Pregnancy Week 40

Learn From the Specialists

You Baby's Development

This is it. After so many weeks and months of preparation, your baby is ready to arrive. Only 5% of first time mothers deliver on their due dates, many first timers find themselves waiting up to 2 weeks after their due date for the big event.

A baby born at 40 weeks will average around 7 pounds, 4 ounces (3,300 grams) and measures about 20 inches. Your newly delivered baby probably won't look like he's ready for his closeup. Often babies have misshapen heads from time spent in the birth canal and he may be still covered in vernix and blood. Your baby's skin may have skin discolorations, dry patches, and rashes - these many variations are completely normal.

Because of the presence of your hormones in your baby's system, your baby's genitals (scrotum in boys and labia in girls) may appear enlarged. Your baby, whether a boy or a girl, may even secrete milk from the tiny nipples. This should disappear in a few days and is completely normal.

After a vaginal delivery, the mucous will be suctioned out of your baby's nose and mouth and you'll hear that wonderful first cry. Often you'll be allowed to see your baby quickly and then the umbilical cord will be cut, usually your partner will get the honors. A series of quick screening tests such as Apgar to quickly determine your babies responsiveness, coloring and vital signs.

If your pregnancy was high risk, or if a cesarean section was necessary, a neonatologist (a doctor who specializes in newborn intensive care) will be present at your delivery to take care of your baby right away. If your baby needs any special care to adjust to life outside the womb, it will be given - and then your newborn will be placed in your waiting arms and you finally get to see the little face that has been kicking you all these months.

What Your Body is Doing This Week

This is the finish line and you're there! You'll have to go through labor and delivery.

You probably already learned about the 3 stages of labor. The first stage works to stretch and ready your cervix by contracting your uterus at regular intervals. The second stage is when you get to push and deliver your baby and the third and very important third stage is when the placenta is delivered.

If you're baby is deciding to be fashionably late in arriving, talk to your health care provider about a nonstress test, which monitors fetal heart rate and movement to be sure that the baby is receiving adequate oxygen and that the nervous system is responding. Many health care providers will help Mother Nature along by breaking your water or by administering the hormone oxytocin or other medications. If your baby still isn't born through vaginal delivery, or if there are any other potential complications, you may require a cesarean section delivery.

Some women that know ahead of time they are delivering by cesarean section and they can plan their baby's "birth day" in advance. Talk to your health care provider about any and all concerns you have so you can go in prepared emotionally and physically for this type of birth. A cesarean section may not be the birth experience you imagined if it was unplanned, but rest assured it won't hinder the ability to bond with your baby.

You did it, you made it through all the months and now is the time to enjoy your beautiful newborn and your new name, "Mommy".

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