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The development of the baby at 40 weeks of gestation, which is 9 months pregnant, is complete and he is ready to be born. 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 many times your baby moves a day and if your tummy is stiff or cramps, as these are signs of labor, especially if they respect a regular frequency. Check out other signs of labor
Fetus development
The development of the fetus at 40 weeks of 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 a lot of hair or a few strands, but some are likely to fall out in the baby's first few months.
- 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 he has communicated frequently with him.
- The nervous system is completely ready and mature enough for the baby to survive outside the womb, but brain cells will continue to multiply in the child's early years.
- The respiratory system is mature and as soon as the umbilical cord is cut, the baby can start breathing on its own.
- The baby's eyes are used to seeing at a close distance, as it was inside the womb and there was not much space there, and so after birth, the ideal distance to talk to the baby is a maximum of 30 cm, that the distance from approximately to the mother's face.
Fetus size
The size of the fetus at 40 weeks of gestation is approximately 50 cm, measured from head to toe and the weight is about 3.5 kg.
Changes in women at 40 weeks pregnant
The changes in women at 40 weeks of pregnancy are marked by tiredness and swelling which, despite being more apparent in the legs and feet, can affect the entire body. At this stage, what is recommended is to rest as much as possible, having a light diet.
If contractions are still very sporadic, walking at a faster pace can help. The pregnant woman can walk for about 1 hour a day, every day, early in the morning or late afternoon, to avoid the hottest times of the day.
Most babies are born until 40 weeks of gestation, but it is possible that it will continue until 42 weeks, however, if labor does not start spontaneously until 41 weeks, it is possible that the obstetrician will choose to induce childbirth, which consists of administering oxytocin into the mother's bloodstream, in the hospital, to stimulate uterine contractions.
Your pregnancy by trimester
To make your life easier and you don't waste time looking, we've separated all the information you need for each trimester of pregnancy. What quarter are you in?
- 1st Quarter (from the 1st to the 13th week)
- 2nd Quarter (from the 14th to the 27th week)
- 3rd Quarter (from the 28th to the 41st week)