39 Weeks Pregnant Urge To Poop But Nothing | Amy Baby Review

Last Updated on April 20, 2023

Being 39 weeks pregnant can be a challenge for many women as the body begins to prepare for labor and delivery. One of the most common discomforts associated with this stage of pregnancy is an increased urge to poop, even when nothing comes out.

This can be a frustrating experience as it may lead to feelings of discomfort or distress. In this article, we’ll explore why this happens and what you can do about it.

We’ll also provide tips on how to manage your symptoms so that you feel more comfortable during your final weeks of pregnancy.

39 Weeks Pregnant Urge To Poop But Nothing Comes Out

Urge to poop 39 weeks pregnant? At 39 weeks pregnant, you may feel like you need to poop but find nothing happens when you try. This is often due to the pressure of your baby’s head on your rectum and anus.

On the other hand, it could be constipation or gas buildup in the large intestine.

If you are experiencing this at 39 weeks of pregnancy, the possibility that this could be a sign of labor is much greater.

However, there are some signs and symptoms of labor that you should look out for. These are:

• Contractions or tightenings
• A “show” is a sign of labor when the plug of mucus that is blocking your cervix (the entrance to your uterus) begins to appear.
• An urge to poop due to your baby’s head pressing on your bowel.
• Backache
• The waters breaking or amniotic fluid leaking.

“Urging to poop is a sign of labor and when you are reaching 39 weeks of pregnancy,” says Dr. Elaheh Mossayebi, Ob/Gyn specialist at Kaiser Permanente, California. “It is a good idea to be prepared for the labor and childbirth process.”

If you experience any of these symptoms or are concerned, it is best to speak to a doctor or midwife. They can assess your situation and give you advice on what to do next.

“As labor approaches, these contractions can become stronger and more frequent, leading to an increased urge to have a bowel movement even if nothing comes out.” added Dr. Elaheh.

However, if you are 39 weeks pregnant feel like I have to poop but don’t and you’re constipated and didn’t poop for a while, you can eat high-fiber foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes which are important for keeping your digestive system healthy. 

Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water can also help reduce constipation symptoms.

During the 39th week of pregnancy, the body goes through many changes and causing the body to produce more hormones that affect the digestive system. These hormones relax the intestine muscles, leading to increased bowel movements. 

“As the last weeks of pregnancy approaches, corticotrophin-releasing hormone levels dramatically increase, coinciding with a major spike in cortisol levels.” explained Elaheh. 

“It’s important to remember that it’s normal for women to experience an increase in their urge to poop at 39 weeks pregnant even if nothing comes out.” she added. 

However, this doesn’t mean you should ignore any other signs or symptoms you may be experiencing, such as cramping or abdominal pain – these could be indicators of preterm labor. 

If you experience any of these signs or symptoms, contact your doctor or midwife immediately for further advice and support.

To manage the feelings of discomfort associated with having an increased urge to poop but nothing coming out, there are several steps that you can take:

– Take warm baths or sitz baths which can help relax tense muscles and ease pain;

– Exercise regularly, which helps promote good circulation and strengthen muscles; 

– Use heat pads on your stomach, which can provide relief from abdominal pain;

– Try massage therapy as this can also help relieve tension;

– Increase your intake of fiber-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds; 

– Take natural laxatives such as prunes or figs in moderation; 

– Make sure that you’re getting enough sleep each night; 

– Avoid foods that are high in fat which could potentially cause constipation;

– Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. 

Being 39 weeks pregnant is a significant milestone for any woman – it’s important not only for her physical health but also for her emotional well-being too! 

Taking steps such as those outlined above will help reduce feelings of discomfort associated with having an increased urge to poop but nothing coming out so that women feel supported during their final weeks of pregnancy.

Also read: Twisting to crack back while pregnant

Does The Urge To Poop Mean Labor Is Near?

Some women experience an increased urge to poop as labor approaches, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that labor is near. 

It’s common to have more frequent bowel movements in the days leading up to delivery. However, it’s important not to confuse this with actual labor contractions. 

