Possible physical sensations. How does the birth process proceed?

The 42nd week of pregnancy is an infrequent phenomenon. According to statistics, only one in ten babies lingers in the mother's stomach before this time. Such a long gestation has both its advantages and disadvantages.

Most births occur at 37–41 weeks of gestation. The 42nd seven-day period is called prolonged and is considered the deadline, but they still do not talk about a delayed pregnancy.

Usually this period is reached:

giving birth again;
women with a menstrual cycle of more than 30 days - the fetus needs more time to mature;
pregnant women who are afraid premature birth and at the level of the subconscious, they suppress all the “urges” for childbirth;
women with irregular cycle: then there is a possibility of incorrect calculation of the expected date of birth (70% of pregnancies).

As for the error in the calculations, the period can be accurately determined using ultrasound until the 28th week. Later, the accuracy of the ultrasound results is significantly reduced.

If the error in the calculations is excluded, the reason that the baby has not yet left the mother's stomach is considered:

heredity;
hormone deficiency;
preeclampsia - a complication of pregnancy, accompanied by edema, high blood pressure, convulsions, loss of protein in the urine;
violation metabolic processes in the mother's body;
late puberty;
psychological factors;
untimely maturation immune system a child due to complications in the 1st trimester;
lack of vitamins of groups B, C, E, P;
transferred abortions;
chronic ailments of the genital and digestive organs, the endocrine system.

Signs, symptoms, sensations

At the 42nd week of pregnancy, a woman feels tired both mentally and physically, she wants to give birth and see the baby as soon as possible. getting worse emotional condition- irritability intensifies, even after a simple activity, fatigue comes very quickly. The last days before childbirth, a woman especially needs the support and participation of loved ones.

The work of the intestines is disturbed - constipation or diarrhea occurs, which is caused by hormonal processes in the body, decreased mobility, dysbacteriosis. Symptoms disappear only after childbirth, which is about to come. Relieves hemorrhoids. Women are recruiting overweight. There are pains in the joints, in the lower abdomen, in the lumbar region and sacrum.

What happens to the body of mother and child?

As the baby continues to develop, obvious changes are still taking place in the bodies of both the baby and the mother.

mother organism

In a woman, the pelvic bones move apart, the cervix becomes softer and shorter. The fetus, and with it the stomach, sinks lower, blood circulation in the pelvic area becomes difficult, which is why most women suffer from edema, especially in the late afternoon. Perhaps the development of varicose veins.

The discharge is becoming more and more abundant. They acquire a mucous character due to the exfoliation of the cork, which closes the entrance to the uterus. Healthy secretions are homogeneous, light, have a sour smell. If traces of blood appeared in them, the consistency became curdled and foamy, and the smell was unpleasant, that is, there is a reason to suspect placental abruption or infection. In this case, you should immediately consult a doctor to prevent complications and get medical help in a timely manner.

The skin on the abdomen last days stretched to the maximum before childbirth. This leads to the appearance of stretch marks, especially if the pregnant woman has not previously used special preventive creams and ointments.

Children's body

By the 42nd week, the baby's bones acquire greater density and hardness, especially for the bones of the skull. The fetus gains weight - up to 3.5–3.7 kg, and its body lengthens to 52–57 cm. These changes are natural, but if the norms are exceeded, certain risks will arise: the mother will receive ruptures of the birth canal, and the child will birth trauma. The likelihood of complications increases if the child reaches a weight of 4.5 kg.

The head of the fetus is already firmly pressed against the entrance to the small pelvis. It gradually moves down as the cervix opens. The little organism is preparing to leave the mother's womb, the adrenal glands activate their work and produce a hormone that will help the baby cope with the stress of moving to a different environment.

If a baby is born in the 42nd week, 95 out of 100 cases he is perfectly healthy. Exceptions are cases when the placenta ages, due to which the fetus does not receive enough oxygen. Then hypoxia develops, or oxygen starvation. It also increases the likelihood of umbilical cord entanglement, since there may be a decrease amniotic fluid. But thanks modern methods in medicine, complications are rare.

Gradually, the skin begins to dry and flake off, as the cheese-like lubricant that protects skin fetus from friction. The child's eyes open, he shows great activity.

At the 42nd week, the baby may show signs of overmaturity, which is indicated by:

dry, wrinkled and flaky skin;
skin becomes yellow;
depleted subcutaneous fatty tissue, wrinkling, reduced skin turgor;
the large size of the child;
too much long nails and hair;
hyperactivity as a result of hypoxia (oxygen starvation).

During this period, there is often a need for ultrasound examination fetus, dopplerography, amnioscopy, as well as constant monitoring of the mother's pulse are performed.

Baby at 42 weeks pregnant - ultrasound
Baby's face at 42 weeks pregnant

Research allows you to determine:

how old the placenta is;
is there enough amniotic fluid;
are the amniotic fluid transparent, is there meconium in them;
What is the state of the blood flow?
what is the density of the skull bones;
fontanel state.

diet

The products that a pregnant woman consumes should be the freshest, with preliminary heat treatment - boiled, baked, steamed or in a water bath. They prefer simple, easily digestible food. At night, you can not overeat, because sleep is disturbed.

To ease the manifestations of hemorrhoids, it is recommended to eat a salad seasoned with olive oil, or drink 1-2 tablespoons pure oil. Useful freshly squeezed carrot juice with a few drops vegetable oil. Using a decoction of flax seeds, reduce the dryness of the mucosa during childbirth.

Meat is consumed no more than 3-4 times a week. The basis of the menu is plant foods - vegetables, fruits, cereals. They contain fiber, which normalizes the intestinal microflora, helps maintain normal body weight, cleanses the intestines. Do not abuse dairy products. Excess calcium leads to the deposition of salts in the bones of the skull and makes it difficult for the fetus to pass through the birth canal.

