You're probably short tempered even with your own shadow this
week, waiting in anticipation for "D" day. Even though your due
date has come and gone, don't feel as if you're experiencing
humanity's longest gestation. Less than 5 percent of pregnant women
actually have their baby on their due date and deliver either
before it or later. This is because there is often some confusion
about dates, or when the baby was actually conceived. Some babies
just take a little longer to "cook" than others do. Although you
may not feel it right now, you can be guaranteed there will be an
end to your pregnancy within the next week or so.
When will this all end?
You may have been discussing the option of being induced with
your midwife or doctor this week. Usually, there needs to be a
weighing up of factors for it to be done, including your own
well-being as well as your baby's. Some women get so overwhelmed
with emotion at 41 weeks pregnant that induction is warranted. They
feel so swamped by the anticipation and stress of waiting for
labour that it is sometimes considered in the best interests of
their mental health that labour is initiated. Other women are able
to adopt a calm, "wait and see" attitude. Essentially every woman
is an individual and will respond to being overdue in their own
unique way.
Your physical changes this week
- Your ante-natal checks may include specific post dates or past
maturity assessments when you are 41 weeks pregnant. It may be that
you are sent for a couple of CTG's (Cardiotocographs) this week as
well as an ultrasound. The amount of amniotic fluid surrounding
your baby may be measured as well as the size of the baby and
location of the placenta. The placenta does not work as efficiently
in overdue pregnancies and it is important that its function is
being monitored.
- You may be asked to keep a record of your baby's movements and
activities this week. If there is a significant change or decrease
in its movements you will need to present at the maternity
hospital.
- You could feel pressure on your cervix this week, a sensation
which is difficult to describe. Similar to the pain felt when
having a pap smear, it may come and go depending on how much
pressure the baby's head is applying. Your cervix will be ripening
now, which means it is thinning out ready to start dilating. During
active labour, your cervix will need to dilate to 10 centimetres to
allow the baby's head and body to exit your uterus.
- You may experience an increase in your vaginal discharge as the
cells of your cervix produce a white, watery substance. Some women
may have a mucousy show this week too, and though this is not a
true sign of labour it is an indication that something is
happening.
Your emotional changes this week
- Every twinge and pain may be a sign that this is it, your wait
is finally over. Even going to bed gives you no reprieve and you
wonder if you'll be woken in the night with labour pains. Trying to
keep a calm attitude is very hard at 41 weeks pregnant. To top
everything off, it will seem impossible to make any concrete plans
to do anything and you'll feel as if your whole life is hinging on
one big event.
- You are entitled to feel more than just a little frustrated,
excited, anxious, restless, apprehensive, scared, uncomfortable and
tired this week. Try to rest if you feel like it and do simple jobs
which don't require too much energy expenditure.
- Try to get absorbed into a book which captures your imagination
or a DVD series. Look for activities
which will help pass the time and get your mind off the waiting
game. Visit friends or better still, ask them to visit you. Do
something in the mornings and then allow for an afternoon rest. Try
to break up the day so it doesn't seem to stretch on forever.
- Try visualising yourself in labour. Imagine yourself being
strong and giving over to whatever your body needs to do to give
birth to your baby. Have faith in your care providers. Recognise
the importance of your own health, as well as your baby's health
and safety over any desires you have for your labour. This needs to
be everyone's priority.
- You may find yourself having vivid, strange dreams about the
baby this week. You could dream you have already had it and haven't
realised, or it may not be the gender you would have preferred. You
may wake feeling more tired than when you went to bed, your
imagination can really work overtime when you are overdue.
Your baby's changes this week
- Most of the lanugo and vernix on your baby's skin has been
reabsorbed this week, ending up in its stomach and gut. This,
combined with bile fluids and dead skin cells forms the contents of
its first bowel motion. Be prepared for the blackest, stickiest
nappy you'll ever need to change.
- It may feel as if your baby is about to literally pop out of
you especially if you've had previous children. If only it were
that simple. Your baby is mature but not quite ready to initiate
its birth.
- Your baby will be well developed by now and is very ready to
breathe, feed, digest, eliminate, cry and make its needs known, if
it chooses to arrive this week.
Hints for the week
If you are keen to try and bring on labour yourself, there are a
few things you can try. Although they are not guaranteed to work,
you may find them helpful.
- Eat a strong, hot curry or spicy Thai meal, or try drinking
some castor oil. Both of these strategies tend to work in making
the bowels contract and move. Having sex is thought to help because
prostaglandins are contained within male semen. These have a
similar action to the artificial hormones contained in the gel used
to artificially induce labour.
- Go for a long, lengthy walk if you have the energy. This will
help to apply pressure to your cervix from the baby's head and may
help it to efface (thin) and dilate.
- Try some nipple stimulation if you can tolerate it. Some women
find this very useful in starting uterine contractions. If you
don't want to do it to yourself, your partner may be keen.
- Aim for a simple life this week and don't take on big jobs.
Painting the house, building a rock wall or starting a new
renovation can all wait.
Week 42 next