40 weeks pregnant: Try THIS to bring on labour

Feel like you’ve been pregnant forever? These tricks may help kickstart labour.

It’s about 266 days since conception (or 280 since the first day of your last period). Not much longer to wait now…you hope.

Reaching 40 weeks pregnant is perfectly normal. This is the point when most women give birth, as a full-term pregnancy typically ranges from 37 to 42 weeks. It’s common to feel a mix of excitement and anxiety as you approach your due date.

If you haven’t gone into labor yet, don’t worry – only five per cent of babies arrive on their due date and more than 40 per cent don’t put in an appearance until after their due date. Your healthcare provider will monitor you and the baby closely to ensure everything is on track.

What to expect at 40 weeks pregnant

You’re at the finish line! Expect regular check-ups to monitor you and the baby. You might feel more Braxton Hicks contractions as your body prepares for labour.

It’s normal to feel anxious and excited. Your healthcare provider will discuss your options if labour doesn’t start naturally soon. Keep your hospital bag ready and stay in close contact with your doctor.

Your baby at the 40 week pregnancy mark

At 40 weeks in utero, your baby is fully developed and ready to meet the world! They likely weigh between 2.7 to 4.1 kilograms and measure about 45 to 50 centimeters long.

You might feel them moving less as space becomes tight. Their lungs are mature and ready for those first breaths. The baby’s brain continues to develop rapidly, preparing for all the new experiences ahead.

What causes a baby to be overdue?

While the exact triggers for labour aren’t completely understood, several factors can contribute to a baby being overdue. These include genetic factors, as some families tend to have longer pregnancies, and the baby’s sex, with boys often arriving later than girls.

First-time mums might also experience longer pregnancies. Additionally, miscalculated due dates can make it seem like the baby is overdue when they are actually right on time.

Tips to bring on labour

Doctors still aren’t completely sure about exactly what triggers labour, but your baby has a lot to do with it! Apparently, when she’s mature enough to be born, her body sends hormonal signals to the placenta, which make it ‘run down’ in readiness for birth.

So, although you can do your bit in terms of long walks and sexy interludes, it seems that your baby has the final say about their birth day.

If you’re impatient for labour to start, try these natural ways:

• Have sex: the rhythm of intercourse stimulates the cervix, while the hormone prostaglandin in your partner’s sperm can make contractions start.
• Drink raspberry leaf tea.
• Eat a hot curry: there’s nothing like a few chillies to get you going.
• Go for a long walk.
• Schedule an important appointment for your due date: your last baby-free girls’ lunch with 10 friends should do the trick. You won’t make it!

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