What should I expect at 40 weeks pregnant? Is it safe to be pregnant at 40 weeks? What happens if you don't go into labour at 40 weeks?
You've probably been eagerly counting the days to this final week! Congratulations! It's almost time for you to meet your little one. Don't forget, only five per cent of babies come out on their due date so worry not if your little one wants to stay in there a little longer. Here's what you should expect at 40 weeks pregnant.
40 Weeks Pregnant is How Many Months?
The 40th week of pregnancy is the last week of your pregnancy. That means it's the last week of the third trimester before you go into labour and give birth.
When you're 40 weeks pregnant, your baby has been growing inside your uterus for about 9 months.
That means that if you're a few days late from your due date, your doctor may be able to tell you when exactly your baby will be born. If you've been having regular contractions for a few hours but haven't given birth yet, this number can help tell if it's time to head to the hospital or if it'll be another couple of hours before you deliver!
Is it safe to be pregnant at 40 weeks?
Absolutely, it's generally safe to be pregnant at 40 weeks. In fact, it's the point when your baby is fully developed and ready for life outside the womb. However, it's crucial to keep up with your prenatal check-ups and let your healthcare provider monitor your progress to ensure a healthy delivery.
Week 40 of Pregnancy: Baby
This week, your baby is the size of a large mango!
Your baby is ready to be born. At week 40 of pregnancy, they're practising their breathing and heart rate, which may cause a "rhythm change" in your baby's heart rate. Your doctor will check for this during your next visit.
You're probably starting to feel more movement from your baby now—they're about 3 pounds and growing fast! They are be able to hear you talking to them now, too.
Baby’s Growth
Ah, the big four-oh. It's waiting time! Anytime soon, your little bundle of joy will be here. And even though you might not feel like it, your baby is still growing at a pretty astounding rate.
Even at week 40 of pregnancy, the placenta continues to produce hormones that help keep your pregnancy going smoothly. The amniotic fluid that surrounds the foetus is critical for keeping him or her warm, cushioned from bumps and bruises and protected from infection.
You're carrying a full-sized pumpkin in your womb! Since the baby is at full term this week, he or she is measuring around 51.2cm and weighs about 3.4kg!
Baby's Development
In this week-by-week pregnancy guide, you'll learn that:
- They are yet to make their way through the birth canal.
- Their skull bones are not yet fused. This allows the bones to overlap if the journey through the birth canal is tight. This is called moulding and explains why your baby’s head is more oval than round.
- The waxy covering on your baby's skin has already been shed, so expect a few dry spots in the baby's skin when you see them for the first time.
- At week 40 of pregnancy, your little pumpkin is very eager to meet you since they already recognise your voice when you talk or sing to them.
Baby’s Hearing
Your baby is already in their final month of development. This is a critical time for your little one, as they can hear everything around them. Their hearing has been developing since day 21 of their life, but it will be fully developed by week 40.
By this stage in your pregnancy, your baby will be able to hear sounds that are loud enough to reach their eardrums, which is why you may notice them reacting differently to certain noises than they have in previous weeks of your pregnancy.
They can also distinguish between sounds that are close and far away from them, which means that if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed with noise levels at home or work (or anywhere else), try playing some calming music for your little one!
Baby’s Teeth
At week 40 of pregnancy, your baby’s gums will start to become red and swollen. This is because the tooth buds are starting to form under the gums. These buds will eventually turn into teeth!
Baby’s Movement
This week, you may notice your baby moving more than usual. It's important to know that this is normal and doesn't mean anything is wrong. You might even feel your baby moving around inside of you!
This is a great time to start familiarising your baby's movements. Try using your hands to feel for the different parts of your body (head, arms, legs), or ask someone else to help you with this—it can be really fun!
You can also try using an ultrasound machine to see if you can get a glimpse at what your baby looks like right now.
40 Weeks Pregnant: Your Body
You may feel like you've been pregnant forever, but the end is finally in sight. At 40 weeks pregnant, you're probably ready to meet your little one and see what they look like!
The time has come for your body to make its final preparations for delivery. This week will be a big one as you have a lot of changes happening inside and outside of your body.