Strictly observe drinking regimen. With a tendency to edema, the daily amount of fluid you drink is 800-1000 ml. Salt retains fluid in the body, so its daily dose in the pregnant menu does not exceed 5 grams.

Food should contain enough vitamins:

E - ensures the maturation of the cervix (vegetable oil);
WITH ( ascorbic acid) - for the formation of the circulatory system child's body(currant);
group B - for normal operation nervous system(black bread, oatmeal, buckwheat);
vitamin D - for bones and teeth.

During this period, the calorie content of food is strictly controlled, since too large fruit difficulties arise when passing through the birth canal.

It is allowed to use:

wholemeal bread;
biscuit, oatmeal cookies, crackers;
pure water, unsweetened decoctions of dried fruits, green tea, juices (the most useful ones are from beets, carrots, pomegranates);
low-fat fish and meat (beef, rabbit, chicken), chilled but not frozen meat is used for cooking;
vegetable broths and soups based on them;
vegetables: carrots, pumpkin, cabbage, bell pepper;
protein-based steam omelettes;
cereals and vermicelli only in soups (barley, buckwheat, millet);
berries, sweet and sour fruits - plums, gooseberries, currants;
limited confectionery - marshmallow, soufflé, "bird's milk";
lean dairy products without preservatives, including natural yoghurt.

Prohibited products include products that overload the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, with a stimulating effect on the central nervous system, and also impede movement. stool, namely:

fresh bakery products, especially from wheat flour, any pastries;
confectionery products, including chocolate, jam, sweets, and refined sugar;
canned food, pickles;
semi-finished products, fast food;
strong broths;
seasonings, sauces, marinades;
smoked meats, corned beef;
mushrooms;
eggs;
animal fats;
legumes;
fatty dairy products;
products that cause allergic reactions- strawberries, raspberries, citrus fruits, shrimps;
legumes;
sausages;
alcohol, which harms the process of brain formation, strong tea, coffee, cocoa.

Many of the banned foods lead to increased gas formation, contain simple carbohydrates, which are the cause of an increase in the body weight of the pregnant woman and the fetus, as well as yeast that causes candidal colpitis.

provokes gestosis;
causes fetal hypoxia;
leads to delayed pregnancy;
increases the risk of anomalies labor activity and etc.

If a woman has correctly composed her diet, thereby she saves herself and her unborn child from many health problems and helps herself to quickly regain physical form after childbirth.

At the 42nd week, it is recommended to conduct habitual image life. Shown physical activity- walks on fresh air, walking on stairs, swimming under the supervision of an instructor, gymnastics for pregnant women. But you can not lift weights - overexertion sometimes leads to placental abruption.

It is important to monitor your weight, extremes (deficiency or excess body weight) negatively affect the development of the child. To identify internal edema in the early stages, they keep records of the liquid - drunk and allocated. Normally, the indicators should be approximately equal.

To check if a pregnant woman is ready for childbirth, a simple mammary test can be performed. You will need a stopwatch or regular watch for it. The nipple and areola are massaged for one minute. Repeat 5-6 times with an interval of three minutes. After that, put a hand on the stomach and track the contractions. A pregnant woman is ready for childbirth if three minutes after the start of the procedure, uterine contractions begin, repeating at least 3 times in 10 minutes. Already by the 40th week, the results of the mammary test should be positive, otherwise the pregnancy may be delayed.

If a woman feels that the time has come to give birth, the process can be accelerated.

Contraction followed by a bowel movement, often using an enema and Castor oil, causes the production of prostaglandins - physically active substances that provoke contractions and softening of the uterus.
Sometimes your doctor will advise you to have unprotected intercourse because semen helps to flatten your cervix.
Nipple massage is useful - 15 minutes a day. At the same time, the level of oxytocin increases in the blood, one of the functions of which is to stimulate uterine contractions.

Video - 42 weeks pregnant: signs, symptoms, sensations

It was mentioned above that the 42nd week represents the deadline when the baby should be born. naturally. After its expiration, the pregnant woman is subject to hospitalization, and we are talking about delivery, since a post-term pregnancy is fraught with complications.

If the baby is not born at the 42nd week, the question of labor induction is raised.

For this, drugs based on oxytocin are used. They have a gentle effect, therefore they do not harm the health of the newborn. Prostaglandin preparations in the form of suppositories or vaginal rings are also used. Biologically active substances relax the muscles and open the cervix, inducing labor. The obstetrician can also resort to the method of detachment of the amniotic membranes, when inside the opening of the cervix membranes separate mechanically. For some indications, a caesarean section is used.

And finally. When leaving the house for a walk, pregnant women should take documents with them, because childbirth can begin every minute. By this time, the future parents should have collected a bag with children's things and mother's supplies for the hospital.

Most births occur between 37 and 41 weeks, and only 1 in 10 expectant mothers stay in the womb until 42. Often this happens in women with long and irregular menstrual cycles - in this case, there is a high probability of incorrectly calculating the date of birth. At 42 weeks, pregnancy can be considered both prolonged and delayed, depending on the condition of the uterus, placenta and baby.

What happens at 42 weeks pregnant?

Pregnancy for a period of 9.5 months is considered prolonged if there are no symptoms indicating postmaturity - immature neck uterus with aging of the placenta, a decrease in the amount or color of the amniotic fluid, deterioration of blood flow. The pregnant woman is tired, she is looking forward to the onset of childbirth. The child is fully formed, he is large and continues to grow.

Future mom

By 42 weeks, a woman is mentally tired of pregnancy. physical fatigue affects the emotional state, it becomes more nervous and irritable. She is tormented by insomnia, heavy thoughts, anxiety, overwhelmed by anxiety for the baby. The main desire is to give birth as soon as possible.

