41 weeks of pregnancy: what happens to the fetus and the expectant mother?

Fatigue, both moral and physical, episodic pain, a constant state of expectation - all these feelings are usually experienced by pregnant women at week 41. The estimated date of birth is left behind, and the baby for some reason is not in a hurry to this world.

About what happens to the baby and the future mother, as well as what can be expected from 41 weeks, we will tell in this article.

In the understanding of the absolute majority of women, full-term pregnancy is a pregnancy that lasted 38-40 weeks. About 41 weeks, many think of as a pathological condition. However, medicine looks at this period of gestation more loyally - perenachivaniem in the full sense of the word he is not. Pregnancy at week 41 is called prolonged.

The waiting period for a child can last for several reasons. First of all, errors with the calculation of obstetric gestational age are not excluded. Recall that they consider it from the first day of the last menstrual period. However, if the woman had a later ovulation, then the implantation of the crumbs occurred later. In this case, the difference will be just about a week.

Prolonged pregnancies in “age-related” moms who are over 30 years old are generally customary, especially if the birth planned first. Sometimes a woman will have a second birth, but there are no signs of impending labor activity. This is also not considered a pathology. Each pregnancy is unique in its own way.

The child is already fully ready for birth. He has all the organs and systems formed, he has grown to solid size, his weight is more than 3.5 kilograms, and his height is more than 50 centimeters. The heart of the baby works like a clock, the pancreas and liver function fully, the baby pees, drinks the amniotic fluid, and hiccups.

At this period, the fetus is usually the owner of a very rounded body shape, because he has accumulated subcutaneous fat fairly, so at birth, babies who were not in a hurry to the light look plumper, “older”, big.

Children who are somewhat delayed in the womb usually grow stronger and less likely to get sick. This is due to the fact that the placenta, which is aging for natural reasons, can no longer be a full-fledged barrier, and the child receives mother’s antibodies with blood to various diseases, viruses, and infections.

Children who were born earlier also have maternal innate immunity, but to a lesser extent than those who decided to sit in their mother’s stomach for another week or two.

Childbirth can occur at any time, and the baby is ready for it. His lungs have accumulated a sufficient amount of a special surfactant substance that will not allow them to stick together during the first breath - this means that the baby will be able to breathe on his own.

Despite the fact that the son or daughter is already big and it seems that there is simply nowhere to grow further, the kids find it possible to dig up more fat and gain 100-300 grams to their weight, taking the opportunity. At week 41, growth and weight gain continues, albeit at a less intense pace.than this happened before.

Also on this period, the baby continues to rapidly grow nails and hair.

According to reviews of future mothers left by them on the Internet, we can safely say that the sensations in this period are almost the same for different women. Women feel tired and tiredMany are depressed due to this chronic fatigue and fear of the upcoming birth.

Even if there are no distinct first signs of an approaching birth, almost all future moms complain of pain in the lumbar region.

Under the action of the hormone relaxin, the pelvic bones soften, this will help the child to more easily overcome the birth canal. The load on the bosom is great - the baby is already big and significantly weighs down, therefore painful sensations at this time, if they are not permanently painful, if they do not restrict movements, are considered quite normal.

At week 41 many women suffer from intestinal problems. Nausea, heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, less vomiting - the consequences of squeezing the uterus loops of the intestine. Even light food can cause discomfort and flatulence, because the loops are shifted upwards.

The pain in the right side just below the ribs indicates a violation of the outflow of bile, since it also “gets” to the gall bladder, it is squeezed from the bottom. From a significant pressure of the uterus on the lower part, the womb and the lower veins on such a long period a woman often manifests hemorrhoids, the tailbone hurts.

The movements of the baby can be quite painful for his mother, especially if she has a lean build. It is also quite physiological and natural feeling, because the water has become less, and the depreciation has decreased.

Against the background of experiences, not the best physical condition and well-being in pregnant women at this time often disturb sleep, they begin to suffer from insomnia. Some even claim that insomnia is a precursor to childbirth, but no direct connection with medicine has been found.

If at the 41st week the woman pulls the lower back, the nature of the discharge has changed, this may indicate that the birth will begin very soon. WITHlight mucous discharge or with blood impurities and clots may indicate that the stopper has come offwhich for all nine months securely closed the entrance to the cervical canal.

