Click the purple button for more details
40 Weeks Pregnant
Your 40th week begins
1-3 weeks of pregnancy4 weeks of pregnancy5 weeks of pregnancy6 weeks of pregnancy7 weeks of pregnancy8 weeks of pregnancy9 weeks of pregnancy10 weeks of pregnancy11 weeks of pregnancy12 weeks of pregnancy13 weeks of pregnancy14 weeks of pregnancy15 weeks of pregnancy16 weeks of pregnancy17 weeks of pregnancy18 weeks of pregnancy19 weeks of pregnancy20 weeks of pregnancy21 weeks of pregnancy22 weeks of pregnancy23 weeks of pregnancy24 weeks of pregnancy25 weeks of pregnancy26 weeks of pregnancy27 weeks of pregnancy28 weeks of pregnancy29 weeks of pregnancy30 weeks of pregnancy31 weeks of pregnancy32 weeks of pregnancy33 weeks of pregnancy34 weeks of pregnancy35 weeks of pregnancy36 weeks of pregnancy37 weeks of pregnancy38 weeks of pregnancy39 weeks of pregnancy40 weeks of pregnancy
Your 40th week begins
1-3 weeks pregnant 4 weeks pregnant 5 weeks pregnant 6 weeks pregnant 7 weeks pregnant 8 weeks pregnant 9 weeks pregnant 10 weeks pregnant 11 weeks pregnant 12 weeks pregnant 13 weeks pregnant 14 weeks pregnant 15 weeks pregnant 16 weeks pregnant 17 weeks pregnant 18 weeks pregnant 19 weeks pregnant 20 weeks pregnant 21 weeks pregnant 22 weeks pregnant 23 weeks pregnant 24 weeks pregnant 25 weeks pregnant 26 weeks pregnant 27 weeks pregnant 28 weeks pregnant 29 weeks pregnant 30 weeks pregnant 31 weeks pregnant 32 weeks pregnant 33 weeks pregnant 34 weeks pregnant 35 weeks pregnant 36 weeks pregnant 37 weeks pregnant 38 weeks pregnant 39 weeks pregnant 40 weeks pregnant
40 Weeks Pregnant
Your 40th week begins
Your baby is the size of a pumpkin.Your baby this week
This Week
Your baby is already ready to come into the world, as are all his organs and bodily functions. Do you know how to recognize the signs of labor when it happens? Continue Reading
Your summary
- Development The lungs are now mature and as soon as the umbilical cord is cut, baby will start breathing on their own.
- Agenda Watch for signs of labor, and as soon as you notice contractions, time them to see the interval between each one.
- How many months is 40 weeks? 40 weeks pregnant is 9 months. With week 40 of pregnancy, you are in the final week of your 9th month of pregnancy.
DAY 1 • OF WEEK 40
One of the main symptoms that the big moment has arrived is an effaced or thinned cervix. It is possible to check the condition of the cervix with a pelvic exam, but it can also be confirmed through ultrasound… Continue Reading
DAY 2 • OF WEEK 40
Is there a difference in shaving for vaginal or cesarean birth? If it is a vaginal delivery, do you need to be fully shaved, unlike the cesarean, which is only cut at the site? See how and why to do the ideal shaving for childbirth… Continue Reading
DAY 3 • OF WEEK 40
IMPORTANT: Have you decided to use a postpartum girdle? Choose the right models and never buy a size smaller than what you usually wear. Wearing a girdle that is too tight can have the opposite effect and even be harmful to the new mom’s recovery.
DAY 4 • OF WEEK 40
For the baby to come out through normal delivery, complete dilation of the vagina is necessary. But how does this dilation happen, and how long does it take? For those who have never gone through this, there are many questions about what it feels like at this moment… Continue Reading
DAY 5 • OF WEEK 40
It is very difficult to determine what contractions really feel like, since each woman experiences them in her own way and intensity. But one thing is for sure: labor and contractions always lead to the same place, delivery… Continue Reading
DAY 6 • OF WEEK 40
When a baby is born into the family or even to a close couple of friends, the excitement to meet them is natural. But following some basic rules is essential to avoid turning the visit into a nightmare.
