40 weeks of pregnancy - and there are no signs of childbirth. This situation will make even those expectant mothers who are a model of balance worry. But do not worry, because even doctors cannot determine the exact date of birth of a child. Only five percent of babies are born on exactly the appointed date. Therefore, you need to relax and enjoy the pleasant process of waiting. Your baby continues to grow, on average he gains about 300 grams in weight. His lungs are already completely ready for the first breath, and now only he decides when to be born. 40 weeks pregnant - no signs of labor means only that the baby is not ready to go. He himself must start this process, releasing the stress hormone - cortisol, which will begin to enter the mother's blood through the placenta. Cortisol, along with other hormones, leads to contractions, the neck softens and is released from the cork, after which it begins to open. At this time, the baby can even sleep.

What happens during childbirth?

Mom begins to produce endorphin - an analgesic hormone that helps to endure pain during contractions. Also, endorphin enhances contractions, due to which there is a rapid opening of the neck. If at this time you are nervous and afraid, the body will begin to produce adrenaline, which will lead to increased pain.

How to understand that soon to give birth?

40 weeks pregnant no signs of labor? Don't be scared. Childbirth is always unpredictable, and when it will begin, as well as how it will pass, no one will know for sure. However, there are some harbingers of childbirth, thanks to which you can definitely understand that a happy day is approaching. The main harbinger of childbirth is the discharge of the cork. It can come out 7-14 days before delivery. The second sign is the discharge of water. If the waters have broken, then within three days childbirth will certainly begin, so contractions can begin only a couple of days after the waters break. Many women experience sudden mood swings or drowsiness these days. During these three days, you should not go far from home, because childbirth can begin at any time. Many women prefer to spend this time in the hospital, especially if it is. So they can be sure that at any time they will be provided with qualified assistance.

childbirth

Attempts begin with the urge to go to the toilet in a big way, after which everything happens pretty quickly, the main thing is to listen to the advice of the doctor and obstetrician. If everything goes well, then the final stage of labor will last no more than two hours (for multiparous - about 4 hours).

For every woman, it begins with the fact that the future mother is armed with a calendar, and every minute she listens intensely to her body.

This, of course, is not bad, but still you should not panic. It is likely that the doctor will suggest going to the hospital - you should be under medical supervision.

If you feel good, then you can not agree to his proposal. But if the doctor insists - do not resist and go to collect things.

Most likely, the child is now moving very weakly - there is no room left for wide swings and somersaults. He can slightly twitch the handle or gently kick you in the stomach - there is no trace of the former active movements.

Don't worry! Everything is fine.

Nutrition of the expectant mother at 40 weeks of gestation

At the 40th week of gestation, the expectant mother and baby, as before, need vitamins, minerals and other useful elements. In addition to vitamins A and , vitamin K is very necessary, its natural form is most often found in plant foods.

Dairy products and leafy vegetables are rich in vitamin K. This element is very important in the process of blood clotting. Based on this, vitamin deficiency can cause very big problems during childbirth.

As before, the diet should include a lot of fruits and vegetables, boiled meat, fish and dairy products.
It is recommended to fully switch to natural products containing enough iron, protein and calcium to increase the baby's immunity.

Avoid eating products that contain various suspicious ingredients, dyes, convenience foods.

At the initial stage of labor, when the waters have broken or contractions have begun, it is best not to eat anything. This is due to the fact that the intestines must be empty, in addition, nausea may occur. Drink purified water without gas.

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If there are no harbingers of labor at the 40th week of pregnancy

Childbirth is a programmed mechanism for the expulsion of the fetus from the uterus, which normally occurs when the baby reaches full physiological maturity.

Births that occur between 38 and 42 weeks are considered normal. By this time, all organs and systems of the fetus are ready for independent functioning, and a generic dominant is created in the mother's body.

The processes that take place during pregnancy are rebuilt - in the uterus, excitation reactions prevail over inhibition reactions - the task of maintaining the pregnancy is replaced by the task of helping the baby to be born. The same processes occur not only in the uterus, but also in the brain.

However, sometimes it happens that the birth does not occur on time, the 39th week, the 40th week passes, and the baby is not going to leave his mother's tummy.