Due to the large dimensions, it is difficult to move, the pelvis, back and joints hurt, so even a little physical activity leads to severe fatigue. The stomach drops lower, it becomes easier to breathe. However, the growing uterus presses on other organs, causing digestive disorders, hemorrhoids and frequent urges to urination. Due to circulatory disorders in the pelvic area, edema appears. The skin on the abdomen is very stretched, stretch marks often appear and itching is felt.

Allocations at this time are normally transparent, odorless, more plentiful and liquid than before. It is possible for the mucous plug to come out - a dense clot that clogs the lumen of the cervix and protects the fetus from infection. Under the influence of estrogens, the production of which increases closer to childbirth, the neck softens, and mucus comes out. The body of the expectant mother is actively preparing for labor activity - false contractions are increasingly occurring.

Baby's condition

By this week, the fetus is finally formed and ready for life outside the mother's womb. Its weight reaches 3.5-4 kg, height - 52-57 cm. In 95% of cases, children born at this time do not have any abnormalities due to postmaturity.

The baby has long nails and hair. The original lubrication disappears from the body, so the skin becomes drier and flaky from a long stay in the aquatic environment.

The baby's bones are hardening. The density of the skull also increases, which can lead to longer attempts and damage to the birth canal. By week 42, the placenta still performs its function, however, the upcoming aging increases the risk of oxygen starvation of the fetus.

Why are there no signs of an imminent birth?

This article talks about typical ways to solve your questions, but each case is unique! If you want to know from me how to solve exactly your problem - ask your question. It's fast and free!

signs early start tribal activity:

increased training bouts;
pulling pains in the lower abdomen and lower back;
soreness in the sacrum and pelvis due to the divergence of the bones;
discharge of the mucous plug;
mood swings, tearfulness;
"nesting" syndrome;
prolapse of the abdomen.

If there is a 42nd week of pregnancy, and there are no harbingers, this does not always indicate the presence of pathology, because the body of each expectant mother is individual. These signs may be due to hereditary characteristics of the course of pregnancy or absent due to a sedentary lifestyle. Often, precursors do not appear with repeated pregnancies.

An imminent birth signal recent weeks may not be due to malposition fetus or its entanglement with the umbilical cord. Hormonal imbalance in the body of a pregnant woman, inflammatory, infectious processes, tumors in the pelvic area also prevent the onset of labor and the appearance of signs preceding it.

Postterm pregnancy and its consequences for mother and child

Postponement of pregnancy is observed in 2-42% of cases. This range of the indicator is due to the fact that doctors have not come to a consensus on the point at which one can talk about pathology, which can lead to a number of complications for the child.

When overwearing, the volume decreases and the characteristics deteriorate. amniotic fluid. They become less transparent, may turn green or yellow with fetal hypoxia. Due to the small amount and change in the composition of the water, bacteria begin to multiply more actively, contributing to the development of pneumonia in the baby.

Meconium is the original feces, swallowing it together with amniotic fluid leads to damage to the child's bronchopulmonary system. There are difficulties with breathing, wheezing, nervousness, and the risk of developing asthma in the future increases. due to bone hardening and large sizes fetus is more likely birth trauma(intracranial hemorrhages, fractures of extremities).

The functionality of the placenta decreases, it becomes thinner, blood circulation worsens. The child receives less nutrients and oxygen, which leads to hypoxia and increases the risk of intrauterine death. Starvation leads to pathologies of the nervous system, poor adaptation in the future.

Consequences of a post-term pregnancy for the expectant mother:

increased risk of bleeding;
prolonged prenatal period, accompanied by painful ineffective contractions that do not lead to changes in the cervix;
trauma and tissue rupture during childbirth;
discoordination or weakness of labor activity;
increased risk of developing postpartum infections;
premature outflow of amniotic fluid with the immaturity of the cervix.

When is medical intervention required?

Since a post-term pregnancy is dangerous for the baby and the expectant mother, it requires heightened attention doctors. Health care required if:

there was an outpouring of water, but labor activity does not occur;
Ultrasound and CTG determine the increasing fetal hypoxia;
the presentation of the baby is incorrect;
the child is very large;
the birth canal of a pregnant woman is too narrow;
amnioscopy reveals a significant decrease in the volume, color of amniotic fluid, an admixture of meconium;
labor activity is weak and does not lead to the opening of the cervix.

Stimulation of labor activity at home and in the hospital

You can speed up the onset of childbirth at home. intimacy promotes the beginning of the process of delivery, since the semen contains prostaglandin hormones, and orgasm leads to muscle contractions of the uterus. stimulate labor naturally will help exercise stress- Long walks, swimming, going down and up stairs. During activity, the fetus presses on the cervix, activating the process of disclosure. The method is used when there are no complications or chronic diseases. The load should not be excessive, otherwise placental abruption may begin.

Massage of the nipples stimulates the production of oxytocin, which triggers labor. It can be done only when the woman's body is ready - there are signs early delivery. Before the procedure, you need to lubricate your hands with cream. Start with stroking in a clockwise direction. Then more energetic in a circular motion produce rubbing. Next, fingers knead the nipples, squeezing and releasing them. At the next stage, the nipples are pinched, slightly pulling. The skin around is patted, creating vibration. The procedure takes 10-15 minutes.

If by the 42nd week the cervix matures, then in the conditions of the maternity hospital, childbirth is caused by artificial means. Most frequent method- amniotomy, in which the integrity of the fetal bladder is violated, which provokes labor activity. If 2-3 hours after the puncture, contractions do not begin, additional stimulation is carried out.

Prostaglandin preparations are often used, which relax the cervix and promote its opening, as well as provoke the synthesis of oxytocin, which regulates uterine contractions and initiating labor. When the cervix is immature, kelp sticks are used, which are inserted into the canal in the amount of 1-6 pieces for up to 1 day. Slowly swelling, they expand the neck and activate the production of prostaglandins. They are not used in the presence of an inflammatory process.

