My 40 Week Pregnant Belly: Bump Update With Pictures

My 40 Week Pregnant Belly Picture

40 week bump update

Starting Weight: 123 lbs

Current Weight: 143 lbs

Total Weight Gain: 20 lbs

Now let’s go over how my week went and what to expect…



Energy Level: My energy and mood varied throughout the week. My energy was either high or low, depending on how much sleep I was able to get each night.

Pregnancy Symptoms: This week, I was very emotional and stressed out as I waited for my baby to arrive.

The Braxton Hicks contractions and pelvic pressure started to become intolerable :(.

I also had increased vaginal discharge that was reddish/brown, though I had already lost my mucus plug at 38 weeks.

Other Physical Changes: No new physical changes.

Diet: For the last two weeks, I haven’t had much of an appetite. However, I was constantly thirsty, so I drank a lot of water every day this week.

In addition, I continued to consume dates in an effort to soften my cervix!

Diet Modifications: No diet modifications this week.

Food Aversions: No food aversions this week.

Food Cravings: No food cravings this week.

Workouts: This week, I did a few stretching sessions to help prepare for labor as well as regular pelvic floor exercises. I also went on 2-3 mile walks every day with my husband.

If you want to see examples of the types of workouts I did throughout my entire pregnancy, check out my Prenatal Fitness Prescription video course.

Modifications to my workout: Throughout my third trimester, I have always ensured that I take adequate rest between sets, use lighter weights, and modify my workouts to accommodate my big belly.

Here is a photo of me on my yoga ball as I prepare for labor.

*Be sure to speak with your health care provider before doing any physical activity or lifting at this stage of your pregnancy.*

Other Related Questions

Is it normal to be 40 weeks pregnant?

Yes, it is completely normal to be 40 weeks pregnant, especially if this is your first baby. You should feel proud that you have made it to your due date!

At this point, it is a waiting game.

How big is a pregnant belly at 40 weeks?

At 40 weeks, the top of your uterus should measure approximately 40 cm from your pubic bone, plus or minus 2 cm. This measurement is known as the fundal height.

However, your belly’s size depends on many factors, so you mustn’t compare yourself to other 40-weekers.

Here is what my pregnant belly looks like at 40 weeks.

brittany holding up sign at 40 weeks pregnant from side

Is the baby still growing after 40 weeks?

Yes. In theory, your baby can continue to grow at a rate of about 0.5 lbs per week; however, the data is limited.

Some pregnant women notice that their weight begins to plateau at this point.

If your baby continues to grow after 40 weeks, you may be at increased risk of developing a big (large for gestational age) baby.

Do babies put on more weight when overdue?

During the last month of pregnancy, babies tend to gain 0.5 lbs per week. It is unclear if excess weight is gained past 40 weeks, as the placenta may begin to lose its function at this point.

What is the average weight of a baby at 40 weeks (in lbs and kg)?

The average weight of a baby at 40 weeks is ~7.5 lbs or 3400 kg. The average length is 20 inches.

Your baby is roughly the size of a watermelon!

What does a 40 weeks baby look like?

A healthy 40-week infant will have the following features:

  • Pink in color
  • May have vernix covering his skin (creamy white substance)
  • May have lanugo (fine hair)
  • Have a soft and pliable skull
  • Soft skin
  • Potentially have some acne

Which week is best for delivery?

The best weeks for delivery are between 39 weeks and 0 days to 40 weeks and 6 days. This time point is known as full term.

After 41 weeks of gestation, your baby is considered late-term.

After 42 weeks of gestation, your baby is considered post-term.

Risk factors for having a late-term pregnancy include:

  1. Nulliparous (meaning first pregnancy)
  2. Older maternal age
  3. Male fetus
  4. Obesity
  5. Prior post-term pregnancy

Ideally, we try to avoid post-term pregnancies because they are associated with an increased risk of:

  1. Stillbirth
  2. Macrosomia
  3. Postmaturity syndrome
  4. Meconium in the baby’s lungs (meconium is the first stool your baby will pass) which can cause respiratory issues
  5. Oligohydramnios (decreased amniotic fluid)
  6. Cesarean section
  7. Infection
  8. Postpartum hemorrhage

Does bump change shape before labor?

