Pregnancy Week by Week: Week 42

From WikiParenting

Welcome to week 42.

[edit] The Baby

Your baby is now his full height of between 18 and 22 inches and weighs about 7 ½ lbs. Not much has changed in his size since last week, although he might have got a bit bigger.

A foetus at 42 weeks gestation

Most babies still thrive at this time, but your doctor will be keeping a close eye to make sure of this by performing regular biophysical profiles and nonstress tests. The biggest danger for a baby still in utero after his due date is that the placenta begins to age and doesn’t work as well which increases the risk of stillbirth and early neonatal death. However, in most cases, the baby is not actually postmature, the due date was just off.

A true postmature baby will look different to a regular newborn in a number of ways:

• his skin may be red, cracked, dry and wrinkled due to the lack of vernix protecting it
• his nails may be long and will need trimming not long after he is born
• his hair may be longer and he will have little or no lanugo hair
• he may be more alert and open-eyed than a normal newborn
• he may have lost a little body fat

[edit] The Mommy

You are probably feeling like this baby will never come, but it is very likely he will be here soon as 98% of babies are born before the end of Week 42. If he still hasn’t made his arrival by the week’s end, your doctor will probably induce your labour. So stay positive and remember that it is 98% likely that this time next week you will be holding your darling baby. Be sure to perform regular kick counts this week to monitor your baby’s movement.

If you are induced, it may make your labour longer and more uncomfortable than the average labour, but by Week 42 many women are prepared to take that chance. Labour can be induced in a number of ways; it is likely your doctor will begin with one method then work through the others until active labour is reached and you are getting somewhere. Methods of inducing labour include:

• Stripping the Membranes
• Amniotomy, also known as breaking the bag of water
• Pitocin IV
• Prostaglandin gel or suppositories
• Misoprostal (Cytotek)
• Foley Catheter

If you had hoped for your labour to include natural methods such as massage and walking the halls of the maternity ward, you may have to rethink your birth plan as induction tends to mean you are hooked up to monitors so as to measure the effect the induction is having on your baby. The risks of induction include:

• placental abruption
• foetal distress
• uterine rupture
• increased risk of emergency Caesarean Section
• increased risk of medical interventions, including pain relief and foetal monitoring

[edit] The Daddy

You’ve been keeping your partner occupied all week, but it might also be helpful to keep active around the house, as much for your own sanity as hers. She probably doesn’t feel much like cooking and cleaning at the moment (unless of course she’s been struck by the nesting bug), so get busy in the kitchen, order her favourite takeaway or suggest going out for a meal. You can also remind her that sex is reputed to bring on labour, though don’t take it personally if your generous offer is unceremoniously rebuffed.

[edit] For more information

Track your pregnancy week by week using the pregnancy calendar at our sister site, 3Dpregnancy.com. Take a look at how your baby develops from every perspective using their rotatable 3D images. Read all there is to know about every week of your amazing pregnancy, including info on your baby, you as the mother, the father and siblings! Click here: 3Dpregnancy.com to go!