Labor contractions are typically stronger and longer lasting than those associated with increased bowel movements. 

They also tend to become more regular over time, whereas bowel movements can vary from day to day, depending on diet and other factors. 

Therefore women need to be aware of the differences between these two types of contractions to know when it’s necessary to seek medical attention. 

Also read: One side of belly bigger during early pregnancy

Watch this video on How to know you are in labor

Why Do I Feel Like I Have To Poop But Nothing Comes Out While Pregnant?

As mentioned above, it is common for pregnant women to experience an increase in their urge to poop at 39 weeks, even if nothing comes out. 

This is largely due to a combination of hormonal changes and increased pressure on the rectum caused by the baby’s head during this stage of pregnancy. 

As labor gets closer and your body begins preparing for delivery, hormones such as relaxin are released, which can cause your pelvic muscles and abdominal muscles to relax and make it easier for the baby to pass through the birth canal. 

On the other hand, your body also releases Progesterone hormones during pregnancy that relax your intestines or bowel, so they don’t work as hard to squeeze waste out through your body.

This relaxation can cause contractions in the bowels, resulting in an increased urge to have a bowel movement and constipation. 

Additionally, with the baby’s head pressing down on your rectal area, you may feel more urgent or frequent urges to go to the bathroom even if nothing comes out.

Therefore, feeling like you have to poop but nothing comes out while pregnant is normal. 

The best way to ease the discomfort during this time is to stay hydrated, eat plenty of fiber-rich foods and take regular walks. 

Additionally, talking to your doctor about any medications that may help improve bowel movements can also help.  

Also Read: How many calories does giving birth burn

Symptoms At 39 Weeks Pregnant

1. Increase in vaginal discharge

You may notice an increase in the amount of vaginal discharge you’re experiencing at 39 weeks pregnant. This is a normal sign of your body preparing for labor.

2. Constipation and Hemorrhoids

As your baby grows, it can put pressure on veins around your rectum, leading to constipation and hemorrhoids.

3. Shortness of Breath

As your baby gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus, it can make it difficult for your lungs to expand as much as they need to for proper breathing, leading to shortness of breath.

4. Braxton Hicks Contractions

These painless contractions act like a warm-up for labor. You might feel them as your uterus contracts in preparation for delivery.

5. Nesting Instinct

At 39 weeks pregnant, you may start to experience a strong urge to clean and organize your home or get everything ready for the baby’s arrival. This is known as nesting instinct.

6. Pelvic Pressure

You may feel pressure in the pelvic area due to the position of your baby’s head in readiness for labor.

7. Swelling

Swelling can occur in different parts of the body at 39 weeks pregnant, including your feet, hands, face and ankles. This is due to increased fluid retention during pregnancy.

8. Cramping

At this stage of pregnancy, you may experience cramping as your body prepares for labor. If you experience any cramping or pain that doesn’t go away after a few minutes, contact your doctor right away.

9. Difficulty Sleeping

As the baby grows bigger and takes up more space in the womb, it can become uncomfortable to move around or find a comfortable position for sleeping at night. 

Additionally, frequent trips to the bathroom and anxiety about the upcoming birth can make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep at this stage of pregnancy.

10. Emotional Ups and Downs

The mix of hormones in the body often leads to emotional ups and downs at 39 weeks pregnant. You might feel a rollercoaster of emotions as you get closer to your due date, from excitement to anxiety and everything in between.

11. Headache, backache

As your baby grows bigger, it can press on nerves in your lower back and legs, leading to aches and pains. This can also cause headaches due to the extra pressure on blood vessels.

12. Increased Urination

Towards the end of pregnancy, you may find yourself needing to visit the bathroom more frequently as your baby takes up more space in your uterus and puts pressure on your bladder.

13. Passing Mucus Plug

As labor approaches, a thick mucus plug may pass from the cervix which will appear pink or slightly bloody. This is normal and is a sign that your body is getting ready for delivery.

