39 weeks pregnant symptoms not to ignore

I know I mentioned that mild swelling of your feet and ankles is normal in pregnancy, but there are times that swelling can be a cause for concern. One thing you might be at risk for at 37 weeks, and really any point during pregnancy, is preeclampsia. 

If your swelling is severe or if it is accompanied by a headache that won’t go away, vision changes, sudden weight gain, stomach, shoulder, or lower back pain, sudden nausea, or shortness of breath or chest pain, it could be something more serious and you need to be evaluated. 

Other symptoms not to ignore include: 

• Decrease or change in fetal movement
• Any kind of vaginal bleeding
• Signs your water might have broken
• Intuition that something might be off

If your provider (or anyone else for that matter) tells you that it’s normal for babies to move less the bigger they get, do not listen! Babies absolutely should not move less the bigger they get.

If you notice a decrease or change in their movement you need to call your OB and/or head to your place of delivery immediately for evaluation!  The last thing we want you to do is sit around your house and worry when you can easily be evaluated and have a peace of mind.

39 weeks pregnant and no signs of labor

If you are 39 weeks and not experiencing any signs of labor just yet, try not to get frustrated just yet. I have been in your shoes, mama! 

I actually went past my due date with both of mine, despite doing all the things to jump start my labor. Your time will also come. Assuming you are low risk with an uncomplicated pregnancy, you are probably a good candidate to give some of the things from my “Natural Ways to Induce Labor” article a whirl. 

Disclaimer: none of them should be done without your specific OB provider’s blessing first and none of them are guaranteed to send you into labor, but what do you have to lose (those were my thoughts at least). 

I know you are tired and frustrated and over being pregnant, but try your best to stay mentally focused, you can see that flag waving at the end of the finish line!

Headaches at 39 weeks pregnant

Some women experience headaches throughout pregnancy. Hormones can do some pretty crazy things to our bodies, including causing headaches. Experiencing a headache at 39 weeks, or really at any point in pregnancy, can however be indicative of something else going on. 

An isolated headache that is resolved fairly quickly with rest, hydration, or Tylenol, usually isn’t a cause for concern. A headache that just won’t go away and is accompanied by visual disturbances such as spots of floaters, sudden weight gain, swelling in your face and/or hands, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, pain in your upper abdomen or shoulder, elevated blood pressure, or any other symptom that just doesn’t sit right with you deserves prompt evaluation. 

Preeclampsia can make both you and baby pretty sick if untreated so I highly, highly, highly recommend evaluation if experiencing a headache and any of the previous listed symptoms. 

39 weeks pregnant and very tired

If you are very tired at 39 weeks pregnant, you aren’t alone. Your body has basically been running the longest, most demanding marathon of your entire life. Cut yourself some slack and try and take those little breaks whenever you can find them. 

Fatigue and exhaustion is one of the most common complaints throughout pregnancy, especially towards the end. A sudden increase in exhaustion at 39 weeks might be related to an abrupt shift in hormones that can potentially indicate labor is coming. 

I’m not encouraging you to hop in your car and rush to the hospital but just a little somethin’, somethin’ to keep in mind!