Week 40 of Your Pregnancy

At 40 weeks, you could be giving birth this week. Read on to learn about week 40 of pregnancy, from common questions and symptoms to labor and delivery.

Pregnancy Journey Week 40

Design By Alice Morgan / Illustration by Tara Anand

My due date was the first weekend of September. I thought that was perfect for me as a first-time mom—going into labor (and giving birth) on Labor Day would be a great story to tell my son in the future.

Finally, my due date arrived. It was a Saturday, and I planted myself on the couch to watch college football and wait for labor to start. If not today, it would be the next day, I thought. If not then, certainly by Monday on Labor Day.

The three-day weekend passed without one contraction. I thought back to what my childbirth instructor said: about just one in 20 people give birth on their due dates, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Among first-time parents, it wasn't unheard of to go into week 41.

I knew this, but didn't think that post-date parent would be me. When so many people around you share stories of spontaneous labor before 39 weeks or inductions or C-sections at 39 weeks, you start feeling a little alone when your due date passes and you're still pregnant.

Pregnancy Week 40 Quick Facts

  • At 40 weeks, you're 9 months pregnant
  • You have 0 weeks until your due date, although your pregnancy could progress to 42 weeks
  • You're in the third trimester

Your Unborn Baby's Size at 40 Weeks

The fetus is about the size of a watermelon at around 20.16 inches and 7.63 pounds. Whether you give birth this week or in the next two weeks, don't worry about your baby getting much bigger past this point.

Pregnancy Symptoms Week 40

If you didn't have these below symptoms in week 39, you'll likely experience them in week 40 and beyond:

  • Contractions
  • Increased vaginal discharge
  • Urine leakage
  • Greater physical discomfort

For most pregnant parents at this point, rest is key.

"A huge part of what midwives do at the end of pregnancy is help parents be as comfortable as possible," says Augustine Colebrook, a midwife for 25 years who runs Midwifery Wisdom, an international online support community for midwives. "There's a lot of weight to carry around, and about one week later, you're going to be carrying that weight on your shoulders."

If you haven't already started using a belly binder, get one to help support your abdominal muscles that have been strained after 10 months of pregnancy. Massage therapy or other bodywork can help relieve discomfort. Colebrook also talks to her patients about restful sleep positions and how to block the body with pillows so their backs don't hurt at night.

If you experience symptoms that seem concerning to you, make sure to call your health care provider.

Developmental Milestones 

The final stages of development take place within the lungs, brain, and nervous system. The circulatory and musculoskeletal system is done. Your unborn baby might have added an ounce or two from week 39, but their birth weight is pretty much established.

Pregnancy Journey Weekly Reminder

Design by Alice Morgan

Prenatal Tests and Doctor's Appointments

Your appointment this week will either be delivery or another prenatal appointment. If you have a prenatal appointment, you'll go through the same routine you had in week 39—fundal height, urinalysis, a cervical check, if you want one—but your care provider will also offer more in-depth tests to make sure your pregnancy is progressing smoothly.

"As you get past 40 weeks, we start to look at fetal health and well-being," says Tiffany Woodus, M.D., an OB-GYN in Cedar Hill, Texas. "As the placenta ages, it can start to calcify and not function as well as before."

Care providers can offer something called a biophysical profile, which is an ultrasound test to see if the baby is breathing well and if the fluid levels in the amniotic sac are at good levels (an indication of placental health as well). If the placenta is beginning to wear out, fluid levels can decrease.

While the biophysical profile is the gold standard for post-date exams, a nonstress test can also help determine fetal health. A fetal monitor is used to measure how the heart rate responds to movement, which can indicate if they are receiving enough oxygen and nutrients to continue developing in the womb.

If anything concerning is found for the parent or fetus, providers might suggest an induction of labor or an emergency C-section, if results are dire. Those in midwifery care would have to transfer to the hospital for a C-section.

"For my parents going over 40 weeks, I like to look at them twice weekly," says Joy Baker, M.D., an OB-GYN in LaGrange, Georgia. "They might get a biophysical profile on Monday or Tuesday, and a nonstress test Thursday or Friday. If everything is perfect, the parent's blood pressure looks good, they're doing well mentally and emotionally, and the baby looks great, then we can totally keep going."

My nonstress test was scheduled during my week 40 appointment, which took place five days after my due date. I hadn't been sleeping much and I fell asleep during the test. When I woke up, I was told everything looked great in regards to my unborn baby's health, and my readings were all normal too.

Unless I wanted to be admitted for an induction, I was free to go home, my provider said. We got back in the car and updated everyone who was waiting for a big announcement that day: "False alarm, no baby yet!" I said.

Common Questions at This Pregnancy Stage

What do I do now that my due date has passed? 

"Many first-time parents think labor is going to happen on their due date, so when you have to go further out, it feels like someone's moving the goal post," says Dr. Woodus. Your provider should present you with options about continuing the pregnancy or inducing delivery, and explain the risks and benefits of both choices.


Is it safe to go past my due date? 

Hospital-based providers might be more reluctant to let a pregnancy progress past its due date, while midwives tend to be more supportive. 


"For the vast majority of pregnant people, especially first-time moms, just passing your due date with a vibrant, strong, healthy baby is not alarming," Colebrook says. 


Dr. Baker says shared decision-making is key. "I'm not saying that everybody needs to run in at 39 or 40 weeks and be induced, but I am saying you need to understand the risks and the benefits of continuing your pregnancy and make the plan that is best for you and your family."

Things You Might Consider This Week

Wrap up any plans you weren't able to finish. Labor could start at any time, or your next prenatal appointment could end up being your delivery date. When you leave home for that prenatal appointment, you might not be coming back for a few days if you're admitted immediately, so bring your hospital bag just in case.

Start thinking about life after giving birth as well. The postpartum period is still a high-risk period for mental and physical health complications, so you need people around you to monitor your health as well as your baby's. If you haven't already, see if you can find a postpartum doula who can help care for you after you give birth, and possibly catch any concerns you might not notice.

Support You May Need This Week

Don't be surprised if you feel a bit rundown emotionally as well as physically if you're still pregnant in week 40. If you can, take time to connect more with your partner, friends, and family to take your mind off your pregnancy. If you have enough energy, get out of the house and do something enjoyable for yourself, or relax at home with a book or that TV series you've been meaning to watch.

You can still do some planning for the postpartum period if you feel like it, but try to enjoy these final days before your new baby arrives. I felt good enough to go back to work after that Labor Day weekend, and made a point to join a friend's birthday lunch.

I even made an appearance at a coworker's baby shower in another office. When I walked in, everyone was surprised to see me.

Head over to week 41 of pregnancy

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