DAY 7 • OF WEEK 40
IMPORTANT: If the maternity hospital where you are having your baby allows you to have an accompanying person, don’t forget to pack your partner’s bag. After all, he will also need to shower, change, and brush his teeth. Enjoy every minute of this moment because it is unforgettable!
key information box:
- At 40 weeks pregnant your baby is already ready to come into the world, just waiting for the green light from the hormones to make their appearance!
- After birth, they will still be able to see about 30 cm (12 inches) from your face, which is about the distance to mom’s face while breastfeeding.
- Tiredness sums up the mother at 39 weeks pregnant!! Exhaustion and reaching your limit are obvious since the belly is so big and it’s hard to sleep well, walk properly or even do everyday tasks.
- If there is no medical recommendation against it, try to maintain intimacy frequently.
- All you need now at 40 weeks of pregnancy is to remain calm and peaceful so you can have a smooth delivery and enjoy your baby’s arrival.
Your baby this week
Click the purple button for more details
More information about 40 weeks pregnant
At 40 weeks pregnant, your baby is already ready to come into the world. It’s just waiting for the green light from hormones to make its debut! With fetal development now complete, your baby is getting ready to finally meet this world! Their whole body is fully developed, including internal organs, which are already functioning as expected. All their senses are active and respond to stimuli, and in time, each one will adapt and improve even more. Your baby’s little heart beats quickly1, around 110 to 160 beats per minute.
At 40 weeks of pregnancy, your baby’s respiratory system, which had been maturing in recent weeks, is now ready2. As soon as the umbilical cord is cut, the baby will begin to breathe on their own. Your baby’s eyes, which were used to seeing only a short distance inside the womb, now have to adjust to seeing things farther away. After birth, they will still be able to see about 30 cm (12 inches) from your face, which is about the same distance as mom’s face during breastfeeding.
Each baby is born with a different weight and length, but at 40 weeks it is normal and expected for a baby to weigh an average of 3.4 kg (7.5 lbs) and measure 51 cm (20 inches). All their bones are now firm and strong except for their skull, which has not yet closed to make it easier to pass through the birth canal.
How mom is feeling
Tiredness sums up how moms feel at 40 weeks! Exhaustion and reaching their limits are evident. Your bump is really big, making it hard to sleep well, walk normally, or even do simple everyday tasks. To make things worse, the anxiety can be so intense it even takes away your appetite! But there’s nothing to do except wait for your body to react and show you that the time has come. It’s nearly time, and it could happen at any moment now.
If at 40 weeks pregnant your contractions are still only coming occasionally, you can start going for walks. Walking helps speed up labor, and the expectant mom can walk for about an hour a day, but it’s important to choose a time when the sun isn’t too intense. Remember, pregnancy can last up to 41 weeks. But if things don’t progress, it’s very common for the doctor to induce labor or schedule a cesarean section.
If there is no medical recommendation against sexual activity3, try to be intimate as much as possible. Sexual intercourse can help speed up the onset of labor. This happens because substances are released during sex that help speed up contractions and cervical dilation. If you can, keep being intimate until the very last minute!
External factors
The phone won’t stop ringing and messages keep coming in, with everyone wanting to know if the baby has arrived yet! This kind of thing disrupts the mom’s and her close family’s peace, who already have their own anxiety to handle—plus everyone else’s. If you can, avoid and protect yourself from these questions! All you need now, at 40 weeks, is to stay calm and peaceful to ensure a smooth delivery and enjoy your baby’s arrival.
Photo: J.Gabás Esteban, Susan NYC
You ask, we answer
Ask your personal question and our specialists will take the time to answer it individually
Over 1 million questions asked and answered
From Dr. Mariana Grecco and Patricia Amorim for Famivita
