP) - 56-57 mm (normally the size can range from 51 to 60 mm);
- tummy circumference(coolant) - 336-342 mm.
Appearance
The subcutaneous fat layer, which the baby “increased” throughout the third trimester of pregnancy, gives the baby at 39 weeks a special charm. The baby no longer looks thin, all wrinkles and folds have smoothed out, the skin has become a normal pink color, because the vascular network and capillaries, which gave the child a red and even purple tint, are no longer visible through the skin.
The downy hair that covered the child's body is now missing. The skin became smooth and soft. The original white lubricant that previously covered the baby's body also disappeared. Only a small amount of it has been preserved where it is now needed - in the folds of the arms and legs, neck and groin area, where, despite the aquatic environment in which the fetus is located, mechanical rubbing is not excluded.
The child's head may be covered with hair, or the baby may be completely bald with small light and sparse hairs. This is also an individual trait.
The genitals are fully formed. In 9 out of 10 boys, the testicles have already descended into the scrotum, and in girls, the labia majora cover the labia minora. Due to the action of the mother's sex hormones, the baby's external genitalia may look somewhat swollen, as well as the nipples. But this phenomenon is temporary; after birth, everything will return to normal within the first months.
Development of organs and systems
The baby at this stage is considered fully term. If birth occurs in the coming days, the baby is completely ready for life outside the mother’s womb. His heart is beating smoothly and smoothly, with a heart rate of approximately 157 beats per minute.
Boys' heart rates are slightly slower than girls'. The baby's lungs are ready to expand after the first breath. They have accumulated a sufficient concentration of a substance for this purpose - surfactant, thanks to which the lungs will not stick together, and independent breathing will become possible.
The digestive organs have already completely “rehearsed” the interaction with each other. The stomach can digest the amniotic fluid that has entered it. The baby regurgitates the excess of what is swallowed - this is how hiccups are produced, which the mother feels as uniform rhythmic tremors at one point in her abdomen. The baby hiccups frequently.
The inner walls of the intestine have sensitive villi through which the absorption of nutrients will take place. Already now, meconium has accumulated in the intestines - the original green feces, which the baby uses to go to the toilet for the first time in the first day after birth.
The kidneys, bladder, urethra and ureters are working at full capacity. The baby’s body produces its own hormones and enzymes, the liver, spleen, pancreas, and gall bladder are formed and functioning.
The fetal nervous system is still developing. And this will continue after birth. Every day new neural connections appear, the brain “learns” to coordinate all processes in a small organism.
But even now the baby has achieved tremendous success - he already has at his disposal more than 70 reflexive automatic movements that help a person survive.
The strongest are sucking, swallowing, breathing and grasping reflexes.
How does the baby feel?
The baby's senses are developed quite well. He hears perfectly- as far as the amniotic fluid allows him, the thickness of the mother’s abdominal wall and the noises inside it: heartbeat, the roar of blood in the arteries, the “grumbling” of the intestines. But even such a soundtrack does not prevent the baby from recognizing his mother’s voice and familiar sounds.
Many women notice that an active baby, when the alarm clock suddenly rings or the door slams, calms down or, conversely, begins to “get rowdy.”
The baby’s vision is still “adjusting”. Now he can distinguish between light and darkness, the intrauterine world appears to him as a cluster of spots of varying color intensity and size. After birth, he will quickly learn to focus his eyes, and then distinguish colors. The child does not smell smells now, but perfectly captures the nuances of taste. thanks to developed taste buds on the tongue and the inner surface of the cheeks.
Movements
The baby becomes cramped and uncomfortable in the uterus. It takes up all the free space in it, so active fetal movements at 39 weeks are rarely observed. Most pregnant women at this stage claim that the baby is quiet and moves little. However, the baby continues to maintain a special, individual regime, in which periods of activity are replaced by periods of rest.
Some babies move a lot at night, others sleep with their mother at night and indicate their presence with movements only during the day. Many expectant mothers say that long term babies move actively in the morning and evening. Whatever the activity mode, there must still be at least 10 motor episodes in 12 hours.
Against the background of a visible decrease in activity, movements this week may begin to cause unpleasant painful sensations for the expectant mother.
They are associated with the size of the fetus, as well as a decrease in the amount of amniotic fluid, which is quite natural at this stage.
Presentation
Most often, babies at 39 weeks take the pose of athletes, ready to start. Most babies are head down, this week it is pressed against the pelvic outlet. The fetus presses its chin tightly to the chest to facilitate its passage through the birth canal.
If at 39 weeks the baby’s position in the uterus is not cephalic, then there is almost no chance that he will turn correctly for childbirth, as well as free space for baby turns and maneuvers.
Breech presentation, in which the baby's bottom is positioned towards the small pelvis, as well as the rather rare transverse presentation, in which the baby lies across, are reasons for prescribing a planned cesarean section. It will be held this week or next.
Possible problems
Childbirth this week is a common occurrence: about 40% of women give birth at 39 weeks. The problem can be their abnormal onset, for example, leakage of amniotic fluid.
