40 Weeks pregnant

Week 40 starts on day 280 and goes up to day 287. It is your forty-first pregnancy week.

Length of your baby: 50 centimeter / 19.7 inches
Weight of your baby: 3400 grams / 7 lbs 8 ozs

Your pregnancy at 40 weeks 

 

What's happening with mum 

So this is it. If you have accurately calculated everything and baby is running to schedule then congratulations will soon be in order as this is the day your little one will make an appearance, although....not necessarily. Recent statistics have shown that only 1 in 30 women actually give birth on their due date but this is also dependent on a number of factors such as age and whether or not this is your first pregnancy.

If you do experience your water breaking or tightening pains in your tummy resembling period cramps occuring regularly, it is advisable to take note of just how regular these pains occur. Contractions usually begin light and over time become heavier and more regular as your cervix muscles contract and relax to push your baby into the world.

Arrival times also vary from woman to woman and some labours last a lot longer than others. Relaxing and listening to the advice of your midwife who has had plenty of experience in this area, should help put you at ease, making the birth of your child a pleasant and life changing experience.

 

What's happening with baby

Baby should be getting impatient now, his head should be pressing heavily into your pelvis, crown at the door of your cervix, eager to be born.

He will still be receiving nutrients and nourishment via the placenta which has been providing him with the antibodies required to fight off infection. Once this chord between you has been severed, colostrum, the first milk your breasts produce will continue to provide him with antibodies to boost his immune system for the first few days.

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