The development of the baby at 40 weeks of gestation, which is 9 months pregnant, is complete and ready for birth. All organs are fully formed, the heart beats approximately 110 to 160 times per minute and delivery can begin at any time.
Pay attention to how often your baby moves a day and if your belly gets hard or if you feel cramps, as these are signs of labor, especially if you follow a regular frequency. Check Out Other Signs of Labor
Development of the fetus
The development of the fetus at 40 weeks gestation shows that:
- The skin is smooth with folds of fat on the legs and arms and there may still be some vernix. The baby may have too much hair or a few strands, but it is likely that some will fall in the first few months of the baby.
- The muscles and joints are strong and the baby reacts to sound and movement. He recognizes familiar sounds, especially the voice of his mother and father, if the father communicates frequently with him.
- The nervous system is completely ready and mature enough for the baby to survive outside the uterus, but brain cells will continue to multiply in the early years of the child's life.
- The respiratory system is mature and as soon as the umbilical cord is cut off, the baby can start breathing alone.
- The baby's eyes are accustomed to seeing in a close distance, since it was inside the womb and there was not much space there, and so after birth, the ideal distance to speak with the baby is of maximum 30 cm, that the distance of the breast to the face of the mother, approximately.
Size of the fetus
The size of the fetus at 40 weeks gestation is approximately 50 cm, measured from head to toe and the weight is about 3.5 kg.
Changes in the woman with 40 weeks of pregnancy
The changes in the woman at 40 weeks of pregnancy are marked by tiredness and swelling that despite being more apparent in the legs and feet, can affect the whole body. At this stage what is recommended to do is to rest as much as possible, having a light diet.
If the contractions are still very sporadic, a walk at a faster pace may help. The pregnant woman can walk about 1 hour a day, every day, in the early morning or late afternoon, to avoid the hottest times of the day.
Most babies are born up to 40 weeks gestation, but it may last up to 42 weeks, however, if labor does not start spontaneously up to 41 weeks, it is possible for the obstetrician to opt for induction of birth, which consists of administering oxytocin into the mother's bloodstream at the hospital to stimulate uterine contractions.
Your pregnancy by quarter
To make your life easier and you do not waste time looking, we separate all the information you need for each trimester of gestation. What quarter are you in?
- 1st Quarter (1st to 13th week)
- 2nd Quarter (14th to 27th week)
- 3rd Quarter (from the 28th to the 41st week)
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