Features of the course of labor at 42 weeks

If, according to the condition of the fetus, uterus and placenta, pregnancy at 42 weeks is defined as prolonged, then the birth is normal - in the same way as in earlier periods. Contractions begin, becoming more frequent and intensifying with time and leading to the opening of the cervix by 8-10 cm. This is followed by a pushing period - the fetus begins to move along the birth canal, first the head appears, then the shoulders and torso. At the final stage, the placenta comes out of the uterus.

41–42 weeks is the time when, in order to prevent overgestation, a pregnant woman is sent to a maternity hospital to monitor her condition. The start of labor is expected about a week. If the neck is mature, but birth process does not start, it is called artificially. During childbirth, fetal heart activity is constantly monitored. If difficulties arise, then they resort to an emergency caesarean section. With an unfinished neck, additional measures are taken. Upon reaching maturity, in the absence of labor, the process of stimulation begins.

If the pregnancy is overdue, and labor induction medical methods did not bring results, also appoint C-section. The operation is performed under general anesthesia or epidural anesthesia. A vertical incision is made below the navel or horizontal to the suprapubic area, then the child is gradually removed. The operation takes about an hour.

Week 42 in most cases becomes the last week of pregnancy. In women who carry their babies to such a " late deadline”(and there are about 10%), this week, childbirth is sure to occur. The initiator of the onset of labor can be both the fetus itself and the doctors - it all depends on the situation. It is only clear that there is simply no point in prolonging the pregnancy further, since the baby received everything that he could take from his mother a long time ago, and intrauterine life won't do him any good.

What is an overdose of pregnancy?

By the end of 42 weeks, the pregnancy begins to be considered post-term. However, recursion is an ambiguous concept. It can be true and false. In the first case, the baby suffers from being inside the uterus and this is confirmed by various diagnostic methods. In the second, pregnancy for a number of reasons lengthens by 1-2 weeks, but this does not affect the condition of the fetus.

True gestation always has a serious basis - various diseases women. Prolonged pregnancy (false pregnancy) may be the result wrong definition date of birth or individual characteristics woman's menstrual cycle.

For example, if a woman's intervals between regular menstruation are only 21 days, and, therefore, conception can occur on the 7-8th day of the cycle, that is embryonic period will not be 2, but only 1 week less than obstetric. Such a baby is likely to be born a few weeks earlier than the expected date of birth. But normal menstrual cycle a woman can last up to 35 days. In this case, ovulation usually occurs on the 20-21st day, and not on the 14th, as all formulas for calculating the gestational age and date of birth suggest. Accordingly, if conception occurs in such a long cycle, the embryonic period will be almost 3 weeks less than the obstetric period - that is, the crumbs will need at least 1 week more time to complete development than other babies.

There is one more point: if on (it is considered the most reliable in terms of determining the gestational age) inconsistencies were found between the gestational age by menstruation and the period calculated by size gestational sac(if this period turned out to be much less), you should not wait for timely delivery. The baby will definitely want to sit inside the mother longer.

What is the danger of overbearing for a baby?

As mentioned above, only a true re-carrying of pregnancy is undesirable. For the baby, it is fraught with the following consequences:

Chronic. The fetus continues to develop, but the placenta does not. She, on the contrary, is rapidly aging and is increasingly coping with her functions. Feeling a lack of oxygen, the baby begins to move more actively (as far as possible at such a time), which can provoke an umbilical cord around the neck. With entanglement, especially tight, childbirth is often complicated.
The entry of meconium into Airways crumbs. At oxygen starvation the baby reflexively empties its intestines into the amniotic fluid and tries to take the first breath right in the womb. During such attempts, meconium enters the respiratory tract along with the amniotic fluid, which can provoke the development of congenital.
Thinning of subcutaneous fat. A post-term baby not only receives less oxygen, but also nutrients, which leads to weight loss. On repeated ultrasounds, doctors may notice that the fetus stops gaining mass or even loses it. A decrease in the thickness of subcutaneous fat leads to the fact that the baby is born with wrinkled, sagging skin and an inability to maintain a constant body temperature.
Compaction of the bones of the skull, a decrease in the size of the fontanelles and, in general, a decrease in the ability of the baby's head to change. During childbirth, this can cause serious injuries to the head and brain of the crumbs.

What is the danger of overbearing for a future mother?

Childbirth during a post-term pregnancy often proceeds with various complications:

weakness of labor activity;
injuries of the birth canal - ruptures of soft tissues, divergence of the pelvic bones, etc.
acute fetal hypoxia during childbirth, which becomes the reason for the decision to conduct;
bleeding.

Diagnosis of true overwearing

It is very important for doctors to determine whether a woman has a true overgrowth.. Unfortunately, there are no symptoms that can accurately diagnose this condition. A woman may feel relatively normal and be unaware that anything is wrong. Obstetricians, when examining a patient, also do not always detect any deviations, therefore, in such situations, they come to the fore additional methods examinations:

The use of these methods in combination, as well as the assessment motor activity the baby and measuring the size of the pregnant woman's abdomen (if there is oligohydramnios, the abdomen decreases) gives doctors the opportunity to find out whether it is still possible to wait for the spontaneous onset of labor or whether it is time to take some measures to stimulate labor.

42 weeks and no birth: what to do?

At 42 weeks, it is very important for the expectant mother to see a doctor. Now is not the time to wait for labor to start at home. If the obstetrician-gynecologist after the examination does not find any abnormalities and the pregnancy is determined as prolonged, the woman will most likely be recommended to engage in stimulation of labor by non-medical methods. It could be:

Intense nipple massage that causes contractions.
Taking laxatives, enemas. Increased intestinal peristalsis irritates the uterus and thereby provokes its contraction.
unprotected sex, if the mucus plug has not yet come off. Semen contains prostaglandins, which speed up the preparation of the cervix for childbirth.
Dosed physical activity - walking, climbing stairs, dancing.

