40 Weeks Pregnant: Your Due Date Week

You’ve reached 40 weeks—your due date. This is the moment you’ve been counting down to for nine months. Yet, statistically, only about 5% of babies are actually born on their due date. Most babies are born sometime in the week or two after the due date, which can be frustrating if you were expecting labor to begin today. Whether your baby arrives today or in the coming days, understand that your body and your baby will signal when you’re ready for labor to begin. This week focuses on understanding what to expect as you wait, knowing when to be concerned, and preparing for the possibility that you may need induction if labor doesn’t begin spontaneously within the coming days.

Baby Development at 40 Weeks

Your baby is about the size of a small pumpkin this week—approximately 20 inches long and weighing roughly 7.5-8.5 pounds. At 40 weeks, your baby is considered at term, and all development needed for independent life is complete. Your baby is ready to be born anytime.

Your baby’s organ systems are all fully functional. Your baby’s lungs are mature and ready to breathe air independently. Your baby’s digestive system is ready to process breast milk or formula. Your baby’s liver, kidneys, and other organs are functioning at newborn levels. Your baby’s immune system, while it will continue developing throughout childhood, is now ready to begin responding to environmental pathogens independently.

Your baby is positioned head-down and low in your pelvis, ready for labor. The umbilical cord is providing all remaining nutrition and oxygen until labor and delivery. The amniotic fluid is minimal at this point—only about 500 ml (roughly 1 cup). You should still feel your baby moving regularly, though movements are subtle and gentle due to the limited space. If you notice a significant decrease in movement, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Your baby’s bone structure is completely formed, though growth continues throughout infancy and childhood. Your baby’s brain, while fully formed, is only about 25% of its adult size and will continue growing significantly over the first few years of life. Your baby’s reflexes are all functional and ready for life outside the womb. Your baby is completely prepared to meet the world.

Your Body This Week

At 40 weeks, you’ve likely gained 25-35 pounds. Your weight may have plateaued or decreased slightly as you continue shedding excess fluid. You’re carrying the maximum weight you will carry during pregnancy, and your body has been stretched to its limits to accommodate your baby.

Your uterus is at its maximum size. Most women describe feeling completely exhausted and at the end of their rope physically. Physical discomfort is significant—back pain, pelvic pain, fatigue, and the general sensation of carrying enormous weight affect nearly every daily activity. Walking, climbing stairs, getting out of bed, and other normal tasks feel difficult and uncomfortable.

Your cervix is likely well-prepared for labor. Many women at 40 weeks are dilated 1-3 cm or more, though cervical dilation is just one indicator of readiness for labor. Some women maintain dilation without going into labor, while others progress very quickly once labor begins. Cervical softening and effacement (thinning) are often more important indicators of readiness than dilation.

Your body continues producing the hormones that prepare you for labor. You’re experiencing frequent Braxton-Hicks contractions. Some women find that contractions are coming so frequently that they feel semi-continuous, with brief periods of relaxation between them. These are still not true labor contractions, but they can be quite uncomfortable and disruptive to sleep and daily activities.

Emotionally, many women at 40 weeks report a complex mix of feelings. Some feel at peace and patient, trusting that their body knows when to labor. Others feel frustrated, impatient, or even panicked that labor hasn’t begun. Some worry that something is wrong or that they’ll need induction. Some feel relieved at the thought of induction, preferring a scheduled delivery to waiting for labor. All these feelings are normal. Many women benefit from talking with their healthcare provider, partner, or a mental health professional about these feelings.

Common Symptoms at 40 Weeks

Extreme Impatience and Frustration: Most women report intense impatience and frustration by 40 weeks. You’ve been preparing and waiting for nine months, and now that you’re at your due date, the anticipation is nearly unbearable. Every day feels like a week. This is normal. Try to redirect your energy into activities that bring you joy or peace rather than fixating on when labor will begin.

Maximum Physical Discomfort: Physical discomfort is likely at its peak. You may feel incapable of doing normal activities. Your back hurts, your pelvis hurts, walking is painful, sitting is painful, standing is painful, and lying down is uncomfortable. This level of discomfort is temporary and will be relieved when you deliver.

Sleep Deprivation and Exhaustion: You’re likely severely sleep-deprived at this point. The combination of physical discomfort, frequent urination, vivid dreams, Braxton-Hicks contractions, and anxiety about labor make restful sleep nearly impossible. Most women at 40 weeks are running on fumes. Rest when you can during the day, accept help, and know that labor and delivery will provide relief from this discomfort.

Increased Vaginal Discharge and Possible Signs of Impending Labor: At 40 weeks, you may notice increased vaginal discharge, possibly passing your mucus plug (if you haven’t already), or noticing bloody show. These signs indicate cervical changes and that labor is approaching. However, they don’t guarantee labor will begin immediately.

Frequent Braxton-Hicks Contractions: Practice contractions continue to be frequent and may occur almost continuously. While uncomfortable, they remain irregular and should not progress to active labor. However, if contractions become regular and painful, you may be entering labor.

