40 Weeks Pregnant

39 Weeks Pregnant

What to Expect When You are 40 Weeks Pregnant

Summary: when you are 40 weeks pregnancy, you are almost there. You might show signs of labor at any day. However, a large number of babies are born post-term.

Introduction

When you are 40 weeks pregnant, you are almost at the end of your pregnancy. Your baby is fully developed and ready to come in the world. Soon you will be able to hold your baby in your arms. Keep these happy thoughts in your mind because this week of your pregnancy may also be the most stressful. Once your due date has passed, it is only natural to feel a little frustrated and miserable. But rest assured that it is completely natural. Plenty of women go into labor at or after 40 weeks of pregnancy. Since your pregnancy is counted from the date of your last period, there is room for error because some women ovulate later than expected. Even if the date calculated is correct, many women are pregnant past their due dates for no reason at all. So, first learn about what to expect and relax at this last stage of your pregnancy.

What is Happening

When you are 40 weeks pregnant, your baby’s exact size is hard to predict. The average size of a newborn is about 20 inches long and weighing 7.5 pounds. In other words, the baby is about the size of a small pumpkin. The baby’s skull bones have not fused yet. This means that the bones are able to overlap if it is a tight fit through the birth canal. So, if your baby’s head is a bit elongated after delivery, don’t worry. It is perfectly normal and the shape of the head will soon return to normal.

Symptoms

Since you are at the almost at the end of your pregnancy, look out for any signs of labor. The first sign of labor may be as dramatic as your water breaking. The membrane actually breaks in only 15% of the cases. Even if you are showing no signs of labor at the end of this week, don’t be worried. You still have a couple of weeks to go before your doctor will label your pregnancy as “post-term”. However, your doctor might prescribe some test to ensure that your baby is well.

You may have to get a biophysical profile (BPP) which is basically an ultrasound to test your baby’s movements. A non-stress test (NST) may also be done to monitor your baby’s heart rate. Finally, the doctor may also test the amniotic fluid which is a good indicator of whether your placenta is functioning properly. If the results of these tests are not reassuring, or if you are experiencing no contractions even when you are post-term, then your doctor may have to induce labor.