40 Weeks Pregnant

Your week at a glance

Week 40 of about 40. Sizes are averages, not targets.

This week	Details
Baby size	About a small pumpkin, roughly 18 to 20 inches long, 7 to 9 pounds
What is developing	Fully developed, gaining final fat, settled head down and ready for birth
Your symptoms	Pelvic pressure, strong Braxton Hicks, bloody show, cramps, restlessness
To-do	Watch for labor signs, know when to call, ask about post-dates monitoring

Your due date is an estimate

The due date marks 40 weeks, but it is an average rather than a fixed appointment. Only about 1 in 20 babies arrive exactly on the due date, and it is normal for labor to start in the weeks around it. Full term runs from 39 weeks through 40 weeks and 6 days.

If you are still pregnant at your due date, that is common and usually fine. Your provider will talk through what to watch for and what monitoring looks like if the pregnancy continues past 40 weeks.

Signs of labor

Any of these can mean labor is starting or close.

• Regular contractions that get stronger, longer, and closer together
• Your water breaking, as a gush or steady trickle
• A bloody show, or pink or blood-tinged mucus
• Low back pain or pelvic pressure that comes in waves
• Strong tightenings that, unlike Braxton Hicks, do not ease with rest or a change of position

When to call and when to go in

Many providers use a contraction guide such as 5-1-1, meaning contractions about 5 minutes apart, each lasting about 1 minute, continuing for about 1 hour, though your provider may give you different instructions to follow.

Call right away if your water breaks, if you have vaginal bleeding heavier than a bloody show, if you notice a clear drop in the baby's movement, or if you have a severe headache, vision changes, or sudden swelling. When in doubt, it is always reasonable to call.

Going past your due date

A pregnancy of 41 weeks up to 42 weeks is called late term, and one past 42 weeks is postterm. As you go past your due date, your provider usually starts extra monitoring, which can include a nonstress test that tracks the baby's heart rate, a check of the amniotic fluid, and a biophysical profile that combines an ultrasound with the heart-rate test.

Your provider will also discuss induction. Induction can be considered between 41 and 42 weeks, and is generally recommended once you reach 42 weeks, because the risks of continuing rise after that point. The plan should fit your situation, so ask questions about timing and methods.

What the baby is doing now

Your baby is fully developed and ready to be born. The organs are prepared to work on their own, the lungs are mature, and the baby is mostly adding small amounts of fat. Movements may feel like big rolls and stretches rather than sharp kicks because there is so little room left.

Even at the due date you should still feel the baby move regularly. A clear drop in movement is one of the most important reasons to call your provider, no matter how close you are to your due date.

Reflects ACOG late-term and postterm guidance and Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic references, 2024-2026.

Related questions

What happens if I go past my due date?

It is common. Your provider usually adds monitoring such as a nonstress test, an amniotic-fluid check, and sometimes a biophysical profile to confirm the baby is doing well. You will also discuss induction, which can be considered between 41 and 42 weeks and is generally recommended by 42 weeks.

When should I go to the hospital in labor?

Follow the plan your provider gives you. A common guide is the 5-1-1 rule: contractions about 5 minutes apart, lasting about 1 minute, for about 1 hour. Go in sooner if your water breaks, you have heavy bleeding, or you notice reduced movement.

Is it safe to be pregnant at 40 weeks and 41 weeks?

Yes, with monitoring. Most people who give birth after their due date have healthy babies. Risks rise gradually past your due date, which is why providers add fetal monitoring and discuss induction once you reach 41 to 42 weeks.

How big is the baby at 40 weeks?

About 18 to 20 inches long and roughly 7 to 9 pounds, often compared to a small pumpkin. Birth weight varies widely, and healthy babies arrive in a broad range of sizes.

Sources & further reading

1. ACOG — When Pregnancy Goes Past Your Due Date
2. Mayo Clinic — Inducing labor: When to wait, when to induce
3. Cleveland Clinic — Fetal Development: Stages of Growth
4. MedlinePlus — Am I in labor?

This article reflects current AAP, CDC, FDA, and other public-health guidance and is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. ParentFlow is a wellness companion — not a substitute for your pediatrician. For any medical concern, contact your healthcare provider.