Some women will notice that their bump can drop before labor. This process is known as lightning and occurs when your baby’s head drops down and engages into the birth canal.

Lightning may cause you to feel more pelvic and vaginal pressure and increased urinary frequency.

As long as you are not experiencing any pain or burning with urination, urinary frequency is expected at this stage.

How do I know if my bump has dropped?

You will know if your bump has dropped if you:

  • Feel increased vaginal pressure
  • Feel increased lower back pain
  • You will feel that you can breathe a little easier

Some women say that their belly drops with the start of labor contractions, while others say it happened weeks before the onset of labor.

Does bump size indicate baby size?

Bump size does not always indicate baby size as the location of weight gain during pregnancy is multifactorial and depends on many things.

However, a large belly does correlate with a larger baby.

I am 40 weeks pregnant with no signs of labor – what do you do?

If you have made it to 40 weeks and have no signs of labor, you are not alone. Over 30% of women go past their due date.

The best thing you can do is to speak with your provider to check on the status of your baby.

If you have had a healthy pregnancy up to this point, your doctor may wait an additional 1-2 weeks to allow labor to occur.

However, you will need regular surveillance with non-stress tests (to look at your baby’s heart rate) and amniotic fluid checks.

brittany having non stress test at 40 weeks of pregnancy

Otherwise, your doctor can schedule you for an induction of labor.

How do you feel at 40 weeks?(Common symptoms)

The most common symptoms you will experience at 40 weeks include the following:

  • Pelvic pain or pressure
  • Braxton Hicks contractions
  • Fatigue
  • It may hurt to walk long distances
  • Your belly may feel hard all the time
  • Desire to clean up your home (a theory known as nesting)
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Real contractions 🙂
  • A gush of fluid (if your water breaks)

Symptoms not to ignore at 40 weeks

Here is a list of symptoms you should not ignore at 40 weeks:

  • Headache
  • Blurry vision
  • Chest pain
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Persistent nausea and vomiting
  • High blood pressure / Preeclampsia
  • Shortness of breath at rest
  • Itching on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet
  • Decreased fetal movements
  • Fever or any other signs of infection
  • Leakage of fluid from the amniotic sac
  • Heavy vaginal bleeding

If you are experiencing any of these, you should speak with your OBGYN or healthcare provider right away.

How big is a baby’s head at 40 weeks?

On average, a baby’s head circumference is about 35 centimeters or 13.8 inches at 40 weeks.

How often should a baby kick at 40 weeks?

You should feel your baby kick at least 10 times in 2 hours.

If you are not feeling your baby move, you should try eating something sweet and going into a quiet room.

If you still don’t feel a normal kick count after two hours, go to the nearest hospital to be evaluated.

How long does the baby sleep in the womb at 40 weeks?

Healthy babies will spend the majority of their day sleeping in the womb at 40 weeks.

Despite the long periods of sleep, you should still feel him moving inside the uterus.

Final Words on The 40th Week of Pregnancy

We made it! Our due date is here!

Is this your last week of pregnancy?

Did you go into spontaneous labor, or do you have an induction of labor or c-section planned?

If you are still pregnant, your doctor will likely perform a non-stress test twice a week to ensure your baby is doing okay and that the amniotic fluid is normal.

Either way, congratulations on making it to the end of your pregnancy journey!

I can’t wait for you to meet your baby!

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brittany-robles

Brittany Robles, MD, MPH, CPT

Brittany Robles is a full-time OBGYN physician, a NASM certified trainer, and a prenatal and postnatal fitness specialist. She holds a Master of Public Health degree in maternal health with a special interest in exercise and nutrition. She is also the co-author of The White Coat Trainer. Learn more about her here.



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