Dear Nolan,
I love you so very much, but unfortunately, you have overstayed your welcome. Please come out and say hello ASAP.
Love, your very uncomfortable Mommy
Pregnancy: 3rd Trimester
Week 40: Your pregnancy
Your baby’s growth: You have a baby!
The average birth weight for babies born at 40 weeks is about 7 pounds 8 ounces, and the average length is about 21 inches.
There are a number of surprising physical characteristics you may notice upon your little one’s arrival. You may not have realized the extent to which your hormones can affect your baby at this stage. Because of the presence of your hormones in your baby’s system, your baby’s genitals (scrotum in boys and labia in girls) may appear enlarged. Your baby boy or girl may secrete milk from the tiny nipples. This is another hormone-related occurrence that should disappear in a few days and is completely normal. Finally, hormones may cause some “infant acne” pimples on your baby’s face.
These too will disappear within a month or so of birth.
- Skin. Although many moms think of a baby’s skin as “perfect,” it can be very sensitive. When your baby is born it’s normal for her to have skin discoloration; blotchy, dry skin; or even rashes.
- Head shape. Your baby’s trip through the constricting birth canal will temporarily mold her tiny head into a cone shape; this will round out within a few days of life.
- No tears. Babies are capable of crying at birth, but they are born with an underdeveloped tear duct system. You may notice that tears don’t appear until 1 to 3 months of age.
- Umbilical cord. After the cord is cut, a remnant will remain attached to the baby’s abdomen. It will drop off within the first month.