What's happening in my body?

If this is your first baby, then you'll have an antenatal appointment this week. Your blood pressure will be checked, your bump will be measured and you'll hand over a urine sample. Your midwife or doctor will be checking for signs of pre-eclampsia, a dangerous condition that's characterised by high blood pressure and protein in the urine.

You're probably getting a lot of practice contractions now, which should not be painful. These are Braxton Hicks contractions. When you start getting labour pains, you'll know all about it! Real contractions hurt when your bump goes tight, and then the pain goes away when the muscles relax.

Labour is divided into 3 stages. The first stage is when you have contractions and your cervix opens up until it's 10cm across (fully dilated). The 1st stage lasts 6 to 12 hours, or less if you've had other children. The 2nd stage is where the baby is delivered – and the 3rd stage is when the placenta comes out.

Read about what happens during labour on the NHS website.

When your contractions last for at least 60 seconds and come every 5 minutes, call your hospital or midwife.

From breathing to bananas: 8 tips for your labour

These tips could help you feel in control and manage your pain:

1. If your contractions start at night, try to sleep your way through as much as possible. The rest will help to prepare you for the birth, and your cervix will dilate while you sleep.

2. If your contractions start in the day, then keep upright and active as this helps the baby to move down and your cervix to open up. This could speed up your labour and reduce the need for painkilling drugs.

3. Try different positions. Rock on a birth ball, or put your arms around your birth partner's neck and lean on them. Just keep moving.

4. Have a warm bath or shower – it's a tried and tested method of pain relief.

5. Focus on breathing. You can practise your breathing techniques now. Take deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. Keep your jaw relaxed.

6. Ask your birth partner for a massage and involve them in your labour. Having their support and reassurance will encourage your body to produce more endorphins, which are brilliant natural painkillers. Here are some more ways that your partner could support you.

7. Eat something healthy to keep up your energy levels, like a banana or low-fat yoghurt. Avoid fatty foods, as they could make you feel sick, and steer clear of sugary foods as they'll only give you a quick hit before a slump.

8. Do something that helps you to relax. If you feel calm, you will be able to manage your labour and pain much better than if you're stressed.

Will curries and sex bring on labour?

You've probably searched the internet for ways to bring on labour and found tips that range from sex to vindaloos. There's a Tommy's has information on what might help bring on labour from raspberry leaf tea to nipple stimulation.

There are no proven ways to safely bring on labour at home. Get advice from your doctor or midwife before trying anything other than watching and waiting.

3rd trimester pregnancy symptoms (at 40 weeks)

Do you feel like you've got PMT? Or do you have lower backache? These could be early signs of labour. Check out these 5 signs that your baby is on the way.

Your signs of pregnancy could also include:

• painless contractions around your bump, known as Braxton Hicks contractions
• sleeping problems (week 19 has information about feeling tired)
• stretch marks (read about stretch marks on week 17's page)
• swollen and bleeding gums (week 13 has information about gum health during pregnancy)
• pains on the side of your baby bump, caused by your expanding womb ("round ligament pains")
• piles (read about piles on week 22's page)
• headaches
• backache
• indigestion and heartburn (week 25 talks about digestive problems)
• bloating and constipation (read about bloating on week 16's page)
• leg cramps (week 20 explains how to deal with cramp)
• feeling hot
• dizziness
• swollen hands and feet
• urine infections
• vaginal infections (see week 15 for vaginal health)
• darkened skin on your face or brown patches – this is known as chloasma or the "mask of pregnancy"
• greasier, spotty skin
• thicker and shinier hair

You may also experience symptoms from earlier weeks, such as:

• mood swings (week 8's page has information on mood swings)
• morning sickness (read about dealing with morning sickness on week 6's page)
• weird pregnancy cravings (read about pregnancy cravings on week 5's page)
• a heightened sense of smell
• sore or leaky breasts (read about breast pain on week 14's page)
• a white milky pregnancy discharge from your vagina and light spotting (seek medical advice for any bleeding)

Read Tommy's guide to common pregnancy symptoms.

What does my baby look like?

Your baby, or foetus, is around 51.2cm long from head to heel, and weighs about 3.5kg. That's approximately the size of 2 romano peppers and the weight of a small pumpkin.

Your baby is getting rather squashed up now, but should still be moving around in their usual pattern. Movements should not slow down or stop, and if they do, it could be an important sign that something is wrong.

If you notice any changes, contact your midwife or maternity unit straight away – there will be someone there to answer calls 24 hours a day.

Go back to week 39

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