40 Weeks Pregnant

Welcome to the home stretch of your pregnancy journey. You’ve made it to week 40—congratulations! This is a milestone not just for you, but also for the little bundle of joy you’ve been nurturing all this while. In this article, we’ll guide you through the possible symptoms and changes happening in your body at 40 weeks pregnant, and the signs that labour might be just around the corner. We’ll also give you a peek into how your baby is spending these final days inside your belly at 40 weeks pregnant, and provide tips on how to take care of yourself and get ready for the big day.

Highlights at 40 Weeks Pregnant

At 40 weeks pregnant, your baby could arrive any day now, but they might also prefer a few more days inside your cozy belly. Here are a few highlights from this week:

• Your baby is now about the size of a small pumpkin—and they’re getting ready to meet you!

• They may be moving into a head-down position in preparation for delivery, if they haven’t done so already.

• You may see a pinkish/bloody vaginal discharge at 40 weeks pregnant—this means you may have lost the mucus plug. It’s one sign that labour may be near.

• Whether you’re expecting a vaginal birth or cesarean delivery, read up and become informed about both options.

• Haven't decided on a name yet? Let our Baby Name Generator help:

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40 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby’s Development

Your due date is here, and you could meet your little one any day now! But don’t be surprised if they decide to spend a few more days in the coziness of your belly. If you don’t go into labour within a week of your expected due date, your healthcare provider will keep an extra close eye on your baby’s heart rate and movement to be sure that all is well.

• Your baby’s head has likely dropped lower into your pelvis, and their body is curled up tightly. They don’t have much choice—it's pretty crowded in there.

• If your baby is in a breech position (bottom down or bottom and feet down), your provider may attempt to turn them by placing firm pressure on your abdomen. If that doesn't work, your provider may discuss the possibility of cesarean delivery with you.

• You've been getting ready to meet your baby, and they’ve been getting ready to meet you too! Their little body has been gaining fat up until this point, so they can more easily adjust to life outside the womb, and their liver, lungs, and brain are also still developing.

How Many Months Is 40 Weeks Pregnant?

Now that you’ve reached the amazing milestone of 40 weeks pregnant, you may be wondering what that is in months. While there are different ways to divide weeks into months, for the purposes of pregnancy, 40 weeks is considered full-term at nine months.

Baby's Size at 40 Weeks Pregnant

At 40 weeks pregnant, the average baby is about the size of a small pumpkin. Babies generally weigh between five and a half and nine and a half pounds at birth (if they’re full-term). Keep in mind that this is just an average—pretty soon, you’ll know your baby’s exact birth weight and length.

Your Baby: What Does 40 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?

Although not every baby is head-down this week, here’s an illustration of how your baby may be positioned at 40 weeks:

Your Body at 40 Weeks Pregnant

Your body has accomplished the incredible task of nurturing and protecting your baby throughout your pregnancy. Read on to learn more about the processes involved during vaginal delivery and a cesarean section.

Vaginal Birth

If you’re having a vaginal birth, when the time comes, you’ll go through three labour stages before you meet your baby.

First Stage

During the first stage, which includes two phases called “early labour” and “active labour,” you will experience cervical effacement, which means your cervix will start to open by stretching and thinning. At this stage, you’ll feel contractions starting in your back area and moving toward your belly. These contractions move your baby lower down into the birth canal.

Although each person’s labour experience is different, some can be in the early labour phase for as many as 14 to 20 hours before progressing to active labour, which is when the cervix dilates about six centimetres. Active labour may last between four and eight hours.

It’s not uncommon to spend most of your early labour at home; your healthcare provider will be able to give you personalized advice as to when you should head to the hospital. If you start to notice the early signs of labour any time around 40 weeks pregnant, try to make the time as relaxing as possible.

You might want to go for a walk or take a warm bath at home, or you could listen to your favourite music or start practicing any breathing techniques you’ve learned in your childbirth education classes. Check out our online birthing classes for in-depth expert information on all stages of childbirth.

