Pregnancy Week by Week - Final Week

Pregnancy Week by Week - Final Week

Week 40:

This week could be the week that your baby is born.  However, do not worry if labor does not start yet.  Many mothers go past their due date.  This is especially true for first time moms.  Many babies are 7 ½ or so on average at this point.  He/she will probably be somewhere in the area of 20 inches long.  Your baby's immune system is not ready to function entirely on its on.  The placenta provides them with antibodies from you.  After birth, they can still receive those antibodies from you through breast milk if you breastfeed. 

Be ready for the first stage of labor when you begin to experience your contractions.  Have your bag ready to go and a plan of action when the time comes to head to the hospital.  When you start to experience contractions on a regular basis, you should time them.  Your doctor should have given you an idea as to when he/she would like you to come to the hospital.  A rule of thumb is often to head to the hospital when your contractions last about 60 seconds or even more and are five minutes a part or less.  By the time your contractions are 2-3 minutes a part and last 60 seconds or so you should be at your hospital or birthing center.  The first state of labor in its entirety often lasts 12 hours or even more for mothers who have not been pregnant before.  For moms who have had other pregnancies, the length of this phase can be significantly less. 

If your baby isn't born this week, it will probably be another week or so before your OBGYN start to consider the possibility of inducing labor.  During these last few days until your baby is born, continue to eat well and to rest as much as you are able.  Continue with all scheduled prenatal visits to ensure your health and the health of the baby.  He/she is on will be here very soon!