Pregnancy: Week 40

We are now waiting for labor not by days, but literally by hours. It may begin at any moment. The Creator Himself has determined this timing, and all our calculations are only approximate estimates.

How the Baby Feels

The baby has completely filled the uterus, and movements have slowed down — there is very little space left for active motion.

At this stage, the baby’s weight is about 3.2–3.8 kg, and the length is 50–54 cm. These are typical “birth parameters.” As a rule, girls are born with a lower weight but may be taller than boys.

While staying in the womb, the baby has grown tired of the darkness and, in recent weeks, of the tight space. Due to elevated estrogen levels, the baby’s mammary glands may appear slightly swollen — this will normalize a few weeks after birth. In newborn girls, increased estrogen levels may also cause vaginal discharge. The meconium (the first stool) accumulated in the intestines of the unborn baby is sterile, but immediately after birth, various microorganisms begin to colonize the intestines.

So, What Is a Newborn Like?

A newborn can surprise parents in many ways. First, the baby often arrives not exactly on the expected due date, but several days earlier or later. Second, the baby’s appearance itself may be surprising.

Newborns may look unusual: the head can have an irregular shape (which usually corrects itself within 1–2 days); the skin color may range from grayish-bluish to brownish or even yellowish. In addition, the baby’s skin may be covered with vernix caseosa (the protective creamy coating), traces of maternal blood, or meconium.

The baby may also have pigment spots or areas of peeling skin — all of these disappear over time.

Crying Is Essential

Announcing their birth with a loud cry is every newborn’s duty. With the first cry, the baby takes the first breath, expands the lungs, and begins independent breathing.

If the baby does not cry immediately, gentle stimulation, such as light tapping, may be used to encourage crying.

How the Mother Feels

At last, the increase in body size has stopped. Having gained about 12–16 kg, the mother usually maintains this weight until delivery. The uterus has reached its maximum size and is now positioned 36–40 cm above the pubic symphysis and 16–20 cm above the navel.

The skin of the abdomen is stretched very tightly, which can cause itching from time to time. At 40 weeks of pregnancy, the mucus plug may come out and contractions may begin.

At 40 weeks, expectant mothers are often troubled by two main questions:
– Why hasn’t the baby been born yet?
– What should I do if labor suddenly begins?

Stay calm. Your baby will be born when he or she is fully ready — both physically and emotionally. Relatives who worry even more than the mother should also try to stay calm.

Second Labor

So, here you are at 40 weeks of pregnancy — subsequent births almost always differ from the first. Any gynecologist will tell you this. However, no one can say exactly how long they will last. During second and later births, the cervix opens more easily because the body has already “been through” this process. As a result, contractions are usually shorter and more regular.

Pregnancy Week 40. The pregnancy is full-term, and the baby may be born today or tomorrow. Therefore, if at 40 weeks the belly becomes hard, contraction-like pains occur frequently and at regular intervals, and the abdomen lowers — all of these are signs that labor has begun.

The Most Important Moment

While waiting for labor to begin, remain calm. Do not get irritated by small things. Keep a positive mood. During contractions, practice relaxation techniques and proper breathing. Your body has been preparing for this moment for a long time — and now it has arrived. When true labor begins, act according to your prepared plan, without panic or haste.

You have done an enormous job. You have completed this difficult journey. Your reward is your child — a new person and the continuation of your family line. Congratulations!