Your Pregnancy Week 39

Your Baby

The lanugo (that soft covering of hair) is mostly gone now and your baby will continue to gain weight, even up to the last week or two of pregnancy. It doesn't have much room to move in the uterus so movements may begin to slow. At this point, all the organ systems are developed and in place. Your baby is still building a layer of fat to help control body temperature after birth. The last part of development is the maturing of lungs. Your baby is ready to greet the world. He is approximately 20 inches and weighs little over 7 pounds.

Your Body

Your baby may descend into your pelvis now (if he hasn't already). This is called engagement or lightening and usually occurs before labor in first time moms and during labor in subsequent births. You may be feeling huge and very clumsy as well. This happens because your center of gravity shifts, making you feel off balance. The good news: the uterus is not pressing on your diaphragm any more so you can breathe easier. The bad news: the uterus is now pressing on your bladder so you'll be going to the bathroom even more often then before. Your uterus is now 7 to 8 inches above your naval.

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