Oh my! At week 42 of pregnancy, you must be anxious to meet your little one. It’s getting very cramped in there so the baby might not be moving as much. Do check with your doctor on immediate plans to deliver.
How Big is Your Baby?
Yup, your baby is still growing at this stage and he or she is about the size of a bottle gourd (which can grow really big!), measuring about 53.3cm and 3.7kg.
Your Baby’s Development
Did you know that only 1 in 5 babies are born past week 41? So what could your baby be up to at this moment? In this week-by-week pregnancy guide, you’ll learn that:
- Upon delivery, your baby will probably have dry, cracked, peeling, or wrinkled skin. This is temporary and is a result of the shedding of the protective wax covering (vernix) weeks ago in anticipation of delivery.
- At week 42 of pregnancy, your baby might also have longer nails and hair, and be more alert.
Pregnancy Symptoms
- You will continue to experience frequent urination, pelvic pains, nesting instincts, haemorrhages, and diarrhoea.
- Your bodily fluids are at their peak and you may find it hard to get moving. Also, the extra weight and discomfort can bring on even more swelling in your feet and ankles.
- The added weight, the back pain and constantly worrying when your baby will come out may be affecting your sleep.
- Some expecting mums find that toward the end their of pregnancy, they begin to leak colostrum — a thin, yellowish fluid that is the precursor to mature breast milk, from their nipples. It’s normal and a sign that your body is ready to take on breastfeeding.
- If you are among the two per cent of women who are truly overdue, take comfort in knowing that before this week is done, your baby will be born. This time next week, your family will be one small bundle of joy larger.
- On your weekly checkup, your doctor would perform an internal examination to check if your cervix has dilated. You should also watch out for signs of labour such as water breaking, losing your mucus plug or having a bloody show.
ALSO READ:
10 Practical Labour Tips for First-Time Mums
How Does Sex Help Induce Labour? 5 Safe Positions to Try If You Want to Get It Moving
Past Your Due Date? Here’s What The Doctor May Recommend
Pregnancy Care: Your Checklist For Week 42 of Pregnancy
- Continue to watch for signs of impending labour. One pre-labour sign is loose bowel movements. This is nature’s way of clearing your intestines to make room for the baby’s passage through the birth canal.
- If your contractions are strong—if they last at least 45 seconds and are coming more often than every 5 minutes—your baby is likely to be on the way within a few hours!
- Continue with your wellness and nutrition plan. Don’t forget to stay hydrated and eat nutrient-dense foods.
- Don’t panic, mum. Your baby will be here soon. Meanwhile, take this time to relax and get some sleep. If your worries are not giving you some shuteye, talk to your doctor about why you haven’t given birth yet and talk about options such as induction.
Your previous week: 41 weeks pregnant
Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.
