Your pregnancy week-by-week: Week 40

Your pregnancy week by week | Your pregnancy in week 40

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You might want to wear a sanitary towel as you approach your due date in case your waters break.

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You are now 40 weeks pregnant or in your 41st week if that's how you're counting it

How is your baby growing?

Your baby is now about 50cm long and weighs about 7lbs 1oz.

If you do go into labour now, the delivery process will kick-start his heart and respiratory system so he can live and breathe on his own.

How are you feeling?

Congratulations! You've reached the end of the road - well, maybe. Pregnancy normally lasts about 40 weeks (that's 280 days from the first day of your last period), but only 5% of babies arrive on their estimated due date.

As your body prepares for labour your ligaments become very soft to allow your pelvis to expand. Your cervix softens and thins and your placenta is now the size of a large dinner plate, 2-3cm thick and weighs a whopping 650g.

Top tips

If your contractions start but your waters haven't broken and you live near the hospital, wait until they're strong and about five minutes apart, lasting about 60 seconds before going in.

Phone the hospital before leaving home and remember your notes or card. If you're having a home birth, ring your midwife if your waters break, or when your contractions get strong.