Guide to Being 40 Weeks Pregnant
You made it! Or almost, anyway. Even if you haven't delivered your baby yet, at 40 weeks you're considered full term. While people commonly talk about the nine months of pregnancy, most health care providers calculate your due date 40 weeks from the start of your last known menstrual period. That's 280 days, or between nine and 10 months. Or to you, it might seem like forever.
If you're still waiting for the big moment, rest assured it's close. While only about five percent of women actually deliver on their due date, most do give birth within two weeks of it.
You might be tempted to try to get the process started on your own. Women have tried everything from long walks to having sex to eating Chinese food to drinking herbal tea. But it's usually best just to let nature take its course.
So how long will you be in labor? It varies, with the average labor lasting 12 to 14 hours for the first baby. Second and later children often make their way through the birth canal a little faster.
You have a lot of excitement ahead of you, so take this opportunity to relax. Get some rest. And read the following guide to learn more about week 40.
What You Might Be Feeling
It's been a long 40 weeks, and you're getting impatient. And while you're excited about the addition to your family, you're also a little scared. Maybe you even wish you had more time before delivery. It's only natural. You have a lot to think about. Will you know when to go to the hospital, when to breathe, when to push? Meditation, massage or breathing practice can help calm your nerves.
For some women, this is the time the nesting instinct takes over. Try to resist the temptation to climb a ladder to wash windows, clean closets or rearrange your furniture. It's better to get some rest than to overexert yourself.
If you had to describe how you feel in one word, "uncomfortable" might be it. You've most likely gained between 25 and 35 pounds. Don't fret. Weight gain does slow at the end of pregnancy. It's even common to lose a pound or two.
Leg cramps continue to be an annoyance. To help, drink plenty of fluids, avoid staying in one position too long and stretch when you can. A short walk or a massage from your partner is good, too, even if you don't have leg cramps.
Your huge belly is causing your lower back to ache. It's also making it difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position. Fatigue has set in, and your partner might complain about your crabbiness. If your bed just isn't right for rest, a cushy recliner might help you get that much-needed nap.
What's Going On in Your Body
At 40 weeks, your body is making final preparations for delivery. Your cervix may gradually begin to dilate, but you won't be in active labor until it reaches four centimeters. When you're dilated 10 centimeters, your baby will be ready to appear.
The Braxton Hicks or "practice" contractions you've been having might begin to feel more like the real thing. True contractions last at least 30 seconds, occur regularly and don't go away no matter what. If you're unsure whether or not you're going into labor, call your doctor.
As the baby drops lower -- a process called "lightening" -- you'll feel discomfort in your pelvic area. The bad news is that you'll need to urinate more often. The good news is that you'll be able to breathe more easily and eat without heartburn.
You may lose the mucous plug that has protected your uterus from infection during your pregnancy. The plug is tinged with blood and often called the "bloody show." You might get a little clumsy as your bones, muscles and joints relax and the ligaments of your pelvis loosen to enable it to open during birth. The cause is relaxin, a hormone produced by your placenta.
What Your Partner Should Know
So you're nervous about your impending delivery. So is your partner. That's normal. One of the best ways to reduce anxiety is to know what to expect. Suggest books or Web sites to learn more about the stages of labor and delivery. Talking to friends about their experience may also help both of you stay calm.
Your partner should be prepared in case your labor is long. Along with your hospital bag, have your partner pack a few personal things as well, including something to read, a laptop, a change of clothes and a toothbrush. And don't forget phone numbers and e-mail addresses for your family and friends, to announce the good news.
It's important that your partner stays calm, because you're going to need support and encouragement. You'll also need empathy. Understating your discomfort or wincing during delivery won't make you feel better. Reminding you that the baby is almost here and encouraging you in your efforts will.
And be sure to let you partner know that, although you might get testy during delivery and even say some things you shouldn't, your love is unwavering.
Some Things to Consider
Let your doctor know if you want help managing pain during delivery. Two-thirds of women delivering at hospitals choose to have an epidural, a local anesthetic for the lower body. With an epidural, only a small amount of medication is needed, and since it is injected directly into the spine, not much reaches your bloodstream or your baby. There is a risk of it slowing the fetal heartbeat, so expect your baby to be continuously monitored.
Umbilical cord blood contains stem cells that can be used to treat a variety of blood disorders. If you want yours saved, it can be stored in a public bank, free of charge, for use by anyone who might need it. For a yearly fee, you can keep it in a private bank for use by your baby or a family member.
Breastfeed or formula feed? With breastfeeding, you won't spend money on formula, and breast milk is always with you. It contains all the right nutrients in the right amounts, and it protects your baby against colds, ear infections and sudden infant death syndrome. It also speeds your recovery, helps you burn more calories and releases hormones that promote relaxation. And it may protect you against heart attack and stroke. The one downside is that only "Mom" can feed baby.
Formula provides vitamins, minerals and extra iron to mimic breast milk. It's good for brain and nervous system development, and it allows your partner equal feeding time. So be sure to keep enough on hand for those 3 a.m. feedings.
Don't Worry If…
When you are 40 weeks pregnant, you have a lot to think about, but there's also a lot you don't need to worry about.
Don't worry if you don't deliver on time. Half of pregnancies last longer than 40 weeks. It's just as normal to deliver a week or two early or late.
Don't worry if you've decided on natural childbirth, but change your mind during labor. It's impossible to know what you can handle, particularly if this is your first baby. If you do decide to ask for an epidural, do so early. You must be completely still during the placement of the epidural tube, so if your contractions are too strong for you to remain motionless, the anesthesiologist might be unable to give you the injection. And if you are too far along, it might be necessary to give you a higher dose of medication, which could prolong your labor and affect your ability to push.
Losing your mucous plug is a good sign that labor will soon begin, although it could still be weeks away. Don't worry if you don't notice when, or if, you lose it. That often happens when you're on the toilet, so you might not notice its occurrence. And some women don't lose it at all.
Instead of worrying about your pregnancy, start thinking about the sweet child who will soon be in your arms. Those thoughts will make your heart warm and help you keep working to bring your baby into the world.