Pregnancy Week 40
Your baby is the size of a Watermelon - 51.2 cm, 3462 g
Your Baby at Week 40
Development highlights
- Your baby is full term and ready to be born
- Average Singapore birth weight: 3.0–3.5 kg; length: 48–52 cm
- All organ systems are mature and fully functional
- Newborn will have a unique cry - You'll recognise it within hours
Source: WHO Child Growth Standards; embryology references from Moore & Persaud.
Your Body in Week 40
The third trimester brings the final preparations for birth. Your body is working harder than ever - Baby is gaining 200g a week and space is running short. Use the Contraction Timer and the Kick Count Tracker to stay in tune with your baby from now on.
Common symptoms this week
Week 40 Checklist
- Go to hospital if: contractions are 5 min apart, 1 min long, for 1 hour (5-1-1 rule)
- Go immediately if: waters break, heavy bleeding, baby not moving, severe headache or vision changes
- Call your hospital's labour ward: know the number by heart
- Discuss induction with your OB if labour has not started by week 41
During early labour, light snacks (toast, banana, crackers) provide energy. Stay hydrated. Avoid heavy meals which cause nausea during contractions.
Book via HealthHub app, your hospital's antenatal clinic, or your private OB. Bring your referral letter and NRIC.
Baby's Body Systems Development
How far along each major system is at week 40. Development is continuous - The chart shows when each system is actively forming and when it reaches maturity.
Third Trimester: Birth Preparation Guide
Weeks 28–40 are the final sprint. Baby is gaining weight rapidly, your body is preparing for labour, and the countdown is real. This is the time to finalise your hospital choice, pack your bag, choose your paediatrician, and learn the signs of labour. Antenatal visits increase to every 2 weeks, then weekly from week 36.
Hospital bag essentials - Singapore maternity wards
- Nightgown x2 (front-opening)
- Maternity pads (heavy flow)
- Breast pads + nipple cream
- Toiletries & lip balm
- Phone charger
- Snacks for labour
- Going-home outfit (sizes 0000/000)
- Swaddle blankets x2
- Car seat (must install before)
- Mittens and booties
- Dummy (optional)
- NRIC / passport
- Hospital pre-registration form
- Birth plan (2 copies)
- Insurance card
- OB's contact number
- • Contractions: 5 minutes apart, 1 minute long, for 1 hour (5-1-1 rule)
- • Waters break - Go within 1 hour regardless of contractions
- • Heavy vaginal bleeding
- • Baby's movements reduce significantly - Fewer than 10 in 2 hours
- • Severe headache, vision changes, or upper abdominal pain (pre-eclampsia signs)
Frequently Asked Questions - Week 40
Real labour contractions follow a regular pattern: they come at consistent intervals, last 45–60 seconds each, and get progressively stronger, longer, and closer together over time. Braxton Hicks, by contrast, are irregular, don't intensify, and often ease when you change position or rest. Other labour signs include the 'bloody show' (blood-tinged mucus plug), your waters breaking, or persistent lower back pain that worsens in waves.
Follow the 5-1-1 rule: go to hospital when contractions are 5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute each, for at least 1 hour. Go immediately if: your waters break (regardless of contractions), you have heavy vaginal bleeding, your baby's movements reduce significantly, or you develop a severe headache, vision changes, or upper abdominal pain. In Singapore, call your hospital's labour ward 24-hour line - They'll advise you.
The Baby Bonus scheme provides a cash gift of $11,000–$13,000 for the first two children and $13,000+ for the third and beyond, plus government matching into a Child Development Account (CDA) up to $6,000–$9,000. Register at the Baby Bonus Online portal within 60 days of birth. Read the full HeyBaby Baby Bonus guide for a step-by-step claim walkthrough.
Week 40 at a glance
Pregnancy Tools
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