Pregnancy Week 40

Hurray! You made it to the official end of your pregnancy. It’s been a long 280 days, what a well cooked baby you have in there!

What’s your baby up to?

Your baby now weighs around 3.4kg and measures about 51.2cm from head to toe, about the size of a watermelon.  Baby boys are usually heavier than baby girls.

By now, your baby’s movements are more like rumbles than actual kicks due to the cramped up space. Still, you should be able to feel these movements; otherwise, let your doctor know.

Your baby is so ready to be born.

How are you doing?

This is supposedly the final week of your pregnancy, and you may be frustrated that you are still pregnant. Remember the due date was an estimation, therefore it’s not unusual to go past your due date. Take consolation in the fact that less than five percent of babies are born on their actual due dates.

You can go into labour at any time; but If you don’t go into labor on your own between 41 and 42 weeks, a date will be fixed for your labour to be induced.

What should you do this week?

You should have everything ready by now. If not, this week is your last chance for getting ready.

You may get a membrane sweep from your caregiver, which is supposed to facilitate the thinning out of your cervix. They may also check on your baby’s wellbeing using a biophysical profile (BPP) and a Non stress test(NST) . A BPP is an ultrasound that will check things like your amniotic fluid level, baby’s breathing, and muscle tone. NST monitors your baby’s heart rate.

Take brisk walks to get things moving along. If you are so impatient and want to get thing going you can try a few of the DIY methods some women claim worked for them. We cannot vouch for their effectiveness.

• Sexual intercourse: Semen contains prostaglandins and having an orgasm may stimulate some contractions.
• Nipple stimulation: Stimulating your nipples releases oxytocin, and may trigger contractions. It is best done in the hospital, so don’t try this at home.
• Take some spoons of castor oil. Castor oil is a strong laxative, and can cause diarrhea thereby stimulating some contractions.
• Eat something prepared with hot curry.
• Eat lots of pineapple.
• Drink raspberry leaf tea.

You should rest and enjoy these last few days. A walk in the park, going to the cinema, window shopping, are a few of the things to take your mind off your wait.

Finally, if it happens this week, congratulations in advance! Don’t rush off to the baby and breastfeeding section without sharing your good news and birth story with other moms in your Due Date Club. Our ears are seriously itching!

After your doctor gives you the OK to start exercising, be sure to join other moms in the Postpartum weight loss challenge. Losing the baby weight is fun and easy when we struggle together!