40 weeks of gestation: pain, dilation and other symptoms

Throughout the pregnancy process, the last few weeks are the ones that generate the most anxiety . Between 38 ° and 42 ° week, it is the estimated time for the mother to go into labor. At this stage, all the baby’s organs are already formed and he is ready to be born.

Inside the belly, the baby’s heart beats between 110 and 160 times a minute, its size is approximately 50 cm and it weighs around 3.5 kg.

His muscles and joints are already strong enough, and even inside his belly, he is already able to react to sound and movement.

Generally speaking, his organs and body systems are ready for life outside the womb.

During this period, the baby still receives oxygen through the placenta and the umbilical cord, but his respiratory system is also already formed, waiting for the delivery to start operating.

At any time, the woman may go into labor.

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40 weeks of gestation is how many months?

The 40 weeks of gestation are equivalent to 9 months , that is, it is the period in which doctors call DPP, or Estimated Date of Childbirth. At this point, it is important to be increasingly aware of the symptoms, especially in the intensity of the contractions and the interval between them.

Although it seems that the bills do not match, it is necessary to remember that the pregnancy begins to be counted from the last menstruation. This means that, as a rule, fertilization occurs shortly thereafter.

What are the symptoms after 9 months of pregnancy?

Despite being common throughout pregnancy, the most frequent and intense symptoms at that time are: tiredness , swelling in the feet, back pain, cramps and also the belly gets harder.

But in addition to these, other symptoms may appear, follow below.

  • Difficulty sleeping;
  • Shortness of breathe;
  • Urinary incontinence;
  • Heartburn;
  • Dizziness and drowsiness;
  • Constipation;
  • Cramps.

At this stage, most symptoms can be caused by the size of the baby, which takes up more space and causes more pressure on other organs.

These reactions are completely normal for the woman, but as we have already pointed out, it is important for her to be aware of any symptoms or signs of labor.

It is worth remembering that, at this stage, anxiety can be great for the mother, especially for those on their first trip.

Thus, the symptoms are not always due to pregnancy or the final stretch. But they are caused only by the expectation and anxiety of childbirth.

Keeping calm, taking care of your health, going to the doctor and having healthy habits is a way to reduce possible discomfort.

In addition, doing physical activities and maintaining a natural and diversified diet helps the mother’s well-being. In addition to contributing to the baby’s health.

Read more: Third trimester of pregnancy: know the symptoms and tests

I don’t feel anything of pain or dilation. What to do?

Dilatation occurs when contractions push the baby down and when it does not, it can be a cause for concern for women.

Each mother has her own time to go into labor, and some may have different dilations than others.

However, it is important to talk to your doctor about this subject, as there are some activities that help in the dilation process, such as hot baths, walks, exercises with balls and massages.

Thus, the natural movements of walks, exercises and also massages, facilitate and stimulate dilation.

The hot bath is responsible for facilitating the dilation of blood vessels and muscle relaxation. This, consequently, improves oxygenation and circulation, facilitating dilation.

Read more: Discover the benefits of pilates in pregnancy

How do I know if I’m going into labor?

To know if you are going into labor or not, just pay attention to some symptoms, such as:

  • More intense cramps;
  • Increasingly frequent contractions;
  • Rupture of the amniotic fluid pocket;
  • Dilation of the cervix;
  • Loss of mucous plug.

Read more: Mucous tampon: How is it and when does it come out?

During the 40th week of pregnancy, anxiety and the desire to hug the baby soon is common. But at those times, staying calm is key.


The birth of the baby usually happens between 38 and 40 weeks, being a time of adaptations anxiety.

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