Pregnancy Week 40: Fetal Development & Mom-to-Be's Last-Minute To-Do List Pregnancy Weekly
About Baby
A full-term baby can weigh anywhere from 6 to 9 pounds and be 19 to 22 inches long – about the size of a small pumpkin. (We wonder if that’s why so many babies are nicknamed “pumpkin?”) Your baby may also be impatient to get out and start pushing his head into your pelvis (aka more potty breaks). Your pumpkin is still getting his nutrients from the placenta, nutrients that will help him build the antibodies he needs to fight infection after delivery. After he’s born, he’ll continue to get this nutrition through your colostrum if you’re breastfeeding. You will meet him or her soon!
Photo: Baby at 40 weeks of development
About Mom
The big 4-0! As in 40 weeks pregnant – not a milestone birthday. Way to go! Officially, you are at the end of your pregnancy. But unless you’re actually holding your newborn right now, we know that may not be the case. Remember, only about 5 percent of women deliver on their due dates. Just because you’ve put a big red circle around your due date on the calendar doesn’t mean Mother Nature is going to oblige. You still have a couple weeks before you are considered post term, so relax and use the time you have left to finish up anything baby-related that’s not done – and spend some alone time with your significant other. Oh, and sleep! Sleep, sleep, sleep … and then sleep some more!
Last-Minute To-Do List
Nine months (or rather 10!) of excitement, stress, more excitement, a growing belly, doctor appointments, morning sickness, battling over names, baby showers, new tiny clothes, a beautiful new baby nursery – and BOOM! The time has come and your little one is ready to make his or her arrival any day now. Although you have done so much already, what have you forgotten? We reached out to some moms (and dads) and asked them to help put together a last-minute to-do list before you bring your sweet little one home. Here are some of the things they suggest you add to your ever-growing list:
- Make sure you have a plan in place for your pets. They will most likely be home for a day or two without you!
- Prepare and freeze meals so you don’t have to worry about cooking for a while once you get home.
- Make sure you have enough baby clothes, washed and ready, so that you don’t have to worry about laundry through all the spit up and blow outs!
- Be flexible and open-minded about your labor and delivery. If you have created a birth plan, finalize it, but remember that babies often have their own plans – and that’s OK!
- Make sure you have packed, and double checked, your hospital bag. Include a list of people you would like your significant other to contact once Baby arrives.
Sorry, mama, that’s not all these moms and dads suggested you do before Baby’s grand arrival. Here are more items for your to-do list!
Bump Talk
“People who say they sleep like a baby usually don’t have one.” – Leo J. Burke
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