40th Week of Pregnancy Symptoms, Changes, Care & Tips

Congratulations! You have finally in your last week of pregnancy and your life is just going to change any time now! You are about to start the most amazing journey of your life- the journey of a mother. You should be thankful for your stars that you are among those who are blessed to be a life bearer. Women wait for this moment and no matter how scary or stressful it sounds, this is a memory of a lifetime.

40th Week of Pregnancy Symptoms, Changes, Care & Tips

Even if you think of getting pregnant for a second time, the first time is always special. You have gone through a lot for the last 9 months and all your troubles and pain and backaches will pay off soon! Hang on till the end to have an idea of what you should be expecting this week.

What should I expect in my 40^th month of pregnancy?

Water breaking.
Discharge of the mucous plug
Chances of missing the due date
Baby to be full grown.
Trouble in sleeping

Expected changes in the body

Most women meet their due date but in 30% of the cases, women tend to deliver a week or two after the due date. Bumped out? Do not worry, it might be a sign that your baby is making sure that he/she is fully prepared to face the outside world.
You have probably missed sleep for a week, or two, thinking of where and when it would take place. You undoubtedly read or experienced news reports about a difficult — no, call that embarrassing — moment and location when the water burst, like at lunchtime at a jam-packed supermarket in the center of a crowded highway on a Saturday morning.
Firstly, fewer than 15% of all people suffer membrane breakage before labor, and secondly, if the water splits open, the chance becomes smaller than a torrential mare wave and quicker leakage, spinning, or slight gush.
You should be fairly confident whether the water is broken before the contractions commence: labor would presumably commence earnestly within 24 hours. Be it within 24 hours, then that or your doctor can launch it for you.
What do you say if you’ve damaged your amniotic sack? Colorless and odorless, amniotic fluid. You potentially spill urine if you find fluid that looks bright, and smells ammonia.
If your water breaks and the fluid is green or blue, contact the physician immediately. This may mean that your infant had a bowel movement in utero (meconium).
Most people have irrational concerns that their baby cannot be conceived. It doesn’t seem possible that anything so large — a 6 or 7-pound aquatic melon — may fit into so little space, but most of the time that’s just what happens.
The womb even understands what to expect — after the labor, it stretches enormously and miraculously tightens again. Through consistently performing the Kegels both before and after your baby arrives, you will support this cycle. Only the infant learns what to do — by holding its still-flying head in such a close grip. Don’t stress!

Baby’s developments

Your little one is about the size of pumpkin now- is about 19 to 22 inches in length and weighs about 6 to 9 pounds.
Your baby’s head possibly has sunk below your pelvis, so your torso is closely rolled up. He has not a ton of options — it is very crowded in it. If your baby is in a breech (rump down), the doctor will seek to move it by squeezing the uterus hard. If this doesn’t operate, you should address with your doctor the likelihood of cesarean delivery.
The first aspect that you are sure to search for with your new birth is the exciting – and even chic – entry: a piece of definitive evidence that your kid is either a boy or a girl.
For your infant, you feel a touch fluttered — conception appears to be a core dream for kids — so that’s all right. Be sure to say hello to your new child, because the sound of your voice and your partner’s voice would be heard by your infant.
You should find that your infant is still in the fetal position but her arms and legs might be flailing a little. It’ll take a while before your kid knows she has space to stretch in those close quarters after nine months. And it’s a good one because it’s the only place she always learned. It also reminds you of your uterus because many babies like to be swaddled.

Symptoms

Changes in the Baby’s movements

While the motions of your infant might have shifted or slowed down a little, he/she will always be shifting about there. What is the usual volume of movement? 10 flutters, wiggles, or flips per hour need to be counted.

Snoring

Many mommies may undergo some breathing shifts in their pregnancy and, when you reach the time limit, you will snore more than normal. This can be because your nasal passages may dry up by hormonal changes. Use a humidifier in your bedroom or sleep with nasal strips while snoring becomes an issue for you or your partner

Dilation and effacement of the cervix

While you won’t notice the opening or smoothing of your cervix, it is usually happening this week. Via early and productive labor, the cervix begins to dilate and clear.

Contractions

You may have felt contractions of Braxton Hicks during the earlier stages of your pregnancy, but you should recognize that it is the true deal as contractions frequently reach you. Another way to say the real contractions of the work from the bogus is that genuine contractions of labor do not decrease as you shift or alter places.

Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are experiencing true labor contractions or are unsure. You can also download and print our tracking chart so that you can easily track your contractions.

Water Breaking

This happens as the baby’s amniotic bag falls loose and spills the amniotic fluid. This may be a precursor of labor for a pregnancy of 40 weeks. It can release the water many hours before beginning labor or even after labor has finished.

If it does, it may not be as spectacular as the films might have us believe. Many mothers will get a continuous gushing and some may only find a trick.

Diarrhea

During pregnancy, the bowels suffer a blast – and it seems like they go from calm to crappy. Loose bowel movements this week may be an indication that your labor is imminent. Also, if you still have those nauseous mornings and you are working, know how you can handle morning sickness at work.

Pain in the pelvic region

When this week the baby dropped, the painful sensation in the pelvis could be attributed to someone bumping their little head into your hips and bladder. Schedule an appointment with a licensed prenatal massage therapist when you have time; it should ease the pain.

Trouble sleeping

As appealing as it sounds using natural remedies or other relaxation aids, don’t. Rather, get a soothing treatment with your partner.

Leg cramps

While no one understands what the excruciating spasm triggers in your thighs, it is a safe idea to wear all of this pregnancy – particularly this week! This week. — it’s a leg discomfort. If a spasm hits, it will help by stretching the legs and toes gently.

Nesting

Energy level shifts this week are very normal. You were either struck by the nesting impulse or you only decided to fall and sit on the sofa in front of the TV. Don’t worry — these are very natural since the two states rotate.

Things to consider and tips to follow this week for a healthy pregnancy

Due date misses

Don’t be surprised if your baby doesn’t come on its due date precisely. In reality, your pregnancy would not be deemed until 42 weeks. Also, note that it is just an approximation of the due date. It could be that your baby needs to spend a bit more time in your snug belly if you give birth a little longer than planned.

Increase your iron intake

If you haven’t learned, labor requires stamina. Lots of it! You would have to make sure your iron intake is up to date to ensure you become the little labor driver you can (and could).

Continue to look for iron in red meat, beans, peas, dark-green leafy plants, iron-fortifying cereals, dried fruits and whole wheat pieces of bread and note to get your iron (and the additional iron supplement you will also take) and your vitamin-C and calcium together (a lack of iron can contribute to additional tiredness— something you should not carry with you in the birthing chamber.)

Beware while shaving

Shave your legs with care, because (a) your equilibrium can be wrong, and (b) you still may not see past your butt. Make sure that the razer that you use is fresh so that you can limit blood loss. A big no-no: shaving in the tub to create a severe mistake.

Mini workout

Opt for a mini-workout, if you are too tired. Turn side by side, curl at your tail gradually, freeing your arms to move easily. You should lock and hang on to two counts and free the bottom as well. Practice 15 to 20 arm swings and butt clenches – they should help the muscles strong, too. Time will fly by.

Self-indulgence

When your due date has come and gone — a week after, you have trouble talking of anything else, but when will my baby arrive! Still, you know what they are talking of a watched bowl — seek every day (and watch the clock tick doesn’t count!) to take your mind away from your late baby to take you occupied.

Take a stroll (which can also help to start the contractions going), invest some time concentrating on self-care (you will not be healthy while the kid is on board), catch a movie or two, ensure the refrigerator and freezer have ready meals. Yeah, please remind your friends and family every day to avoid calling: mind no news.

Keep your calm

You are naturally as anxious and nervous as you can be, but during the first step of labor, it is necessary to find as much rest as possible — for later you may need to conserve your energy.

You’ll not be able to do everything you can and relax at night. You won’t be able and push the contractions any worse. Consider yourself occupied when it’s daytime.
Prepare a couple more meals, attach more baby clothes to the freezer stock, and do the leftover washing and you can step into a clean handle. This is going to fill up easily again!
You can also try a walk (or waddle), which can even take the contractions a step further.
Don’t go too far away from home, and don’t travel without a mobile phone at all.
If you’re hungry, enjoy a small snack, please do not overindulge in unhealthy foods.
You should not think about monitoring contractions obsessively at this stage — you ‘re just going to get irritated and annoyed — but search frequently for deeper connections.
Finally, ensure that you regularly use the bathroom — a heavy bladder may conflict with the labor.

