If you felt that this day would never come, take a moment to caress your back and belly. You have officially reached the 40th week of pregnancy. Congratulations, the finish line is near, well almost. During the past 9 months, the uterus has provided a warm and soft environment for the fetus, and the little baby may not be ready to enter society yet.
It is time to give birth. Maybe tomorrow, maybe a week from now. What should you expect in the last days, hours, and seconds of pregnancy?
Here’s all the information you need, including how not to go crazy while you’re anxiously waiting for labor to start.
What is the condition of the fetus at 40 weeks of pregnancy?
In the 40th week of pregnancy, the fetus is almost the size of a melon; His height is about 50 to 55 cm and his weight is 3 to 4 kilos. Of course, every baby is different and your little one may be born a little smaller or bigger.
The movements of the fetus slow down a bit at this time because it has become bigger and everything is compressed in the uterus.
If you’re worried and frustrated that the little punches and kicks are gone, take a deep breath, drink a sip of juice, and lie down. Try to count the number of times you notice the fetus kicking.
It is necessary to notice 10 movements in an hour. Otherwise, contact your obstetrician-gynecologist, you and the fetus may need to be examined.
In the best case, the baby’s head should be down at this stage and placed in the delivery position. If the doctor tells you that your stubborn baby’s head has not descended, it means that his head is near the birth canal instead of his little feet.
The doctor can apply pressure on the abdomen to turn the baby. If this maneuver doesn’t work, don’t worry. There is still time for the baby to turn itself. But be aware that the midwife may talk to you about the possibility of a cesarean section.
Has the delivery date arrived?
These forty weeks seem like the longest and fastest 40 weeks of your life at the same time. 9 months of pregnancy may pass or be prolonged like lightning and wind. At this point, you have probably gained 11 to 15 kg and you are completely ready to give birth.
You may be looking forward to the onset of labor or hoping that your pregnancy will last a little longer. The confusing part of the puzzle is this: It’s not your hand (unless, of course, you’re artificially inducing labor pain or have already planned a C-section).
The last few days can be unpleasant, but rest assured that they won’t last forever. Out of every 100 women, 60 women experience labor pains on time, but the onset of labor pains in another 40 women takes two weeks or more. You are not alone!
Missing the date of birth
If there are no problems and you are going through a healthy pregnancy, the doctor will allow you to skip one more week from the due date.
The due date is an estimated number, so the actual time of delivery is variable. However, the doctor will carefully monitor you and the fetus to make sure that both are healthy and strong.
Usually, the doctor does not allow more than one week to pass from the date and time of delivery. If the baby’s head has not descended, it is time to consider artificial labor induction.
What you need to do in the meantime is to be patient. Use this extra time to rest (if you can find a comfortable position, of course) or make necessary preparations.
What issues do you need to talk to your doctor about?
The last week is not much. The fetus in the womb does not have a calendar and as the end of pregnancy approaches, you feel like you are losing your mind.
Since you will probably be examined by a midwife or obstetrician before, after, or on the same day of delivery, use this opportunity to ask ninety-minute questions and address concerns.
Here are some questions and tips that you should discuss with your midwife or doctor:
How long is it permissible to give birth after the due date?
Whether you are looking forward to the end of your pregnancy, or hoping for a few extra days to reach ninety-minute tasks, ask your doctor how long it is allowed to skip the delivery date and when artificial methods of labor pain induction should be used.
How to speed up the onset of labor pain?
If you have reached the 40th week of pregnancy and you are tired, you can ask the doctor to strip the fetal membranes. In this method, the doctor puts his finger between the membranes of the amniotic sac. This quick, yet slightly uncomfortable method helps to speed up the onset of labor pains.
When is artificial pain induced?
Mother’s health and safety is a priority. If the doctor thinks that there is no danger to the mother and the fetus, he calls you to be patient until the pain of childbirth starts naturally. But in some situations, it is necessary to artificially induce pain. Ask your doctor what is his recommended threshold so that you have the necessary preparation.
What is the purpose of pain induction?
If it looks like you will be using this method in the near future, ask your doctor about its protocols.
The midwife may use one or two drugs to start the labor pain. Prostaglandin can be taken in tablet form or inserted into the vagina like a tampon to slowly prepare the cervix for labor pain. Alternatively, as soon as the cervix is ready, pitocin is injected through the serum.
Is it safe to have sex?
Want to get busy before you get busy? Ask your doctor if it is safe to have sex with your partner. The doctor will probably give the green light and even encourage you to do this because this method can help start the labor pains.
What symptoms are common in the 40th week of pregnancy?
In the last week of pregnancy, your mind becomes confused. Along with discomfort, cramping, pain, and anxiety, you probably suspect the onset of labor pain with each contraction.
In fact, you probably experience all the physical symptoms at this stage, and it can be overwhelming, unbearable, and confusing.
- Braxton Hicks
You’ve probably been experiencing Braxton Hicks or practice contractions for weeks, if not months, at this point. Frequent contractions of the abdomen can be unpleasant or even a little painful, and it is difficult to distinguish this symptom from an actual contraction.
