Pregnancy Week By Week (Week 39)

Week 39 Fetus

Must-ask Questions this Week (Week 39)

Will castor oil speed up the labor process?

While there is some truth in this, it is not recommended because taking castor oil may trigger some powerful bowel cramps that will only add to your misery during labor.


Can sex help to bring on labor?

There is no hard science behind this claim; while there is some prostaglandin in semen, there isn't enough to move things along in a major way. So if you know someone who went into labor after some sexual activity then it is a mere coincidence. By all means indulge but don't expect it to trigger labor; do it for time pass or fun.


Is it safe to use herbal products to induce labor?

No. It is not a good idea to use herbal products to induce labor. Herbal products have not been standardized in dosage and potency for you to have an accurate sense of how much you should take. Secondly you risk triggering contractions that can be very strong - strong enough to cause the placenta to separate prematurely from the uterine wall causing a medical emergency for you and your baby.


Spicy foods, drives on bumpy roads impact on labor?

They are not going to do much for your labor. At the most it will help you pass the time.

Some Basic Pointers (Week 39)

Labor pains vary in intensity from woman to woman. Some may feel intense pain throughout the delivery process, while others experience less pain. Pain relief may be necessary if the mother is not able to cope with the contractions and the length of their duration. There are some common options to consider before you go into labor:


Analgesics

Stadol (butorphanol) and Nubain (nalbuphine) are two common analgesics that relieve pain to some degree but don't eliminate pain altogether. This means that there is no complete loss of sensation and they so do not inhibit a woman's ability to push during labor. They are given typically in small doses during the early stages of labor; like all drugs they can cross the placenta and a baby born shortly may exhibit temporary respiratory depression. To play it safe, these drugs are usually withheld until you reach 2½in of dilation. Naloxone (narcan) may be given to the baby to reverse the side effects.


Anesthesia

Epidural a regional anesthesia is administered by an anesthetist in the 'epidural' space of the spinal cord in the lower back. In most cases it allows the woman to experience the pressure of the baby moving through the birth canal. Mothers are alert and relatively comfortable throughout delivery. Only small amounts of the anesthetic cross the placenta into the baby because the medications are injected into the epidural space, where they directly block the nerves, rather than into the bloodstream. Read Full Article


The last few weeks of Pregnancy: week 39

• Co-enzyme Q10 improves the ability of muscles cells to use oxygen and metabolize energy. Take a supplement or eat rich food sources

• Eat plenty of foods rich in vitamin K which is vital for blood clotting for you and baby

Your Nutrition (Week 39)

A word on Calcium, Magnesium and Zinc

These three minerals are essential for your baby.

• Calcium significantly reduces your risk of developing preeclampsia, which is more prevalent in women pregnant for the first time


• Magnesium helps to prevent premature labor by minimizing uterine contractions. It also lowers your baby's risk of cerebral palsy or mental retardation after birth because it provides protection to the developing nervous system


• Zinc is vital for the healthy development of your baby's nervous system. It also reduces the incidence of infection during pregnancy


• These minerals also reduce the occurrences of heartburn, leg cramps and insomnia


Women lack calcium primarily because adults drink inadequate amounts of milk. If you avoid milk because of being lactose intolerant, then choose lactose free milk. 2 grams of calcium per day is sufficient; this can be obtained from dairy foods, calcium rich foods such as salmon, broccoli, and tofu. If you choose to include calcium supplement then your best bet is either calcium carbonate or calcium citrate for best absorption. Calcium carbonate is the most concentrated and economical form of calcium. Finally calcium is best absorbed when taken with food. Your target for magnesium should be 800mg. Dairy foods are a rich source; other food options are fruits and vegetables (bananas, beans, spinach, avocados) and grain foods (oatmeal and brown rice). For zinc your goal is 30mg per day. Protein foods such as meat and eggs, dairy foods and grains provide you with zinc that you require.