Week 40: Your Due Date is Here!
If this is your due date and labour hasn't started, try not to worry. Only about 5% of babies arrive on their exact due date. You might feel frustrated, anxious, and very ready to not be pregnant anymore. Focus on resting and staying comfortable while you wait.
Your baby at week 40
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Size of a Watermelon
Baby Development
Your baby is fully developed and ready for birth. The average newborn is about 51cm long and weighs about 3.4kg, though healthy babies vary widely. The skull bones have not fused, allowing them to overlap slightly during birth (moulding). The baby has around 300 bones (adults have 206, as many fuse together during childhood). The baby is coated in a thin layer of fat for temperature regulation.
Week 40 Highlight: Your due date is here! Your baby has about 300 bones and is perfectly designed for the journey through the birth canal.
Common Symptoms
Tips for Week 40
Only about 5% of babies are born on their exact due date - be patient.
If labour hasn't started, discuss options with your healthcare provider.
Walk, bounce on a birthing ball, or try other natural induction methods.
Make sure you and your birth partner know when to go to the hospital.
South Africa Specific Info
If you go past your due date, your healthcare provider will discuss monitoring options. In SA's public sector, induction of labour is usually offered between 41-42 weeks. In the private sector, your gynae may offer induction from 39-40 weeks. Post-dates monitoring includes non-stress tests (CTG) and ultrasound to check amniotic fluid levels. Do not attempt to induce labour with herbal remedies without medical guidance.
All Pregnancy Weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
About the Author
Due Date Calculator SA Editorial Team
Our content is reviewed by healthcare professionals familiar with South African maternal health practices. We combine evidence-based medical information with local knowledge to support South African mums throughout their pregnancy journey. Our team includes contributors with backgrounds in midwifery, obstetrics, and maternal health education.
Last reviewed: February 2026