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At 41st week, it is known to be a late- term pregnancy but is still within the normal range because most times your health practitioner miscalculates your due date due to wrong information you gave them on your first appointment with them.
Even if you have not given birth yet, you should not be alarmed because a small percentage of children are born in the 41st week or even overdue. After all, it could be a miscalculation of the accurate time of pregnancy.
Most of the time, the medical practitioners get the wrong age of your pregnancy because of some information given to them by you, like the last date of your menstrual flow and some other information. But you still need to keep in mind that your baby will be arriving at any time.
Take a peek at your baby
Take a Peek
This week, a non-stress test (NST) will probably be used to keep track of your baby’s heartbeat. Each time she moves, her heart rate should increase.
After delivery, your baby’s nails will surely need a trim with a set of baby nail clippers, as they have grown past her fingertips.
Do not be worried; your baby is not overdue until 42 weeks of gestation. Less than 5% of newborns are born on the scheduled due date.
Take a Peek
This week, a non-stress test (NST) will probably be used to keep track of your baby’s heartbeat. Each time she moves, her heart rate should increase.
After delivery, your baby’s nails will surely need a trim with a set of baby nail clippers, as they have grown past her fingertips.
Do not be worried; your baby is not overdue until 42 weeks of gestation. Less than 5% of newborns are born on the scheduled due date.
How is my baby developing at week 41?
Your baby is now called a full-term baby as it is strong enough to survive some high-risk babies younger than it won’t survive.
Your baby would have already shed the whitish substance called vernix that covered their bodies as their skin started to get thick enough to cover their blood vessels. Your baby should most likely be facing headfirst into your pelvis. This should be common because it has become very big, but if your baby is still in the breech position (a position where the legs are the ones facing towards the pelvis), you should see your doctor, and he will attempt to adjust the baby’s position to the right one manually. If that too does not work, you will have to consider a cesarean delivery or a C-section.
The baby would now be able to respond to the outside world’s sounds because their ears would have been fully developed at this point. Right now, your baby must be building up fat in its body to survive in the outside world, and even its vital organs are still developing.
How big is my baby at week 41?
Your baby should be around 3583.38 grams in weight and 22 to 24 inches in height. It’s the size of a large watermelon or that of a large pumpkin seed.
FETAL GROWTH
WEEK 41:
Your baby is about the size of a large pumpkin.
LENGTH
WEIGHT
22.61
3583.38
Inches
grams
From head to heel
FETAL GROWTH
WEEK 41:
Your baby is about the size of a large pumpkin.
LENGTH
WEIGHT
22.61
3583.38
Inches
grams
From head to heel
Baby Bump at Week 41
At this stage, your baby is ready and eager to meet you.
How many weeks do I have to go?
Any time now!
What is happening in my body at week 41?
Water breaking is an occurrence that is not guaranteed before the onset of labor. However, if your water breaks before your contractions begin, you can be certain that labor will start within 24 hours. Alternatively, your practitioner will begin it for you within 24 hours.
What is the best way to tell if your amniotic sac has ruptured? Amniotic fluid is colourless and odourless in most cases. So you are most likely leaking urine if you notice yellowish liquid with an odour. Another test is to squeeze your pelvic muscles to stop the flow of fluid (Kegel exercises). It is urine if the flow stops. It’s amniotic fluid if it doesn’t.
Contact your practitioner immediately if your water breaks and the fluid is brown or green. It could mean that your little one has had meconium (bowel movement) in the womb.
Pregnancy Symptoms at Week 41
You have been having constipation for some time now, but it could switch from constipation to diarrhea in these last week’s because you will be emptying your bowels in preparation for the birth. That may lead to losing weight but do not panic as this is normal because you’ve also reached the end of your pregnancy weight gain. This slowdown is one of the actual ways your body is getting prepared for labor.
There could be an insatiable desire to clean and arrange the house in preparation for the upcoming delivery, but this is a normal feeling an expectant mother will have, called a nesting instinct.
You should be getting used to the stretch marks on your body caused by the baby’s size, which may even cause some pain. Some women even have some form of rash in the breast region of their bodies.
Now that your baby has lowered into your pelvis and is moving toward the birth canal, with her head resting directly on your bladder. You may experience constipation and an urge to urinate more than usual.
The colostrum, yellowish fluid leaking from your breasts, would still be present. It is the first form of milk your mammary glands produce to breastfeed your baby when he arrives.
Pregnancy Symptoms at Week 41
You have been having constipation for some time now, but it could switch from constipation to diarrhea in these last week’s because you will be emptying your bowels in preparation for the birth. That may lead to losing weight but do not panic as this is normal because you’ve also reached the end of your pregnancy weight gain. This slowdown is one of the actual ways your body is getting prepared for labor.
There could be an insatiable desire to clean and arrange the house in preparation for the upcoming delivery, but this is a normal feeling an expectant mother will have, called a nesting instinct.
You should be getting used to the stretch marks on your body caused by the baby’s size, which may even cause some pain. Some women even have some form of rash in the breast region of their bodies.
Now that your baby has lowered into your pelvis and is moving toward the birth canal, with her head resting directly on your bladder. You may experience constipation and an urge to urinate more than usual.
The colostrum, yellowish fluid leaking from your breasts, would still be present. It is the first form of milk your mammary glands produce to breastfeed your baby when he arrives.
Health tips for week 41
Eat and maintain healthily lifestyle
As the big day draws closer, you are supposed to take good care of yourself to be healthy enough to take care of your baby. Eating spicy food that will not give you heart burn,walk like crazy,this will help to relief aches and pains with swellings, have sex if you can, don’t eat a large portion of food at a time to avoid heartburn and constipation.
Drinking enough water
Drinking enough water will help with the issue of constipation and bloating. It also keeps you hydrated.
Attend all appointments
Make sure you attend all necessary appointments and do all necessary tests. Don’t hesitate to call your health care provider if you feel anything out of ordinary, especially decrease in fetal movements.
Discuss being induced with your health care provider if you haven’t ready for it.
Warnings for your week 41 of pregnancy
Bleeding or abdominal pain: Watch out for feelings of abdominal pain and bleeding. They may indicate a miscarriage. Quickly consult your health care provider if you experience any of this.
Infection: Fever, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, burning sensation while urinating, and pelvic pain are symptoms. Speak with your Ob-Gyn or midwife if you experience any of these. Your obstetrician will give you some baby-safe antibiotics to use.
