What should mothers do in the 40th week of pregnancy?

Women will soon face delivery in the 40th week of pregnancy, so pregnant women must pay attention to their body changes during this period. For example, some people may see spotting first. If so, they should go to the hospital to go through the hospitalization procedures in time, because many people are likely to give birth immediately after seeing spotting or water breaking. You also need to prepare some hospitalization procedures. Let’s take a look at some of the physical changes in the baby at 40 weeks!

Most fetuses will be born during this week, but only 5% of babies are actually born exactly on the due date. It is normal to be born two weeks early or two weeks late. However, if there is no sign of labor after two weeks of delay, measures such as induction of labor will be needed to deliver the fetus as soon as possible, otherwise the fetus will be overmature and there will be danger.

At this time, the amniotic fluid environment in which the fetus is located has also changed. The original amniotic fluid was clear and transparent, but now due to the shedding of villi and vernix caseosa on the surface of the fetus' body and the production of other secretions, the amniotic fluid has become a little turbid and milky white. The function of the placenta gradually degenerates from then on until its mission is completed when the fetus is delivered.

What we need to pay attention to now is to avoid premature rupture of membranes, commonly known as premature rupture of water. Under normal circumstances, only when uterine contractions really begin and the cervix continues to expand, the oocyte membrane wrapped around the fetus and amniotic fluid will rupture under the increasing pressure, causing a large amount of amniotic fluid to flow out and the fetus to be born. Premature rupture of membranes means that the amniotic membrane has broken before labor actually begins. Bacteria in the vagina can invade the uterus and pose a danger to the fetus. Therefore, special attention should be paid to avoiding sexual intercourse in the final stages of pregnancy to avoid any pressure on the uterus.

When the pregnancy reaches 40 weeks, pregnant women must pay attention to their personal safety and try not to go too far, and it is best to have family members accompany them. During this period, pregnant women should try to relax and not be too nervous, because many pregnant women may cause some unnecessary troubles due to nervousness when they are about to give birth. Then, it’s best to take a bath during this period. Because the baby may be born soon, you generally cannot take a shower immediately after giving birth.