40 Weeks Pregnant: Your Due Date, Going Overdue, Induction

At 40 weeks pregnant, you have reached your due date: 40 weeks and 0 to 6 days from the first day of your last period. In months, 40 weeks pregnant is about nine months (or ten lunar months, which is why older relatives sometimes say “ten months”).

The headline this week: only a small proportion of babies arrive on their due date, and going past it is very common, especially with a first baby. From now, your doctor will monitor you and your baby more closely and talk about induction if labour does not start on its own.

Your baby at 40 weeks

Your baby is about 51 cm long and weighs around 3.4 kg on average, roughly the weight of a whole small watermelon plus a bunch of bananas. Healthy newborns can weigh anywhere from well under 3 kg to over 4 kg, so do not read too much into estimates; scan weights late in pregnancy can be out by a fair margin.

What your baby is like now:

Ready for birth. Your baby’s organs, reflexes and senses are all ready for life outside. They can recognise your voice, which is one reason newborns often settle when you talk to them.
Skin and nails. Babies born after their due date may have drier, peeling skin and longer nails. This is normal; it settles within days.
Head moulding. The skull bones can still overlap slightly to fit through the birth canal. A newborn’s head can look oddly shaped for a day or two.
Movements. Your baby should keep moving in their usual pattern until and during labour. Babies do not “go quiet” before birth.

Your body at 40 weeks

Physically, 40 weeks feels much like 39, often with more discomfort and less patience. You may have:

Practice contractions or false starts that raise your hopes and then stop.
A show, more discharge and pelvic pressure as your cervix prepares.
Trouble sleeping, backache and swollen feet.
Frustration. Due dates are estimates, and most first babies arrive within the two weeks either side. It is normal to feel fed up; try to plan small things to look forward to each day.

Keep eating normally, drink plenty of water and stay gently active. There is little good evidence that spicy food, pineapple, long walks or sex start labour, and castor oil and herbal remedies can be harmful. Ask your doctor before trying anything.

Checkups and tests at 40 weeks in Singapore

Once you pass your due date, checks usually become more frequent, often every few days. The aim is to make sure your baby is still doing well while you wait.

Stage	What usually happens
40 weeks	Routine checks; discussion of what happens if you go overdue; possible membrane sweep
40 to 41 weeks	Fetal heart monitoring (CTG) and a scan of the amniotic fluid, often every few days; further sweeps may be offered
Around 41 weeks	Induction usually recommended for an uncomplicated pregnancy, as the placenta becomes less efficient
If you prefer to wait	Extra monitoring, with a clear plan for when to come in

Many obstetricians in Singapore start discussing induction once you pass 40 weeks and usually recommend it by around 41 weeks, because the risk of stillbirth rises slightly as pregnancy continues past this point. Induction may involve a hormone pessary or gel, a balloon catheter, breaking the waters and a hormone drip, and it can take a day or longer. Our guide to labour induction in Singapore explains each step and the questions to ask. You can decline or ask to wait, and your doctor should explain the risks and offer extra monitoring.

Induction and a longer stay can add to your bill, so check what your package covers. Our breakdown of the cost of giving birth in Singapore explains MediSave and MediShield Life.

Your 40-week checklist

Agree the plan with your doctor: dates for monitoring, a possible sweep, and when induction would be booked.
Pack a few extras for a possible induction, such as snacks, a long charging cable and something to pass the time.
Keep in touch with your confinement nanny or agency about your new expected dates.
Rest as much as you can, and keep track of your baby’s movements every day.
Get ready for the weeks after birth; our postpartum recovery guide covers what to expect in your body.
Get your paperwork ready: you register your baby’s birth on LifeSG within 42 days, then apply for the Baby Bonus. The SG Child Support Package announced at the National Day Rally 2026 replaces the Baby Bonus from 1 April 2027, and babies born from 1 January 2026 still receive most of its benefits, so read up on what applies to you.

The bottom line

At 40 weeks pregnant, you have reached your due date, and it is completely normal still to be waiting. Expect closer monitoring after 40 weeks and a conversation about induction, usually recommended by around 41 weeks. Keep a close eye on movements, rest, and know that your baby will be here soon. For more on these final weeks, see our third trimester guide.

Look back at 39 weeks pregnant, browse every week in our week-by-week guide, or double-check your dates with our pregnancy calculator. ACOG explains what happens when pregnancy goes past your due date.

How many months is 40 weeks pregnant?

40 weeks pregnant is about nine calendar months. It is your estimated due date, and it is also sometimes described as ten lunar months of four weeks each.

Is it normal to go past 40 weeks?

Yes, very normal, especially with a first baby. Only a small proportion of babies arrive on their due date. Your doctor will monitor you more closely after 40 weeks and discuss induction.

When will I be induced if I am overdue in Singapore?

Many obstetricians in Singapore start discussing induction after 40 weeks and usually recommend it by around 41 weeks in an uncomplicated pregnancy. Earlier induction may be advised for medical reasons, such as high blood pressure or concerns about your baby.