Week 40 of Pregnancy

Key Takeaways at Week 40

• You got to the finish line! But that does not mean the baby will take the hint. Many babies stay with their mothers for a few days, if not a week, after their due date. Hey, it's comfortable and cosy in your uterus (Remember, predicting due dates is not an exact science, so your anticipated schedule may be inaccurate)

• Pelvic pressure is genuine. The baby is most likely quite low and focused on preparation for delivery. You can feel yourself waddling. You may also suffer shooting pains in your crotch region when nerves become squeezed

• The average baby weight at 40 weeks is approximately 3.4 kg, give or take.

• If you go past your due date, you may be scheduled for a biophysical profile. This is an ultrasound and non-stress test to ensure that the baby is healthy and that you have adequate amniotic fluid levels

• Week 40 of pregnancy might be mentally challenging because you'll be continuously wondering when the baby will arrive and doubting every pang you feel. If you detect a decrease in the way your baby moves, contact your healthcare practitioner right away. Try not to be stressed, and know that your baby will arrive when they are ready and your body will send you the correct signals

• If you are in Week 40 of your pregnancy you have completed your ninth month of pregnancy

• Technically no more remain in your pregnancy

Baby's Movement and Baby’s Development at Week 40

Your foetus's hair and nails are still growing at 40 weeks. The baby is also continuing to grow its lungs. The baby's organs are fully grown. These ready-to-use organs will enable the infant to function independently very soon, with the additional support of their parents, of course!

By week 40, the baby has also mastered the skill of coordination. They can now respond to sounds, blink, clench their jaw, and even turn their heads, which is impressive. They are preparing for their first experiences in the real world.

Now, the baby is squirming their way deeper into the pelvis, getting comfortable and preparing for their big debut. In fact, at this point, the baby can be lying head down, feet down, or sideways.

You may finally meet and cuddle your baby, who has been growing inside you for so long. Mother Nature does not always follow a schedule. At 40 weeks pregnant, your baby may require additional time. In fact, just 5% of babies are born on their due date, with many arriving more than two weeks later. The wonder is only beginning. Your baby will begin to explore the world, and you will adore each new discovery.

• Baby Weight- In between 3-4 Kg
• Baby Length- Over 21-22 inches long
• Baby Size- Comparable to jackfruit.

Your Baby's Brain is Developing

Your baby's brain is already highly developed at this stage. However, while your baby's brain has experienced incredible changes during your pregnancy, it still has a long way to go. When your infant is born, the lower brain controls the majority of their behaviours, which are known as reflexes. Here are some of the actions you'll see your newborn doing:

• Turn their head towards and suck on an object put near their mouth (the rooting reflex)
• When frightened by something, they throw out their arms and legs (Moro reaction)
• Supporting your child's body and head and allowing their feet to touch a flat surface triggers the stepping reflex. As their brain develops, they will lose these reflexes and gain more control over their movements

What Causes a Baby to be Overdue?

There is no one specific reason why a baby skips their due date. It could run in your family; perhaps you were born late! It can also happen during first-time pregnancies or if you had a previous pregnancy in which the baby arrived late. Some feel that boys are more likely than girls to have a delayed birth. And, in many cases, uncertainty about the date of your last period can result in an incorrect estimation of your due date in which case, the baby is not late at all!

Pregnancy Symptoms and Body Changes This Week

During week 40 of pregnancy, your body is continuously changing. As your baby grows, so will you, and you may feel specific pregnancy symptoms throughout this period.

• Along with stretch marks, some expectant mothers acquire pruritic urticarial papules or PUPPP. This itchy rash, also known as polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PEP), is both harmless and painful. PUPPP can emerge late in the third trimester or early postpartum. If you experience this type of rash, consult your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment options
• You may still be experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions, which are infrequent and unexpected, causing discomfort rather than agony. However, contractions at this late stage may indicate that you are in labour. True labour contractions will be stronger, last longer, and occur closer together
• Your breasts may be leaking colostrum, a waxy, golden milk that provides numerous benefits to newborns
• As your baby kicks, you may feel rib pain. Applying a cooling pack to your ribs may bring relief
• Typical symptoms during week 40 include exhaustion, backaches, pelvic pain, swollen hands and feet, and general discomfort. Your body has been working overtime for the past nine months, but don't give up; the baby will be here soon!

Body Changes This week

You may begin to see indicators of labour. Contact your doctor if you start having regular contractions or if your water breaks.

It's normal to feel both excited and anxious. Try to relax by discussing your worries with family or friends, meditating, and implementing other stress-reduction techniques.

Your uterus has grown to the size of a watermelon. It now stretches from your pelvic area to your rib cage to make room for your baby.

40-week Ultrasound

Once you've completed a full-term pregnancy and reached 40 weeks, your doctor will most likely want to do a biophysical profile. In case you missed it, this is a two-part test. You'll have a non-stress test in which the baby's movement and contractions are tracked to observe how the baby's heart rate responds. Once your due date has passed, you will typically receive a biophysical profile and an NST twice a week. You will have an ultrasound to check the amniotic fluid levels.

If the biophysical profile, non-stress test, and/or ultrasound indicate that the baby would be better off "on the outside" than in utero, induction may be scheduled. If everything appears to be in order, you'll have to wait again. Hey, the baby can't stay in there forever!

Signs of Labour at 40 weeks

You could be 40 weeks pregnant with no signs of labour. But indicators of labour will appear very soon. If you have contractions that are more than slightly unpleasant or continue to occur at regular intervals, contact your doctor straight away. What are the other signs of labour to look for? A leak or flow of amniotic fluid indicates that your water has burst or broken. You'll likely notice since it'll be quite watery, unlike regular discharge, and it won't stop. At first, you could believe it's urine, but then you realise no! You're in labour! Contact your OB.

