you're 40 weeks pregnant.
last revised · baby is about 51.2 cm (20.2") · 3460 g (122.0 oz)
At 40 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 51.2 cm and 3460 g — Your official due date is here.
about the size of a…
Your official due date is here. Only 1 in 20 babies arrive on it exactly — most come within two weeks of either side.
this week's highlights
- Due date reached
- Newborn-ready
- Soft skull plates allow molding
- Reflexes fully working
how your baby looks
A full-term newborn — plump cheeks, smooth pink skin, varying amounts of head hair. Tiny vernix remnants may still cling to skin folds.
body in focus
- head
- Soft skull plates allow molding through the birth canal.
- body
- Ready for the outside world.
- hands
- Grasp reflex is strong — perfect for that first finger-grab.
- feet
- Stepping reflex active — newborns 'step' when held upright.
what's happening in your body
You may feel emotional, impatient, and very ready. Stay calm — labor will start when your body and baby are ready.
symptoms at 40 weeks
- Due-date frustration
- Only around one in twenty babies arrives on the due date itself, so today is a milestone, not a deadline. The emotional weight of the waiting is real — be gentle with yourself.
- Strong pelvic and cervical pressure
- Everything is as low and ready as it can be. Sharp twinges, aches, and heaviness are the soundtrack of a body fully prepared.
- Irregular contractions day and night
- Tightenings may run hot and cold repeatedly. Time them when they feel purposeful; a regular strengthening pattern is your cue to call the unit.
- Broken, restless sleep
- Between pressure, anticipation, and bathroom trips, nights are fragmented. Rest lying down whenever possible — recovery-grade rest still counts even without sleep.
- Digestive clear-out
- Loose stools or a sudden appetite drop can precede labour by a day or two. Keep fluids up and snacks small.
- Movements matter to the very end
- Your baby should stay just as active today as last month, including during early labour. Reduced movement at 40 weeks is an emergency-level prompt: contact your maternity unit immediately, day or night.
gentle tips
- Walk gently and stay active without overdoing it.
- Try labor-promoting strategies your provider supports.
- Sleep when possible — labor can be long.
- Discuss induction timing with your provider if past due.
- Keep faith and patience — almost there.
your week 40 checklist
- Attend your 40-week appointment and discuss monitoring and induction options if pregnancy continues past 41 weeks.
- Ask about additional monitoring your unit offers between 40 and 42 weeks.
- Keep gentle daily movement going — walks and birth ball sitting help positioning and morale.
- Continue strict daily attention to movements and call your maternity unit immediately about any change.
what to expect next
Most babies arrive between weeks 38 and 42. If labor hasn't started by week 41, induction is usually discussed.
common questions at week 40
How big is the baby at 40 weeks?
At 40 weeks, the baby measures about 51.2 cm and weighs approximately 3460 g (51.2 cm (20.2") · 3460 g (122.0 oz)).
What is developing at 40 weeks?
A full-term newborn — plump cheeks, smooth pink skin, varying amounts of head hair. Soft skull plates allow molding through the birth canal. Key milestones this week include: Due date reached; Newborn-ready; Soft skull plates allow molding; Reflexes fully working.
What symptoms are common at 40 weeks pregnant?
You may feel emotional, impatient, and very ready. Stay calm — labor will start when your body and baby are ready.
What should I do at 40 weeks pregnant?
Most babies arrive between weeks 38 and 42. Walk gently and stay active without overdoing it. Try labor-promoting strategies your provider supports. Sleep when possible — labor can be long.
What happens if I go past my due date?
Going past 40 weeks is extremely common — many first pregnancies do. Your care team will usually offer a membrane sweep, extra monitoring of the baby's wellbeing between 41 and 42 weeks, and a discussion about induction, typically recommended by 41 to 42 weeks because placental function gradually declines after that. Nothing happens without your agreement; the appointments are there so decisions are made with full information.
What does being induced actually involve?
Induction usually starts with prostaglandin pessaries or gels, or a balloon catheter, to soften and open the cervix; if needed, your waters are then broken and a hormone drip mimics contractions. It can take from hours to a couple of days, particularly for first babies, so pack entertainment and patience alongside the hospital bag. Pain relief options remain fully available, and staff will explain each step before it happens — you can ask for time and information at every stage.
Should I worry about reduced movements now the baby has less room?
The idea that babies slow down at the end because they run out of space is a myth — movements change character but should stay just as frequent and strong until and during labour. Any genuine reduction in movements at 40 weeks needs immediate assessment: contact your maternity unit straight away rather than waiting, using a home doppler, or seeing how the next few hours go. It is the single most important rule of late pregnancy.
helpful tools
- Kick Counter
Daily kick counts are an important reassurance in the third trimester.
- Contraction Timer
Time contractions and track frequency when the moment comes.
- Hospital Bag
Curated packing checklist for labor and delivery.
Medically aligned with guidance from WHO, NHS and ACOG. How we write.