Week 40: You’ve made it!
Image: @tulinozzgenc
Welcome to week 40 of the Happy Parents Happy Baby guide to pregnancy, birth and beyond.
This week we'll be covering:
We hope you enjoy it!
What’s a stretch and sweep?
A membrane sweep, also known as 'stretch and sweep' or 'cervical massage' may encourage the onset of labour and will usually be offered from 40 weeks of pregnancy if you are a first time parent and 41 weeks of pregnancy for subsequent pregnancies.
Your doctor or midwife will explain the procedure to you and if you consent to go ahead, they will place a gloved finger inside your vagina to reach your cervix. They will then make a sweeping circular movement to try to separate the membranes of the amniotic sac surrounding your baby, from the cervix. This releases hormones including prostaglandins which may help to start your labour, but there is no guarantee that it will work.
So what is the evidence?
A review of 44 studies involving 6940 women reported that women having a membrane sweep were more likely to have a spontaneous onset of labour and less likely to have a formal induction of labour, compared to women who did not have a membrane sweep. It has a higher chance of working if your cervix is already softening, but may not work for everyone.
Should I have a sweep?
This will ultimately be a personal decision - but remember to use the BRAIN framework to help you make an informed decision:
Benefits: may promote labour, can reduce chance of formal induction of labour
Risks: discomfort, bleeding, not recommended if waters have broken or if you have a vaginal infection.
Alternatives: natural or formal induction of labour
Instinct: do you feel comfortable having this procedure?
Nothing: it will always be your decision if you want to go ahead, you can decline if you wish.
HPHB Top Tip
Use hypnobirthing up breathing and relaxation techniques during a membrane sweep to help you stay calm and comfortable.
Your baby’s development in week 40
Size of a small pumpkin
Weighs on average 3.5kg
Around 51.2cm long
Your baby is now ready for the outside world, but not all their senses are completely developed at birth.
Your baby's vision will continue to develop over the first few months of life. When they are born they see most clearly in black and white, their colour vision will take some time to develop. This is why many sensory toys for newborns are black and white with large bold patterns.
Week 40 Checklist
You might like to:
Have a pedicure. Reaching your feet might be proving a little difficult these days. Your feet may also be feeling tired and heavy so a foot massage is always a welcome treat.
Rest when you can. You may feel like everything needs to be done before your baby arrives but try not to overdo it! Life will continue once your baby is born and you’ve probably done more than you think.
Look for signs of labour. You probably don’t need us to remind you to do this. Every twinge or Braxton Hicks may make you think things are kicking off. Key things to look out for are the loss of your mucus plug, waters breaking, uncomfortable tightenings and an urge to release your bowels
Spotlight on: Pelvic pressure
Each week we'll be delving into the common symptoms of pregnancy and bringing you top tips for managing them from our team of specialists and parent community.
Pelvic pressure
Your baby will arrive any day now and you may be feeling quite heavy down below. Your baby may have now ‘dropped’ down further into your pelvis so you might be finding it easier to breathe, but may be experiencing lots of pressure in your pelvis, groin and rectum.
It’s important to know the difference between pelvic pain and pelvic pressure. Pelvic pressure can signal the start of effacement and cervical dilation - and soon, labour!. Effacement is when your cervix thins and shortens to open the vaginal canal for the birth of your baby. Dilation is the opening of the cervix during childbirth.
Pelvic pressure will feel like cramps similar to period pains, general groin discomfort and lower back pain. Pelvic pain is more of a wrenching pain and causes pain when walking.
Along with the pelvic pressure you might also be experiencing Braxton Hicks, which are practice contractions before the real ones start.
If you’re struggling with pelvic pressure you can try having a warm bath or using a heated pad on your lower back to soothe the pain. You’re almost there!
Birth story of the week
This week we catch up with Jenny and Eamonn from our Forest Hill course who share the positive birth of their baby Maia.
“We were very fortunate that the labour was relatively quick. During the afternoon Jenny had felt some stirrings, however by midnight contractions started to ramp up. We called the hospital, who advised us to wait at home a little longer – however after an hour Jenny really felt that it was time to go in. Even though the midwife had managed our expectations on the phone that there was a chance we would be sent home, on arrival Jenny was in fact 5cm dilated! From that initial examination, it was then only four and a half hours and then Maia was born! Using what we had been taught in the Happy Parents. Happy Baby Hypnobirthing Masterclass Jenny had really tried to stay active and mobile as much as possible during her labour and her waters actually broke in a real movie-style fashion whilst bouncing on a birthing ball! Alongside gas and air she also found that her breathing technique was extremely helpful in terms of managing her contractions. I was watching on in awe; my role of cheerleader was an easy one as Jenny was just so incredible.”
We’re so glad this wonderful couple had such an amazing experience.
Treat of the week
Your baby will grow so quickly in the first weeks and months. With the baby hand and foot prink ink pads you can always remember just how small they were. They also make perfect homemade cards for friends and family.
Products are based on suggestions from our specialists and community of parents. We may earn commission from shopping links.
Join our community
Happy Parents Happy Baby is here to support you through every step of your pregnancy, birth and parenting journey.
Connect with other parents-to-be and learn everything you need to know, by joining our award-winning antenatal classes.
That's all for now...
Thank you so much for joining us!
Have a great week.
Team HPHB x
Information you
can trust
Our articles are based on the latest-evidence based guidelines and scientific research and are written by our team of medical experts.
Coming up
next week
What does an induction of labour involve?
Spotlight on: clumsiness
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