By itself, the cork can immediately depart completely or in parts. Sometimes the process of discharge remains unnoticed, the cork can leave its place simultaneously with urination or during the discharge of water. The waters themselves can also flow instantly, pour out, and can flow in small portions..

Water leakage can be noticed by watery discharge without color and odor. You can distinguish them from other secretions using a pharmacy test.

In the maternity hospital, the amount of water remaining will be assessed by ultrasound and will be decided.In some cases, puncture of the bladder and stimulation of labor is shown. Also in the hospital should be sent in the event that there was a spotting, as well as when the fights began.

At week 41, if a woman doesn’t bother with anything special, besides the characteristic symptoms, they will hold a planned reception in the consultation at the place of residence - weigh, estimate the height of the uterus floor, measure blood pressure. Given that the period that was defined as the expected, has passed, unscheduled CTG can be performed to assess the condition of the fetus.

When violations occur that may be due to fetal hypoxia due to aging of the placenta, an ultrasound scan with a Doppler is performed. (USDG), and also measured the amniotic fluid index.

At week 41, if a woman is sure that she has no precursors of labor, she can be examined on a gynecological chair, whose task is to determine the degree of readiness of the cervix. Before giving birth, it shortens, becomes more rounded, opens slightly.

The neck can begin to prepare, to introduce a woman special drugs, turunda. Such therapy is carried out in a hospital. Also at week 41, a general urine test is taken, by the way, there may be protein in it. In small quantities, it is also considered acceptable in late gestation.

Many women are afraid that birth will be stimulated. Stimulation is mainly carried out with the use of hormonal drugs. (for example, "Mifepristone"), which block the production of progesterone. Without this hormone, prolongation of pregnancy is impossible, the uterus begins to contract, and the birth process starts in a completely natural way.

At week 41, labor is stimulated only by indication, usually trying to wait another week. If a woman has 41–42 weeks or 43 weeks have already begun, but there are no contractions, stimulation is more likely.

Sex is not just resolved, but welcome, because at this time sexual intercourse improves the blood supply to the genitals, helps the birth canal and the cervix to prepare for the crucial moment.

The cervical canal opens, communication with the uterine cavity of the vagina occurs directly, the risk of intrauterine infection of the baby increases.

Recommendations for future mothers at week 41 are not much different from advice for pregnant women in any other period, but there are some nuances:

• Calm. Despite the stress and fatigue, a woman should try to keep calm. The extra stress only blocks the production of relaxin, and the body prepares for childbirth in slow motion. If the doctor does not mind, you can drink herbal sedatives.

• Walking. Walking pregnant women, of course, is useful and necessary, but at week 41 it is better to refrain from shopping or a considerable distance from home, because childbirth can begin suddenly, without any precursors. If there is a need to go somewhere, you should take a passport, a policy, an exchange card of a pregnant woman, and leave the bag collected in the hospital in a visible place at home. If childbirth begins, an ambulance will take the woman to the hospital, and later relatives or friends will bring the things.
• Nutrition. This week you should not pass, it is better to refuse dairy food, meat, fish and try to eat small portions of vegetables and fruits. It is important not to “feed” the baby to such an extent that it will be difficult for him to pass through the birth canal. If at a later date, the future mother is sick, be sure to inform your doctor.

• Pains. Numerous pains that pursue the future mother on such a solid period of gestation will be easier to endure if the woman does not burden herself with homework. For the relief of pain, you can take "No-shpu", it contributes to some relief.
• Diseases and infections. If at 41 weeks a woman could not protect herself and contracted an acute respiratory viral infection, the flu, she has a cold or cough, you need to tell your doctor about it. The point is not that it is difficult for pregnant women to cure these ailments, but that there is very little time left for treatment. With signs of cold and other illnesses, a woman will have to give birth in the observational department.
• Folk ways of stimulation. Among the methods recommended by folk healers to “launch” labor activity, many are deadly. This should not be forgotten. So, tips to take a hot bath, drink a decoction of nettle can lead to sad consequences. Therefore, of all non-traditional methods, so if you really want to try them out, you can only apply an acupuncture massage of the legs to stimulate labor.

The fact that such a postponed pregnancy (and most importantly, what to do), see the following video.