Overview of Week 40 of pregnancy
During week 40 of pregnancy:
- Your baby is 20 inches long
- You are in trimester three
- Due date is here
- Baby is fully developed
Congrats! You have reached your due date! Your baby is fully developed and should be making their appearance any day now. This week is all about waiting for labor to arrive and counting down the minutes until you can finally hold your little baby in your arms.
How many months pregnant is 40 weeks?
You are now at the end of pregnancy. You have completed all nine months and now it’s just time to wait for your little one to make their entrance. Your baby could come anytime now; most babies are born by their due date. However, it could still be up to two more weeks until you meet your little one.
How big is baby at 40 weeks pregnant?
This week your little one is the size of a watermelon. Your baby measures around 20 inches long and weighs approximately 7.5 pounds during week 40 of pregnancy. Remember, that these sizes are approximate and each baby grows at its own rate.
Baby development during week 40 of pregnancy
Fully Developed
At 40 weeks, you have reached your due date and your baby will be ready to leave your womb at any time now. Your baby is full-term and fully developed at this point in pregnancy. Their lungs are ready to take in their first breath of air and to let out their first screams. Inside the womb, your baby will continue to gain a bit more weight and their brain will continue to mature while you await the moment you get to meet your little one finally.
Pregnancy Week 40 Symptoms
Mucus plug
Your mucus plug is a collection of cervical mucus that forms around the cervix and acts as a barrier to keep substances from entering your uterus. When you begin to dilate, your mucus plug will begin to fall out and you will notice it on your underwear or on toilet paper after wiping. It appears as a thick, jelly-like substance. Sometimes it will be streaked with blood; this is known as your bloody show. When you notice this, be prepared to start labor in the next few days.
Contractions
You may have already been experiencing Braxton-Hicks contractions, however, be sure to watch out for real labor contractions. Contractions are a tightening, then relaxing, of the muscles of the uterus. True labor contractions occur when each contraction lasts around 30-60 seconds and comes every 5-10 minutes apart. If you are experiencing these contractions, it is best to call your doctor and head over to the hospital right away.
Swelling
Swelling in pregnancy is a normal symptom that usually starts in the second trimester and may worsen towards the end of pregnancy. Excess fluids in the body and pressure from your growing uterus can cause water retention in the feet, ankles, and hands. If you notice your fingers starting to swell, you should remove any rings until the swelling goes down. Let your doctor or midwife know if the swelling worsens or if there is a large amount in your face or around your eyes.
Heartburn
Pregnancy hormones may allow the muscles in the esophagus to relax more frequently, allowing stomach acids to push back up into the esophagus. This is what causes the burning sensation in your chest, known as heartburn or acid reflux. Now that your baby and uterus are growing, there is also more pressure on your stomach which causes acids to be pushed further up. Over-the-counter medications, such as Tums or Rolaids, can help to reduce any discomfort. If any pain persists, it is best to talk to your doctor about other medications that may be available.
Leaking breasts
Your breasts are getting ready to start milk production for your newborn; therefore, you may start to notice some liquid leaking from your breasts in the final weeks of pregnancy. Although, some women may have experienced this weeks, or even months, ago already. The liquid from your boobs is colostrum, the first form of milk your breasts make to feed your newborn.
Pregnancy week 40 tips
Take pictures
Have you taken your weekly baby bump photo yet? These pictures will be a good memory to look back on and it is a fun way to show your belly growing throughout your pregnancy.
Learn signs of labor
Labor could come at any time now; make sure you know the signs that your baby is coming. Talk to your doctor or midwife about symptoms of labor and when you should make your way to the hospital. Here are some common signs of upcoming labor:
- Losing your mucus plug
- Diarrhea
- Your water breaking
- Increasing contractions
Plan your baby announcement
How are you going to announce the arrival of your newest family member? Your little one could be here any day now, so you should start to think about how you plan on introducing them to your friends and family. Will you send a group text, post on social media, or send out cards? Will you send a cute picture of your newborn or plan something funny for your announcement?
Try inducing labor naturally
There are a few things you could do that may help to get the labor process started. If you are ready to get your baby out, try some of the following things to try to naturally induce labor:
- Long walks
- Sex
- Eat spicy food
- Nipple stimulation
- Massages
