42 weeks of pregnancy. Pregnancy Calendar

Features of 41-42 (obstetric) weeks

Quite often, an error creeps into medical calculations for the end of pregnancy, either in the direction of decreasing or increasing by 1-2 weeks. But even if the time calculation turned out to be correct, then the woman is simply supposed to fully retire for all 42 weeks. And only after forty-two weeks can we talk about a post-term pregnancy.

Doctors methodically and purposefully study the condition of the mother and baby. And if the pregnancy at 41-42 weeks proceeds normally, without pathologies or undesirable changes, only from the 43rd week do they begin to practice stimulation of labor , if, of course, it is required by this time.

Without a doubt, carrying a belly the size of a pumpkin is extremely difficult. In recent weeks, it is difficult to move and almost impossible to sleep, since any position a woman takes is uncomfortable due to the size of her abdomen. In addition, the fetus with all its weight presses on the base of the pelvis, causing extremely unpleasant and painful sensations.

At these times, there is a high probability of compression of the jugular vein, which entails the threat of the formation of varicose veins. When the belly has already dropped significantly at 41 weeks of pregnancy, and labor still does not begin, some women (especially those carrying a child for the first time) succumb to panic .

They begin to induce labor on their own by drinking castor oil. They resort to all sorts of other means of accelerating the process, so-called “folk” methods, often of a dubious nature. Self-indulgence has never brought anyone any good , so a consultation with a specialist and a conversation with a psychologist is the best thing a woman at 41-42 weeks of pregnancy can do in such a situation.

Feel

A woman at 42 weeks of pregnancy may experience fatigue from the process of bearing a child, because the belly has already reached a very large size. You need to continue to listen to the baby’s movements, controlling their number.

Of course, there is concern about a protracted pregnancy, but the doctor should dispel all doubts. Therefore, examination by a gynecologist at 42 weeks of pregnancy is mandatory. If the doctor thinks that everything is fine, then you just need to wait for the start of labor.

The woman continues to feel nagging pain in the lower abdomen, in the lumbar region, and in the perineal area. Some mothers suffer from varicose veins and hemorrhoids. The skin of the abdomen becomes very stretched, which causes itching and a feeling of dryness. In addition to the fact that a woman feels awkward and clumsy, swelling may occur.

Training contractions at this stage of pregnancy are common. Moreover, at any moment they can become real. Therefore, if the same time interval remains between contractions and pain is present at the same time, then you should go to the maternity hospital.

Fetus at 41-42 weeks of gestation

In the last trimester, the fetus begins to receive antibodies from the mother's body. After birth, they will help the baby adequately cope with infections. At this stage, fetal development does not stop . He also continues to gain weight, and has already reached an average of 3200 g with a height of up to 52 cm. But these are average statistics; the fetus develops individually in each mother.

• The liver, kidneys, heart, pancreas function perfectly.
• Surfactants in the alveoli of the lung tissue protect against agglomeration. The surfactant mixture will only exist until birth , until the child takes his first breath.
• The birth fuzz gradually disappears , and wrinkles on the skin are smoothed out.
• The groin and armpits are protected with a cheese-like lubricant.
• The placenta ages quickly , but still provides the necessary molecules, although it can no longer provide the full amount of nutrients and oxygen for the fetus.

It is advisable that childbirth still takes place at 41 weeks of pregnancy. Every day the child increasingly needs oxygen, and the aging placenta is no longer able to provide the required oxygen volume. This is fraught with the development of asphyxia, but in no case does it mean that an asphyxial child will definitely be born.

At the very end of the last trimester, waste accumulated in the fetal intestines is squeezed out , but they are removed from the newborn’s body only after birth. If, after all, meconium (original feces) gets into the amniotic fluid, it will have a greenish tint.

Childbirth at 42 weeks of pregnancy

So, most likely, the doctor will wait another week before inducing contractions. But the chance that childbirth will occur on its own at 42 weeks of pregnancy is quite high.

If the pregnancy is not yet post-term, then childbirth will proceed in the same way as it would at 40 weeks. You shouldn't worry about this. Otherwise, some complications are possible: prolonged labor, birth injuries, bleeding. The risk of a baby swallowing green water increases; the baby himself, during postmaturity, differs from babies born at term: his skin is dry, wrinkled and may have a gray or yellowish tint, his eyes are already open, he is quite active, but can cough and wheeze. for the content of amniotic fluid in the lungs.