As the first phase of the labor ends and the second phase begins, most women and their nervous coaches go to the hospital. Start planning maternity leave now!

Takeaway

The big day is just around the corner! You should be proud of yourself. It takes a lot of courage and energy to accustom oneself with all the sudden physiological changes. You have done a great job and soon you’ll get rewarded.

This week is all about patience. Do not get disheartened if you miss the due date; your baby is fine; it is just a sign that your baby is fine-tuning himself/herself so that you don’t have any complaints. Keep yourself hydrated and look out for the water breaking. You’ll soon have the little bundle of joy in your arms!

Frequently Asked Questions about 40th Week of Pregnancy

1. When should I get relief from my leg cramps?

In the second half of pregnancy, leg cramps are especially frequent as pregnancy weight gain, increased swelling and general exhaustion rise and sleep breaks become quite stressful. However, leg cramps continue into the third trimester of pregnancy for most people. However, taking action to minimize leg cramps (take plenty of water, consume a healthy diet, and stretch) may lead to their disregard.

2. What to do if I have a sudden urge for nesting?

Update the stocks in your fridge. Throw away obsolete foods and search for new items while you brace for conception. Keep it in mind as the child arrives – milk, cream, chocolate, water, prewashed salad greens, berries, and even chicken or two that are ideal for dinner, snacks, and salads. And you can always restock next week if your baby doesn’t arrive this week.

Cook. In tandem with the joy of cooking, you should indulge in your nesting urge – cooking would almost definitely take a backrest while your baby is on board. Store in a freezer, in a single-meal container, extra portions of your favorite frozen food — lasagna, mini-meatloaves, pancakes, bran muffins.

Label them enough that while you’re on the banana bread business, you won’t defrost a turkey burger. While you live on food at the hospital or birth site, you would be particularly happy to come face to face with home-cooked dishes and treats — and pressing a button on the microwave would remove as much effort as you can bring into food planning.

Stock your pantry. Stock up like there will be no tomorrow on staples. Tomorrow, of course, would be, but until the baby is born, you cannot waste it at the grocery store. Since you’re a new mom, it’s simple to fine-tune your shelves with all your healthy comforts, from soups that can stand up to lunch, to delicious nibblers, particularly with the dried fruit.
Other products to be obtained when you are prepared for your champ’s grand entry: cereal and whole grain crackers, canned beans, fruits and vegetables, pasta, brown rice, and sauces.

Clean! Whatever the season, now it is time to tackle your nesting instincts. Wipe the curtains and blinds down (you should see that after all, they aren’t grey!). Clean behind the couch and under the couch cushions — you might be able to make a fast buck or two when you’re on the sofa. But be careful in finding cleanliness. Move nothing around, then — so keep away from ladders or other dangerous walls — if you are crapped.

3. What can I do about cervical dilation?

Your body is here responsible. When you have obtained a doctor’s diagnosis, hold your eye for any indicators of operation and make sure that you know as well you are informed when it is time to head to the hospital.

Occasionally, the doctor might determine that if you stand or have other complications, there is a need to encourage labor and measures to push the treatment.

4. What is recommended to avail to deal with insomnia during pregnancy?

Some sleeping aids, including Unisom, Tylenol pm, Sominex, Nytol, Ambien and Lunesta, are often considered safe for occasional use in pregnancy. But, unless your practitioner has prescribed it or agreed it is, you should never take any other sleeping aids or medications (prescription, over the counter, or herbal).

Doctors also recommended taking extra magnesium to combat constipation or leg cramps. If so, it makes sense to take it before bed, because magnesium is praised for its natural muscle calming capacity and may allow you to ease into sleep.

5. When to go to the hospital?

For patients, especially new mothers, this is always a difficult question. e usually recommend that you contact your midwife or doctor or go to the hospital and confirm that you are in labor, particularly if you have a contraction of at least 6 for either 1 or 2 hours. We typically seek to determine whether the contractions are either strong or painful.

The mixture of more regular and intense contractions is, in our opinion, a positive indication. It’s time to go to the hospital if patients experience such strong contractions that they have to stop to talk or move or if their mood switches from relaxed and confident to extreme distress, including pain.