At week 39 your baby is full term. Their brain is still growing fast, and will keep growing long after birth.
Your baby this week
- Brain
- Still growing quickly.
- Fat
- Your baby is building fat to help keep warm after birth.
- Ready
- Ready to be born any day.
What you might notice
- Stronger tightenings that may be the start of labour. Is this a contraction?.
- A show, when the mucus plug comes away.
- Upset stomach for some, before labour starts.
- A mix of excitement and worry.
Call your midwife, doctor or maternity unit now if
- Your waters break, or you think they might have
- Your contractions are regular and getting stronger, or you're not sure
- You have bleeding, or your baby's movements have slowed down or changed
- You have a bad headache, blurred vision or sudden swelling
Day or night. If something just feels wrong, that's reason enough to call.
Coming up
Your provider may talk about a membrane sweep or what happens if you go past your due date.
Your due date.
Questions to bring to your next appointment
- Would you recommend a membrane sweep, and what does it involve?
- When would induction be discussed?
- What should I do if my baby's movements change while I'm waiting?
For your partner
Answer the 'any news?' messages for both of you. It's one less thing to deal with.
NUGA follows you week by week
Enter your due date once and NUGA knows you're at week 39. The day before each appointment, it gathers what you've noted and the questions to bring.
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This page draws on public guidance from:
General information, not medical advice. Every pregnancy is different, and your midwife or doctor knows yours. Last updated October 2026.