40-Week Pregnancy

Congratulations! Reaching 40 weeks of pregnancy means you are very close to meeting your baby. This is considered full-term pregnancy, indicating that your baby can be born healthy without any complications. Of course, every baby is different, and some may be born after the 40th week. During this period, it is important not to miss your doctor appointments and to closely monitor your baby’s movements.

Your baby is now fully developed and ready for birth.

Size and Weight:
At 40 weeks, your baby is approximately 51–52 cm long and weighs around 3400 grams. These are average values and may vary for each baby.

Organ Development:
All of your baby’s organs are fully developed. The lungs are mature, with sufficient surfactant production. The heart beats strongly, and circulation is well established. The brain continues to grow rapidly, and the nervous system is still developing. Bone marrow continues producing red blood cells. The immune system is developing, with antibodies received from the mother providing protection against certain infections. The liver and kidneys are also mature.

Sensory Development:
Your baby’s senses are fully developed. The eyes can now open and close, and pupils adjust to light. Vision is improving, allowing your baby to focus on nearby objects. Your baby can hear and distinguish different sounds, responding to music and especially to the mother’s and father’s voices. Taste buds are developed, and your baby can sense the flavor of amniotic fluid. The sense of touch is also developed, allowing your baby to feel the uterine wall, umbilical cord, and their own body.

Movements:
At 40 weeks, your baby may move less due to limited space in the uterus. However, the intensity and type of movements may change. Your baby may still kick, turn, and hiccup. Monitoring your baby’s movements and contacting your doctor if you notice any changes is important.

Position:
Most babies are in a head-down position at this stage, which is ideal for birth. If your baby is not head-down, your doctor may suggest exercises or techniques to help the baby turn. One such technique is external cephalic version, where the baby is manually turned from outside the abdomen.

At 40 weeks of pregnancy, your body undergoes many changes.

Physical Changes:

• Growing belly: Your abdomen may be larger and have dropped lower.
• Weight gain: By this week, gaining an average of 13–18 kg is normal.
• Breast growth: Breasts continue to enlarge, and colostrum production increases.
• Skin changes: You may notice spots, stretch marks, or more visible veins.
• Hair and nails: Hair may become thicker and shinier, and nails may grow faster.
• Other changes: Varicose veins, swelling (edema), back pain, constipation, indigestion, heartburn, headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, numbness in hands and feet, sleep problems, snoring, leg cramps, carpal tunnel syndrome, hot flashes, sweating, fatigue, forgetfulness, hemorrhoids, urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, nausea, vomiting, reflux, insomnia, palpitations, anemia, pelvic pressure, and frequent urination may occur.

Emotional Changes:

• Mood swings: Hormonal changes can cause emotional fluctuations.
• Anxiety and worry: You may feel anxious about your baby’s health, labor, and parenthood.
• Nesting instinct: The desire to prepare your home for the baby may increase.
• Maternal instinct: Bonding with your baby continues to develop, and feeling your baby’s movements strengthens this connection.
• Excitement and impatience: As labor approaches, feelings of excitement and impatience may arise.
• Fear and uncertainty: Feeling fear or uncertainty about labor is normal.

As labor approaches, your baby’s energy needs increase, so it is important to pay attention to your diet. Additionally, consuming sufficient and balanced nutrition helps store the energy you will need during and after birth.

Recommended Foods:

• Fiber-rich foods: Choose fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes to prevent constipation.
• Protein: Include meat, chicken, fish, eggs, dairy products, legumes, and nuts.
• Calcium: Milk and dairy products, green leafy vegetables, and almonds are good sources.
• Iron: Red meat, dried legumes, green leafy vegetables, and dried fruits provide iron.
• Vitamin C: Consume foods rich in vitamin C (citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi) to enhance iron absorption.
• Omega-3 fatty acids: Include salmon, tuna, walnuts, and flaxseeds in your diet.
• Plenty of water: Drink enough water to stay hydrated.

