Week 39: Hold Me Closer

Welcome to week 39! One more week to your due date! You may or may not be experiencing signs of labour at this point. Braxton Hicks contractions throughout the day are normal and will settle with rest. The pressure in your pelvis from your baby engaging into a good position for birth is expected. Embrace these feelings for what they are: signs that your baby will soon enter this world. For those not feeling signs of labour physically, you will be in full nesting mode. You are preparing for the birth of your baby by organizing, tidying, prepping and decorating. If this helps take your mind off expecting labour to start, keep going. However, don’t feel too much pressure about having everything done before your baby arrives because all your baby needs in the first weeks is your love, warmth, and nourishment; how your love for your baby has grown throughout this pregnancy!

Your baby is 39 weeks and is ready for labour whenever it starts. Your baby has sufficient fat stores, muscle development and reflexes reinforced. Your baby is prepared for birth day! The connection you have built with your baby over the last weeks is precious. She has used all her senses to get to know you. Entering this world is a big experience, so keeping close to you after birth skin-to-skin will comfort and calm her. While skin-to-skin, she can feel your touch, hear your voice and heartbeat, and smell your scent. All these will be familiar to her while she adjusts to a new environment.