“You are not just waiting. You are growing, transforming, and preparing to meet someone who will change your life forever.”

Welcome to Week 40 of pregnancy. You’ve made it. You’ve carried life within you for ten incredible months, through the tender beginnings, the aches and cravings, the milestones and kicks. Now you’re standing at the edge of something enormous—your baby’s birth.

There’s something uniquely powerful about this moment. You may feel both immensely ready and totally overwhelmed. Some days you may wonder if labor will ever start; other times you might long to hold on to this final phase a little longer. This week isn’t just the end of pregnancy—it’s the threshold of a new life for you and your baby.

Your Baby at Week 40

By Week 40, your baby is considered full-term, measuring about 20 inches long and weighing around 7.5 to 8.5 pounds. They’re ready to breathe, cry, and open their eyes in the world outside your womb. But don’t worry if there’s no action just yet—only about 5% of babies arrive on their due date.

• Skin: The skin is now smooth and free of most of the vernix and lanugo that once covered it.
• Reflexes: The rooting and sucking reflexes are fully developed and ready for those first precious feedings.
• Brain: The brain is still developing at lightning speed—more than 100 billion neurons are in place, ready to fire connections that support sight, sound, smell, and touch.
• Position: Most babies have settled into a head-down position, nestled in the pelvis, awaiting their cue to enter the world.

Your Body at 40 Weeks Pregnant

Your body is carrying a full-grown human, and it’s working around the clock to prepare for labor. You may feel exhausted, sore, anxious, and deeply emotional all at once. All of that is normal.

• Pelvic Pressure: As your baby presses down, you might feel strong pressure or even discomfort in your hips and lower abdomen.
• Cervical Changes: Your cervix may be softening (effacing) and dilating, though some changes might only become noticeable during active labor.
• Contractions: Braxton Hicks contractions may increase, or you might experience early labor signs.
• Fatigue & Insomnia: It’s hard to rest when you’re this far along, and excitement may keep your mind racing.
• Emotional Intensity: The weight of waiting—combined with hormonal shifts—can make you feel emotionally raw. Tears, fears, joy, and anticipation often swirl together.

The Wait: Emotional and Mental Realities of Week 40

Let’s be honest—the waiting game at 40 weeks can feel like a marathon without a finish line in sight. Each twinge, each cramp, each quiet moment can send your mind spinning. And while friends and family might be saying “Any baby yet?”, your body and heart are saying, “Almost.”

This is a sacred time. Not because everything is peaceful (it isn’t), but because you’re on the cusp of something breathtaking. You’re about to birth not just a baby, but a version of yourself you’ve never met before—a mother, born through sweat, pain, and unimaginable love.

Here are some emotional truths to hold onto this week:

• Your body knows what to do. Trust it. Trust the rhythm it has followed for 40 weeks.
• You are allowed to feel tired and frustrated. The finish line is close, and it’s okay to admit you’re ready.
• Your baby is not late. They are coming in their own perfect time.
• Each day of waiting is preparation. Even if unseen, something meaningful is unfolding within you.

Signs That Labor May Be Imminent

While there’s no crystal ball to predict the exact moment labor will begin, some signs can indicate it’s close:

• Loss of Mucus Plug: A thick or blood-tinged discharge may signal that your cervix is opening.
• Bloody Show: A pinkish or red discharge can appear shortly before labor begins.
• Regular, Increasing Contractions: Contractions that grow stronger, longer, and closer together often mean true labor.
• Water Breaking: If your amniotic sac ruptures (a gush or trickle of fluid), contact your care provider immediately.
• Back Pain or Pelvic Pressure: Intensifying discomfort may signal early labor.

Induction and Beyond Week 40

If labor doesn’t start naturally this week, your provider may discuss induction options with you. Most doctors allow pregnancy to continue until 41 or even 42 weeks, as long as you and baby are healthy.

Common induction methods include:

• Stripping the membranes
• Cervical ripening (using medication)
• Breaking your water (amniotomy)
• Starting Pitocin to encourage contractions

Remember, it’s okay to advocate for your preferences and ask questions about any intervention. Your experience matters, and your comfort and consent are essential in all decisions.

Tips for the Final Days

• Rest: Nap whenever possible—you’ll need your strength.
• Stay Nourished: Light, healthy meals will keep your energy stable.
• Keep Moving: Gentle walks and stretches can help the baby engage and ease anxiety.
• Connect: Journal, meditate, or simply talk with your partner about your hopes and feelings.
• Visualize: Picture your baby’s birth—what it might look like, sound like, feel like. Let your heart lead you there.

Dear Mama, This Is It

You have carried your baby with courage and care. You’ve built a life inside your body. And now—at Week 40—you are ready. However and whenever labor begins, know this: you are not alone. You are supported, celebrated, and surrounded by the strength of every woman who has walked this path before you.

Take a breath. Let it out slowly. The moment you’ve been waiting for is coming, and it will be everything you’ve dreamed—and so much more.

Next stop: parenthood.