The 40th week of pregnancy is officially the end of your pregnancy journey. Your child is fully grown and ready to enter the world on a larger scale. During this last week, your baby will likely have a flurry of activities as she prepares for birth.

Infant development

1. Full development: The baby’s organs are fully developed and ready to function independently, and the lungs continue to grow in preparation for air breathing.

2. Communication skills: At this stage, the infant is able to react to information, blink, clench fingers and turn the head, indicating advanced cooperation

3. Hair and Nails: The baby’s hair and nails continue to grow and reach a mature stage.

4. Position: The baby sits in a lumbar spine, which can cause head tilt, leg tilt, or sideways tilt as you prepare for birth

5. Size and weight: The baby is about the size of a pumpkin, about 20 inches long and weighs 7 to 10 pounds.

1. Physical Development Well-formed newborn

At 40 weeks, your baby is fully developed and has all the organs and systems necessary to function independently. Their bodies are now well proportioned, with their heads slightly larger than their chests. They may have smooth skin and nails that have grown past their fingertips.

• Weight and height: Your baby will weigh an average of 7.5 pounds (3.4 kg), and be about 20 inches (51 cm) tall, but size can vary.

• Body Structure: All of your baby’s major organs and systems are fully developed and functional. Their lungs are mature and their digestive systems are ready to process food.

• Senses: Your child’s senses are well developed. They hear sound, see light, taste, and smell.

2. Embryo movement: Busy bee

As your baby prepares for birth, they tend to be more active. You may find that the cells lose energy while conserving energy for the big day. However, if you are concerned about a significant decrease in cervical movement, do not hesitate to contact your health care provider.

• Decreased movement: It is normal for the baby to have decreased movement in the last weeks of pregnancy. However, if you notice significant reduction or loss of mobility, it is important to seek treatment.

• Kick count: Monitoring your child’s kick count can help you monitor your well-being. Consult with your healthcare provider for specific instructions on how to count pimples.

3. Final Brain Development Measures

During the last weeks of pregnancy, your baby’s brain continues to grow rapidly. Connections between brain cells are strong, and your child can learn and adapt to new experiences.

• Cognitive development: Your baby’s brain develops the ability to recognize, remember and recognize patterns.

• Sensory processing: Your baby’s brain is also developing the ability to process sensory information such as sight, sound, touch, hearing and smell

4. Reproductive preparation: Status and engagement

As your baby prepares for birth, they begin to lower your legs, a process called engagement. This position helps keep your baby’s head in the birth canal.

• Head down: Most babies are head down in preparation for birth. However, some find their placement in other ways, such as breeches or slants.

• Attachment: When your baby’s head rests on your nose, he or she is said to be engaged. This is a sign of impending fatigue.

5. Maternal exchange: Nests and expectations

During the last weeks of pregnancy, you may experience an increase in energy known as nesting behaviour. This is a natural response that can help you prepare for your baby’s arrival.

• Nesting instinct: This burst of energy can motivate you to clean, organize and prepare your home for your baby’s arrival.

• Emotional roller coaster: It’s normal to feel a range of emotions including excitement, anxiety and even some sadness as you anticipate the end of pregnancy.

Additional Common Questions

Conclusion

Congratulations to you! Week 40 of pregnancy is the end of your nine-month journey and the beginning of a new chapter with the baby. At this point, your baby is fully grown and all vital organs are ready to function independently. As they settle down to breed, you can feel a mixture of excitement and anticipation. Continue to review regularly, keep track of changes, and be ready to ship. Whether you’re waiting for signs of labor or discussing induction with your doctor, remember that there’s usually one. The arrival of your baby is just around the corner, and the coming days will be a happy ending to your pregnancy journey.