Your pregnancy: 42 weeks pregnant
This week you may start to wonder if your baby is ever going to make an appearance. Don't worry as it really won't be long now. Here's what may happen now that you're 42 weeks pregnant and overdue. Find out about being induced and what your options are at this stage of your pregnancy.
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What’s happening at 42 weeks?
Here are the key things you can expect from your pregnancy at this stage:
- If your baby hasn't appeared yet, it won't be long now!
- You'll be fed up with the messages from friends and family asking: 'Is anything happening yet?'.
- Keep a close eye on your baby's movement (as always).
- You may choose to have another sweep or to be induced this week.
How big is your baby?
Your baby may have put on a few grams, but essentially their growth was complete a couple of weeks ago.
Your little one's fingernails and toenails could be quite long by now – they may even be sucking their fingers or thumb in there, too.
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Babies born at this late stage can look a little wrinklier than earlier born babies because the protective, waxy vernix may have already shed. Once you start feeding your baby after they're born, their skin will start to plump out again though so don't worry.
In the meantime, make sure your baby is still moving about regularly, and tell your midwife if you have any concerns about your baby's movement slowing down or stopping.
Otherwise put your feet up and remember, they'll make an appearance by the end of this week – maybe even by the end of today!
What's going on with your body?
From needing to pee (often), struggling to sleep, feeling like you're carrying a watermelon ... the niggles and discomfort of being heavily pregnant continue.
You may also feel frustrated and anxious that nothing's happened yet – especially when you're probably getting dozens of 'have you had it?' messages on your phone from eager to know friends and family members.
Try not to get stressed though – you really haven't got long to go now so enjoy this 'calm' part, while you can!
You may spend a lot of your time at the hospital this week having a sweep or being induced (see below). This may start at the antenatal ward and then you'll most probably be sent home while the pessary starts to work – this can take 24 hours.
If you haven’t opted to be induced then you'll probably be offered twice-weekly monitoring to assess your baby’s heartbeat, just to check that all is well and your little one isn't in any distress.
You may also have ultrasound scans to assess and check the amount of amniotic fluid (waters) around your baby and to check on their wellbeing in there.
What to expect this week: being induced
The NHS recommends that anyone who hasn't gone into labour naturally by 42 weeks should be offered an induction. This is because there's a higher risk of stillbirth or problems for the baby if you go over 42 weeks pregnant.
So at this late stage of your pregnancy, it really is worth taking your midwife or consultant's recommendation regarding getting your baby out safely.
If they want to induce your labour, or have already booked you in, don't panic. Lots of women go through it – approximately 25% of all births in the UK are induced.
Being induced means artificially starting your labour, usually with a pessary or gel to help soften the cervix. Or you may need a stronger hormone drip to get things started.
As this can make labour contractions stronger and more painful, you'll be advised to have an epidural set up, ready to help manage the pain.
According to the NHS, being induced can increase your chances of an assisted delivery, with about 15% of induced labour requiring forceps or ventouse delivery. There's also a 22% chance of needing a C-section.
Find out more about induction.
If you choose not to have an induction, you'll be offered increased monitoring of your baby.
What to do this week: nesting
At this stage there's little else you can do other than cleaning and tidying up the house; in other words, nesting.
There's something about becoming a parent that makes many of us to want to get our home looking spotless. Maybe it's because we know we won't have the energy or desire once those sleepless nights come along post baby?
So, if you're finding it hard to sit still and relax, use these last few days of pregnancy to tidy up, fix, sew buttons on coats, dust where you've never dusted before – clean wherever and whatever tickles your fancy!
Don't worry if you don't feel the 'nesting instinct' though – not all women do. If you'd rather just rest and conserve your energy for labour, that's fine too!
Your 42 week to-do list
1 Make any last-minute additions to your playlist / TV downloads for the hospital. And charge up your phone, tablet and anything else you need for labour.
2 Read up on what happens when you become a mum in our dedicated and handy baby section.
3 Stay comfy by watching TV sitting on your birthing ball.
4 Have sex – it might just help trigger things so you don't need to be induced. Well, you might as well give it a try!
5 Spend some quality time with your partner if you have one, and any kids you already have. Life is about to change for all of you!
What to watch this week...
Get expert tips on what to expect at 42 weeks pregnant from our midwife.
What happens next week...
You'll be a mummy! Head on over to our newborn page to find out everything you need to know about sleep, feeding and post-baby you.