If watery liquid discharge appears, you should definitely visit a doctor unscheduled. He will be able to determine whether water is leaking, how much is left, and how the child is feeling.
To determine the amount of fluid in the amniotic sac, the amniotic fluid index is measured by ultrasound, and an unscheduled CTG will be performed to determine the baby’s condition.
If at 39 weeks the baby moves a lot, this may indicate that labor is approaching. You can determine what caused the fetal activity using ultrasound and CTG. Sometimes active movements can be a symptom of pathological processes.
Pregnancy 39 weeks
Most expectant mothers note that as the term increases, children become more mobile. The number of movements increases especially at night. The reason may be that the woman does not notice activity during the day due to her own affairs. When she gets ready to go to bed, the movements become especially pronounced.
For many women, the baby becomes very active shortly before giving birth. At 39 weeks, the baby is already full-term and may well be born. A change in activity occurs a few days or hours before an important event. If your stomach hurts during movements, you should definitely tell your doctor about it.
For several months before birth, the embryo trains its respiratory system. It swallows amniotic fluid, resulting in involuntary contraction of the diaphragm. At this moment, the expectant mother notices that the child is hiccupping. This is normal and should not be a cause for concern.
Pathological causes of increased activity
Increased swarming and movement in the lower abdomen may indicate a lack of oxygen. With early aging of the placenta or its insufficiency, the process of transporting nutrients from mother to child is disrupted. There is a hypothesis that with increased motor activity the fetus massages the placenta and stimulates its work. If frequent movements cause anxiety and discomfort, you need to tell your gynecologist about them.
As the embryo develops, body weight gains, body fat increases, and muscle growth occurs. By week 39, the average fetal weight is 2.5-4 kg. Therefore, the woman may feel that the movements have become strong.
39th week of pregnancy: harbingers of labor, fetal movements, discharge
39-40 weeks of pregnancy is a responsible and quite difficult time for many women, since most of them become depressed and begin to feel unhappy... you shouldn’t act like a patient at 39 weeks of pregnancy. Remember that pregnancy and childbirth are quite responsible work, which is intended for the woman’s body by nature itself. And believe me, she will help you, and very soon you will be safely relieved of the burden and feel happy.
The next reason for excessive movement may be the active lifestyle of the mother. If she works less and sleeps more, the baby will immediately calm down. A child's restless behavior can be caused by a lack of oxygen, so daily walks in the fresh air are very important for pregnant women.
During this period, a woman's stomach often trembles. This is caused not by movement, but by the baby's hiccups. It occurs during the period of inhalation of anatomical fluid instead of ordinary air. In this way, the child develops his lungs, preparing for independent existence. In addition, at 39 weeks the baby presses against the fetal membrane, which is much softer and more comfortable than the hard wall of the uterus. Such fetal movements also cause discomfort and anxiety in pregnant women.
The baby is most active after a hearty lunch or dinner from the mother. Having received a charge of energy from it, the baby is forced to spend it. By the way, if you feel that the child has quieted down for a long time, eat a chocolate bar and lie on your side. After a couple of minutes, he will immediately start drumming his legs on the stomach.
Despite the fact that children behave differently: some are choleric, others are phlegmatic, the number of movements in 12 hours should be at least 24 times. If your baby bothers you less often, consult a doctor immediately.
What to do if your stomach hurts at 39 weeks of pregnancy?
At the 39th week of pregnancy, the abdomen in first-time mothers drops several weeks before childbirth, and in second-born women and multiple children, usually before pushing. During this period, the fundus of the uterus protrudes forward, and the baby’s head presses on the bottom of the pelvis, increasing the tone of the uterus and preparing it for the upcoming tests. During this period, expectant mothers complain of fatigue and nervousness.
If your stomach hurts badly, the 39th week of pregnancy may actually end in childbirth. But this will only benefit the mother and child, because the bones of the baby’s skull are already formed and can pass through the birth canal without any consequences. Typically, discomfort occurs as a result of “false contractions,” which doctors call Braxton-Hicks training. Nagging pain in the lower abdomen and its periodic petrification are a kind of development of the uterine muscles. Their reduction is associated with preparation for the upcoming birth.
For most women, pain at 39 weeks of pregnancy is focused on the lower back and lower abdomen. Some people have pain in their tailbone, spine, legs and even head. This is explained by the fact that the growing baby begins to draw all the useful substances from the mother. Pain in the back indicates the divergence of the bones, and in the lower abdomen - the pressure of the baby’s head on the sacrum and pelvis. You can relieve unpleasant symptoms with breathing exercises and stoic calm.
The baby's activity decreases because there is very little space in the uterus. The weight of the fetus is on average 3-3.5 kg. The process of weight gain will continue until childbirth; fetal growth slows down from this time. The subcutaneous fat base increases. This will provide the child with a constant body temperature after entering the environment, which will be accompanied by a sharp change in temperature.