However, at 42 weeks, pregnancy is rarely truly post-term, so don’t worry. In addition, few women carry a baby for 43 or 44 weeks, which means that the chances of giving birth on their own at 42 are very high.

But if the gynecologist makes a verdict about post-term pregnancy, then at best the pregnancy will be stimulated with medication. It is not at all excluded that the woman will be prescribed a cesarean section (in particular, if her cervix has not softened). This makes some sense in view of all the changes that occur with a post-term baby and the increased risks of complications during childbirth.

Be that as it may, your pregnancy will end in any case: if not this week, then next. And may the birth go well, regardless of the method of resolution, and may the baby be born healthy! A new stage is beginning in your life, which, in fact, will bring real meaning to life. This is so wonderful, so exciting and so responsible! We wish you to become the best parents of the best child in the world!

What happens to a woman at 41-42 weeks of pregnancy

If we exclude the state of continuous anticipation of the onset of labor, then at 41-42 weeks of pregnancy a woman may not only not gain, but also lose weight.

• Carrying around a belly that has become huge is already very difficult . The degree of fatigue is high, night insomnia sets in, since it is almost impossible to find a comfortable position.
• A moving baby inside the womb often causes pain to the mother , although his movements have become more rare - no more than 20-25 times a day. He has grown up, is becoming stronger every day, and the baby is simply cramped in the womb.
• A positive aspect of the last weeks of bearing a child is that the belly has already noticeably dropped . As a result, the woman no longer experiences shortness of breath or heartburn, and breathing has become much easier.

What you need to know about 42 weeks of pregnancy?

Firstly, pregnancy at 42 weeks is not considered post-term. The normal length of pregnancy is 38-40 weeks. An increase in this period by 10-14 days is also within the normal range, but such a pregnancy requires more careful monitoring.

Secondly, only 10% of women reach 42 weeks, and in most cases the reason for this is an incorrectly calculated date of expected birth.

Thirdly, pregnancy at 41-42 weeks can be post-term and prolonged. These are two completely different concepts.

Postmaturity is a pathology. Signs of such a pregnancy are:

• old placenta, unable to provide the fetus with everything necessary;
• a fetus suffering from hypoxia;
• hardening of the skull and bones of the fetus;
• the presence of meconium (original feces) in the amniotic fluid.

The consequences include: birth trauma, difficult childbirth, weak labor, the baby’s inability to take his first breath on his own (meconium enters the baby’s lungs along with amniotic fluid, ventilation is necessary so that the baby can breathe on his own).

Prolonged pregnancy is an individual feature. The baby continues to develop normally even after 42 weeks, and the placenta provides him with everything he needs. It's just that the baby needs a little more time to complete normal intrauterine development.

Fourthly, giving birth at 42 weeks of pregnancy is absolutely normal. Those who gave birth at 41-42 weeks speak of a completely normal birth, without complications, which resulted in the birth of healthy, beautiful babies. It is only worth noting that childbirth after 40 weeks of pregnancy is usually protracted and occurs quickly only in 5% of cases.

Preparing for childbirth and its harbingers

Not all discharge at 41 weeks of pregnancy is associated solely with the rejection of the mucus plug. At one point, the water may begin to leak - in portions or in a stream . Their color speaks volumes. Light and practically odorless indicate the absence of pathologies. Brownish-greenish discharge indicates that the baby's original feces have entered the amniotic fluid due to the lack of the proper amount of oxygen.

If the loose plug was noticed in a timely manner, that’s just great . But many do not notice that she has moved away. Often the mucus plug comes off in parts rather than as a whole. The discharge simply contains clots of yellowish-whitish or pinkish mucus. But if there are blood streaks in the mucus, this is a sure sign of impending labor.

Is it worth worrying that contractions and childbirth have not yet begun?

In cases where, according to the doctor’s calculations, it is not even 41, but 42 weeks of pregnancy, and labor has not begun, we can consider a number of reasons that led to the painful experiences of the pregnant woman.

• The estimated date of birth is incorrectly calculated . As it may sound, only about 4-5% of women are delivered from pregnancy within the period specified by the doctor. This trend is associated with the practical impossibility of establishing the exact date of conception, and counting is carried out from the time of the last menstruation of an already pregnant woman. Clarifications are made at 28 weeks during an ultrasound examination of the fetus, but this is not accurate enough.
• The time it takes to carry a child directly depends on how long or short a woman’s menstrual cycle is . As a rule, all calculations of the end of pregnancy are carried out based on average statistical data.
• In the case of a complicated pregnancy during the first trimester , the woman, as a rule, exceeds the due date for the birth of the child.

