40th week of pregnancy: The 40th week of pregnancy at a glance
The skull bones of your child are not yet firmly fused in the 40th week of pregnancy, so that they can still shift at birth. The body of your heavily curled baby now just fits into the uterus.
Soon your calculated date of birth is and the 10th check-up is due. Prepare as much as possible for thepuerperiumin the 40th week of pregnancy so that you can concentrate fully on your small family in the first weeks after birth.
Index
ToggleYour baby’s development in the 40th week of pregnancy
In the 40th week of pregnancy, your child is usually in the correct birth position, it measures around 51 centimeters and weighs 3.5 kilograms. The circumference of his head is 35 centimeters and has skull bones that can shift during the birth process. The fact that your child’s skull bones are not yet firmly fused can reduce the head circumference andyour baby can pass through the birth canal better. If your child is born with a strikingly “dented” head or “crooked” face, this has no lasting consequences. After just a few days, the head has its usual round shape.
The body of your heavily curled baby fits into the uterus in the 40th week of pregnancy. Once it has taken the birth position, its head presses into the softened cervix. With short walks, you can use the pressure on the uterus as preparation for childbirth.
Your body in the 40th week of pregnancy
In the 40th week of pregnancy you are certainly only waiting for a sign of the body and this waiting now has priority over all other errands and considerations. Will the birth start soon or will it be time to wait? If your doctor has already told you at the last check-up that the cervix has passed, it will certainly not be long before thefirst contractionis announced. If suddenly slightly orange foremilk drips from the nipples, this can also be an indication of the birth. Some women also notice the so-called drawing: when the cervix slowly widens, a mucus plug comes off, which previously served as a closure. As a bloody discharge or mucus, it can then make itself felt and indicate that the birth will occur in a few days or perhaps even earlier.
If you suddenly feel like a nice meal with your partner and absolutely want to cook a special favorite dish, the date of birth may not be long in coming. Off to the clinic it means in any case, if you have regular contractions over a period of one hour at intervals of ten minutes, theamniotic sac burstsor if you notice a slight bleeding. But don’t worry: the time until arrival at the clinic will be enough – “taxi births” are statistically very rare.
Questions about the 40th week of pregnancy
What helps with stress and tension?
Some women can hardly wait for the onset oflaborand stress and tension spread, but it is now especially important that you relax. Because only when your body feels “safe” does it get ready for birth. Try to relax, for example with a walk or yoga exercises.
Tips and hints for the 40th week of pregnancy
The 10th check-up
Between the 39th and 40th week of pregnancy, the tenthcheck-upis due. Soon is your calculated delivery date. Almost all preventive examinations are now over. At this appointment, especially your cervix is felt more closely to determine whether it is perhaps already a little open and whether the birth canal has already shortened further. The location of the baby’s head is examined. TheCTGis used to check your baby’s heart sounds and activity.
Preventive check-up every two days
From the 40th week of pregnancy, you will go to the check-up every two days. Above all, the heart sounds of your baby are controlled. The functionality of the placenta and the amniotic fluid are also examined. If it becomes less, you should not wait too long with an induction of labor. At the latest 12 to 14 days after the deadline is exceeded, the birth is initiated.
Farewell to pregnancy
Say goodbye to your pregnancy by taking photos or a plaster cast of your baby bump. So you keep a lasting memory of your time of expectation.
Avoid longer trips
Longer excursions should now be avoided. It is better if the hospital is easy to reach from your respective location. It could start faster with the contractions than expected… Good luck!