41 Weeks Pregnant

Anxiety:
Feeling anxious as your due date comes and goes while you’re still heavily pregnant is completely understandable. However, rest assured that pregnancy won’t last forever.

Anxiety is a normal part of pregnancy at any stage, but you might find it more pronounced as you near the end. While this is common, it’s advisable to discuss your concerns with your doctor or midwife. Taking measures to manage stress, such as practicing deep breathing, going for a walk, or talking with friends, can significantly improve your well-being.

Monitoring Baby’s Movements:
Stay attentive to your baby’s movements, and promptly notify your doctor or midwife if you observe a decrease. Your baby should remain active until delivery, and any noticeable decline in activity could signal an issue.

Your healthcare provider will closely monitor your baby as well. They might suggest a non-stress test, where a monitor is strapped to your belly to measure your baby’s heartbeat, which normally increases with movement. If your baby is deemed “nonreactive,” further tests or admission to the hospital for delivery may be recommended.

Leaking Fluid:
Contact your provider if you suspect your water may have broken. Whether it’s a significant gush or a small burst, or even a slow leak, wearing a pad and checking it after about half an hour can help determine if your water has indeed broken.

Dilation and Effacement:
By now, your doctor or midwife may have conducted an internal exam to assess the dilation and effacement of your cervix. Some dilation can occur before actual labor, and you may already be a few centimeters dilated.

Dilation involves the gradual opening of the cervix, measured from 0 to 10 centimeters. Active labor typically begins around 6 centimeters dilation. Effacement is the thinning of the cervix, measured as a percentage from 0 to 100. It often happens concurrently with dilation. Full effacement and dilation mark the onset of the pushing stage during labor.

Bloody Show:
As labor approaches, you might observe a bloody, mucus-like discharge. This could be accompanied by the release of the mucus plug, a clump of transparent or slightly bloody mucus protecting the uterus during pregnancy. Losing your mucus plug and experiencing a bloody show are signs that your body is preparing for labor, though it doesn’t guarantee immediate labor onset.

Nausea:
The onset of labor can slow or stop digestion, leading to nausea. Some women report feeling nauseated during labor, while others experience it in the day or two before. Although nausea is common, persistent or new nausea with vomiting should be reported to your doctor or midwife, as it could be a sign of preeclampsia, a serious blood pressure disorder.