Your pregnancy at 40 weeks

It’s here, the week you’ve been waiting for and yet so far baby hasn’t arrived, but you really are at the end now and very soon baby will be born.

If this is your first baby, then you will have another midwife appointment this week and you will discuss even more about what may happen if you go over 41 weeks. Baby Baby is good to go now and hopefully will be head down in the engaged position.

Your midwife will be able to tell you at your appointment how engaged baby is and will refer to it in fifths with 1/5 and 0/5 being deeply engaged. Although don’t be disheartened if they are not there yet as some baby’s don’t engage fully until labour. Mum You may be enjoying some well-deserved time off work, or you may be fed up of waiting, either way you don’t have long to go now.

If this is your first baby then it can sometimes be difficult to know when to call your midwife when you do finally go into labour. If your contractions start at night time, try and get as much sleep as possible, to help you prepare for labour – you’ll wake up when things really start moving. If your contractions start during the day then keep as active as you can so gravity can help baby move down and open the cervix and hopefully speed things up a little.

Try and keep as calm and relaxed as possible and when your contractions last at least 60 seconds and come every 5 minutes then give your midwife or hospital a call – good luck!!! For more information on what to do when you go into labour, take a look here.

This article has been written using the latest guidance and information from trusted sources, primarily the NHS. This information should not replace the advice from professional medical advice.