The change of pregnant women at 40 weeks

The article was professionally consulted by Doctor Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

If as expected, the fetus will be born when the mother is 40 weeks pregnant. The failure to find a comfortable lying position can lead to insomnia, so the last week pregnant women should take time to rest and relax. maximum of the day, in addition to getting ready to give birth.

For 40 weeks pregnant, boys tend to weigh more than girls. The hair covering the baby's body is now also shed more. However, some places like the shoulders, skin folds and behind the baby's ears still have some hairs that you can see after the baby is born.
Although the date of labor and delivery is very close, however, pregnant women in the 40th week should not be too worried if it is past the due date and still not labor. According to statistics, only about 5% of babies are born on schedule.

A point worth noting when pregnant at 40 weeks is that pregnant women should not eat if there are signs of labor. Because a little food in the stomach at this time will also make the mother nausea and vomiting.

The last week of pregnancy will soon feel real contractions for the first time. They come fast and furious with actual labor, lasting up to a minute or even longer each time. You will feel this intense pain radiating from your stomach, lower back, and upper thighs. Although every woman experiences labor differently, they are all unique and unlike anything you've experienced before. Pregnant women can ask their obstetrician about medications that can help relieve pain during this time to be used if necessary.
When giving birth, in addition to the fetus, the mother must also have a green placenta weighing about 900g, including tissue and blood vessels that have nourished and protected the fetus for the past nine months. Although painful contractions continue, most women who have just given birth for the first time feel overjoyed and overjoyed at the knowledge that their baby is about to be born.
When taken to the hospital, the doctor will check the dilation in the cervix of the 40th week pregnant woman. If your uterus is 3 to 4 centimeters dilated, you may be given an epidural injection to help control the pain. Many women consider the injections of a local anesthetic, before the epidural, to be the most painful part of the entire process.
There are cases where a mother who is 40 weeks pregnant will give birth naturally without using any supportive drugs. However, this cannot be planned in advance because everything will change at the last minute, depending on the state of labor and delivery at that time.

Braxton Hicks contractions These false abdominal contractions will not increase in frequency or intensity, and at 40 weeks pregnant, light walking or changing positions can relieve the above symptoms. These are the signs that help distinguish Braxton Hicks contractions from true labor contractions.

Decreased Fetal Movements Although you will feel a change in your baby's movements, or even a decrease in speed, although you will feel a change in your baby's movements, or even a decrease in speed, the fetus is still constantly moving inside the uterus. Usually your baby will kick, wiggle, or curl up about 10 times an hour.
Cervical dilation During this week, your cervix will open or the lining will thin. Through examination by obstetricians, dilation will be measured in centimeters and thinness in percentages. The cervix will continue to dilate and possibly bleeding which is a sign of early and active labor.
Diarrhea The intestines of pregnant women are compressed quite a lot during pregnancy, so it is easy to cause digestive disorders. Loose bowel movements and diarrhea this week could be signs of impending labor.
Pelvic pain Because the fetus has moved down the pelvic area, causing the mother's hips and bladder to be pinched, easy to cause pain. If you have time, pregnant women in the last 2 weeks should schedule a prenatal massage to ease discomfort.
Leg cramps It is not clear why pregnant women often get cramps at 40 weeks, but it may be because the legs are under too much pressure from the weight of both mother and baby combined. When pregnant women have leg cramps or pain, they can gently stretch their feet to improve this condition.
Insomnia During the last 2 weeks of pregnancy, you should limit the use of herbal supplements or other over-the-counter sleeping pills. Instead, ask your partner for a relaxing massage to help you fall asleep more naturally.
Instinct to "nest" Sometimes you will feel energetic in preparing everything for the baby that is about to be born. But there are times when pregnant women are so tired that they don't want to do anything. There is no need to worry because alternating between these two opposing states is completely normal.

Ask the obstetrician about the reasons and methods of inducing labor if the baby is not born on time; Refer to acupuncture therapy to relax and relieve pain during this period; Prevent slipping in the bathroom, avoid self-hair removal with razors or waxing waxes that are easy to irritate pregnant women; Soaking in a bath (not too hot) or a swimming pool is a way to help the body gently, remove part of the heavy weight of mother and child; Do some gentle and appropriate exercises for pregnant women at 40 weeks, such as walking, twisting, hip rotation, ..;

Going to the spa, dating with friends, watching movies, ... are ways to help pregnant women in the last 2 weeks reduce thoughts or worries about the upcoming birth; Snack when feeling hungry but avoid greasy foods and overeating. Feeling excited or anxious about the due date at 40 weeks pregnant is inevitable. However, pregnant women in the last week of pregnancy ensure their health and reserve a lot of energy by trying to sleep at night. Plan to do some light and entertaining throughout the day to avoid obsessing over when labor actually happened.
Women who are 40 weeks pregnant should register for maternity care packages for the stage of Labor at reputable hospitals to get the best support from qualified doctors for this extremely important period.
Maternity Care Program 2019 - Labor in the Maternity Care Program 2019 provided by Vinmec International General Hospital is the first choice for pregnant women preparing to enter labor. When participating in the package, pregnant women are accompanied by an experienced obstetrician-gynecologist at Vinmec throughout the labor process, with the full and best support from a system of international standard equipment and quality care. Attentive, dedicated service.

Reference source: Webmd.com