But what is undesirable for a future mother to do at 42 weeks is to lie down all the time. In order for the opening of the cervical canal to begin, the fetal head must descend and, with its weight, press on the cervix. In a horizontal position, this is unlikely to happen.

For 42 weeks now you have been waiting for a miracle, but somehow it is not in a hurry to meet you. Do not worry, as the doctors joke: "No one has been pregnant yet." 42 weeks of pregnancy in most expectant mothers is associated rather than with positive emotions, but with anxiety about the lack of childbirth. You are being followed discomfort and a feeling of fatigue, because if you believe the estimated date of birth, the child should have already been born.

The fetus at 42 weeks of gestation is already fully formed. However, its "overripe" is highly undesirable. However, according to statistics, 95% of babies born at this time do not have any abnormalities associated with postmaturity.

Weight, size and height of the fetus

The weight of the child at 42 weeks of gestation is from 3.5 to 4 kg, the growth of the baby reaches, on average, 54 centimeters. little heart beats with a frequency of 120-160 beats per minute.

What's New in Child Development

The child's body is ready for independent work The baby is just waiting for the moment of birth.

The development of the fetus at 42 weeks of gestation is as follows:

The unborn child continues to actively “take away” calcium from you. The bones of the skull are actively strengthened, with the exception of two small areas - fontanelles;
The baby is actively gaining weight. Try to reduce the calorie content of your diet, as a large fetus may experience minor complications when passing through the birth canal;
The hair on the head has already grown well, now the baby has a magnificent hairstyle;
Fingernails and toenails may protrude beyond the fingertips. So immediately after birth, they can already be cut;
Now the baby's body is preparing for a very important event in his life. The adrenal glands are working increased activity. They produce a hormone that will help the little person cope with the stress of giving birth.

Signs of overripe fetus during prolonged pregnancy

Normally, the duration of pregnancy may well be 42 weeks. However, at this time, the child may already show signs of overmaturity.

These include:

Dry skin;
Wrinkling and peeling of the skin;
Lack of generic lubrication;
Excessive length of nails and hair;
Increased activity caused by oxygen starvation.

A pregnancy that lasts longer than 42 weeks is called post-term.

However, over-ripeness and post-maturity are different concepts. Childbirth may be late, but the fetus will not be overripe, and may be ahead of time, nose clear signs overripe. To avoid the risk of complications, doctors usually try to induce labor after the 40th week of pregnancy.

Well-being and condition of the expectant mother

The forty-second week of pregnancy will not bring many new symptoms. It practically does not differ from any of the weeks of the third trimester.

Symptoms at 42 weeks pregnant

Most likely, you are concerned about problems with the intestines. Unfortunately, they will accompany you until the birth itself;
The expansion of the pelvic bones continues, the cervix by this time is usually already softened and shortened;
The baby sinks lower and lower and has a considerable effect on the blood supply to the pelvis, as a result, severe swelling legs. Especially it becomes noticeable towards the end of the day;
The hemorrhoids that have already made themselves felt are aggravated;
Maybe varicose veins veins in the legs;
Appear pain in the joints, in the lower abdomen, as well as in the lower back and in the region of the sacrum.

Psychological and emotional state

Each future mom looking forward to meeting the baby. Especially the feeling of excitement increases towards the end of the pregnancy.

Every day the tension increases, and not only with physical, but also psychological point vision:

increased feeling of irritability;
more difficult to overcome fatigue;
there is a constant concentration on only one desire - to give birth as soon as possible.

Moral exhaustion is complemented by physical exhaustion. During this period, a pregnant woman especially needs the support of relatives.

Discharge shortly before childbirth

In the very last days of pregnancy, the abundance of discharge increases. Their consistency becomes more mucous due to the detachment of the cork that closed the entrance to the uterus.

Normally, the discharge should be:

homogeneous;
light;
with a slightly sour odor.

Allocations have become inflammatory in nature if:

blood impurities appeared;
the consistency has become curdled or foamy;
arose bad smell.

In this case, you should consult a doctor without delay. Such changes in the nature of the discharge can be a signal of placental abruption or a sign of infection.

What does the belly look like and how big is it?

Consider what happens at 42 weeks pregnant with your belly. Most likely, at this time, relief is finally felt. It is due to the fact that the stomach has sunk lower, freeing up more space for your internal organs. It becomes not only easier to breathe, but the digestive organs begin to perform their functions better.

The size of the fetus at the 42nd week of pregnancy reaches its maximum values, so the skin on the abdomen is extremely stretched. It itches and itches a lot, stretch marks at this time are not uncommon if you did not use any means to prevent their occurrence during pregnancy.

It must be understood that the 42nd week of pregnancy is the deadline for deciding on the method of delivery. If labor does not begin in the coming days, additional stimulation will be required, or delivery will occur by caesarean section.

Medical examinations for a period of 42 weeks

Going to an appointment at women's consultation You, as before, will need to pre-pass urine for analysis. There are also a number of studies that are prescribed according to indications for a period of 42 weeks.

Ultrasound examination and its results

Ultrasound at the forty-second week of pregnancy is aimed mainly at assessing the following parameters:

Do you want something interesting?

Baby size. The size of the fetus at the forty-second week of pregnancy is the same as it will be after birth. The study of this parameter is especially important at this time, since it is necessary to correlate the size of the fetus with the width of your pelvis. This allows the doctor to decide on the method of delivery;
The condition of the placenta and the quality of its work. The closer the PDR, the worse the placenta performs its nutritional and oxygen-carrying functions. Usually at this time the degree of aging of the placenta is III;
Quantity and structure of amniotic fluid. The doctor will evaluate the structure of the amniotic fluid for the presence of suspensions in it. At this time, meconium (original feces) already enters the amniotic fluid, as a result of which they become cloudy;
The degree of maturation of the cervix. There is a certain classification that allows dividing the cervix according to the degree of maturity into three groups: immature, insufficiently mature, mature. By the time of the onset of labor, the cervix should soften and contract, the pharynx should open by 10 cm.

