Week 39 of pregnancy: Staying Comfortable While You Wait

At 39 weeks, the wait may feel longer than the calendar suggests. You can focus on comfort and the next care conversation without trying to make labour happen. A plan for the day can stay small enough to change if you feel tired or need an appointment.

Make meals and rest more comfortable

If heartburn is bothering you, smaller meals and remaining upright after eating may help. Avoid eating in the three hours before bed. If symptoms persist, ask your midwife, doctor or pharmacist about suitable treatment and mention that you are pregnant. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without advice.

Our pregnancy heartburn guide discusses treatment questions and symptoms that need assessment. New or severe discomfort should not automatically be blamed on pressure from the baby.

Continue going to sleep on your side, including for naps. Either side is suitable; if you wake on your back, turn onto your side. Supporting your bump or knees with pillows may make it easier to settle. The sleeping positions guide explains this advice in more detail.

Understand an offer of a membrane sweep

NICE recommends discussing a membrane sweep after 39 weeks. It involves a vaginal examination in which a clinician separates the membranes from around the cervix with a finger, if this is possible. It may increase the chance of labour starting without further induction methods, but it is not a guarantee.

You should be asked for consent. The procedure can be uncomfortable or painful and may cause some bleeding. Ask what to expect, what symptoms should prompt a call and what the next step would be if labour does not start. You can decide whether to accept the offer.

Avoid making home induction the day’s task

There is no proven home method for starting labour using particular foods, drinks or sex. Herbal supplements may be harmful, and their safety for this purpose is uncertain. Do not use them as a substitute for discussing your care plan. Sex should be avoided after the waters have broken because of infection risk.

If you have been advised to have an induction, ask about its reason, options and timing. Advice for an uncomplicated pregnancy does not replace an individual recommendation.

Reduce the pressure around waiting

Consider choosing one person to update others, or deciding when you want to check messages. Ask for practical help rather than more predictions about when the baby will arrive. Before the next visit, write down the one question you most want answered about continuing pregnancy or planning birth.