Get ready: At 41 weeks, you lot're due any day now (and your original due date may well take been a piddling off).

The upside? Your babe volition make it a little more alert — and with longer fingernails!

Yous've probable spoken with your practititioner most labor consecration, but stay tuned for contractions or other signs that labor is near.

Your Infant at Week 41

Don't accept headphones?

View video transcript.

And so week 40'southward come and gone. That's frustrating (to put it mildly) but it'south certainly non unusual. Lots of pregnancies last into week 41 or even 42. Truth is, fewer than 5 percent of babies are built-in on their due date and most one-half of all babies don't brand their debut until well into the tenth month.

Merely babies can overstay their womb welcome — later 42 weeks they are considered postmature. What does that mean? It means a infant'southward skin may be temporarily dry out, cracked, peeling, loose, or wrinkled because the protective cheesy vernix was shed weeks ago. He may have longer finger and toe nails and longer hair. He'll have none of the fuzzy lanugo coating and he may be born more alert (he is older and wiser after all!).

Because being postmature could also mean that the placenta is functioning less well and levels of amniotic fluid are dropping, you'll be closely monitored to make certain Hotel Uterus is withal a welcoming place for your guest. Whatever indication that it's not hospitable anymore, and your practitioner will likely recommend labor induction. One matter'southward for sure — that sweetness little package of baby is coming any day now.

At a Glance

Baby manicure

Your baby's nails will definitely need a manicure and pedicure with a pair of baby nail clippers or nail file after birth. By now, they've grown well past his fingertips.

You're not overdue yet!

Don't worry, your infant is not considered overdue until 42 weeks gestation. Fewer than 5 percentage of babies get in on their due date.

Heart cheque

Your infant's heartbeat volition likely be monitored this week through nonstress tests. His heart rate should quicken each time he moves.

41 weeks pregnant is how many months?

If y'all're 41 weeks pregnant, yous're in month ix of your pregnancy. Information technology'south almost fourth dimension! Still have questions? Here'due south some more than information on how weeks, months and trimesters are broken down in pregnancy.

How large is my babe at 41 weeks?

At 41 weeks, your baby measures between nineteen and 22 inches — about the size of a pumpkin!

Overdue baby?

It seems similar your infant has opted for a belatedly checkout, quite a popular selection judging past the numbers. Fewer than v percentage of babies are born on their actual due dates — and around 10 percentage determine to overstay their welcome in Hotel Uterus.

Call back, too, that most of the time an overdue baby isn't overdue at all — information technology'due south merely that the due engagement was miscalculated. That's okay — in that location'south still piece of work to be done at 41 weeks pregnant.

Why fetal stress hormones can be proficient

Gearing up for the large day is your baby'south endocrine organization, which is responsible for hormone product. Researchers theorize that baby really sends some chemic signals (aka hormones) to the placenta to assistance trigger labor to brainstorm — as in: "Get me out of here, Mom!"

Other hormones are continuing by, too. During childbirth, your baby volition produce more stress hormones than any other time in his life. And you idea you were stressed out at present!

Simply those hormones will really help your baby adjust rapidly to life outside the womb and help all those survival instincts kick in as he becomes untethered from the placenta that has provided support for the past ix months.

Infant's beginning jiff

Another big milestone alee for your baby volition be taking that showtime breath of air. In fact, the first breath at birth requires considerably more endeavor than whatever breath your baby will e'er accept again. That'south considering the tiny air sacs in the lungs need to be inflated for the starting time time so that they expand to fully exercise their job of animate for a lifetime.

Your Body at Week 41

41 Weeks Pregnant

Gear up, prepare, become!

Meanwhile, your body is as set for birth equally it will ever be. By the time you lot're 41 weeks pregnant, your practitioner has probably discussed labor induction with you, but that doesn't mean that y'all won't even so go into labor on your own; some babies just need to take their time. Simply here'due south the question you keep asking yourself: Volition you know labor when you feel it?

Labor contractions

Chances are, you'll know information technology. But simply in case you don't, here'south a quick primer. Your h2o may interruption (though it may non) and you may detect pink- or ruby-red-tinged mucous, aka encarmine show, just before labor begins.

And so you'll experience labor contractions — rhythmical waves of hardening and softening of your uterus — which can come on quickly and suddenly for some women and slowly and steadily for others. Typically, though not always, they outset out further apart and then get progressively closer together.

Your first true contractions might feel like menstrual cramps or a low backache. Many times, the pain volition begin in your back and radiate toward your front. Only merely as no two pregnancies are the same, no two labors are the same. And though there are such things as textbook labors, many break a surprising number of rules.