There may be several explanations.

• Well, firstly, this may be due to an incorrectly set gestational age. As a standard, the term is considered from the first day of the last menstruation, however, in women with a long cycle, cycle disorder, ovulation may occur later, and, accordingly, the gestational age may vary by 1-2 weeks.
• Secondly, the reasons for the absence of labor activity after 40 weeks may also be violations of the neuromuscular and receptor apparatus of the uterus.
• Well, and thirdly, this rarely happens, of course, but it still happens when a pregnant woman forgets to remove the bandage after 37 weeks and leads a sedentary lifestyle. The bandage does not allow the head to fall to the entrance to the small pelvis and, accordingly, one of the active mechanisms for the onset of labor is excluded - there is no pressure of the presenting part of the fetus on the neck and it does not open.

What to do?

To begin with - do not wind yourself up - if everything is fine according to the ultrasound, according to the CTG there are no signs of a violation of the fetal condition - trust your gynecologist. He will definitely resolve this issue. If necessary, the pregnant woman is sent to the hospital for stimulation of labor and delivery.

If labor activity did not occur on time, there is no need to worry and worry. Many expectant mothers begin to think that now they will not be able to give birth on their own, they will need to stimulate labor or conduct artificial delivery. Childbirth is an individual process that can happen a little earlier or later. With any questions, it is better to contact a gynecologist who will conduct an examination and coordinate further actions: the pregnant woman will be sent home or to the maternity hospital for observation.

What happens in the body of a future mother at 40 weeks of gestation

The body of the future woman in labor continues to prepare for the upcoming delivery and is ready to start acting at any moment: the ligaments of the pelvis are stretched, the joints become more mobile, and the muscles are elastic. The main task of a pregnant woman at this time is to carefully listen to her body and pay attention to the appearance of harbingers of childbirth, which indicate the approach of the cherished date.

The 40th week of pregnancy is most often the final for the expectant mother in the difficult path of bearing and expecting a baby. For some women, the process of delivery does not occur. Childbirth after 41 weeks is undesirable - the fetus will be born post-term.

The main signs that indicate the imminent onset of childbirth include:

• Lowering of the abdomen. Not only the body of the expectant mother is preparing for the upcoming birth, but also the body of the baby. With its presenting part (head or butt), the fetus begins to descend to the bottom of the uterus. As a result, the uterus begins to put more pressure on the bladder, which leads to frequent urge to urinate;
• Increased and thinning of the stool. This condition is due to changes in the hormonal system of the pregnant woman and the process of natural cleansing of the body. A few days before the onset of labor, diarrhea may be accompanied by discomfort in the intestines, the urge to vomit and nausea;
• Lack of appetite and decreased edema. This can lead to a decrease in the weight of the future woman in labor by several kilograms;
• Mucus plug exit. A sign of the discharge of the protective plug at the 40th week of pregnancy is the release of mucus clots with streaks of blood from the vagina. During the gestation period, the cork closed the uterine cervix and protected it from infection. Before childbirth, she comes out and frees the birth canal for the fetus.

A characteristic signal of the onset of childbirth at the 40th week of pregnancy is the discharge of amniotic fluid. When the amniotic sac bursts, a large amount of clear fluid begins to flow out of the vagina. If the waters have departed at home, you need to pay attention to their transparency and color. If the amniotic fluid had a yellowish-greenish tint, this should be told to the doctor. In such a case, the doctor takes under the supervision of the condition of the fetus.

In an anhydrous space, the child can be no more than 12 hours, therefore, as soon as the amniotic fluid has departed, you should go to the hospital and not wait for the contractions to begin.

What happens to the baby at 40 weeks pregnant

The nervous system and sense organs of the fetus continue to improve. The hematopoietic organs begin to function independently, so the baby's blood supply does not depend on the mother's body. Antibodies enter the fetus only through the placenta.

This week the baby moves only his arms and legs. There is practically no space in the uterine cavity, so he can no longer roll over, as before. During this period, the fetus may experience a slight swelling of the breast, which is due to excessive production of estrogen in the mother's body. You should not worry about this, after childbirth everything is normal.

