Week 40 of your Pregnancy

You

Will baby come this week? Don’t get too hung up on your due date – though it might seem as though everyone else is. You’re likely to get lots of phone calls from inquisitive friends and acquaintances as your due date draws near; in fact, it’s not uncommon for pregnant women at this stage to leave a weary message on their voicemail informing callers that there’s no news yet!

At your antenatal visit, your doctor or midwife will assess the position of your baby and may check to see if you have started dilating (when your cervix opens). A common concern for just about every imminent mum is how to tell if labour has begun.

Keep an eye out for the development of labour contractions. These differ from the Braxton Hicks contractions you may have had before, occurring at regular but increasingly shorter intervals and becoming more intense as they progress.

You may also pass a blood-tinged mucus discharge, called the ‘show’ or cervical plug, and your waters may break. As your due date creeps up, don't be surprised to find yourself thinking, ‘just get this thing out of me!’

But the uncomfortable sleeps, varicose veins, haemorrhoids, back pains and heartburn endured will soon fade as you have the exhilarating pleasure of meeting your little darling. Prepare yourself for love at first sight!

Baby

It won't be long before your baby is nestled lovingly in your arms. He weighs around 3 kg now, is about 50 cm in length and all his systems (from his circulation to his kidneys and muscles) are developed. He might have a full head of hair, or he might be bald; he might look just like your family, or just like your partner’s family; rest assured you will be finding similarities from both sides for years to come.

Photo: Fetus at 40 weeks - Scan provided by
Sydney Ultrasound for Women

3rd Trimester Week by Week

Week 27
Week 28
Week 29
Week 30
Week 31
Week 32
Week 33
Week 34
Week 35
Week 36
Week 37
Week 38
Week 39
Week 40


1st Trimester
(Weeks 1-12)
2nd Trimester
(Weeks 13-25)

Related Articles

* Am I in labour: Signs & stages of labour
* Due dates: The facts
* 10 tips for an easier labour
* Common questions: Labour and delivery
* Picking your pain relief
* Natural methods to bring on labour
* More labour and birth articles

Useful Tools

* Shopping for a baby checklist
* Hospital bag checklist




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