Other procedures according to indications

dopplerography- This is a study that is carried out using Doppler. It allows you to determine whether the child is adequately provided with oxygen and nutrients.

Cardiotocography allows you to identify the relationship between the baby's heartbeat and uterine contractions. Thanks to this study, the doctor is able to identify the presence of hypoxia in the fetus.

Amnioscopy- a procedure that is carried out to determine the quality of amniotic fluid. In parallel, a urinalysis is given, the results of which can assess the functionality of the kidneys.

Why am I not giving birth and stimulating labor

Childbirth at 42 weeks of gestation is the most anticipated event. If the signs of the beginning natural childbirth still not, the doctor will strongly recommend that you induce labor.

Medical induction of labor

During the stimulation procedure, the doctor uses the drug oxytocin, a hormone that causes the uterus to contract. Prostaglandin is also widely used to help soften the cervix.

If after all these manipulations the pharynx does not open, you have to pierce about amniotic sac(Do not worry, it will not hurt!).

A caesarean section is usually reserved for emergencies only if:

there is a threat to the life and health of the child and mother;
happened premature detachment placenta;
fetal hypoxia was detected;
the diameter of the baby's head does not allow him to pass through the birth canal (according to ultrasound).

Folk ways to stimulate labor

The ideal way to help yourself in the matter of starting the birth process at 42 weeks of pregnancy is sex. Male sperm contains biologically active substances prostaglandins, which are excellent tool to soften the cervix.

Besides, sexual arousal leads to improved blood circulation, which can also provoke contractions.

You can massage the nipples. female body responds to such manipulations by releasing the same hormone oxytocin that doctors use to induce labor to begin.

Physical activity can also speed up the onset of labor:

washing floors;
climbing stairs;
charger.

Some especially brave women resort to means leading to violent bowel movements, because this can also provoke uterine contractions. For this purpose, castor oil is used, enemas are made, belladonna candles are inserted.

Please note that all these methods can only be used after consultation with an obstetrician-gynecologist.

How does the birth process proceed?

Regardless of whether your birth is planned or emergency, they proceed in the same way and are divided into three stages:

Contractions or the process of dilating the cervix. Contractions are painful intermittent contractions of the uterus. Unlike training fights, the interval between real fights is much shorter. If you suspect that you are having contractions, note the time between them. Real contractions have a clear schedule, indicating the beginning of the birth process. You can go to the hospital when the interval between them is 5-7 minutes. But it’s better not to delay, because there are cases of rapid labor, when only 2-3 hours pass between the first contractions and the birth of a child.

Help the baby leave the womb - attempts. At this stage, it is very important to concentrate on breathing. Pushing properly is hard work. How well you follow the instructions of the midwife depends on the duration of labor and the consequences (tears and cracks).

Birth of placenta. After the birth of a child, the placenta is born, usually this procedure is painless for a woman. Childbirth on the forty-second obstetric week pregnancies need careful monitoring by obstetricians, as they are often accompanied by some complications. These include:

anomalies of labor activity;
incorrect insertion of the head;
development of hypoxia.

In this regard, delivery by emergency caesarean section at such times is more common than usual. For the fetus, childbirth at this time is characterized increased level injury. This is due to the fact that the bones of the skull are already gradually becoming less plastic than a few weeks earlier.

In the last days of his pregnant condition It is important to carefully monitor all the changes that occur in your body.

Eat right. This will help you get rid of digestive problems such as bacteriosis, constipation and diarrhea. You need to eat often, but in small portions;
Give preference to foods that are rich in vegetable fibers (vegetables, fruits, baked goods made from wholemeal flour);
Do not forget about foods rich in calcium and prebiotics. Eat milk, kefir, fermented baked milk, yogurt;
When leaving home, take documents with you, exchange card And mobile phone so that the onset of childbirth does not take you by surprise;
Put the “alarm case” with things for the maternity hospital near the entrance in a conspicuous place so that your relatives can easily find it if necessary.

Remember, you are at the finish line! Very soon, the long-awaited child will sniff at your side! That joyful day is not far off when you will hear the first cry of your baby! Everything will be fine, the main thing - the right attitude for a positive result.

This material is for informational purposes only, before using the information provided, you must be sure to consult with a specialist.

The obstetric month is 4 weeks, which means you are now 11 months pregnant. Until this week, only 10% of women remain pregnant.

During this time, the doctor may suspect that you have been carrying a baby. In this case, he prescribes the stimulation of labor. It is important to clearly understand whether you are pregnant.

What happens at 42 weeks

What is the risk of post-term pregnancy:

The placenta continues to age, which in turn can provoke hypoxia and the fact that the child will not receive enough nutrients. Because of this, the fetus may experience spasms, and, consequently, reflex excretion of the original feces - meconium. The baby is constantly breathing and swallowing amniotic fluid, which means that meconium can get into the baby's lungs. This in turn may cause severe complication, which manifest itself immediately after birth - meconium aspiration syndrome. To deal with this problem, the doctor will use artificial ventilation lungs and antibiotic therapy.
A baby who was not born on time begins to “overripe”, that is, weight increases, bones become dense.
The volume of amniotic fluid decreases, in some cases up to 50%. In addition, they become cloudy.
A woman may feel some complications during childbirth, for example, bleeding, weakness of labor. In addition, the risk of developing diseases in a child increases.

Reasons that may contribute to post-term pregnancy:

altered nature of menstrual function;
insufficient amount of hormones;
chronic and other diseases;
transferred psycho-emotional stress;
heredity;
appointed bed rest during pregnancy;
psychological attitude to late childbirth;
large fetal weight.