Expecting the onset of labor, the fetal body begins to synthesize adrenaline and norepinephrine. Thanks to these hormones, the baby will be able to be born painlessly.

Signs of pregnancy at 40 weeks

Due to the fact that the stomach sank at the 40th week of pregnancy, the woman's stomach begins to work more actively, constipation disappears, heartburn decreases, and nausea disappears.

When the fetus descends to the pelvic ring, the pregnant woman may experience a feeling of pressure, heaviness in the vulva and perineum. Pain in the back of the thigh and lower back persists, due to compression of the nerves of the thigh. Increased pressure on the pelvic veins can cause painful hemorrhoids to form, leading to minor bleeding with a bowel movement.

Periodically, at the 40th week of pregnancy, the expectant mother's stomach becomes stony, the tone of the uterus rises, pulling pains appear in the lower back and lower abdomen. These are Braxton Hicks training contractions that prepare the body for the upcoming delivery process. The cervix becomes soft and short. Its disclosure, which is determined by the doctor during the examination, indicates the onset of childbirth.

Physiologically, the breast is completely ready for the lactation period. The blood filling of the mammary glands increases, colostrum gradually begins to stand out, which is replaced by milk a few days after birth. Preparation for breastfeeding should begin in advance: you can take a contrast shower and massage the nipples with a towel. This will make the breast less sensitive and will help to avoid the pain when feeding the baby, which many women experience.

Most pregnant women experience mood swings during this period. They become irritable and short-tempered. This is especially true for women who are preparing to become a mother not for the first time.

Medical examination at 40 weeks of gestation

No special examinations and analyzes are required this week. If a future woman in labor at the 40th week of pregnancy enters the maternity hospital, she is examined, which includes measuring weight, pressure, abdominal circumference and the height of the uterine fundus. Also, the doctor determines the degree of disclosure of the uterus. Based on the information received, further tactics of childbirth are determined.

Almost every woman is concerned about shaving the perineum and enemas on the eve of childbirth. In each hospital, such issues are resolved individually. In some institutions, these are mandatory conditions for future women in labor, in others, you can not do an enema, but shave at home.

In prenatal, cardiotocography (CTG) is performed, during which uterine contractions are recorded and the fetal heartbeat is heard. Cardiotocography recording lasts 20-40 minutes. To stimulate labor activity (according to indications), an amniotomy is performed - an opening of the fetal bladder.

Possible gestation problems at 40 weeks

It is not recommended for a future woman in labor to go far from home, it is better to refrain from long trips. Particular attention should be paid to the consistency and color of vaginal leucorrhoea. If bloody or mucous discharge appears at the 40th week of pregnancy, you should consult a doctor.

Also, the following symptoms and disorders are the reason for contacting a gynecologist at the 40th week of pregnancy:

• Unstable pressure;
• The appearance of flies before the eyes;
• Loss of consciousness;
• Temperature increase;
• Bouts of vomiting;
• Headaches;
• Excessive swelling of the legs, arms.

If any complications that threaten the life of the mother or the unborn child are detected, an emergency caesarean section is performed. There are also a number of medical indications, in the presence of which artificial delivery is prescribed. These include placenta or fetal previa, heart problems, multiple pregnancies, visual impairment, etc.

The main recommendation for expectant mothers at this time is to try to be less nervous and worried, tune in to positive emotions and relax more. Everything is ready for the upcoming birth: the bag for the maternity hospital is assembled, the children's room is equipped, the necessary things are bought. A woman can only relax and enjoy the last days of pregnancy.

Nutrition Features

The recommendations regarding nutrition remain the same - do not experiment, do not starve and do not overeat. It is better to give preference to fractional nutrition, choosing easily digestible dishes. It is impossible to refuse meat, fish, eggs and dairy products, as some sources on the network advise. The fetus still receives the necessary vitamins and nutrients through the placenta. By excluding the above products from the diet, a woman deprives the baby of useful trace elements. To make up for their deficiency, the fetus will begin to take vitamins from the mother's body. As a result, the future woman in labor will be exhausted and weak, which may affect labor activity.