Anxiety About the Unknown: Many women report increased anxiety at 40 weeks about what labor will be like, whether they can handle it, whether something is wrong with their baby, or whether they’ll need induction. These anxieties are normal and reflect the significant unknown you’re about to face. Talking with your healthcare provider, partner, or a therapist can help process these anxieties.

What to Do This Week

Attend Your Week 40 Appointment: This appointment is crucial. Your healthcare provider will assess you and your baby’s health, confirm that you’re still a good candidate for waiting for labor, and discuss what will happen if you don’t go into labor within the next few days. This is a good time to discuss any concerns you have about labor, delivery, or induction.

Discuss Induction Timeline and Methods: Most healthcare providers recommend induction if you haven’t gone into labor by 41 weeks, with some recommending induction at 40 weeks or even earlier for certain high-risk conditions. Discuss with your provider when they would recommend induction in your situation, what methods they would use (cervical ripening agents, prostaglandins, oxytocin, mechanical methods), and what the timeline would look like. Understanding this helps you feel more prepared if induction becomes necessary.

Continue Gentle Activity: Continuing to walk and stay gently active may help encourage labor. However, there’s no guarantee that activity will bring on labor. Use this time to move at a pace that feels comfortable and to spend quality time with loved ones.

Practice Stress Management: Many women find that stress and anxiety can actually inhibit labor onset. Practicing relaxation techniques, spending time in nature, listening to music, or engaging in activities that bring you peace and joy may help both your mental well-being and potentially encourage labor. Meditation, yoga, or counseling may all be helpful.

Prepare Yourself Mentally for Possible Induction: If labor doesn’t begin spontaneously within the coming days, induction may be necessary. Mentally preparing yourself for this possibility helps reduce anxiety if it becomes necessary. Understand that induction is a medical intervention designed to keep you and your baby safe, not a failure on your part or indication that something is wrong.

Enjoy Last Moments of Pregnancy: While you may be eager for pregnancy to end, take time to appreciate these final days or weeks. Once you deliver, your life will change dramatically. Spend quality time with your partner, with family members, doing activities you enjoy, or resting. This can help you feel more present and less fixated on waiting for labor.

Nutrition Spotlight: Maintaining Health Until Delivery

Continue eating balanced, nutritious meals. You need adequate calories, protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates to maintain your health and have the energy for labor when it begins. Continue taking your prenatal vitamin as directed. Stay well-hydrated with water and healthy beverages throughout the day.

If induction is planned or seems likely, eat a balanced meal before going to the hospital or birth center, as you may not be allowed to eat during labor. Once in labor, you’ll likely be able to consume liquids and possibly light foods depending on your hospital’s policy and your labor progression, so ask about this during your appointment.

When to Call Your Doctor

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience:

Regular contractions lasting more than 30 minutes—you may be in labor. Go to the hospital or birth center.

Gushing or steady leaking of clear fluid from your vagina—go to the hospital or birth center immediately.

Vaginal bleeding more than light spotting.

Sudden severe swelling of your face or hands, with headache, vision changes, or upper abdominal pain.

Severe headache or vision disturbances.

Severe abdominal or pelvic pain.

Significant decrease in fetal movement. Review normal fetal movement patterns.

Fever above 100.4°F (38°C) or persistent low-grade fever.

Difficulty breathing or chest pain.

FAQ: 40 Weeks Pregnant

Q: Why is my baby not coming on my due date?

A: Due dates are estimates, not predictions. They’re calculated as 280 days from the first day of your last menstrual period, but normal pregnancy length varies from 266-280 days. Additionally, dating ultrasounds have a margin of error of about 5 days. Most babies are born between 39-40 weeks, with only about 5% born exactly on their due date. Your body and baby have their own timeline for labor, and it’s perfectly normal for labor to begin several days after the due date.

Q: When will my healthcare provider recommend induction?

A: Most providers recommend induction around 41 weeks of pregnancy, though some recommend earlier (at 40 weeks) or have specific reasons for earlier induction. The recommendation for induction at 41 weeks is based on research showing that risks of stillbirth and other complications increase after that point. However, the absolute risk remains quite low. Discuss your provider’s specific recommendations for your situation at your appointment.

Q: What is labor induction, and what does the process involve?

A: Labor induction is the use of medical methods to stimulate contractions and begin labor. Methods may include cervical ripening agents (prostaglandins or mechanical methods like a Foley catheter balloon) to soften and dilate the cervix, followed by oxytocin (synthetic pitocin) to stimulate contractions. The process typically takes 24-48 hours from start to delivery, though it can be faster or slower depending on your body’s response. Discuss the specific methods your provider would use and what the timeline would look like.

Q: Is induction safe, and what are the risks?

A: Labor induction is safe when medically indicated, though like all medical procedures, it carries some risks including uterine hyperstimulation (too many contractions), infection, bleeding, and increased likelihood of cesarean delivery if induction doesn’t successfully lead to vaginal delivery. However, the risks of going significantly post-term (past 41 weeks) are higher than the risks of induction. Discuss the risks and benefits specific to your situation with your healthcare provider.