40 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms and What to Expect

40 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms and What to Expect

Your Growing Fetus at 40 Weeks

You made it! You’re officially in the last week of your pregnancy, Congrats mama! At week forty your baby is about the size of a beach ball. They’re weighing in at 7.6 pounds and are about 20.4 inches.

Here’s what your mini-me is up to in their final week:

  • Their size plateaus because they have completely maxed out their living situation
  • Once your baby is out of the womb they will only be able to see vague shadows within ten feet of them.
Pregnancy Superfood for Week 40

With your baby being the size of a watermelon, it seems fitting to make it the superfood for this week.

This delicious fruit is 92 percent water, so it will aid in keeping you hydrated. The high percentage of water will also help prevent swelling. Magnesium, Potassium, Vitamin B6, A, and C are all found in watermelon.

It is also high in fiber which will reduce your chances of becoming constipated and developing hemorrhoids. The cooling properties of the watermelon will ease heartburn. It serves as the perfect breakfast as it is light and refreshing, which will prevent morning sickness.

The antioxidant lycopene found in watermelon will reduce your chances of pre-eclampsia by 50 percent and will boost your immune system. High in calcium and potassium, consuming watermelon will aid in the development of your baby’s bones.

Watermelon is delicious by itself, but there are tons of other yummy ways you can consume it. Check out these recipes for a satisfying treat

Watermelon Popsicle:

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups of seedless watermelon, cubed
  • ½ cup water

How to Prepare:

  • Toss the watermelon cubes and water into a blender and blend until smooth.
  • Pour the mixture into a popsicle mold and let it freeze for eight to ten hours.
  • This is the perfect treat for the summer or when you’re experiencing hot flashes. Enjoy.

Watermelon Salsa:

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 3 cups watermelon, finely chopped
  • 1 cucumber, diced
  • 1 mango, sliced
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp basil leaves, finely chopped
  • 1 ½ teaspoons lime zest
  • ¼ cup lime juice
  • salt and pepper to taste

How to Prepare:

  • In a large bowl combine the watermelon, cucumber, onion, basil leaves, lime zest, and mango.
  • Toss them.
  • Pour in the sugar, lime juice, and add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Toss again. Be sure to mix well. Pair with chips and enjoy

Watermelon Salad:

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups of watermelon, seedless & diced
– 1 ½ cups arugula
-¼ cup fresh chopped mint
-⅓ cup feta cheese crumbles
-¼ cup red onion, finely sliced
-2 tbsp lime juice
-1 tbsp olive oil
-6 olives, chopped
-salt and pepper

How to Prepare:

  • In a large mixing bowl add the onion, olive oil, olives, and lime juice.
  • Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes and then add the watermelon, mint, feta, and arugula.
  • Toss everything so that the dressing covers all of the ingredients. Enjoy!
Top Tip for Week Forty

For our top tip this week, we’re taking advice from Joanna Cascione this week. She’s a postpartum mother-baby registered nurse and a lactation consultant. Here’s what she had to say, “Once your baby is born, you and your baby and your partner are a family, and everyone else are relatives. This is the time to prioritize your family.”

Inspirational Message of the Week from Already Moms

A Real Mom:
Emotional, yet the rock.
Tired, but keeps going.
Worried, but full of hope.
Impatient, yet patient.
Overwhelmed, but never quits.
Amazing, even though doubted.
Wonderful, even in chaos.
Life Changer, Every Single Day.
-Rachel Martin

Big Efforts from your Co-Creator

Her baby bump is huge! She probably has mentioned that your baby is the size of a watermelon this week.

She may be struggling to bend over. If her shoes need to be tied, tie them. If she drops something, help her pick it up. This should be the last week of your pregnancy journey, help out any way you can.

You’re her biggest support system, don’t forget that and continue to show her that you are.

This Art of Allowing

This may be a tough week for you mentally. You’re probably “over” being pregnant and stressing about when your baby will arrive. Try to relax and not stress. Your body will let you know when your baby is coming and it will be when he or she is ready.

Pregnancy Symptoms of Week Forty

Nine months pregnant! Look ma, we made it! Unfortunately, your body will still experience some of the same symptoms you’ve battled throughout your journey. The good news is, you’re a pro now at handling them, and you’re almost done.