You may already be used to having Braxton Hicks contractions, or false contractions. But now that your pregnancy is already full-term, you need to be on the lookout for signs of labour.
40 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms
What should I expect at 40 weeks pregnant?
At 40 weeks, you can expect a mix of excitement and impatience! Your belly's at its largest, and you might experience signs of impending labour, like contractions, your water breaking, or losing your mucus plug. It's a waiting game, so make sure your hospital bag is ready and your support system is on call!
- At 40 weeks pregnant, you will continue to feel uncomfortable as your baby makes his way down your pelvis.
- You will feel sharp pains in the abdomen, your vaginal area, and along your legs.
- Emotionally, you may feel frustrated and impatient that your baby hasn't yet arrived. But there are different reasons why babies choose to come out past the due date.
- You may also experience an uncomfortable feeling in your pelvis due to a certain someone's little head bumping up against your hips.
- At week 40 of pregnancy, loose bowel movements may signify that your labour is coming soon.
- Be on the lookout for clear, odourless vaginal discharge that you cannot keep from leaking. It can be a sign that your amniotic sac has ruptured.
40 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms Not to Ignore
While some discomfort is typical at this stage, there are signs you shouldn't ignore. If you notice decreased fetal movement, severe headaches, vision changes, sudden swelling, or any unusual discharge, contact your healthcare provider right away. These could be signs of complications that need immediate attention.
Maternal Weight Gain
You’re in the final weeks of your pregnancy. It’s been a long journey, and you’re almost there.
The average weight gain during the whole pregnancy is 25 to 35 pounds. You may have gained more or less than that according to your body composition, overall health and genetics, among other factors. It’s important to remember that as long as you are gaining at least -4 pounds per month during this period, then you are doing just fine!
In addition to gaining weight, many women experience swelling in their hands and feet due to fluid retention. This happens because your body is retaining water for breastfeeding purposes and preparing for delivery by helping cushion your baby from impact when he or she arrives in the world!
Nutrition
As you approach the end of your pregnancy, you're probably starting to think more about what your baby will eat when they're born. This is a great opportunity to start thinking about your diet as well! You'll want enough protein, iron, and calcium before the big day arrives.
If breastfeeding, you'll also need to consider how this will impact your diet. Breast milk contains protein, carbohydrates, fats and other important nutrients for your baby. It also contains antibodies that help protect your little one from illness. The more nutritious foods you eat while breastfeeding, the better they'll be able to grow and develop during their first year of life!
40 Weeks Pregnant Labour and Delivery
What happens if you don't go into labour at 40 weeks?
If your baby's a no-show at 40 weeks, don't panic. It's called "post-term pregnancy." Your doctor will monitor you closely and may induce labour if needed to avoid any potential risks. It's all about keeping you and your little one safe.
40 weeks pregnant pain but with no contractions - what does it mean?
If you're feeling pain but not having contractions, it could be normal discomfort due to the baby's position, or it might be a sign of an underlying issue. Always reach out to your healthcare provider to discuss any pain you're experiencing. They can help determine if it's just part of the pregnancy process or if there's something that needs attention.
Pregnancy Care: Your Checklist at 40 Weeks Pregnant
- Don't lose sleep over when and where your water will break. Sleep is rare enough as it is.
- Learn to recognise when your amniotic sac has ruptured. Amniotic fluid is usually colourless and odourless. You probably leak urine if you notice fluid that looks yellowish and smells of ammonia.
- Another method to test if your amniotic sac has ruptured is by attempting to stem the fluid's flow by squeezing your pelvic muscles (Kegel exercises). If the flow stops, it’s urine. And, if it doesn’t, it’s amniotic fluid. Call your doctor immediately if your water breaks and the fluid is green or brown. It could mean that your baby has had a bowel movement (meconium) in your uterus.
- With your baby due any minute, the best thing to do is to kick back and relax. Catch up on some well-deserved beauty sleep.
- Are you aiming for a natural birth? Read up on different ways to induce labour without the use of medications. Different positions can help you achieve a normal delivery too. Moreover, you can also read about gentle c-sections as a last resort.
- Finally, ensure your birth partner is informed and ready when it's time to go to the hospital.
Your next week: 41 weeks pregnant
Your previous week: 39 weeks pregnant
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