Your baby's development in the 40th week of pregnancy

Final preparations: Your baby is completely ready to be born in the 40th week of pregnancy. To make the start easier, it is now storing fluid reserves, with which it can bridge the time until the milk comes in. Although the colostrum is already very nutritious, the portions are still relatively small at the beginning. Starch is now increasingly stored in the liver, which the body converts into glucose and thus energy after birth.

How big will your baby be? Your baby's length growth has slowed significantly in recent weeks. Quite individually your child has grown and gained weight. The development of your little human depends on many factors and is always exactly right, as long as your child is healthy. How big and heavy it is can only be stated with certainty by your doctor after birth, because it has not been fully captured on the ultrasound image for some time.

Some skull bones not yet fused: With an impressive circumference of around 35 cm, the circumference of your baby's head is the largest part of the baby's body. So that his head can pass through the birth canal, the individual skull bones are not yet fused together. During birth the bones probably shift a little, so that the head circumference is reduced for delivery. Some babies therefore come into the world with a "crooked" head into the world, whose shape, however, usually returns to normal on its own in the first days of life.

Amount of amniotic fluid decreases: In the 40th week of pregnancy your baby is so big that it uses every centimeter in the uterus and continues to displace the amniotic fluid. In examinations it is now being checked whether the amount of fluid is still sufficient to protect and supply your child. As soon as this is no longer the case, labor will be induced.

What can be seen on the ultrasound image?

In the 40th week of pregnancy your baby is about 51 to 52 cm so large that it has to bend its arms and legs as much as possible to still fit in your belly. With its approximately 3,400 grams it has probably reached its average birth weight. For some time now, the size and weight of your child have also been noticeable on the ultrasound image \rnoticeable, because it is no longer fully visible. That certainly increases curiosity about your new arrival even more.

Physical changes – what happens to the mother in week 40 of pregnancy?

The desire for the birth grows stronger: Since the 38th week of pregnancy you are prepared that it could begin at any moment. With the calculated due date at the end of the 40th week of pregnancy many women now feel inside a very strong desire to hold their baby in their arms. Many are simply no longer in the mood for the pregnancy. Even if you like to look back on the last ten months, it's slowly time to get rid of the baby bump and welcome your little one. You may also feel this week the signs of labor more strongly: stronger Braxton Hicks contractions, diarrhea or increased pressure on your pelvic floor. Then hopefully you will have made it soon and your child can start life.

Birth positions: How will my baby be born?

There are numerous positions in which a woman can give birth. The motto is: try them out. During your childbirth preparation course your midwife has certainly presented some options – hands-and-knees position, on the side, squatting or standing. You can try all of these during labor to see which position you feel most comfortable in.

Standing position: For most women, giving birth while standing or squatting causes the least pain and can even shorten labor. With the help of gravity your baby moves more easily through the birth canal and does not have to take as sharp turns as, for example, when sitting. However, since giving birth while standing can become very tiring over time, many delivery rooms have a rope or cloth attached to the ceiling that you can hold on to or even hang in. Your birth companion can also support you.

Sitting position: Many women find giving birth while sitting comfortable because they can lean on their partner. You can also sit on a birthing stool or a birthing ball.

Hands-and-knees position: For this position you get on your knees and hands. If you prefer to rest your arms on your partner's lap, that is also possible.

Supported side-lying: In this position the woman lies on her side and supports herself with her arms. This reduces downward pressure.

Here's how to naturally get labor started in the 40th week of pregnancy

If in the 40th week of pregnancy you are impatiently waiting for contractions to get stronger, you can try to coax your baby into the world using natural methods. Ask your midwife what she can recommend. Also the consultation with your doctor is advisable. Light physical activity, warm baths, nipple stimulation or abdominal massages are well-known home remedies. Sexual intercourse can also help promote contractions because the release of the hormone oxytocin is increased during intercourse. That also stimulates contractions of the uterus. However much you may hope for it, don't forget: Home remedies only help if your baby is really ready. Until it decides to come into the world, you will unfortunately have to be patient.

Image credits

Illustration of pregnant women © designer_things - stock.adobe.com

Pregnant woman with daughter smiling and looking at the display during the prenatal examination at the hospital © Kirill Gorlov - stock.adobe.com