Pregnancy Guide for Couples: Week 41
Now that you are at 41 weeks, your baby is officially considered late-term, but that doesn’t always mean a bad thing! It’s possible the timing was off from the original due date calculation that you had back in the first trimester. Also, every baby develops at different paces. Due dates are not deadlines, and your baby will signal to your body when its ready.
What’s Going on with Baby
At week 41, your baby is the size of a watermelon
Now that you are at 41 weeks, your baby is officially considered late-term, but that doesn’t always mean a bad thing! It’s possible the timing was off from the original due date calculation that you had back in the first trimester. Also, every baby develops at different paces. Due dates are not deadlines, and your baby will signal to your body when its ready.
Your doctor will take extra measures to ensure your baby is healthy and safe. They will monitor your baby with a Non-Stress Test. This test measures your baby's heartrate and movements to ensure she's OK. If your baby does seem to be under stress, your doctor may suggest some options, including getting induced or scheduling for a c-section.
What’s Going on with Mom
A quick procedure Mom may consider having to induce labor is a membrane sweep (also known as a cervical sweep or cervical membrane sweep). Here is some information about what a membrane sweep is and how it helps induce labor:
A healthcare provider performs this during a vaginal examination
They will insert a gloved finger into the cervix and gently separate the amniotic sac’s membranes from the cervix
This can stimulate the release of prostaglandins, a hormone that may soften the cervix and trigger contractions
A membrane sweep may or may not help induce labor, or it may need to be repeated. If it's going to work, it will likely work within a day or two.
What’s going on with Partner
If you know that Mom is feeling impatient about being pregnant for longer than she expected, try not to add to her frustration if you are also feeling impatient. Encourage her, support her, make her laugh, and help her get her mind off being pregnant. She may feel uncomfortable at 41 weeks, so extra massages are called for! Anything you can do to help is worth it and will help Mom not stress about timing.
RESOURCE OF THE WEEK
This is my top recommendation for natural induction at home. You WILL feel contractions while doing this (but be sure to ask your doctor if it's okay before you begin). Even if it doesn't start labor, it will help your cervix dilate and efface 🙌🏼
