40 weeks is the average length of a normal healthy pregnancy. However, this can vary from mother to mother. Learn about the changes, progress and preparation you can make for your 40th week of pregnancy.
Once you reach your 40th week of pregnancy, that means your wait is finally over and you are almost at your due date. This is the ninth month. Your baby inside you is now finished, ready to make a move out of your womb. They will soon come into your world to make you feel the joy of motherhood.
If you are not in labor yet, there is no need to worry at all! (30% of pregnancies are before 40 weeks). The little boy or girl inside you will take a little longer to make it out of your womb. The road may be a little longer, but the emotions can keep you surprised and also keep you on your toes. It’s just a matter of patience now. The baby can be there at any time. Chances are, you will only be able to welcome your baby into your world this week.
So, here’s everything you need to know about 40u week of your pregnancy – be it your baby or your body.
See how your baby is getting ready to meet you?
At 40 weeks pregnant, your doctor will have you undergo some important tests. A biophysical profile (double test), a non-stress test (measures the baby’s movements and heart rate) as well as 40 week pregnancy ultrasound The scan is essential to monitor your baby’s health at this stage. Well, here are the changes or developments you might notice in your baby:
The size of the baby
When your doctor measures the baby inside you, from top to bottom (crown-body length) your baby will be 36.3 cm. The height of the baby at this stage can be more than 51.7 cm1. In addition, the weight of your little one will be around 8 kg 2. About the size of a small pumpkin. If you deliver your baby this week, it may be smaller or bigger, but your baby will be healthy, almost like the perfect chubby babies in the magazine.
The baby that accumulates fat
Your baby’s body will be made up of enough subcutaneous fat by this week. This fat in your baby’s body will help you keep the baby’s body temperature under control inside. However, if you happen to give birth this week, the subcutaneous fat will help maintain the baby’s body temperature even after birth.
The immune system will be stronger
The placenta is the most important organ between you and the little one. The baby is fed the necessary oxygen and nutrients through the umbilical cord blood and removes waste materials. The placenta has another important function to protect the baby from infections by passing the antibodies from you to your baby. These antibodies from the placenta will help fight the infection even after the first 6 months of his/her life.
The baby’s skull is soft
Ideally, by now, your little one is already in the birthing position with his head facing the birth canal. (There may be cases where the baby may take the breech position – its cute toes would be facing the birth canal). Therefore, the baby’s skull will be soft and flexible (appearing with soft spots also known as fontanels) to allow passage through the birth canal easily and smoothly.
Your baby’s skin and skin color
Your little one’s skin inside you may look dry because the polish has already come off. The waxy coating of vernix is like a moisturizing lotion on your baby’s body. That said, while the baby’s skin may be reddish-purple, their hands and feet may have a blue tint.
The baby’s hair and nails continue to grow. In addition, the eyes (central vision will be a little blurry), chest and genitals may be swollen.
All in all, your little one is getting ready to make a move outside of your womb.
As you experience some of the common changes in your little one this week, you’ll feel a lot changing inside and out.
How is your body and mind preparing to hold the little one in your arms?
By this time, you already know that your little one is “done”. However, you may still be in doubt about when your little one will arrive. However, patience is the ‘key’ for you now. You are more likely to put on weight – anything between 25 and 35kg.
The end of pregnancy can leave you overwhelmed and extremely confused, along with many physical challenges.
There is no guarantee of when your water breaks
This is the onset of labor. This indicates that your precious and sweet arrival will be imminent. In this condition, there is a rupture of the amniotic membrane. Although a subtle phenomenon, it is a slow and colorless leakage of amniotic fluid. If you observe the amniotic fluid, it looks and smells like yellowish urine. Contact the doctor or go to the hospital immediately if you feel that your water has broken.
There is an unfounded fear of labor or you may experience false labor (Braxton Hicks contractions)
You may have already experienced Braxton-Hicks contractions in the previous week or throughout your pregnancy journey. These are repetitive, uncomfortable and painful abdominal cramps. You could hardly tell them apart from the real workers. However, you can note one thing here, the contractions may be irregular and erratic, but the intensity may be strong and frequent.
Experience the various stages of labor
You will experience real labor pain. While the early or latent phase of labor may not be regular and not very painful and will last for 30 to 45 seconds (Cervix dilates and thins), in active labor. contractions are stronger, longer and more painful. In the transition stage the contractions are intense. During all these stages of labor, it can be very difficult for you to truly relax. When you reach the stage of full dilation, it is time to push the baby out of your uterus (The moment you need immediate hospitalization).
Since the little one has slowed down a bit, it’s still moving in there, giving your entire uterus, pelvis, back, legs and vagina a very good but painful time. Flutters or rolls to the count of 10 are very important!
Dealing with this rock and roll will also wear you down – both physically and emotionally. Emotional upheavals about your future baby may cause you to get the nesting or cleaning instinct (This will be your energy level).
Do you know how to deal with 40 week pregnancy symptoms?
While you wait to welcome your baby into your world and get ready for labor and delivery, encourage your baby to get into position.
Natural remedies
Help yourself with these simple, safe and natural remedies:
- Lively walking. A short walk can act as a catalyst for both your body and the baby. Doing Kegels is important when contractions occur. They may not be able to eliminate pelvic pain, but you may feel the pain lessen as much as possible. Continue to do Kegel exercises daily (they are helpful for your birth and recovery).
- Continue to massage the perineum daily. Massage of the perineum (the skin between the vaginal opening and the rectum) involves massaging and stretching the skin.
- Do prenatal yoga poses to keep yourself calm as well as stress-free.
- Monitor the timing of the contractions
- Eating spicy foods or foods rich in fiber, unlike the other stages of pregnancy
Medical Assistance
In terms of physical health support, vaginal and perineal pain relief, easier use of the bathroom, and breast pain relief are essential. So your provider helps you with these things:
- Anesthetic spray to numb the vaginal and perineal area
- Try the warm sitz bath
- I give you frozen maxi pads
- I’m giving you a donut cushion to sit on
- Give ibuprofen to ease the pain
- Have you wear nursing pads and a supportive bra
- Apply hot and cold compresses to the chest
- Give you prescription pain medication
- Let your partner stay with you the whole time to talk to your provider until you deliver your baby.
- Talk to your support groups – physical as well as online, share each other’s experiences and keep yourself relaxed.
- Your decision about cord blood banking is an important one. Umbilical cord blood that is rich in stem cells is curable for over 80 types of life-threatening diseases. I hope you have your cord blood collection kit with you before you go to the birthing center.
This may not be easy for you but with the above mentioned techniques you can win your work challenges.
I hope you have a healthy delivery!