14. Thicker and shinier hair 

As your estrogen levels peak, you may experience thicker and shinier hair during the third trimester.

15. Dizziness

As you enter the last few weeks of pregnancy, you may experience dizziness due to your growing uterus putting extra pressure on blood vessels.

16. Sore or leaky breasts

At 39 weeks pregnant, your breasts may start to leak colostrum. This is the first milk that your baby will consume after birth. Additionally, your breasts may become increasingly sore and tender as you get closer to delivery.

17. Drop in Baby’s Movement

As you get closer to your due date, you may notice a decrease in your baby’s movements as they begin to run out of space. This is normal and is a sign that your baby is preparing for labor.

18. Stretch marks

The increased skin elasticity that occurs during pregnancy can cause stretch marks to appear on your stomach, breasts and thighs. These will fade in time and may even disappear completely after delivery.

Tips For Dealing With The Wait At 39 Weeks Pregnant

At 39 Weeks pregnant, it can be tough to deal with the wait as you anticipate giving birth. 

Here are some tips for dealing with this:

Take time out to enjoy yourself – use this time to relax and spend quality time with family and friends.

Keep yourself busy – try taking up a new hobby or start an exercise routine so that you have something to focus on rather than worrying about when labor will start.

Track your progress – keeping a journal of changes in your body can help make the waiting period feel more manageable. 

Focus on positive outcomes – take some time to think about how excited you are for your baby’s arrival rather than feeling anxious about when it will happen.

Speak to your doctor or midwife – if you have any labor-related concerns, it’s important to speak to your health care provider. They will be able to provide advice and reassurance.

Get plenty of rest – make sure that you are getting enough rest so that you can stay as healthy and energized as possible before giving birth.

Following these tips can help make the wait at 39 weeks pregnant a little bit easier. 

What To Do When Labor Begins?

When labor starts, you can do the following:

1. Contact your health care provider to inform them of the start of labor.

2. If you are planning a hospital birth, it’s a good idea to call ahead and let the hospital know you are en route.

3. Begin timing your contractions and keep track of their duration and frequency.

4. Have a plan in place for getting to the hospital or birthing center. Depending on your location, you may need to call an ambulance.

5. Make sure that you have any necessary items packed and ready in advance, such as a birth plan, comfortable clothing, snacks, and other necessities. 

6. Once you arrive at the hospital, a nurse will check your vital signs and monitor the baby’s heart rate.

7. Your doctor might recommend medications to ease pain or induce labor if it is not progressing on its own.

8. The birthing team may offer various comfort measures as well, such as massages, warm compresses, or a shower.

9. During delivery, your health care provider will help you stay comfortable and guide you through each stage of labor.

10. After the birth, your doctor will provide medical care to both mother and baby as needed.

Should You Worry If You Have No Signs Of Labor Yet?

At 39 weeks pregnant, it is normal to feel anxious as you anticipate your baby’s arrival. However, you should remember that every pregnancy is different and there are no set rules when it comes to labor signs. 

Some women may experience certain signs, such as Braxton Hicks contractions or a “bloody show” before labor begins, while others may go into labor without any warning signs.

If you have not had any obvious signs of labor yet, it is best to speak to your doctor or midwife for advice. They can monitor your progress and provide reassurance if necessary.

FAQs

Wrapping Up

Thanks for taking the time to read this article on 39 weeks pregnant urge to poop but nothing comes out. As you can see, it is perfectly normal to feel an increased urge to poop during the last few weeks of pregnancy.

However, if you are experiencing any other signs or symptoms, it’s best to speak with your doctor or midwife for advice and support. It’s important to take care of yourself and stay hydrated during this stage of pregnancy in order to keep your digestive system healthy.

We hope you found this article helpful. Thank you again for reading!

Please share this article with other expecting mothers to let them know it’s perfectly normal to feel an increased urge to poop during the last few weeks of pregnancy.

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References:

• https://www.webmd.com/baby/preeclampsia-eclampsia
• https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/39-weeks-pregnant