At 40 weeks pregnant, you are at your due date. Labour may start at any time, but some pregnancies continue a little longer before birth begins, and that can still be normal depending on your provider's guidance.
This week follows 39 weeks pregnant. If you need to compare dates or check how far along you are, use the pregnancy calculator. After birth, you can track your baby's exact age in days, weeks and months — and see upcoming developmental milestones — with the baby age calculator.
The baby is usually around 50 cm long and may weigh about 3 to 3.5 kg, although birth weights vary widely. The baby is fully ready for birth, with organs and body systems mature enough for life outside the womb.
Baby movements may feel more like stretches, pushes or rolling pressure now because there is very little space. Movements should still be noticeable, even if they are different from earlier in pregnancy.
If labour has not started yet, the baby may still be settling into the pelvis and continuing to wait for the body to begin labour on its own or with medical help if needed.
At 40 weeks, you may have stronger Braxton Hicks, period-like cramps, bloody show, pelvic pressure, backache, frequent urination or a feeling that the baby has dropped lower. Waters breaking, regular contractions and increasing pressure are common labour signs.
Do not wait to call if you notice reduced movement, bleeding, green or brown fluid, fever, severe pain or contractions that are getting closer together and stronger. If something feels wrong, it is better to ask than to guess.
Your maternity team may give local instructions about when to come in, when to call first and when induction is considered if labour does not begin on its own.
If labour has not started by 41 weeks, follow-up usually becomes more frequent. Depending on your care system and your pregnancy history, your provider may want to review baby movements, blood pressure, the amniotic fluid level and the baby's wellbeing more often.
Between 41 and 42 weeks, some people are offered additional monitoring such as CTG or an ultrasound scan, and induction of labour is commonly discussed if birth has not started. Local guidance varies, so your maternity team will tell you when to come in and what to expect.
If you reach 42 weeks, it is usually treated as a post-term pregnancy in many guidelines, and induction is often recommended if labour still has not started. Do not wait without advice if you have any reduced movement, bleeding, waters breaking or symptoms that worry you.
Due date is the estimated date your pregnancy reaches 40 weeks, based on the first day of your last period or early ultrasound dating.
Bloody show is blood-streaked mucus that can appear as the cervix starts to change before labour.
Induction means medical methods are used to help start labour when it has not begun on its own or when there is a medical reason to do so.
At 40 weeks pregnant, you are at your due date. Labour may start at any time, but some pregnancies continue a little longer before birth begins.
No. Forty weeks is the due date, not overdue. Many babies are born before or after this point, and your provider will tell you when pregnancy is considered post-term in your care system.
Size varies, but many babies are around 50 cm long and about 3 to 3.5 kg. Growth and weight estimates can differ a lot from one baby to another.
Labour signs can include regular contractions, waters breaking, bloody show, stronger pelvic pressure and lower back pain. If you are unsure, call your maternity unit.
Call promptly if you have reduced movement, bleeding, green or brown fluid, fever, severe pain, or contractions that are getting regular and stronger. Follow your provider's local instructions for when to come in.
Monitoring usually becomes more frequent, and your provider may discuss scans, CTG and induction of labour depending on local guidance and your pregnancy history.
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