41 weeks pregnant
Even though you probably can't wait to meet Baby, some babies just seem to really like hanging out the womb a little longer than others. The vast majority of babies aren't born on their due dates, which is a pretty rough estimate even assuming that your baby follows a textbook timeline of development. It’s much more likely that Baby is working on their own schedule, but rest assured knowing that you’ll get to meet your little love very soon!
How’s Baby?
By now, Baby is plenty ready to be born — it's just a matter of time! Unless staying in your womb for a bit longer poses a health risk to either of you, there's absolutely nothing wrong with waiting until labor starts naturally at this point. Most of your little one’s gestational development is done (at least in the terms of the work they need to do in the womb — though there's still plenty more they’ll still do in terms of the immune system, digestion, and brain development), so now, your little one is basically just growing a bit bigger and keeping cozy until they they’re finally ready to meet you.
If Baby doesn’t arrive by the end of this week, there’s a good chance your healthcare provider will start to talk to you seriously about inducing labor. Babies born after that point tend to be larger and harder to deliver, which can increase the risk of complications for both you and your little one, and makes the need for a C-section more likely, among other concerns.
What's new with you?
Playing the waiting game, in all likelihood! But besides counting the minutes until you meet Baby, what else might be happening? Third trimester symptoms like constipation, swelling, and fatigue may still be running rampant, though some third trimester moms get a burst of energy! However, you’re feeling, know that it’s just a waiting game at this point. If you happen to have a lot of time on your hands and are feeling anxious to meet your little one, it can be great to spend some of that time doing simple activities that can help you feel relaxed, boost your mood, and just help you focus on you. Not only is it nice to make some time for yourself before your little one’s arrival — you’ve earned it, after all — but finding time to care for yourself and attend to your own needs is a habit that it’s important to keep up even after your baby is born. If you’re physically comfortable doing so, even just something like even just going for a nice, long walk can be a great way to spend some me-time. And a nice, long walk might also help to manage some of those aforementioned symptoms and may even help induce labor, if you're looking for any tricks to coax your baby out a little sooner! Nobody is entirely sure what event triggers natural labor, but one way or another though, you’re going to have Baby in your arms before you know it!
Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team, 2021
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Sources
- Mayo Clinic Staff. "Fetal development: The 3rd trimester." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic. June 30, 2020. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/fetal-development/art-20045997.
- "When pregnancy goes past your due date FAQ." ACOG. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. June 2020. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/when-pregnancy-goes-past-your-due-date.