Is it typical to be forty weeks pregnant?

Of course. (Although at this stage, it may feel like you've been pregnant for ages.) Pregnancy timing can be a little perplexing. You may hear someone say "nine months," although a normal pregnancy lasts 40 weeks, which is longer than nine months. That's why your doctor has been referring to each stage of your pregnancy in weeks, not months. It may seem like the baby is taking a long time in there, but at 40 weeks, they are right on time!

How long does it take to enter labour at 40 weeks?

Your baby is unique, which means that the timing for their arrival is entirely their own. In general, a baby can be born within two weeks of their due date without being termed "post-term," or overdue. We know you want the baby to arrive as soon as possible, but be patient! Your provider should keep a careful check on you and the baby to ensure that you are both doing well.

Tips for Week 40

Ready or not, here comes the baby (sooner or later). Your due date has arrived, and it's now a waiting game. Here's what you can do as you eagerly await your child's birth.

• Remake your bed! Be prepared in case your water breaks in the middle of the night by putting a waterproof mattress cover on your bed. You may want to keep it on even after the baby arrives to capture other messes such as breast milk, spit up and urine
• If you're feeling anxious about the baby's arrival, take some time to unwind and relax. Find a meditation app that you may use whenever you need to turn off your brain's activity and focus on soothing mindfulness. It's also an excellent method to relax before bedtime, and it might even help you get some of that elusive sleep!
• When a contraction occurs, you may stiffen your entire body to alleviate the pain. That can actually make things worse, so try moving in the opposite direction and relaxing your body as much as possible. Close your eyes and mentally scan your body from head to toe, pausing at the points where you feel tense and releasing the tightness in your muscles. When combined with deep breathing, the contraction will end quickly
• The last thing you want to do while driving to the hospital is stop for petrol. This is one of those basic jobs you (or your partner!) can complete this week to be ready for the baby's arrival

Inducing Labour at 40 Weeks

At 40 weeks pregnant, you may be feeling antsy, after all, this is your final week of pregnancy! You may be wondering how to induce labour in natural ways. We advocate going on lengthy walks and having sex. (Both are enjoyable activities and may cause your body to initiate the process.) If you want to attempt acupuncture, that is also regarded as safe. However, many doctors advise against using herbal supplements or drinking castor oil because they are dangerous and unlikely to be effective. You may have heard that stimulating your nipples might trigger labour. It can, but doctors advise against it. In truth, nipple stimulation might produce excessive contractions and jeopardise the baby's health which is not worth the risk.

Now that you've reached your due date, your doctor may suggest that you undergo medical labour induction. Whether or not this is essential will depend on how the baby is doing in there. (If you are having problems or are 40 weeks along with your twins, your doctor might want to schedule this right away.) If your baby is absolutely healthy and there are no issues, you may not require an induction and can continue to labour for a few weeks. (Yes, in weeks. Though it is likely that you will go into labour naturally before the end of next week. It can be worth it to know that you waited till the baby was absolutely prepared.

Your Newborn at Birth

• Newborn baby sizes vary. At 40 weeks, the average infant weighs between 2.9 and 4 kg and measures 20 to 22 inches
• Your baby's skin may not appear how you thought. They are covered in vernix, a protective white, waxy substance until they are washed for the first time. Even after that, their skin may seem mottled in some areas and blue in others (due to immature circulation), with dry patches
• Your baby's genitals may become larger. Your baby's genitals may be momentarily enlarged at birth as a result of pregnancy hormones (which is normal)
• Their vision is a little fuzzy. After birth, your baby will only be able to focus on items 8 to 12 inches away from their face, which is exactly how far away your face is when feeding them. With time and proper diet, their vision will develop
• DHA from breast milk or baby formula remains vital for brain development. You can continue to take DHA-containing prenatal supplements. DHA can also benefit a baby's eyesight development
• Your baby will recognise the familiar sound of your voice. So go ahead and start chatting with your child right away

Checklist for Week 40

• Confirm all preparations for the baby's arrival
• Consult your doctor about induction options
• If your doctor orders it, have a non-stress test
• Try some ways to induce labour naturally
• Although babies develop at varied rates, they experience fast changes in four crucial areas controlled by the brain shortly after birth. Age-related milestones measure development in cognitive, physical, social, and communicative skills. Take a look at some basic things you can do to help your baby grow

Frequently Asked Questions on Week 40 of Pregnancy

1. How much movement should I feel at 40 weeks?
   As a general guideline, you should experience ten baby movements every hour. At this point, the baby's movements resemble larger rolls and swishes rather than solid kicks, but they still count! However, how much movement you feel ultimately depends on how well you know your baby. By 40 weeks, you've probably perfected the baby's movement pattern. If you notice your baby is being especially quiet and not moving much, doing kick counts every hour can be reassuring. If your baby does not move at all within an hour, it could be a symptom of foetal distress, and you should contact your provider immediately.
2. How will I know if I am leaking amniotic fluid?
   Amniotic fluid can be released abruptly or gradually. Check the liquid's consistency, colour, and smell. The texture of amniotic fluid will be more liquid than a usual, thicker discharge. You might also notice white particles in the liquid from the baby's outer layer, known as the vernix. Amniotic fluid will also appear clear, though it may be pink or yellow. Finally, amniotic fluid normally has no odour. Because increased vaginal discharge is normal during pregnancy, many people wonder if they are leaking amniotic fluid. If you are having second thoughts, call your doctor, and they will determine what is wrong.