When the baby is completely ready for birth, his body begins to produce a hormone, which is the so-called signal for the onset of labor. In this case, the child and mother will work together on the birth process and everything will go as well as possible.

Well-being of a woman at 42 weeks

Every woman looks forward to the end of pregnancy, and literally counts the hours until the upcoming event. Tension increases daily, which is associated not only with the physical, but also with the psychological state.

Possible physical sensations

Significant changes and shifts in the body of a woman do not occur. In rare cases, minor shifts may occur:

Stomach. Big belly very strongly stretches the skin, which causes itching and peeling. Because of this, stretch marks and even irritation can occur. Therefore, it is recommended to use folk remedies to get rid of this problem.
Cervix. The degree of maturity of the uterus reflects the readiness of the mother's body for childbirth. There is a certain classification that distinguishes immature, insufficiently mature and mature cervix. For labor to occur, the cervix must be fully mature. This fact is evidenced by its softening, contraction and opening.
Allocations. Keep monitoring your secretions. Normal discharge- moderate, uniform consistency, light, odorless or with a slight sour smell:

if you notice foamy and curdled discharge that emit an unpleasant odor and strange color, you should consult a doctor immediately. Most likely, this means that there is an infection in the body. It is necessary to get rid of it, or the doctor will prescribe a caesarean section so that the baby does not get infected during the passage through the birth canal;
the presence of blood in the discharge is a reason to immediately call ambulance, as this may indicate a presentation or abruption of the placenta. Only urgent help help save the life of a child and a woman;
if the discharge has become watery, then this means that your water is breaking, and that you will soon give birth.

Edema. At 42 weeks, about 70% of women suffer from edema. They appear at the end of the day and indicate long walks or that you have drunk a lot of water. If the swelling does not go away, be sure to consult a doctor. Read more about swelling during pregnancy
Possible problems. Many women may complain of hemorrhoids, but don't worry, they will go away after childbirth. About 90% of women suffer from bowel problems. This can be manifested by constipation, diarrhea. The reason for this hormonal measurements and decreased intestinal motility. Read more about the treatment of hemorrhoids during pregnancy and after childbirth, read
Pain sensations. A woman can feel pain in almost all parts of her body. For example, pain in the joints indicates their preparation for childbirth. Pain in the lower abdomen is a sign of approaching childbirth. In addition, there may be pain in the back, legs, chest, and headache.

How is childbirth

When you arrive at the hospital and are placed in the ward before labor begins, the doctor will regularly measure the diameter of the cervix. When it reaches a value of 10 cm, the doctor will say that it is time to give birth.

The last part of the birth canal has a spiral structure, which means that the baby will, as it were, screw into soft tissues uterus and move forward.

From this moment, there is about half an hour left before meeting with your child. During childbirth, a lot depends on the mother, namely on the correctness of her breathing and attempts.

A woman needs to take a breath full chest so that the lungs and diaphragm press on the uterus, and then you need to exhale with an attempt so that the baby gets an incentive to move forward. After that, you definitely need to take a break to restore breathing and the amount of oxygen in the body. Read more about breathing techniques in childbirth.

At this time, the doctor clearly monitors the condition of the baby according to the following signs:

If the skin is pink, then everything is going well and the baby is getting enough oxygen.
The lilac color of the head indicates a reduced, but still normal amount of oxygen.
The blue color makes you wary, as the blood circulates poorly in the child's body.
White is a cause for serious concern and urgent action.

When the head is completely out, the doctor helps the baby to release the shoulders, and the rest of the body is already out without special efforts and problems. Now it remains to hear the first cry of the baby and calm down, we have become a mother.

Possible emotional experiences

Now in the mother’s head there are only questions that are related to the child and childbirth: “How is my baby?”, “How will the birth go?”, “How will life change after birth?”.

Try to calm down and enjoy the last days of pregnancy. Very soon, you will not feel the movement of the baby in the tummy, and the pregnancy will remain only a memory.

A good distraction is to write your child a letter. Describe your feelings, sensations, thoughts, remember everything that happened during these 9 months. In the future, you will be able to remember this time, as well as give an older child to read and find out how you felt when he was in the tummy.

try don't focus on your feelings, learn to switch and be distracted. Spend this time usefully, for example, read useful literature on child care, because after giving birth you will not be able to do this, there will be no time.

Ways to calm down at 42 weeks pregnant:

No need to sit and wait for the time "X" to come. Plan your activities for the whole day.
Go shopping, buy food for the near future, study the recipes for dishes that a woman is allowed to eat after giving birth.
Talk to family and friends and ask them to stop bothering you every day with questions about childbirth.
Spend a lot of time with your husband, because after the baby is born, it will not be easy to allocate time for this.
Try to rest a lot, as you will need a lot of strength.

Reviews of women about 42 weeks

How do women feel who have not had time to give birth before this week:

Anastasia: “I already have a neurosis, which only intensifies every day. The worst thing is that I don’t have any training contractions or any other signs of an approaching birth. The doctor said that he would not cause contractions yet, since there was no opening of the uterus, and the head did not go down enough. the doctor said a couple more days and you need to go to the hospital.”

Svetlana: “I decided to agree to the stimulation of labor myself, as I am afraid that something might happen to the baby. Tomorrow I'm going to go to the pathology, where they will spend everything on me necessary procedures and research and the doctor will make the final decision.”

Marina: “I am very worried, today they did an ultrasound and said that the amniotic fluid is cloudy, which means that there is meconium. The doctor said that tomorrow he would do a cesarean, I agree to everything just to save the life of my beloved son.

Daria: “How difficult it is for me, my strength is running out, my emotions are at the limit. If it wasn't for my husband's support, I would have gone crazy. He is always there, goes with me to appointments with the doctor, in general, he is my gold. Tomorrow he is going to the doctor and will decide what to do, I am already ready to agree to a caesarean section, if only to give birth and see my daughter.”

