Pregnancy Week - 40 Weeks Pregnant

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Pregnancy Week 39< >Week by Week Guide Index< >Pregnancy Week

Pregnancy Week 40

What's a tired mom-to-be to do? Buy a Snoozer Pillow

**Please note- Your Due Date is calculated from your last menstrual period, which corresponds to our Pregnancy Week by Week articles.

Week 40

Your Growth and Development

Your belly size is probably relatively constant even during pregnancy at 40 weeks. You are probably grateful at this point in time that your weight gain and size are slowing as you continue your pregnancy week by week. Many women find it difficult to get around after pregnancy 40 weeks.

Remember that in just a short week or two, you will be welcoming your precious newborn baby into the world.

Changes in You
You may reach your due date during pregnancy week 40. You may also pass your due date and end up 41 weeks pregnant! Many women go on to deliver at 41 weeks pregnant. This is particularly the case with first time mothers. Due date prediction is a science but not an exact one. Since it is difficult to predict the exact date of conception it is often difficult to predict the exact date you will have your baby.

Some babies also like to 'cook' a little bit longer than others so your baby may not be ready at pregnancy week 40. While some baby's are ready to come out at 38 weeks pregnant, others prefer to stay in until 42 weeks pregnant. It really depends on a number of factors.

Pregnancy and Body Pillows
The Perfect Gift For Dad?

You may think a pregnancy pillow is the perfect gift for a mom to be. If so, you are right on the money! Did you know however, that a pregnancy pillow like Snoozer Pregnancy Pillows may also be the perfect gift for dads to be too?

Believe it or not, pregnancy pillows aren't simply great during pregnancy. They are the perfect shape and firmness for increasing your comfort (and that of your partner) in the months following labor and delivery. A pregnancy pillow helps provide much needed support for your back, legs and feet regardless of whether you are pregnant or not. That makes them the perfect gift for mom AND dad too. In fact, my husband now has his own pregnancy pillow so he won't steal mine, because it is so beneficial for his sleep (and mine!). Why not invest in a pregnancy pillow for mom and dad as the perfect gift during pregnancy?

Maternity Clothes
Overalls/Rompers:
Cute and Casual Wear for Expectant Mothers

Any pregnant woman will tell you that overalls and rompers are among the most comfortable items a woman can have in her maternity collection. One of the best things about overalls and rompers is that they can be worn before, during and after pregnancy. In fact, overalls and rompers are particularly useful in the postpartum months when you don’t quite have your pre-pregnancy shape back just yet. They provide room to expand and breathe throughout your pregnancy.

Though casual by nature, you can find Overalls Rompers at Motherhood Maternity that are designed a little more elegantly, so you can even wear them for an evening out if the need arises. If you are pregnant or soon will be, don’t neglect to check out the amazing collections of overalls and rompers available for expectant mothers today!

Discuss With Other Mothers To Be!

Click Here To See What Other Mothers Are Experiencing At Week 40

Are you thinking about ways to induce your labor naturally to stimulate labor contractions at week 40 pregnancy? You might be at this point in time when you want to start labor. If you are you should take great care to make sure you don't try to do anything that might be harmful to your baby.

There are a number of natural 'labor inducers' that will stimulate labor contractions and start labor. Some women will swear by these methods, whereas others simply had fun trying. Here is a list of the more common natural labor inducers women have been trying since the dawn of time:

• Sex - this is by far the most popular. You may be thinking of anything but intimacy at this point in your pregnancy, particularly given your size and weariness. However, semen contains prostaglandins, which can help stimulate contractions and start labor. Because of this many women are willing to give it a try. You may find your partner a more than willing advocate, particularly since sex will be off limits for six weeks postpartum. Why not give it a try? There certainly is no harm. Some women prop their feet up after to give their cervix a chance to bathe in the prostaglandins. If nothing else sex may help ripen the cervix. Orgasms can also trigger contractions in a woman.
• Walking - walking is great exercise. It can help stimulate labor particularly if you are having contractions that aren't yet regular. Walking can help your baby move further into your pelvis for delivery. Most women find walking also helps relieve some of the discomfort associated with contractions.
• Spicy Foods - some people believe that spicy foods or foods that contain cumin and garlic help trigger labor. While there is no specific 'science' behind this idea, there is nothing wrong with trying.
• Nipple Stimulation - nipple stimulation can be a very powerful way of inducing labor. Nipple stimulation causes the body to release oxytocin, which like pitocin (a synthetic substance used to induce labor contractions) can cause uterine contractions. Nipple stimulation can lead to very long and very strong uterine contractions. This can be dangerous for your baby because it can cause your baby's heart rate to slow. You should only perform nipple stimulation if you have your doctors approval and even then you should monitor your contractions slowly to be sure you don't over stimulate. Generally you should ease off nipple stimulation during each contraction to help minimize hyper stimulation.
• Castor Oil - you should not try inducing labor with castor oil unless you talk with your healthcare provider first. Many midwives suggest that women who are past their due dates consider using castor oil. It may trigger spasms in the colon and intestines, which surround the uterus. These can result in labor contractions. Castor oil is foul smelling and generally tastes very bad. It will cause horrible diarrhea in many women. If you are considering this, be sure to talk with your doctor first to see what dose they might recommend, or what other methods they might suggest.
• Membrane stripping - in some cases your doctor may strip your membranes. This can sometimes help start labor. During a vaginal examination your doctor will place a finger through the cervix and basically 'sweep' the membranes. This helps release the amniotic membranes from the lower uterine cavity. Sweeping of the membranes may release prostaglandins, which can help push the body into labor.

Most natural labor induction methods will only work if your cervix is ripe and you are ready to go into labor anyway. You should never try to induce labor before you are 40 weeks pregnant to ensure that your baby is well developed. There is also some evidence that supplementation with evening primrose oil may help soften the cervix and prepare your body for delivery. You should be able to find evening primrose oil supplements at your pharmacy. Ask your healthcare provider about dosing.

Remember, after 40 long weeks you are almost on your way to delivery! Take some time to enjoy your last few days as a pregnant woman. If you can take some time to sleep. You certainly won't be getting much sleep after your newborn baby arrives!

Many women find journaling a delightful and fun experience during this point in their pregnancy. Consider taking some time to sit down with your thoughts and feelings about labor, delivery and the pending meeting you will have with your newborn baby. One day you will have the opportunity to look back on this day with fondness and joy. You can share your thoughts with your loved one as they grow and mature. You can even take some time out to journal to pass the time away when you are in early labor. Simply pull out a pen and paper and start writing! It doesn't matter if your thoughts are random or coordinated. Just write down what comes to mind. You may find yourself laughing and weeping years later when your little ones have flown the coup. Congratulations on your pending motherhood!