pregnancy week 40
Week 40 has finally arrived, and what a journey my baby and I have been on! I’m very likely to finally give birth this week and meet my baby face-to-face. Although, after sharing so many chats and wriggles over the last 40 weeks, it probably feels like we’re already best friends!
week 40
New-borns are marvellous little things and are born with many essential skills. As soon as they arrive, my baby will be able to:
- Locate a nipple or teat and suck at it
- Grasp a finger with their fingers – or their toes!
- Recognise my voice and smell, and feel reassured by them
me at week 40
I felt restless and impatient last week; this will likely be the case in week 40 too. Pregnancy due dates are just an estimate so it’s normal for me to pass by without anything happening. If your baby still hasn’t arrived several days later, your doctor will discuss the possibility of inducing labour. Induction (encouraging labour to start artificially) will usually happen about 14 days after the due date, provided you and your baby are healthy.
my baby at week 40
My baby, on the other hand, is feeling perfectly relaxed! They may be short of space, but they’re nice and snug. My little one will be enjoying listening to me and feeling my movements. Amazingly, they’ll be born recognising my voice, and the voice of close family members. Their eyesight is now developed enough to see about 2.5cm away too – not that there’s much to see just yet! My baby weighs around 3.3kg. Soon I’ll know their exact weight and measurements.
things to do
The pregnancy advice ‘to relax and rest as much as possible’ is probably wearing a bit thin by now. I’ve read every book in the house, and exhausted the options on Netflix. I go for some gentle walks and enjoy some fresh air. I make the most of my time with my partner. I even take my hospital bag and maternity notes on every trip out – I never know when my baby will decide it’s time to say hello…