Most of the time the child sleeps, and during periods of activity he moves in a coordinated manner and listens to everything that is happening outside. Fetal kicks at this stage are clearly noticeable for a woman who has already learned to distinguish which part of the body the baby made the kick. The movements of the fetus must be monitored. If they are too strong or, on the contrary, are not felt well, then you should consult a doctor - changes in motor activity may indicate conditions that require immediate treatment.
Most mothers' bellies have already dropped. This brings incredible relief: shortness of breath is significantly reduced, it is easier to eat, because the stomach no longer squeezes the stomach as much. On the other hand, the prolapsed uterus puts more pressure on the bladder, so the urge to urinate occurs even more often.
The fundus of the uterus is now at a height of 36–40 centimeters from the symphysis pubis and 16–20 centimeters above the navel. By this time, the uterus is usually located slightly lower than in previous weeks, but if the stomach has not yet dropped, do not worry, this can happen immediately before childbirth.
Fetal movements at 39 weeks
The baby is already very big, and he has nowhere to move as actively as before. But the mother still needs to count the number of movements if something bothers her or if the doctor has prescribed it. The baby's movements are very strong, and mommy can clearly distinguish where her heel is pushing her and where her elbow is pushing her.
Mom's feelings
Do not rush to the maternity hospital if contractions are weak, irregular, occur rarely, and the amniotic sac is still intact. Precursors of labor may appear several days before the development of real labor. Wait a little and when the contractions begin to appear at regular intervals and become strong and long enough, take the prepared things and documents and go to give birth.
If the amniotic fluid has broken, then you need to go to the maternity hospital as soon as possible. Violation of the integrity of the membranes opens the way for infection from the vagina into the uterus and can lead to intrauterine infection.
39th week of pregnancy: vaginal discharge
While awaiting childbirth, a woman should monitor the nature of the discharge from the genital tract so that if changes occur, she can take the necessary measures in a timely manner.
- Removal of the mucus plug;
- Periodic tension in the lower abdomen;
- Lowering of the abdomen.
If the belly has not dropped earlier, this can happen at 39 weeks of pregnancy. Now the height of the fundus of the uterus above the pubis is about 34 - 35 cm. The woman notes in this regard an improvement in well-being and easier breathing, since the uterus ceases to put pressure on the diaphragm with the same force.
If the fetus moves little at the 39th week of pregnancy, this does not mean at all that something bad has happened to it, it is just that it is saving its own strength, which will be very necessary for it at the time of birth. The woman is already looking forward to this main moment in her life, she is very tired of the difficult burden (and it’s more than 7 kilograms), toxicosis and back pain. Therefore, she tries to get as much useful information as possible about how childbirth should take place and how to behave correctly during labor.
A mother’s positive attitude towards her situation and always a good mood will ensure a comfortable stay for the baby in the womb and relieve him of unnecessary worries. A pregnant woman has only a few days left to fully provide herself and her baby with everything necessary for the maternity hospital. When a woman once again buys diapers and undershirts for her future baby, she should think carefully about what she wants most at the moment. Because soon she will not have the opportunity to treat herself to her beloved with something tasty. She will become a nursing mother who will need to follow a certain diet. And now is the time to give yourself a nice gift.
Some believe that sex at 39 weeks is not only harmful, but even beneficial. Doctors can answer the question whether sex is necessary at 38-40 weeks of pregnancy in different ways. Some doctors strictly prohibit sex during this time, others say that sexual intercourse helps prepare for childbirth. Sometimes, if this is the second birth, the couple is not afraid of sex
Therefore, we need to focus on the woman’s well-being, if her stomach does not hurt, she feels good, sex does not bring discomfort, intimate life is not forbidden even at 40 weeks. At this time, the woman’s stomach is like stone.
Do you know what you need most now? Support. Relatives, loved ones, loving ones. Sometimes, one word can replace an entire arsenal of medicines and an entire army of doctors.
Again, the condition of the uterus, its size, and the degree of maturity of the cervix will be assessed. An important criterion is also the assessment of the quality and quantity of amniotic fluid. The degree of maturity of the placenta will be determined: at the 39th week of pregnancy, the placenta is often in the third degree of maturity. The higher the degree of maturity of the placenta, the greater the degree of wear and tear. But for now, the placenta continues to serve well - through it, antibodies are supplied to the baby from the mother, which take part in the formation of the immune system.
An ultrasound at 39 weeks of pregnancy will also give an idea of the location of the umbilical cord and eliminate the risk of the fetus being entangled in the umbilical cord. Keep in mind that entanglement with the umbilical cord is not a clear contraindication for natural childbirth: the umbilical cord is 55-65 cm long, which allows a woman to give birth on her own, and the umbilical cord itself is removed from the baby’s head immediately after birth. But, even if the umbilical cord is short and the noose around the neck is tightened as the baby passes through the birth canal, doctors, when monitoring and monitoring the birth process, react quickly and can decide to deliver by caesarean section.
Especially forberemennost.net– Elena Kichak