Hip Pain: Your pelvis is loosening to prepare for childbirth which may cause pain in your hips.

Braxton Hicks Contractions: As your date nears, you are probably starting to worry that these contractions may be the real deal. If they aren’t painful and seem to disappear when you change positions, you are still having Braxton Hicks Contractions.

Swollen Feet and Ankles: This may be a symptom you’ve been experiencing for a while now. You’re forty weeks pregnant and carrying around a watermelon-sized human. Sit back and relax. Another thing you can try is compression socks for pregnancy. They will relieve the tension and pain of swollen feet.

Increased Vaginal Discharge: If you’re experiencing globs of a thick mucus-like substance, say hello to the mucus plug! As your cervix begins to dilate, the mucus plug will begin to fall out.

Sleepless Nights: The closer you get to your delivery date the harder it may be to get a good night’s rest. A body pillow and a few light exercises before bed may help you doze off easier.

Headaches: Caused by raging hormones and stress, you may be experiencing pretty intense headaches. Low blood sugar can also result in headaches. Be sure to stay hydrated and don’t skip meals.

Constipation: As if hemorrhoids weren’t enough! Staying hydrated and having plenty of fiber in your diet will prevent you from being constipated.

Anxiety: At 40 weeks you are probably super ready to be done with being pregnant. You may be experiencing some anxiety and nerves, it’s totally natural. Try to keep your mind busy!

Your Body will Change and It’s Necessary
  • Throughout your pregnancy journey, your body has changed tremendously.
  • Once your baby arrives your body will continue changing.
  • Your breasts will remain full of milk. Your uterus will shrink back to its regular size, which may cause you to feel cramping. After birth, your uterus weighs about 2.5 pounds and after 6 weeks it will be 2 ounces.
  • The area between your vagina and rectum, the perineum, stretches during labor and often tears.
  • Scroll down for tips on how to soothe the uncomfortable pains post delivery.
Our Recommended Remedy for Week Forty

Our recommendation this week is to get comfortable with prioritizing your family first. You will have family and friends blowing your phone up to come see the new baby. It may be hard to say no, but you can do it. Don’t feel guilty about putting your needs first. Here are some tips on how to make managing visitors a little easier.

Visitor List

Sit down with your partner and make a list of things that other people can do for you after the baby comes. Such tasks would be walking the dog, bringing over food, doing the laundry, or even watching the baby while you and partner take a nap. You can even designate times and certain people for each task.

Communicate Clearly

Now is the time to set boundaries, and make it clear. If you beat around the bush you will be stressed out about having unwanted guests. Again, don’t feel bad about setting boundaries your families needs come first.

Set time limits for guests. If they’re coming over to do laundry or bring food they don’t need to be there for several hours. We recommend 30 to 60-minute time slots. Have your partner serve as a bouncer.

Feeling “Off”

You just gave birth and you may be sleep deprived. Your hormones are all over the place so it’s totally normal to feel a bit off. Remind your guests that you need to rest or have alone time with your family. It will be okay and they will understand. If your baby is hungry, don’t feel bad about going in the other room to feed them. Your guest can see the baby at another time.

Our Best Advice to Soothe The Uncomfortable

Did you think we would tell you your perineum would tear and just leave you hanging? Come on, you should know us better than that by now. We’ve been giving you tips to soothe the uncomfortable throughout your whole journey. We got your back. Here are a few tips to soothe the perineum soreness

Kegels: Doing Kegel exercises strengthen the muscles in your pelvis which helps heal the perineum. If you have never done a kegel before just squeeze the muscle you use to stop urinating. Hold that squeeze for 10 seconds, release, and repeat.

Ice Pack: Wrap ice in a towel or buy an ice pack and keep it in your freezer until your ready to sit on it. We recommend the ice pack as it will be far more comfortable to sit on.

Pillows: Get a pillow and sit on it. The soft cushy feeling will be more comfortable for you.

Wiping: As you are healing, wiping from front to back will prevent infection.

Preparation for Motherhood
  • Make or finalize your visitor list. Share it with them!
  • Finish last minutes touches on the nursery.
  • If your water hasn’t broken, enjoy one more relaxing bath.

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