Taking vitamins

If the expectant mother cannot ensure the intake of nutrients through a balanced diet, she is prescribed special multivitamin complexes for pregnant women. They can also be taken during breastfeeding. Calcium and vitamin D intake should also be continued.

Sex at 40 weeks pregnant

In the absence of direct contraindications (multiple pregnancy, placenta previa, threatened miscarriage, amniotic fluid leakage, etc.), the normal course of gestation and the well-being of the expectant mother, intimate relationships can not be limited. Moreover, after delivery, sexual contacts for a long time will be prohibited.

Intercourse in the last weeks of gestation helps soften the uterus with prostaglandins found in male semen and stimulate contractions through orgasm.

After the discharge of the mucous plug, it is better to stop sexual relations or use barrier contraceptives to avoid infection of the membranes.

Physical activity

Intensive physical activity this week should be stopped. Even specially designed exercises can become overwhelming for a future woman in labor. The optimal load that will help keep the body in shape is walking in the air. You can continue to do Kegel exercises. They will strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor and speed up postpartum recovery.

Many pregnant women, in order to speed up the onset of childbirth, begin to walk up the stairs, hang curtains and wash the floors. Such actions may bring labor activity closer, but it is not known how they will affect the health of the fetus and the expectant mother. Therefore, it is better not to take risks and do nothing of the sort.

Medical procedures, taking medications

Any procedures and medications should be prescribed only by a doctor after assessing the health of the pregnant woman and the characteristics of gestation. If possible, treatment is delayed until the postpartum period.

Ultrasound photo at 40 weeks pregnant

What does the belly look like at 40 weeks pregnant?

Video: 40 weeks pregnant

An incredibly pleasant period in the life of every woman ends - pregnancy. Only about a week left until the expected date of birth. Just a few days - and you will finally see your baby!

The baby has very little space, and despite the increased power of movement, his activity is much lower than before. Mom can easily determine all of his protruding parts of the body - where is the back, where are the legs, arms. With cephalic presentation, the head is easily palpable in the pubic region. The blows of the cams to the bladder are very noticeable, especially given the fact that the lowered uterus presses hard on the bladder, and the urge to urinate has become even more frequent.

Surely all preparations have already been completed: things have long been collected for the maternity hospital, perhaps a crib, a stroller and other dowry for the baby have already been bought. The children's room is already ready, and everyone is looking forward to the arrival of a new family member. It remains only to relax, walk, pay attention to yourself. Go to the salon, get a manicure and pedicure, because now there will be time for this soon. Read nice books about raising a baby, about caring for him, listen to good music that you and your baby like.

40 weeks pregnant: how many months? The last week of pregnancy is already underway, which means that the tenth obstetric month is ending. By this time, the baby weighs about 3.5 kg, and its height is about 48–51 cm. But these are average indicators, and it is absolutely normal if a hero weighing about 4 kilograms is born.

What's happening?

The fortieth week of pregnancy is the period of final preparation of the mother's body for childbirth. This week ends with a long-awaited date - the estimated date of delivery, which is calculated based on the date the last menstruation began. But in most cases, the actual date of birth differs by several days from the estimated one, since the physiology of each organism is absolutely individual. That is why births that occur between 38 and 42 weeks are considered normal. During this period, the baby is already completely formed and ready to be born.

A child at 40 weeks of gestation is completely ready for birth. According to statistics, childbirth at week 40 occurs most often, but not always on the calculated day. Therefore, the onset of labor can occur at any time, and you must be prepared for this.

The baby is now in the optimal position for childbirth. If he is in head presentation, then his head is pressed against the birth canal, the legs are pressed to the tummy, bent, and he seems to be hugging himself with his arms. This position is called the “fetal position”.

Absolutely all systems and organs are ready for independent life. The endocrine and immune systems are active. A sufficient amount of surfactant has formed in the alveolar apparatus of the lungs, and at the first breath the lungs will open and begin to enrich the blood with oxygen. The cardiovascular system has also finally formed, and after the first breath, the lungs will be included in the general circulation.

The gastrointestinal tract is already actively working. Now the intestines are sterile, and after the first application to the breast, the most valuable microorganisms will enter it, which will ensure proper digestion. Meconium is now in the intestines - the first stool, which is formed from particles of lubricant, amniotic fluid. In the first days of the baby's life, he should move away.