If you're feeling contractions but aren't certain they're the real affair, call your practitioner and describe them. It's likely that your doctor or midwife will exist able to tell by the sound of your voice and a skilful description of your symptoms whether you're in labor.

Pregnancy Symptoms Calendar week 41

Changes in fetal action

Many babies take a alter in activity in utero at this belatedly stage in the game, mainly because they become also cramped in the uterus to go on upward all those kicks and pokes. After all, they're at their total size and weight at present. You should notwithstanding experience rolls, flutters and twists every 24-hour interval though. If there's a sudden decrease in movement, give your doctor a telephone call. Read More than

More frequent urination

Now that your babe has dropped downwards into your pelvis toward the birth culvert — with his head most probable correct on your bladder — you may be feeling more than of an urge to pee than ever before. Or, you may even start leaking when you lot coughing or sneeze. Continue to do Kegel exercises to strengthen those pelvic-floor muscles and consider wearing a panty liner to stay dry in the meantime. Read More

Bloody show

You lot may observe a pinkish- or brown-tinged fungus discharge in your underpants or the toilet. The passage of this fungus means that blood vessels in the cervix are rupturing as it's offset to open up up in training for labor, which could be today or several days from now. Read More

Cervical dilation or effacement

During an internal exam, your practitioner will probably tell you lot how much your cervix is dilated (opened) and effaced (thinned). This opening and thinning of the cervix mean that it's getting ready to make way for infant. For some women dilation and effacement are very gradual — over weeks — and for some they can happen overnight. Read More than

Diarrhea

Starting to get the runs? It's very common to experience diarrhea or even nausea soon before you lot go into labor. That's because your muscles, including those in your intestines and rectum, are loosening in preparation for childbirth. Read More

Hemorrhoids

If the jutting veins in your rectum are causing yous pain — cheers in large part to the increased claret flow to your pelvic expanse and the pressure your uterus is putting on your rectum — try soaking in a warm sitz bath for 15 to 20 minutes to soothe your aching bum. And don't forget to ask your practitioner earlier using any medication for hemorrhoids. Read More

Pelvic hurting

No doubt you're feeling heaviness and stress in the pelvic region now that your baby has dropped downward toward the nascency canal. To ease the pressure, try to relax by lying down with your hips elevated. Read More

Nesting instinct

If yous can't seem to notice the oomph to get off the couch these days, that'southward understandable — afterward all, your late load is weighing you downward. On the other hand, you may observe a sudden burst of energy now and then. If you've felt an immediate urge to, say, organize the nursery closet, that'southward the nesting instinct boot into loftier gear, which is nature's manner of helping y'all to prepare for your impending arrival. Read More

Tips for You This Week

Overdue? Don't stress

You've passed twoscore weeks, but that doesn't necessarily hateful you're overdue. In fact, an estimated 70 percentage of mail service-term pregnancies aren't actually late at all simply a miscalculation of the engagement of conception and, as a result, the due engagement.

You might lose some weight

If you've reached the end of pregnancy, y'all've also reached the end of pregnancy weight gain. At 41 weeks, the numbers on the scale may non be going anywhere — or may fifty-fifty be going down.

This slowdown (or standstill) is really one way that your body gets gear up for labor — a sign that all systems are gearing upwards for the large event. Your trunk is busily ridding itself of fluid information technology won't need one time its baby-making factory shuts down, which includes a drop in amniotic fluid equally well as an increase in pee (and possibly poop).

Y'all may also be losing weight because y'all're sweating more than — a habit that will selection upwardly in the weeks after commitment. The first postpartum calendar week, peculiarly, volition be a very damp one as your body steps up the sweat product to affluent out all the fluid that'south accumulated over the by nine months.

Call back about an epidural

About 2 in 3 women who deliver at a infirmary opt for an epidural during labor and commitment. A mainstay of pregnancy pain relief, epidurals are numbing agents that can combine analgesics (pain relievers without the loss of muscle movement) with anesthetics (hurting relief with a loss of sensation).

Unremarkably, an epidural can be given as presently as you enquire for it (and an anesthesiologist arrives to give you lot one), but because the shot will have to be given between contractions, it'southward a skilful idea to ask for it relatively early in the labor process.

Know what to expect during labor

Try to stay relaxed and comfy, and don't be shy near asking your autobus for any you lot need to stay that way, whether information technology'southward a dorsum rub, ice fries or a washcloth to cool your face. Remember, your partner or coach is going to have a hard fourth dimension anticipating your needs — especially if this is your first become-around.

When your contractions become likewise strong for you to talk through them, you'll beginning your breathing exercises, if yous're using them. In betwixt contractions, try to change positions. Staff at the hospital volition exist on hand to fourth dimension your contractions and monitor the baby's position and progress.

