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Pregnancy Week 40
Your baby is finally ready to meet you! Learn why you may need to induce labor if you're overdue in week 40.
Your baby is due this week, and if you're lucky he will actually arrive this week! Soon you'll feel your first real contractions. They'll come fast and furious once you're in active labor -- lasting up to a minute each, or even a bit longer.
When your baby arrives, he will be evaluated and graded (zero to two points each) on the following factors: activity and muscle tone, pulse (heart rate), grimace response (medically known as "reflex irritability"), appearance (skin coloration) and respiration (breathing rate and effort).
Once you get to the hospital, a doctor will check things out down there to see how much your cervix has dilated. Once you reach 3 or 4 centimeters, you'll likely be offered an epidural to help manage the pain. (According to the many women who swear by them, the needle prick of the local anesthetic going in before they give you the epidural may be the most painful part of your entire labor.)
Share and celebrate your pregnancy with other moms-to-be.
- The Inside Story: Your Baby in Week Forty
Your baby is all grown now and ready to meet you. Congratulations!
- Your Developing Baby: Week 40
What's going on with your baby in pregnancy week 40? Find out all about important pregnancy milestones and exciting fetal development s...
- Babies More Than 9 Pounds
Find out what to expect during labor if your baby weighs more than 9 pounds.
- Mending the Muscle Gap
Find out how to tighten the muscles between your rib cage and pubic bone before and after your baby arrives.
- Home Remedies For Inducing Labor
Still waiting? Try these natural remedies that could help induce labor.
- Inducing Labor
Learn why your doctor may decide to induce you and which methods she has to choose from.
- When You're Overdue
The best thing to do when you're overdue? Don't stress!
- Postpartum Exercise
Start planning your post-pregnancy fitness regimen now. You'll be back out there in no time!
- Postpartum Fitness Classes
Try a fitness class for new moms to stay motivated to drop pounds in a friendly, understanding environment.
- Q&A: Do I Need a Cesarean?
Find out why your doctor may suggest a cesarean delivery if your baby is overdue and breech.
- Q&A: Will My Second Labor Be As Bad As My First?
No two births are the same, so don't worry too much if your first labor was difficult.
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