When to go to the maternity hospital

The 42nd week of pregnancy can be suddenly interrupted by childbirth. In some situations, the process happens so quickly that the expectant mother may become confused. In order to call an ambulance on time and receive qualified medical assistance, a woman must know when to go to the maternity hospital:

• when a large amount of blood appears from the vagina (detachment of the baby's place may have begun);
• with leakage or sudden rupture of amniotic fluid and absence of contractions;
• if the contractions, which were becoming more and more intense, suddenly weakened completely, and the intervals between them decreased;
• if symptoms of gestosis appear - nausea, vomiting, fainting, swelling of the arms and legs, high blood pressure;
• if there is acute pain in the uterus.

After 40 weeks, doctors recommend that pregnant women undergo routine hospitalization. If the mother and baby are postterm, they should be under the supervision of doctors who will provide urgent medical care if labor begins at 42 weeks of pregnancy.

Visiting doctors

When no signs of labor are observed at 41 weeks of pregnancy, a CTG (cardiotocography) procedure is performed daily. It allows you to monitor in detail the work of the baby’s heart, the general condition of the heart muscle, and promptly identify abnormalities.

In addition to CTG, a number of laboratory tests are carried out:

• a general urine and blood test is taken;
• pressure is measured;
• The pregnant woman is weighed and her abdominal circumference is measured;
• An ultrasound is prescribed to monitor the baby’s behavior;
• The readiness of the cervix for the upcoming birth is examined.

If necessary - detection of pathology at a later stage - the woman is hospitalized, and all manipulations are carried out on the spot, lasting until the mother gives permission to the child.

Possible deviations

In the last weeks of the third trimester, deviations and changes in the vital functions of the fetus are usually associated with insufficient oxygen and nutrients supplied by the aging placenta, as well as with disturbances in the uterine circulation.

1. Significant weight loss for a pregnant woman.
2. The abdomen decreases in circumference.
3. Insufficient amount of amniotic fluid.
4. Rare, or, on the contrary, very frequent fetal movements.

If studies show that a woman is post-term , doctors begin emergency preparations to induce labor.

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Lifestyle of a woman in late pregnancy

At 41-42 weeks of expecting a baby, there are no special changes in the mother’s lifestyle compared to the previous week. The woman is still awaiting childbirth. Exceptions are false contractions, which in some cases become more frequent , become more noticeable and, perhaps, gradually turn into true labor.

It is better to limit a woman’s diet during her last term to vegetables , fruits and low-calorie foods. You also need to reduce your consumption of sugar, chocolate, baked goods and confectionery to a minimum. For drinks, it is advisable to prefer rosehip decoction.

At 41 weeks of pregnancy, intimate relationships will only be beneficial . Sex stimulates the uterus and provokes it to begin labor. The use of a condom is highly recommended. And it should be remembered that intimacy should be gentle, without deep penetration and pressure on the stomach.

Recommendations for a pregnant woman

Visiting a doctor and conducting appropriate research is extremely important at this time. If Doppler ultrasound is prescribed daily, it should be performed every day. And you also need to strictly follow the recommendations of your obstetrician-gynecologist. If the expectant mother feels well, the moderately active life activity stimulates labor activity and can significantly bring the time of birth closer.

Introductory information

• Find out why the third screening during pregnancy is so important and whether it is really necessary in the last trimester. What is different about the study, and what consequences may arise if it is ignored.
• It is very important to know what is hidden under the term frozen pregnancy. What are its symptoms, what factors can cause fetal death, and does heredity have anything to do with this condition?
• A very important issue that needs to be understood is the stimulation of labor. To whom and for what reasons is stimulation of labor indicated, and is it possible to do without the use of medications.
• Find out when, at what stage and in what cases a caesarean section is performed. For what reasons is the operation prescribed, and what complications may arise during its implementation.

If you are 41 or 42 weeks pregnant, or you have recently given birth, or you have something to say to readers, share your feelings and general condition. Tell us about the course of your pregnancy and what you are experiencing at the moment. Your information is very valuable to us. It will help to create a more complete picture of a woman’s general well-being on the eve of the birth of a child. If you have any tips or suggestions, you can leave them at the bottom of this page. Thank you for visiting the site.