Second Stage

Once your cervix is fully dilated (10 centimetres), you’ve made it to the second stage of labour. This is when you’ll be encouraged to push to help move your baby through the birth canal and out into the world.

This part is usually a bit quicker (lasting about half an hour to three hours, on average) but can be more physically demanding and painful than the earlier stage of labour.

Third Stage

Finally, after you deliver your baby, you’ll reach the third and final stage of labour. This is when you’ll deliver the placenta. You’ll probably still feel contractions as the placenta detaches from the uterus and comes out, but this stage is usually quicker and less uncomfortable than delivering your baby.

If you haven’t done this already, you might like to read up on the medical interventions your healthcare provider may recommend or the ones you prefer. These include having an epidural or getting an episiotomy.

Discuss your preferences with your provider in advance or add them to your birth plan. If you’re unsure exactly what your preferences are, ask your provider why such medical interventions may be recommended and what the risks and benefits are of each.

Cesarean Birth

Not all pregnancies deliver vaginally. You may have a scheduled cesarean section, or your healthcare provider may decide that a c-section is the best action once you’re in labour.

For cesarean delivery, you’ll first be given anesthesia to numb you or put you to sleep before surgery. Then, after being prepped for surgery, your doctor will make an incision in your abdomen and uterus and remove the baby and placenta manually.

If your c-section is planned, your partner will likely be allowed in the operating room with you during surgery.

40 Weeks Pregnant: Your Symptoms

Here are some symptoms you may be experiencing at 40 weeks pregnant.

• Snoring. Many pregnant people experience some changes in their breathing during pregnancy, and you might be snoring more than usual as you approach your due date. This could be because hormonal changes can cause your nasal passages to dry out. If snoring is a problem for you or your partner, try using a humidifier in your bedroom or sleeping with nasal strips across your nose.

• Losing the mucus plug. During pregnancy, this plug sealed off your cervix to prevent bacteria from entering your uterus. When you go into labour—or even a few days or weeks before—you’ll lose this plug. If you lost your mucus plug at 40 weeks pregnant, you may have noticed a pinkish, bloody, or clear discharge; however, not everyone will notice it. If you experience heavy vaginal bleeding (that’s heavier than spotting) at any time around 40 weeks pregnant, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

• Contractions. You may have felt Braxton Hicks contractions earlier in your pregnancy, but you’ll know it’s the real deal when your contractions hit at regular intervals and come more and more frequently. Another way to tell true labour contractions from the false variety is that true labour contractions will not subside when you move or change positions. If you’re experiencing cramping or period-like pains but no contractions at any time around 40 weeks pregnant, take note of whether those pains get closer together or more intense over time—if so, what you may be feeling is contractions! If you think you are experiencing true labour contractions at 40 weeks, or you’re unsure (perhaps they’re painful but irregular, for example), contact your healthcare provider for advice.

• Water breaking. This happens when the amniotic sac surrounding your baby ruptures, releasing the amniotic fluid. It can be one of the signs of labour at 40 weeks pregnant. Your water can break several hours before labour starts or even once labour has begun. When it happens, you might find it’s not as dramatic as the movies would have us believe. Some pregnant people experience a gush of fluid and others only notice a trickle.

How Big Is a Pregnant Belly at 40 Weeks?

Your uterus has probably finished expanding now—there’s been a lot of growth in the past nine months! Before your pregnancy, your uterus started out at around two ounces, and at 40 weeks, it may now weigh about two and a half pounds.

You and your healthcare provider have likely been monitoring your weight gain throughout your pregnancy. Most of this weight comes from your own stores of fat, your baby’s body weight, and extra blood and fluid volume. You’ll lose most of the weight gained during pregnancy once your baby is born. Keep in mind that you’ll have a lot on your plate when your newborn is here, so take things slowly and try not to put too much pressure on yourself to “bounce back” into shape.

What Does 40 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?