Valentine: “It seems that the birth is approaching. Yesterday the cork went away, the training contractions intensified, it pulls in the lower abdomen, I hope that today tomorrow I will finally give birth.

Faith: “The feeling of fatigue is already so strong that there is no strength to get out of bed. The good news is that there are signs of an approaching pregnancy, so there will be no need to agree to stimulate pregnancy. I pray to God to hug my baby as soon as possible.

Olga: “How scary, already 42 weeks pregnant, and the baby still does not want to be born. I am exhausted and, it seems, will not be able to give birth on my own. Tomorrow I will go to the doctor and I will consult with him what to do and how exactly to stimulate labor.

Catherine: “Today I was at the doctor, and he made me happy, said that the uterus became soft, the mucous plug came off, that everything is fine and for a few more days, and we will meet him in the delivery room. I, like a mountain off my shoulders, now all my worries are gone, and I am already looking forward to the start of childbirth with great impatience.

Victoria: “Every day I talk with my daughter and persuade her to be born as soon as possible and it seems that he heard me. Today, the contractions intensified, the mucous plug began to move away and it calmed down, maybe even tomorrow or today I will be able to see my beauty.

Zoya: “God, it’s already 42 weeks, and I thought I’ll give birth at 37 more. Mom reassures me, says that she gave birth to me at the end of 42 weeks and that this is heredity. She is probably right, as studies show that the baby is doing well and that we are not yet overweight. The contractions have intensified, maybe in a couple of days I will be able to please everyone and say that we were born.

Fetal development at 42 weeks gestation

About 95% of babies who are born this week do not have any problems that may be related to pregnancy.

The weight of the baby can reach up to 4 kg, and the height is about 53 cm.

The body and body of the child is already ready for independent work and independent life.

Now the baby is waiting for the moment of birth to start its mechanism.

Skeleton and skull, including, continue to strengthen. This, in turn, can complicate childbirth, as the bones of the skull lose their ability to reconfigure during passage through the birth canal. As a result, a woman and a child can be seriously injured.

The following signs may indicate that the baby is overdue:

the skin is dry, wrinkled, flaky in places;
generic lubrication is completely absent;
nails and hair are very long;
eyes are open;
significant activity.

In the last weeks of pregnancy, the child is preparing for a crucial period in his life. The adrenal glands have increased several times, and they already look more kidneys. They produce a hormone that helps the baby cope with severe stress in his life.

Photo of a newborn baby

To speed up childbirth at home ideal solution there will be sex, since semen contains prostaglandin, which softens the cervix. In an excited state, blood circulation increases, which provokes the tone of the uterus, and, consequently, the onset of contractions.

In addition, you can stimulate the nipples, as this produces the hormone oxytocin, which stimulates the onset of labor.

Also help to bring the birth closer can: walking up the stairs, mopping, light physical activity. Some women use drugs that cause a violent bowel movement, which in turn can trigger uterine contractions. To do this, they drink castor oil, make enemas, but it is best to resort to such means only with the permission of a doctor. Folk remedies include tea with raspberry leaves or eating pineapple.

Test to see if you're ready for childbirth

Accept comfortable posture for example, sit in a chair or lie down on a bed. You will need a watch to control the time. You need to irritate the nipples and area for a minute, and then take a 3-minute break during which you need to put your hands on your stomach and track the contractions. The procedure must be repeated about 5 times.

What are the results:

If in the first minutes of the test you feel a contraction of the uterus, and then another 10 minutes of the test, about 3 more contractions, then everything is fine and the pregnancy is prolonged. In this case, you need to wait a couple of days and the baby will certainly be born.
If there were no contractions, then most likely the pregnancy is delayed, and you need to go to the doctor to arrange a caesarean section.

Do not walk for long distances and always take documents and a mobile phone with you.
Spend time usefully, read literature about pregnancy.
Continue to monitor nutrition, it should be balanced and moderate. To gain strength before childbirth, eat simple carbohydrates. You can relax a bit and allow yourself something tasty and harmful before a long diet after childbirth. Even some alcohol is allowed.

Examinations at 42 weeks of gestation

This week you will most likely have the following procedures:

ultrasound. Allows you to determine the amount of amniotic fluid, the condition of the placenta and the size of the baby.
This study will help evaluate blood flow in the vessels of the uterus, placenta and vessels of the child. Thanks to this study, the doctor will be able to find out whether there is enough oxygen and useful substances goes to the child.
. This procedure allows you to make a synchronous recording of the fetal heartbeat and uterine contractions. Thanks to this, the doctor will be able to assess the condition of the child and exclude possible hypoxia.
Amthioskopiya. This procedure is aimed at determining the purity and amount of amniotic fluid, as well as the presence of cheesy lubrication, and amniotic sac detachment. It is carried out with a special device called an amnioscope, which looks like a flashlight. It is inserted into the woman's vagina and advanced along the cervix.
In addition, you will need to pass, which will tell you about the quality of the kidneys.

This week, the doctor may suggest or insist on:

If, according to all indicators, you have determined a post-term pregnancy, then, most likely, you will be prescribed labor induction. For this, the doctor will use the drug oxytocin, which causes uterine contractions. In addition, another hormone will be used - prostaglandin, which softens the cervix. If after this the cervix does not open, then the doctor will pierce the fetal bladder, as this will irritate the birth canal.
A caesarean section is prescribed when there is a threat to the life of the mother and child, and also when it was determined during an ultrasound scan that the diameter of the baby's head is greater than the distance between the sacrum and the highest point of the mother's pubic symphysis. Simply put, the baby will not be able to pass through the mother's birth canal. It will also be prescribed if a woman has a premature exfoliation of the placenta, found or determined fetal hypoxia.