Week 40 of Pregnancy

Pregnancy Week 40 marks your due date, an exciting and anticipated milestone as your baby is now fully developed and ready to meet you. Healthcare providers calculate pregnancy from the first day of your last menstrual period, and by week 40 your baby is often compared to the size of a small pumpkin or a jackfruit, typically weighing around 3.4 kilograms.

Understanding week 40 of pregnancy can help you know what is happening in your body as you wait for labour to begin, whether that happens right on your due date or in the days that follow.

What Happens During Week 40 of Pregnancy?

During week 40, your baby is fully developed and ready for life outside the womb. The skull bones remain flexible and slightly separated, allowing them to move slightly during delivery to help your baby pass through the birth canal.

It is completely normal for labour to begin before or after your due date, as only a small percentage of babies are born on their exact due date.

What Are the Symptoms of Pregnancy in Week 40?

Pregnancy symptoms in week 40 often reflect the final approach to labour.

• Strong, Regular Contractions

Contractions that become regular, increasingly intense and closer together can signal that labour has begun.

• Increasing Pelvic Pressure

As your baby remains settled low in the pelvis, pressure often continues to feel strong.

• Lower Back Pain

Persistent lower back pain, sometimes rhythmic, can be an early sign of labour for some people.

• Restlessness or Difficulty Sleeping

Anticipation and physical discomfort can make it difficult to settle or sleep during this final stage.

• Water Breaking

The amniotic sac may rupture at any point, which is an important sign to contact your healthcare provider.

Baby Development in Week 40

• Fully Developed and Ready for Birth

Your baby's organs, brain and lungs are now fully prepared to function independently outside the womb.

• Average Size Reached

Most babies weigh around 3.4 kilograms and measure about 51 centimetres at this stage, though healthy ranges vary widely.

• Skull Remains Flexible

Your baby's skull bones remain slightly separated and flexible, allowing gentle movement during delivery.

How Does Your Body Change During Week 40?

Week 40 is mainly characterised by continued cervical changes as your body prepares for labour to begin.

• Cervix Continues Ripening

Your cervix continues softening, thinning and gradually dilating in preparation for labour.

• Increased Monitoring

Your provider may recommend additional monitoring if labour has not yet begun by your due date.

• Body Prepares for Labour

Hormonal changes continue preparing your body for the onset of labour.

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What Should You Eat During Week 40 of Pregnancy?

A nutrient-dense diet remains important in week 40, especially as your body prepares for the physical demands of labour.

• Choose Energy-Sustaining Foods

Whole grains and balanced meals can help maintain energy for labour and delivery.

• Include Protein in Your Diet

Protein continues supporting your body and your baby. Eggs, fish, chicken, paneer, tofu, beans and lentils are useful sources.

• Eat Light, Easily Digestible Meals

Light meals can be easier to manage if labour begins, while still providing steady energy.

• Choose Iron-Rich Foods

Iron continues supporting your blood volume ahead of labour and delivery.

• Stay Hydrated

Adequate water intake supports overall energy and wellbeing as you await labour.

What Foods and Substances Should You Avoid?

As you approach labour, avoiding certain substances and foods remains an important part of a healthy pregnancy.

• Alcohol and Tobacco

Avoid alcohol and smoking completely, as they can affect your baby's developing brain and organs.

• Excessive Caffeine

Keep caffeine intake within the limits recommended by your healthcare provider.

• Raw or Undercooked Foods

Choose properly cooked foods and follow good food-safety practices, avoiding raw or undercooked meat, eggs, unpasteurised dairy and high-mercury fish.

• Heavy or Hard-to-Digest Meals

Very heavy meals can feel uncomfortable if labour begins; lighter, balanced meals are often easier to manage.

Exercise During Week 40 of Pregnancy

Gentle movement can help ease discomfort and may support the onset of labour, though it is important to listen to your body and rest when needed.

Choose activities that are comfortable for your fitness level, and avoid suddenly starting strenuous exercise without appropriate guidance.

• Walking and Gentle Exercise

Walking is a simple, low-impact way to stay active and may help encourage your baby's descent and labour readiness.

• Stretching and Yoga

Gentle stretching and suitable prenatal yoga practices can support relaxation and help ease tension as you await labour.

How Can You Prepare for a Healthy Pregnancy?

Week 40 is a good time to stay calm, stay prepared, and trust your body as you wait for labour to begin.

• Time Your Contractions - If contractions begin, track their frequency and duration to share with your healthcare provider.

• Continue Prenatal Vitamins - Keep taking a prenatal vitamin with folic acid as recommended by your doctor until delivery.

• Stay in Touch With Your Provider - Follow your provider's guidance on monitoring and when to head to the hospital or birth centre.

• Rest and Conserve Energy - Balance activity with plenty of rest, since labour can be physically demanding when it begins.

• Manage Stress - Practice relaxation techniques such as meditation, gentle yoga or deep breathing to help ease anticipation.

What Tests and Checkups Are Useful During Week 40?

Your healthcare provider may recommend a combination of tests around this stage to confirm your baby's wellbeing and monitor your health.

• Non-Stress Test or Biophysical Profile

If your due date passes without labour beginning, your provider may recommend additional monitoring to check your baby's wellbeing.

• Cervical Check

Your provider may continue checking for signs of cervical dilation and effacement.

• Discussion About Induction

If labour has not begun by a certain point past your due date, your provider may discuss options for induction.

Week 40 Pregnancy Care Tips

A few simple habits can help you stay comfortable and prepared as you await labour this week:

• Continue taking prenatal vitamins with folic acid.

• Eat light, balanced meals to maintain energy.

• Stay well hydrated throughout the day.

• Get plenty of rest whenever possible.

• Avoid alcohol, smoking and unapproved medications.

• Continue tracking your baby's movements daily.

• Manage stress with relaxation techniques.

• Avoid self-medicating without consulting your doctor.

When Should You Consult a Doctor?

Some symptoms should not be dismissed without medical evaluation. Speak with a healthcare provider if you experience heavy vaginal bleeding, severe abdominal pain, high fever, severe dizziness or fainting, severe vomiting, regular and intensifying contractions, your water breaking, or a noticeable decrease in your baby's movements.

If your due date passes without labour beginning, follow your healthcare provider's guidance on monitoring and any recommended next steps.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pregnancy Week 40

• How big is my baby at week 40?

Your baby is typically about the size of a small pumpkin or jackfruit at week 40, weighing around 3.4 kilograms on average.

• Is it normal to go past my due date?

Yes. Only a small percentage of babies are born exactly on their due date, and going a little past it is common and generally considered normal.

• How will I know labour has started?

Signs of labour often include regular, intensifying contractions, your water breaking, or a bloody show, though every labour experience is different.

• What should I eat during Week 40?

Focus on light, easily digestible meals with energy-sustaining whole grains, protein and iron-rich foods to prepare for labour.

• Can I exercise during Week 40?

If you are healthy and have no medical restrictions, gentle activities such as walking and prenatal yoga can support comfort and may help encourage labour.

• When should I see a doctor during Week 40?

Seek medical advice for heavy vaginal bleeding, severe abdominal pain, high fever, severe dizziness or fainting, severe vomiting, regular and intensifying contractions, your water breaking, or a noticeable decrease in your baby's movements.