Here’s a general idea of how your belly might look around 40 weeks pregnant:

40 Weeks Pregnant: Things to Consider

Before your little one arrives, here are a few things you might want to consider during your 40th week of pregnancy:

• Don’t be surprised if your baby doesn’t arrive exactly on their due date. Remember that your due date is just an estimate and that your pregnancy won’t be considered post-term until you hit 42 weeks. If you give birth a bit later than expected, it could be because your baby just wants a little extra time in your comfy belly.

• During the final weeks of your pregnancy, you’ll probably visit your healthcare provider about once a week. At these visits, your cervix and the baby’s health and movements will be checked. If you haven’t gone into labour by 41 or 42 weeks, your healthcare provider might make a plan for inducing labour. After 40 weeks of pregnancy, the amount of amniotic fluid in your uterus may start to decrease, and the placenta may not be as effective at nourishing and protecting your baby as it once was. Try not to worry, as your healthcare provider is keeping a close eye on you and your baby and will know the best course of action. If you do go into labour but it doesn’t progress normally, your healthcare provider may recommend inducing labour or suggest another method to help labour progress.

• Though you're eager to greet your baby, try and consider these final days as an opportunity for a little self-indulgence. If you’re 40 weeks pregnant and see no signs of labour, why not treat yourself to a pedicure, take in a movie, or read a book from cover to cover? You could also use this time to sleep in and take regular naps so that you’re well-rested for your new arrival and all the fun that’s to come.

• When the time comes, let your birth partner support you during labour. Your partner can help keep you company, help time your contractions, and offer you a soothing massage to help take your mind off any pain or discomfort.

• It might help you feel more prepared to read about the things that may be in store for you after you give birth. Here are just a few articles that you may find interesting on the postpartum period:

  • Postpartum recovery and healing

  • Diastasis recti

  • Why postpartum hair loss happens

  • What are the signs of postpartum depression.

40 Weeks Pregnant: Questions for Your Healthcare Provider

Here are a handful of questions you may have for your healthcare provider at forty weeks pregnant:

• What are some symptoms not to ignore at 40 weeks pregnant? (Tip: Contact your healthcare provider if you’re 40 weeks pregnant and have a severe headache, fever, persistent nausea, heavy vaginal bleeding, or chest pain.)

• At 40 weeks pregnant, do you recommend induction of labour or waiting?

• Is my baby being very active at 40 weeks pregnant a sign of labour?

• What, if anything, can I do at home to jumpstart labour?

• Is it safe to have sex so close to my due date?

• Is it ok if I’m not dilated at 40 weeks?

• What should I do if I notice changes in how much my baby is moving?

• What should I expect in terms of postpartum recovery? Are there any postpartum symptoms I should contact my healthcare provider about?

• How soon after giving birth can I start breastfeeding ?

• Can I swim or do other activities at 40 weeks pregnant?

• What do you recommend if I’m 40 weeks pregnant with twins?

• What happens if my baby doesn't drop by 40 weeks?

40 Weeks Pregnant: Your Checklist

At 40 weeks gestation, take a look at our to-do list.

☐ Check with your hospital or birth centre to see if their facilities include bathtubs or showers that you can use during labour. Some pregnant people find that hydrotherapy can help lessen pain and discomfort.

☐ Download the Pampers Rewards app to earn discounts and gifts on all the diapers and wipes you’ll be buying in the coming years.

☐ If possible, organize some help around the house for the first few days and weeks after your baby is born. Friends, neighbours, or nearby family members may be happy to pitch in with meal preparation, grocery shopping, or caring for your older children.

☐ Read up on how to time contractions or download a contraction timer app on your phone.

☐ Make a list of all the people you want to tell as soon as your little one’s born so you don’t forget anyone. If you plan to make a social media announcement, you may want to draft something now, then just fill in details like the time of birth and your baby’s weight later on.

☐ If you haven’t packed your hospital bag at 40 weeks pregnant, now would be a really good time to start getting together the essential items you’ll need at the hospital or birthing centre. Use our handy hospital bag checklist to make sure you haven’t missed anything.

_{How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.}