Week 40 of Pregnancy: Ready to Meet Your Baby?

WEEK- 40 of Pregnancy

Intro:
You’ve made it to the 40th week of pregnancy- you’re almost there, supermom! I’m Dr. Heal, and I’m here to walk you through the milestones you and your baby will hit in this week of pregnancy!

Key Information:
Congratulations – you made it to your due date! Your pregnancy is full-term and your baby is fully developed and ready to meet you. At 41 weeks, your baby is fully ready for birth, with mature organs like lungs, heart, and digestion ready to go. They’re plumping up, growing longer hair and nails, waiting to take their first breath into the world! 
You may experience pelvic discomfort as your baby descends lower, causing pressure on your bladder and cervix, and haemorrhoids from the added pressure. Sleeping can be tough due to hormones and nerves. Frequent urination, constipation, and hemorrhoids may become common. Your contractions become more noticeable and frequent as your body prepares for delivery, and labor can start at any time. While being 40 weeks pregnant is normal, if you have signs like water breaking, painful and regular contractions 5 minutes apart, or bleeding, make your way to the hospital as soon as possible!

Conclusion:
A short walk can reduce aches, swelling, and improve constipation, and might even help kickstart labor. Avoid screens before bed, as the blue light can mess with your sleep cycle- try reading instead. And make sure to attend all doctor appointments and follow all important medical advice. And If you have questions or need advice, Apollo doctors and our supportive community are always here for you. Cheers to your baby and this new chapter of your life- You’ve got this supermom!