Pregnancy & Baby 

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Pregnancy week 40

A week by week guide to what’s happening to you and your baby

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOU

You've made it to your due date.

Oh, no ... you've passed your due-date. In just one week, you've probably experienced loads of emotions. Psychologically, when a woman passes her due-date without a contraction, she may become depressed. But stay optimistic. Not long now.

Even though it may be tempting to ask for an induction of labour, it may not be safe. In some cases, ovulation may have occurred later than thought, and your baby's estimated due-date could be inaccurate. Unless your practitioner seems concerned about the baby's health or yours, there is little reason to induce.

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOUR BABY

The average baby will weigh seven-and-a-half pounds at birth. He or she is about 36cm crown to rump or 20 to 21 inches from head to toe. All systems are developed and ready to go. Now it's just a matter of time.

HEALTHY EATING

Vegetable lentil soup is delicious, warm and healthy. This recipe makes eight servings.

1lb lentils
½ pint of vegetable stock
Three cloves of chopped garlic
One chopped onion, 2 chopped carrots, chopped celery stick, one chopped red pepper, handful of green beans, and small bunch torn spinach leaves
One teaspoon ground oregano
One teaspoon thyme
Salt and pepper to taste.

Cook the lentils in just enough water to cover them. When they are soft (usually in about an hour or less), add everything else. Simmer until the vegetables are cooked. If it cooks down too much, you may need to add more stock.

FACT OF THE WEEK

The placenta often takes 20 to 30 minutes to be expelled after the birth. This must come out completely, or the mother may be at risk of haemorrhaging. Your placenta will be examined once it has been expelled to be sure no fragments remain.

Find out what to expect in week 41 of your pregnancy.

For a list of all the pregnancy week by week articles click here

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