GUIDE
It's your due date week — but only about 5% of babies arrive on their exact due date.
At 40 weeks your baby is the size of a small pumpkin, weighing about 7.5 pounds and measuring about 20 inches. Your baby is fully developed and ready to be born. Whether labor starts today, this week, or next week, your baby is coming soon.
Be prepared from day one
Your baby is now the size of a small pumpkin — roughly 20 inches long and weighing approximately 7.5 pounds. This is your due date week, and your baby is as ready as they'll ever be.
Here's the reality about due dates: the "estimated due date" is exactly that — an estimate. It's calculated as 40 weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period, assuming a 28-day cycle with ovulation on day 14. Many factors can shift the actual timing. Only about 5% of babies arrive on their exact due date. About 80% of babies are born between 38 and 42 weeks.
Your baby at 40 weeks is fully developed. Their lungs are mature, their brain has been adding neural connections at a remarkable pace, and their immune system has a good supply of your antibodies. The body fat that's been accumulating — about 15% of their body weight — will help regulate temperature after birth.
Your baby's skull bones remain separate, connected by the flexible fontanelles that allow the head to mold during delivery. You'll feel the soft spots on your newborn's head — the anterior fontanelle (on top) won't fully close until about 18 months.
Movement may feel different now. Your baby has very little room to maneuver, so big kicks and rolls may be replaced by pushes, stretches, and squirming. The overall amount of movement should still be consistent with your baby's established pattern. If you notice a significant decrease, contact your provider.
Your baby is currently in their longest sleep cycles — up to 40 minutes at a time — and their movements will follow their sleep-wake pattern. They're also continuing to swallow amniotic fluid, which helps keep the digestive system active and contributes to meconium buildup.
If your baby hasn't arrived yet, welcome to the most mentally challenging part of pregnancy for many people. The discomfort is at its peak, the anticipation is overwhelming, and everyone you know has an opinion about when and how you should give birth.
Your cervix may be dilating and effacing, or it may not be showing much change yet — both are normal. Some people walk around at 3-4 cm dilated for weeks; others go from closed to complete dilation in a matter of hours. Cervical checks are not predictive, so try not to attach too much meaning to the numbers.
Signs of labor to watch for haven't changed: regular, progressive contractions; water breaking; heavy bloody show; persistent lower back pain in waves. If any of these happen, review our guide on when to head to the hospital. If nothing is happening, that's okay too.
The stages of labor are worth one final review. Early labor (cervix dilating to 6 cm) can be long and manageable at home. Active labor (6-10 cm) is when things intensify and you'll want to be at your birthing facility. Transition (8-10 cm) is the most intense but shortest phase. Then comes pushing and delivery.
If your provider begins discussing induction, understand that this is a routine conversation at 40 weeks. Induction doesn't mean something is wrong — it's a proactive approach to ensure the best outcome for you and your baby. Ask questions, understand the process, and make the decision that feels right for you.
Physically, you may feel like you can't possibly get any bigger or more uncomfortable. Your pelvis may ache, your back may hurt, and sleep may feel impossible. If you need a confidence boost, revisiting our guide on how to prepare for labor can remind you that you've done the work. These final days are genuinely hard. Give yourself grace and know that this will end — and what comes next is worth every uncomfortable moment.
Every pregnancy is different. You may experience all, some, or none of these symptoms.
This is it — your due date week. Whether your baby arrives now or keeps you waiting a bit longer, you're in the final countdown.
If your baby hasn't arrived by your due date, your provider will discuss next steps. This typically involves increased monitoring (non-stress tests, amniotic fluid checks) and a timeline for induction. Most providers recommend induction between 41-42 weeks. Understanding the plan in advance reduces anxiety if you go past your date.
Your provider may offer a membrane sweep (also called membrane stripping) — a procedure where they gently separate the amniotic membranes from the cervix to encourage prostaglandin release and potentially start labor. It can cause cramping and spotting, but studies show it may reduce the need for formal induction. Discuss whether this is right for you.
Gentle walking, stretching, and staying upright can help encourage your baby to move lower into the pelvis. But this is not the time to push through exhaustion. Your body is telling you what it needs — if that's rest, rest. If you feel a burst of energy, use it. Don't force anything.
The psychological challenge of waiting past (or at) your due date is real. Well-meaning texts asking 'Any news?' can feel suffocating. Consider sending a preemptive message to family and friends: 'We'll let you know when there's news — no need to check in.' Then distract yourself with things you enjoy. Watch movies, eat good food, spend time with people who make you calm.
When in doubt, call your provider. It's always better to check and be reassured than to wait and worry.
If your baby hasn't arrived this week, week 41 brings late-term status. Your provider will increase monitoring and discuss induction timing in more detail. Going past your due date is common and usually safe with proper surveillance.
Looking back, week 39 was the beginning of the optimal delivery window. If you need to discuss labor induction, understanding the process and options ahead of time will help you make informed decisions.
Your baby is coming. Maybe today, maybe this week, maybe next. But soon, you'll hold them for the first time — and nothing will ever be the same in the most beautiful way.
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any questions about your pregnancy.