The thing to remember is that: if the contractions are irregular and their intensity and frequency do not increase, it is probably just a prelude to real pain.
- Loss of plaque mucus
Plaque mucus as a barrier prevents pathogenic bacteria from passing through the birth canal. As the cervix dilates at the end of pregnancy, this plaque disappears in pieces or completely.
While this condition occurs in many women a few days or a few hours before the onset of labor pain, the rest experience it a few weeks earlier. The discharge may be a little red and bloody, which can be a warning, but do not go to the hospital immediately, it is probably not time to give birth yet.
- Falling down of the uterus
Have you recently been told that “it looks like the baby is down?” If you and your loved ones have noticed a sagging belly, it is because the baby’s head has dropped and is ready to give birth. Again, this may happen a few days before the onset of pain or a few hours earlier.
- Diarrhea
The body knows what it is doing. Diarrhea is one of the common symptoms that informs that the time of labor is approaching because the intestine is constantly cleaning itself so that the uterus can contract better and more ready.
- Build a nest
If you suddenly feel the urgent need to decorate the child’s room, arrange things, clean the closet, cook food, and iron underwear, it means that the nesting instinct has awakened in you.
While many pregnant women feel the urge to prepare during the third trimester of pregnancy, the rest face the eruption of this feeling just before the pain of childbirth approaches.
- Fatigue and insomnia
Of course, if you don’t feel like doing household chores, it’s completely normal. You may be so tired that you can’t even think about getting off the couch, let alone cleaning the toilet. The last week of pregnancy makes the body and mind tired.
Plus, a big belly, Braxton Hill, will keep you sleepy and anxious, and you’ll be tossing and turning all night.
- Shrinkage
As the cervix thins and dilates in preparation for the grand finale, you experience real contractions in the 40th week of pregnancy. There is no need to rush to the hospital with the first contraction, as labor pains are probably not imminent. But if the contractions have become intense at regular and intermittent intervals, you should inform the doctor.
- Diagnosis of real labor pain
Yes, the end of pregnancy is guesswork and full of false alarms and doubts. However, there are a few ways to identify true labor pains.
- Rupture of water bag
If the bag of water breaks on its own before or after the contractions start, it is safe to say that the time of delivery of the baby is near. The rupture of the amniotic sac (as in the films) may be severe. But usually, this situation happens in a mild but noticeable way.
If you’re not sure if your water bag has broken or you’re incontinent (yes, it can happen!), there are a few ways to be sure; Including trying to prevent discharge by pressing Kegels. It should be noted that amniotic fluid, unlike urine, is colorless and odorless.
If your water bag has broken on its own, call your doctor or go to the hospital. You are due to conceive within the next 24 hours or so.
- Shrinkage
Early contractions can be difficult to distinguish from the jolts and cramps of pregnancy, but if the pain is severe and happens at close intervals, it’s time to call your midwife.
In the 40th week of pregnancy, the fetus is almost the size of a melon; His height is about 50 to 55 cm and his weight is 3 to 4 kilos.
What should you do in the 40th week of pregnancy?
You may feel that everything depends on the fetus (or the midwife) and there is nothing you can do, but you can use this opportunity to your advantage; Whether it is to wash the baby’s clothes, or to try to induce labor pain naturally.
Here are some tips to pass the time and even start labor pains:
- Walking: If you want time to pass faster, go for a walk yourself. A walk may be all you and your baby need to start labor. The movement causes the baby to go down, as a result, the cervix will open more.
- Sex: If the doctor allows and approves, and you are motivated, you can enjoy cuddling with your partner. Although there is no definitive proof that sex works, it doesn’t hurt to try.
- Be careful: Many mothers turn to teas, supplements, and even castor oil to induce labor. You may be willing to try anything, but be sure to consult your doctor before going for alternative methods. If you’re going to get help from traditional beliefs, start by eating your favorite spicy food.
- Keep calm: It’s understandable that you’re in a rush to give birth, but keeping you and your baby safe and sound is more important than anything else. So leave the home remedies and rest.
It may sound like a cliché, but things are going to get crazy at home, so enjoy these moments while you can, or you can use your last chance to make final preparations.
How do I know if I’m getting closer to labor?
There are several signs that labor might be starting, including :
- Contraction or tightening
- Backache
- An urge to go to the toilet
- Your waters breaking
- You have vaginal bleeding
- Your baby moves less than usual.
How can I open my cervix at 40 weeks?
Natural ways to induce labor :
- Exercise
- Sex
- Nipple stimulation
- Acupuncture
- Acupressure
- Castor oil
- Spicy food
- Waiting for labor
How do you feel a few days before labor?
How many movements should I feel at 40 weeks?
Summary of the 40th week of pregnancy
You succeeded, Mama June! You’ve had a long, tiring, exciting, and truly amazing 40 weeks. The journey may not be over yet, but the grand finale is very close. Appreciate these moments and wait for the reward: soon you will be holding your baby. You will get over it.