A newborn baby doesn't always look exactly the way parents expect it to. His skin is a little wrinkled, maybe cyanotic. After passing through the bone structures of the birth canal, the head is slightly irregular in shape, but on the 2nd or 3rd day of life, its shape is restored. The body of the baby is covered with original lubricant. But for any parents, their newly born baby is the most beautiful creature!

Baby photo, ultrasound

At the fortieth week of pregnancy, mother's tummy is an object of constant attention, both for the mother herself and for the future father. After all, everyone has already been waiting for the baby, everything is prepared for his meeting. Parents can easily distinguish in what position the baby is now, and they are happy to stroke the little legs, back, calming the baby, setting him and mom for a favorable outcome of childbirth. Moreover, doctors unanimously affirm: the better the psychological mood of the future mother, the more father's support, the easier the birth and the more healthy the baby is born!

The uterus at the 40th week of pregnancy has already fallen, and, despite the very impressive volume of the tummy, it became easier for the mother to breathe, heartburn decreased. Because of a large belly, you can be somewhat clumsy, awkward, so when you go for a walk, be sure to take your spouse with you, especially since such family walks are very close.

Proper nutrition

You are expecting the birth of a baby, and even your nutrition should now be aimed at facilitating this process, as well as a good postpartum recovery and the beginning of lactation. All the substances that you get with food, the baby will already get with milk, so avoid allergens, fatty foods, try to include more vegetables, fruits, lactic acid products, vitamins, microelements in the diet. In the last weeks of pregnancy, mommy is worried about frequent urination, and because of this, it is sometimes difficult to sleep at night. This can be alleviated by limiting fluid intake 2-3 hours before bedtime.

Fetal movements at 40 weeks

In the last week of pregnancy, the mother still feels the baby's movements very clearly: they are strong, but not too active, because there is already very little space. Many mothers describe that with the intensification of training contractions, the baby calms down a little, as if listening - isn't it time?

Mom's Feelings

Now all the feelings of the mother are aggravated: isn't it time to go to the hospital? If the 40th week of pregnancy has already begun, the contractions of Braxton-Geeks (training) are becoming more intense. How not to confuse them with true contractions? Real contractions are regular and painful. Therefore, if you feel that the stomach is becoming stony more and more often, and this is already accompanied by pain, note the time - evaluate the duration of contractions, the intervals between them.

The last weeks of pregnancy are often accompanied by insomnia. It can be related to your anxiety about the upcoming birth, frequent urination, and even simply the fact that it is difficult to find a comfortable position for sleeping. Try not to drink a lot of liquid before going to bed, be sure to take a walk, ventilate the room, listen to calm music, read a book. And most importantly - tune in to the best! After all, very soon you will see your miracle!

40th week of pregnancy: harbingers of childbirth

When the expected date of birth is approaching, the expectant mother is ready to interpret any change in her well-being as a sign of an imminent birth. How to determine that the next painful sensation is not just a tone, but the beginning of labor? There are clear signs indicating that labor will begin in the coming days. They are called harbingers:

• training contractions intensify, but they are not yet painful, during training contractions the neck does not open; the closer the birth, the more often false contractions occur;
• separation of the mucous plug: before childbirth (sometimes in a few days), thick mucus with streaks of blood leaves the cervical canal;
• the stomach drops: this is due to the fact that the baby's head is now close to the birth canal; it becomes easier for the mother to breathe, but frequent urination worries;
• weight loss: before childbirth, due to hormonal changes, excess fluid is excreted, and a woman's weight can decrease by 1.5–2 kg.

If you even find all these symptoms in yourself, you can not rush to the hospital yet, because childbirth can begin in a few days. There are only two symptoms that indicate the onset of labor activity directly, and if they are detected, you should immediately go to the hospital.

