Launch pricing - Get £50 off! Just £49.99 your first year. Use code nuhahyearlyLaunch pricing - Get £50 off!
£49.99 your first year, code nuhahyearly
Week by Week
Week 12
First trimester wraps up
Week 20
Anomaly scan
Week 28
Third trimester begins
Week 36
Full term approaches
All 42 weeks
Tools
Due Date Calculator
Baby Name Generator
Kick Counter
Contraction Timer
Ovulation Calculator
Weight Gain Calculator
Chinese Gender Predictor
Baby Size Comparison
Maternity Leave Calculator
Paternity Leave Checker
Baby Cost Calculator
Pregnancy Symptom Checker
Birth Plan Builder
Resources
Pregnancy guides
Hospital bag essentials
Baby names
Hypnobirthing
Browse all
Blog
Braxton Hicks vs real contractions
UK maternity leave explained
Sleep in late pregnancy
All posts
AboutEarn with NuhahContact
Week by Week
Due Date CalculatorBaby Name GeneratorKick CounterContraction TimerOvulation CalculatorWeight Gain CalculatorChinese Gender PredictorBaby Size ComparisonMaternity Leave CalculatorPaternity Leave CheckerBaby Cost CalculatorPregnancy Symptom CheckerBirth Plan Builder
ResourcesBlogPricing
AboutEarn with NuhahContact
Sign In
Pregnancy Guide·Third Trimester

Week 40: Due Date

Watermelon (~36-38cm crown-rump)·Last reviewed: 25 April 2026
Quick answer

Week 40 is your estimated due date. Your baby is fully developed, weighing on average 3.4kg in the UK. According to Nuhah's pregnancy guide, only about 4% of babies arrive on their exact due date - your baby will come when they are ready.

Baby development at week 40

Full term. Average weight around 3.4kg (7.5lbs) in the UK. The baby is approximately 51cm from head to toe. They are fully developed and ready to meet the world. The heart has beaten approximately 54 million times since it first started. The baby's brain will continue developing rapidly for the first two years of life.

Your body this week

You may feel impatient, anxious, excited, or all three. If your due date passes, try to be patient - this is very common. Your midwife will monitor you closely and discuss options for induction if needed. Continue monitoring baby movements and attend all scheduled appointments. Try to rest, stay hydrated, and do things that help you relax.

Things to do this week

1
Attend any scheduled appointments
2
If overdue, discuss induction options with your midwife
3
Continue monitoring baby movements
4
Rest, hydrate, and try to enjoy the final wait
5
Call your maternity unit immediately if you have concerns about movement, bleeding, or contractions

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I go past my due date?

Going past 40 weeks is very common. Your midwife will offer increased monitoring and typically discuss induction at 41 weeks per NICE guidance. You will have regular checks to make sure you and your baby are well. Induction is offered at 41 weeks because the risk of stillbirth increases with advancing gestation beyond this point (per 2021 NICE NG207 guidance).

How accurate is a due date?

A due date is an estimate. Only about 4% of babies arrive on their exact due date. Most babies are born within two weeks either side. Nuhah's due date calculator provides your estimated date, but your baby will come when they are ready.

What are the signs of labour?

Key signs include regular contractions that get stronger and closer together (use Nuhah's contraction timer to track these), your waters breaking, a show (mucus plug), and persistent lower back pain. If you think you are in labour, call your maternity unit for guidance.

What happens during induction?

Induction typically involves prostaglandin pessaries or gel to soften the cervix, sometimes followed by artificial rupture of membranes and an oxytocin drip. The process can take 24-48 hours. Your midwife will explain each step and you can ask questions at any point.

Related reading

Birth & Labour
Overdue Pregnancy: What Happens After 40 Weeks
Preparation
Postpartum Preparation: Getting Ready for the Fourth Trimester
Guides
NHS Pregnancy Appointments: The Complete Timeline

Track week 40 and beyond

Milestones, partner sharing, notes, photos, and a curated essentials guide - all free. No app to install.

Get Started - Free
← Week 39Week 41
← All weeks

© 2026 Nuhah. All rights reserved.