If you get an epidural, you'll be hooked upwardly to an IV to maintain your fluids after information technology's administered and potentially a continuous fetal monitor. Unless you lot accept a walking epidural, you may not be able to motion your legs very much, but endeavor to change positions regularly if you can.

Try relaxation techniques

While you're counting down the hours before your baby is built-in, notice means to loosen up those tense muscles. Besides, it may be a while before you can relax again.

Tense your facial muscles for 5 seconds, then relax them. Exercise the aforementioned with your neck muscles, then your shoulders, working your fashion down your body.

And remember to exhale — slowly. Need more help relaxing? Mind to your favorite soothing tunes — i.e. no heavy metal — and starting time deep breathing again.

Minimize backaches in bed

A house mattress tin can do wonders for an agonized back. If yours is on the softer side, try placing a board under your side of the bed for the residuum of your pregnancy.

Using a body pillow that's at to the lowest degree five feet long — which tin take the ache out of sure slumber positions — can also aid you get comfy at night.

Take it easy while you lot await

Y'all're likely champing at the bit at present that your due date has come and gone. But be skillful to yourself. Residual and relax every bit much as possible. Get out for some fresh air and practice every day if y'all can, simply don't push yourself too much — or worry also much either.

As long every bit you're in close contact with your doctor and accept a plan in case your piffling ane needs a little nudge out into the world, all is fine. Pretty soon, you'll be looking back on these days of freedom wistfully. Then arrive as much "me time" as you lot can at present.

From the What to Look editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, writer ofWhat to Expect When You're Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected wellness organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and upwards-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.

  • What to Wait When You're Expecting, 5th edition, Heidi Murkoff.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Labor Contractions: What Exercise Labor Contractions Experience Similar?, December 2020.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Postpartum Sweating, February 2020.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Epidural for Labor Pain, May 2021.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Dorsum Pain During Pregnancy, January 2020.
  • WhatToExpect.com, How Much Weight You Should Gain During Pregnancy, October 2020.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Is Baby Overdue? Here'south What You Demand to Know, May 2021.
  • WhatToExpect.com, How Many Weeks, Months and Trimesters in a Pregnancy?, June 2020.
  • American Higher of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Cesarean Nascence, June 2020
  • American Higher of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Definition of Term Pregnancy, 2017.
  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, How to Tell When Labor Begins, May 2020.
  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, How Your Fetus Grows During Pregnancy, August 2020.
  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Fetal Eye Rate Monitoring During Labor, 2018.
  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Medications for Pain Relief During Labor and Delivery, 2017.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Vital Statistics Reports, Births: Terminal Data for 2017, November 2018.
  • Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Enquiry, Normal Labour, May 2021.
  • March of Dimes, What Is Full Term? September 2018.
  • Mayo Clinic, Overdue Pregnancy: What to Practice When Baby'due south Overdue, May 2020.
  • Mayo Clinic, Signs of Labor: Know What to Look, May 2019.
  • National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Am I In Labor?, June 2021.
  • National Institutes of Wellness, National Library of Medicine, Changes in the Newborn at Nascency, June 2021.
  • National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Iron in Diet, June 2021.
  • National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Nail Care for Newborns, June 2021.
  • National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, National Centre for Biotechnology Information, Endocrinology of Parturition, January 2013.
  • National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, National Heart for Biotechnology Data, Intermittent Auscultation Versus Continuous Fetal Monitoring: Exploring Factors That Influence Birthing Unit of measurement Nurses' Fetal Surveillance Practice Using Theoretical Domains Framework, September 2017.
  • Club for Endocrinology, Hormones of Pregnancy and Labour, March 2018.
  • Stanford Children'south Health, Nonstress Testing, 2021.
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Function on Women'southward Health, Labor and Nativity, June 2018.

Recommended Products

What to Expect selects products based on independent inquiry  and suggestions from our community of millions of parents; acquire more virtually our review procedure. We may earn commissions from shopping links.

All-time Toys for Newborns, Co-ordinate to Kid Development Experts and Existent Parents

View All

Best Toys for Newborns - Hello Garden Bugs

⚠️ You can't see this cool production because you have ad block enabled.

Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners.

Best Toys for Newborns - Baby Einstein Flip for Art High Contrast Floor Activity Mirror

Best Toys for Newborns - Pat the Bunny Book

⚠️ You can't come across this cool product because you have advert block enabled.

Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners.

Best Toys for Newborns - Melissa & Doug Soft Activity Book - Itsy Bitsy Spider

Best Toys for Newborns - Bright Starts Teethe & Read Play Book