41 weeks pregnant when should i go to hospital

You've likely spoken with your practititioner about labor induction , but stay tuned for contractions or other signs that labor is near. View video transcript. Lots of pregnancies last into week 41 or even But babies can overstay their womb welcome — after 42 weeks they are considered postmature.

What does that mean? He may have longer finger and toe nails and longer hair. If you're 41 weeks pregnant, you're in month 9 of your pregnancy. It's almost time! Still have questions? Here's some more information on how weeks, months and trimesters are broken down in pregnancy. It seems like your baby has opted for a late checkout, quite a popular option judging by the numbers. Fewer than 5 percent of babies are born on their actual due dates — and around 10 percent decide to overstay their welcome in Hotel Uterus.

Remember, too, that most of the time an overdue baby isn't overdue at all — it's just that the due date was miscalculated. That's okay — there's still work to be done at 41 weeks pregnant. Gearing up for the big day is your baby's endocrine system, which is responsible for hormone production. Researchers theorize that baby actually sends some chemical signals aka hormones to the placenta to help trigger labor to begin — as in: "Get me out of here, Mom! Other hormones are standing by, too.

During childbirth, your baby will produce more stress hormones than any other time in his life. And you thought you were stressed out now! But those hormones will actually help your baby adjust rapidly to life outside the womb and help all those survival instincts kick in as he becomes untethered from the placenta that has provided support for the past nine months. Another big milestone ahead for your baby will be taking that first breath of air.

In fact, the first breath at birth requires considerably more effort than any breath your baby will ever take again. That's because the tiny air sacs in the lungs need to be inflated for the first time so that they expand to fully do their job of breathing for a lifetime. Meanwhile, your body is as ready for birth as it will ever be.

By the time you're 41 weeks pregnant, your practitioner has probably discussed labor induction with you, but that doesn't mean that you won't still go into labor on your own; some babies just need to take their time. But here's the question you keep asking yourself: Will you know labor when you feel it?

Chances are, you'll know it. But just in case you don't, here's a quick primer. Your water may break though it may not and you may notice pink- or red-tinged mucous, aka bloody show , just before labor begins. Then you'll feel labor contractions — rhythmical waves of hardening and softening of your uterus — which can come on quickly and suddenly for some women and slowly and steadily for others. Typically, though not always, they start out further apart and then get progressively closer together.

Your first true contractions might feel like menstrual cramps or a low backache. There might also be other concerns about you or your baby. In these cases, your doctor or midwife will probably suggest an induction of labour or a caesarean , depending on your situation.

If tests show that your baby is fine and your health is good, you might choose to wait and see whether labour starts naturally. You might have heard about all sorts of things that can bring on labour, like spicy food or exercise. In Australia, one in every four women is induced. Get some extra rest. Nap during the day if you are finding it difficult to sleep at night.

Even sitting comfortably will help build your stores of energy for labour. Give your doctor or midwife a call if you are worried. The dangers of going past your due date Most doctors and midwives are happy for you to go a few days over your due date as long as everything seems to be okay. Options for when you are overdue When you go for your week appointment, your midwife or doctor may: double-check your due date by confirming when you had your last period re-check your dating scan, if you had one carry out a blood pressure check and test your urine for protein feel your stomach to check the position and size of your baby examine your vagina to see if your cervix feels ready for labour.

Medical procedures for inducing labour If you and your midwife or doctor have decided to induce your labour, the process will begin with the doctor or midwife examining your cervix to see if it is ready for labour. This procedure can be uncomfortable and can sometimes cause a small amount of bleeding.

Your cervix will need to be open a couple of centimetres before the waters can be broken. This can be uncomfortable, especially if your cervix is not open very far. Breaking the waters may be enough to start labour on its own, but sometimes medication such as oxytocin is also required. This may be enough to bring on labour, or you may also need your waters broken, or oxytocin to bring on contractions.

This is given through a drip in your arm, and is often used in combination with the other methods listed. Oxytocin can only be administered when the waters have broken, and is used to start contractions or increase contractions. This remains in place for 15 hours, or until it falls out.

Over this time it should cause your cervix to soften and open. This may be enough to bring on labour, or you may also need your waters broken, or oxytocin to bring on contractions Where to get help Your GP doctor Midwife Obstetrician. Give feedback about this page. Was this page helpful?

The baby could grow too large to pass safely through the birth canal also known as macrosomia. Kick count : A "kick count" is a record you keep of how often your baby moves. Your doctor will tell you to contact him immediately should you notice your baby suddenly decreases his movements.

This could be a sign of fetal distress, which would require immediate testing to determine your baby's condition to asses whether delivery should be initiated quickly. Nonstress test : This test, a type of electronic fetal monitoring, uses a special instrument to measure how your baby's heart reacts when his body moves. This helps the doctor determine if your baby is in distress. Contraction stress test : When your uterus contracts, this test which is another form of electronic fetal monitoring measures your baby's heart rate with a special instrument.

It helps determine your baby's condition during labor, and allows your doctor to see if there's any fetal distress. Ultrasound : Your doctor can determine your baby's size, position, breathing rate, heartbeat, and body movements with an ultrasound. Ultrasound is also useful in determining how much amniotic fluid surrounds your baby. This is important to determine because insufficient amniotic fluid for prolonged periods can cause labor complications.

In addition, your doctor can assess the size and position of the placenta using ultrasound. This information is important for your doctor to know because the placenta provides your baby with life-sustaining oxygen. Plus, "if the fetus weighs more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces, you may have difficulty pushing during labor, and using a forceps or vacuum may be necessary for delivery," says Warshak. Parents Magazine. Laura Riley, and Meredith Franco Meyers.

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