Week 40 of pregnancy
Week 40 is in the last stretch. The baby is mostly growing and putting on weight from here.
About the size of a watermelon
| Size | About a watermelon |
|---|---|
| Length | 51.2 cm (20.2 in), measured from head to heel |
| Weight | 3,460 g (122 oz, 7.6 lb) |
| Trimester | Third trimester |
| Weeks to go | Due date week |
These are averages. Every baby grows at their own pace.
How the baby is getting ready
Your due date is here. Only a small share of babies arrive on the day itself.
How your body may feel
Waiting can feel long, and the "any news?" messages don't make it shorter.
Everyone's pregnancy is different. If something worries you, call your midwife or doctor.
Worth doing now
Ask your midwife what happens if the baby comes later, so you know the plan.
Questions you could bring to your next appointment
- What should I do if the baby's movements change?
- Which signs mean it's time to call or come in?
- Can we go through my birth preferences?
- NHS: Your pregnancy week by week
- ACOG: How your fetus grows during pregnancy
- Hadlock FP et al. In utero analysis of fetal growth: a sonographic weight standard. Radiology 1991 (weights from week 10)
- Robinson HP, Fleming JE. A critical evaluation of sonar crown-rump length measurements. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1975 (early lengths)
Questions
What if the baby's movements change?
The NHS advises calling your midwife or maternity unit straight away if the baby is moving less than usual, day or night. Do not wait until the next day.
When does full term start?
ACOG calls a baby born from 39 weeks full term, and from 37 weeks early term.
Is my baby exactly this size?
No one is. The size, length and weight here are averages from published growth charts. Your scan results are the ones that count, and your midwife or doctor is the person to ask about them.
Start with today
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