40 weeks pregnant: signs of childbirth

1. Contractions: it is from the beginning of true contractions that most births begin. Contractions are defined as regular contractions of the myometrium, which are accompanied by pain (in the abdomen or lumbar region) and cause cervical dilatation. If contractions have already become regular and occur every 10 minutes, you need to go to the hospital.
2. Outflow of amniotic fluid (or partial leakage). Sometimes childbirth does not begin with contractions, but immediately with the discharge of water. In this case, even if the contractions are not strong and irregular, you must immediately go to the hospital, since the longer the anhydrous period, the higher the risk of infection, and you should be under medical supervision.

Discharge at 40 weeks pregnant

basically should not differ from other terms. You should pay attention to signs of an inflammatory process, as well as to watery discharge - this is a sign that water is leaking, and it's time for you to go to the hospital.

Sex at 40 weeks pregnant

In the last week of pregnancy, intimate relationships are not prohibited if the pregnancy is proceeding normally. In addition, it helps the uterus to better prepare for contractions, and sperm has the ability to soften the cervix. If you are still concerned about safety, ask your doctor. He knows how your pregnancy is going and will give you the exact answer.

Pain at 40 weeks pregnant

The entire final stage of pregnancy is accompanied by a lot of painful sensations; pains in the abdomen are periodically disturbed, due to the increased load, the back often hurts, pain in the legs may occur, and after lowering the abdomen, pain occurs in the pelvic bones, lower back. All these sensations are already familiar to a woman, and painful sensations in the abdomen require much more attention.

The classic beginning of the first stage of labor is the development of contractive activity: initially, contractions are irregular, over time they become more frequent and stronger, longer. Doctors speak about the unconditional onset of labor when, within an hour, a woman notes contractions that last a minute, and the break between them does not exceed four minutes.

40 weeks of second pregnancy

If you're having a second birth, you probably know what to expect. Your body also remembers everything, so trust your feelings. Usually the second birth is easier than the first, the period of contractions is shorter, because the neck is flatter and better prepared.

Research and analyzes

This week, if childbirth has not yet begun, you will be assigned the usual studies: a gynecologist's consultation will also be needed. The doctor will interview you, measure the volume of the abdomen, the size of the pelvis, if necessary, assess the readiness of the cervix for childbirth. If you are worried about frequent contractions, and you cannot determine whether they are training or true, be sure to ask your doctor about this - he will help determine when to expect the start of labor.

Useful video

Questions - answers

My lower back is already very tight, but I don’t feel contractions, and my water hasn’t broken. Can childbirth start like this?

The onset of contractions for many women can indeed begin with pain in the lower back rather than in the abdomen. This is due to the peculiarities of the innervation of the uterus, as well as the position of the baby. It is characteristic that at the beginning of labor activity, back pain, as a manifestation of contractions, has regularity. Keep track of the time - and you will understand whether it is contractions or not. If the pain is very strong, do not postpone the trip to the hospital.

I'm 40 weeks pregnant and have stomach pain during training contractions, but they don't get more frequent. Is it normal?

Yes, it is normal. If the pain has become stronger than before, it is likely that labor will soon begin. Keep timing your contractions and how long they last, and when you've got at least one contraction every ten minutes, be prepared—your baby is coming soon!

I am 40 weeks pregnant, my stomach pulls periodically, but there is no pain or water discharge. The stomach sank, and the cork came off, but the birth still does not begin ... Is this not dangerous?

Childbirth is considered absolutely normal even at 42 weeks, so if you feel good, the baby is active, then you should not worry. Due date varies from person to person, but if you're really worried, see your doctor. The danger of overgestation lies in the fact that the placenta begins to age and does not fully meet the baby's needs for oxygen and nutrients. But the gestation period of 40 weeks is not critical.

Why did the discharge become more liquid at the 40th week of pregnancy?

In most cases, liquid discharge in the last weeks of pregnancy indicates leakage of amniotic fluid. To exclude or confirm this, you need to go to the hospital, regardless of whether regular contractions have begun. The waterless period threatens with the risk of infectious complications, and it is impossible to stay at home and wait for contractions.

What does spotting at 40 weeks indicate?

Bloody discharge can be a sign of such a formidable complication as premature detachment of the placenta. This requires immediate hospitalization in the maternity hospital, so that doctors can provide timely assistance to the baby and mother, and then the birth will end safely.