Pregnancy Weeks 41 & 42: Oh No, You're Overdue

You didn't think that you would still be pregnant past your due date. Now that you are at your pregnancy week forty-one or even forty-two you feel like you will be pregnant forever but you won't. The biggest reason, that doctors provide for an overdue baby is a miscalculation of your original conception date.

Pregnancy Weeks 41 & 42: Baby's Development

The longer your pregnancy goes, the bigger your baby gets. Your healthcare provider will be watching the size of your baby very closely. She doesn't want your baby to be too big so that he won't pass through the birth canal. If your baby is still in the normal range then chances are she will let you go into labor on your own.

Your little one may have dry, cracked skin because he has been exposed to the amniotic fluid a little longer than anticipated. The vernix protected his skin, but that was shed weeks ago. He may also have long fingernails and toenails. Your baby's hair also had more time to grow.

Pregnancy Weeks 41 & 42: What Mom can do

It is thought that labor begins when your baby's brain sends chemical messages to your uterus. Your body responds by producing oxytocin which causes your uterus to contract and your cervix to dilate. Early contractions feel like bad menstrual cramps or a backache. Contractions then intensify, become more frequent, and become more regular.

Relax as much as you can in order to save your energy for labor. Sleep if you can because you won't be getting much after your little one arrives. Get in the pool to help ease your backache, muscle aches, and hip aches. Let anyone who wants to spoil you, spoil you.

Pregnancy Weeks 41 & 42: How Long Will I Be Pregnant?

There is good news. Healthcare providers do not let pregnancies go beyond 42 weeks. You will have your baby in your arms very soon. She let your pregnancy go this long just to be sure that there was not a miscalculation on the due date and to ensure that your baby will be born at full term.

Since you are overdue, your doctor may perform another non-stress test during pregnancy weeks 41 and 42. She may also test to see if you are leaking any amniotic fluid. If you do not go into labor on your own, your doctor will set a date to induce labor. You will check into the birthing center where they will start a labor-inducing drug called pitocin.

When your baby is finally in your arms you will be much happier and more comfortable. It will not matter how long he took to arrive, all that will matter is that he is finally here.

For more pregnancy weeks and fetal development you can read:
Pregnancy Week 37

Pregnancy Week 38

Pregnancy Week 39: First Signs of Labor

Pregnancy Week 40

Click here to find more information on your pregnancy and baby's development.

Sources:

Personal Experience

Fit Pregnancy (2009). Pregnancy Calendar. Retrieved: April 8, 9, 2009. Web Site: fitpregnancy.com/calendar/40251887.html

Myers-Gorrie, Trula, Slone-McKinney, Emily, & Smith-Murray, Sharon (1998). Foundations of Maternal-Newborn Nursing (2^nd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: W. B. Saunders Company.

What to Expect (2009). Weekly Pregnancy Calendar. Retrieved:April 8, 9, 2009. Web Site: whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/week-by-week/landing.aspx