Foods to Avoid:

• Processed foods: Avoid foods high in sugar, salt, and saturated fats.
• Excess sugar and caffeine: Limit intake of sugar and caffeine.
• Mercury-rich fish: Avoid swordfish, shark, and mackerel.
• Raw or undercooked meat and eggs: These increase the risk of food poisoning.
• Unpasteurized milk and cheese: These may contain harmful bacteria.
• Alcohol: Do not consume alcohol.
• Smoking: Do not smoke.

Some signs that labor is approaching include:

• Mucus plug discharge: As your cervix softens and thins, the cervical mucus plug may be expelled. This can appear as bloody or pink-tinged discharge.
• Water breaking: Rupture of the amniotic sac can cause fluid leakage. This may be a sudden gush of fluid or a slow trickle.
• Contractions: Labor contractions are regular, gradually intensifying, and occurring more frequently.
• Baby dropping (lightening): As your baby prepares for birth, they move down into your pelvis, which can make your belly appear lower.
• Frequent urination: Increased pressure on your bladder may cause more frequent trips to the bathroom.
• Back pain: Your baby’s weight can cause back discomfort.
• Diarrhea: Bowel movements may change as your body prepares for labor.
• Energy surge: Some women experience a burst of energy before labor, also known as the "nesting instinct."

If you notice any of these signs, contact your doctor immediately.

Labor is the process of delivering the baby from the uterus at the end of pregnancy. It can occur via vaginal delivery or cesarean section.

Vaginal Delivery:
Vaginal delivery is the birth of the baby through the birth canal. It occurs in three stages:

1. Dilation stage: The cervix opens and thins to prepare a passage for the baby.

2. Pushing stage: With uterine contractions, the mother pushes to help the baby be born.

3. Placenta delivery stage: After the baby is born, the placenta separates from the uterus and is expelled.

Cesarean Section:
Cesarean section involves delivering the baby through surgical incisions in the abdomen and uterus. It may be medically necessary in certain situations, such as:

• Baby not in a head-down position
• Baby being too large
• Maternal health problems
• Previous deliveries via cesarean section

At 40 weeks of pregnancy, it is important to take certain measures to protect your health and support your baby’s development.

• Monitor labor signs: Track signs of labor and contact your doctor immediately if you notice any.
• Drink plenty of water: Stay hydrated.
• Rest: Get ample rest to conserve energy for labor.
• Eat healthily: Maintain a balanced diet to store energy for labor and breastfeeding.
• Exercise: Continue exercises recommended by your doctor to help prepare for labor.
• Review your birth plan: Go over your birth plan and share it with your medical team.
• Prepare your hospital bag: Include items you may need during and after delivery.
• Set up the baby’s room: Prepare the nursery and gather all necessary items.
• Plan for the postpartum period: Consider home help, seek breastfeeding counseling, and plan for baby care.
• Spend time with your partner: Support each other and prepare together for your baby’s arrival.
• Take time for yourself: Relax with activities like reading, listening to music, taking a warm bath, or meditating.
• Consult your doctor if experiencing shortness of breath: The growing uterus may press on your diaphragm, and your doctor can suggest ways to alleviate it.
• Pay attention to your sleep position: Lying on your left side improves blood flow to the baby and supports kidney function.
• Discuss birth concerns with your doctor: Don’t hesitate to talk about any worries or questions regarding labor.

A Life Health Group has a team of experienced obstetricians and gynecologists specialized in pregnancy follow-up and birth services. We provide personalized services to our expectant mothers and their babies using the latest technology and methods.

Our Services:

• Obstetric and gynecological specialist examination
• Ultrasonography (including detailed ultrasound scans)
• Prenatal tests (NST)
• Pregnancy education and counseling
• Childbirth preparation courses
• Normal delivery and cesarean services
• Birth and postpartum services
• Breastfeeding counseling
• Baby care training

Experience a healthy pregnancy and birth with A Life Health Group!