Baby Developing week 41 pregnant

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Week Forty One: not much longer now

  
You are 41 weeks pregnant.
  • Only about 5 percent of babies are born on their actual due-date.
  • 10 percent of first time pregnancies continue on until two weeks past the due date.
  • 70 percent of pregnancies that go post-term are actually dated incorrectly from the start.
  • An extra week or two on the estimated due date doesn't make much of a difference.
  • Keep in mind that it won't be much longer now.
  • Your baby will be born when it is ready.
  • Take this time to rest and prepare.
Your baby is now full term.
Keep in mind, however, that only five percent of women deliver their babies on their projected due date, according to the National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC). So this date should be used as an estimate; it is not an exact calculation.

If you are going beyond your 'due date' by more than a day or so, you are bound to feel at least slightly on edge, wondering if today is going to be your last day of pregnancy... or if it is going to be tomorrow or beyond.

You are actually not technically considered overdue until you are two weeks late. In the meantime, your baby is settling further into the pelvis getting in position for when labor finally begins. You will probably find that if you have not gone into labor yet, your body is giving you signals that birth is imminent.

You may recognize some of these early signs that labor is near:
  • Loose stools.
  • Bloody show (blood tinged mucus from the vagina).
  • Losing the mucus plug. You will probably see this in the toilet, if you notice its passing at all.
  • Contractions that start and stop off and on, but probably gradually getting stronger.
  • A rhythmic back ache.
You may be getting nervous about how well your baby is doing. It is important for you to know that even though you are past your due date, most likely all is just fine with your baby. If you have had a healthy and uncomplicated pregnancy, an extra week or two added on to the estimated due date usually doesn't make much of a difference. In fact, ten per cent of first time pregnancies continue on until two weeks past the due date. Keep in mind that it won't be much longer now.

What is happening with your baby:
  • In general, overdue babies who are still in a healthy environment weigh more.
  • They may appear more alert than babies born earlier and have more hair than usual.
  • Baby may have dryer skin which tends to flake.
Remember, after 40 long weeks you are almost on your way to delivery. Take some time to enjoy your last few days as a pregnant woman. If you can, take some time to sleep. You certainly won't be getting much sleep after your newborn baby arrives!

If at any time you are concerned about your baby's welfare, or feel that something may be wrong, no matter how vague the feeling is, call, talk and get medical advice from your care provider, physician, doctor or health care professional.

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