Development of Fetus at 42 Weeks of Pregnancy

Embryo growth

How is the development of the fetus 42 weeks pregnant?

Entering the development of the baby 42 weeks of gestation, you could say you are nearing the time of delivery. However, it is important to understand that not all babies will be born according to the estimated date of birth in early pregnancy.

In some cases, the baby can be born 2 weeks earlier than the estimated date of maturity. About 98 percent of babies will be born before the end of the 42nd week of pregnancy. So, don't worry if your little one is born faster than you think.

The size of your baby at 42 weeks of pregnancy is about the size of a large watermelon or jackfruit. Even so, it is not impossible that you will still be able to give birth normally through the vagina.

Babies born past an estimated date that should sometimes appear to have hair and nails that tend to be longer. Even accompanied by dry, cracked, flaky and wrinkled skin.

This condition usually only lasts temporarily because it loses vernix (a protective substance in the baby's skin) due to its birth that is past the due date.

Changes in the Body

What are the changes in the body of a pregnant woman at week 42?

Not much different from pregnancy in the previous few weeks. In the development of a 42-week baby, the symptoms of your pregnancy still remain the same. Includes leg cramps, difficulty sleeping, back pain, pressure on the pelvis, hemorrhoids (hemorrhoid), frequent urination, and contractions.

Apart from that, though not always but you can experience psychological pressure before giving birth. Do not panic, you should try to be more relaxed and relaxed for the good of yourself and the baby in the womb, especially ahead of the estimated birth date.

Note, there is a possibility that the little one will be born at the end of the 42nd week. It's best to be aware if you feel some of the following signs of labor:

• Mucus discharge, which is sometimes accompanied by bleeding
• Amniotic fluid breaks
• Constant and intensive contractions in close proximity

Maintain a pregnancy that runs 42 weeks

Not showing signs of giving birth in the development of a 42-week fetus is not really a problem. However, what should be feared when the baby has not yet been born is more than 42 weeks of gestation. Because that means, you run the risk of experiencing pregnancy complications, such as:

• Problems with the placenta
• Little amniotic fluid
• Umbilikalis is pinched
• At risk of experiencing physical injury during childbirth
• At risk of having a caesarean birth
• Possibility to use NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)

Visit to Doctor / Midwife

What do I need to discuss with the doctor on week 42?

Always consult a doctor if you experience abnormal symptoms in the development of the fetus 42 weeks of pregnancy. Feared, there are possible complications that arise in pregnancy. You are also advised to feel how many kicks your little one usually does in the stomach during this third trimester of pregnancy.

Watch out immediately if suddenly the baby's kick frequency changes, especially so it's not as often as usual. Not only that, other abnormal signs that you should take note of are vaginal discharge, bleeding, and unusual abdominal pain. Don't delay to check with your doctor after experiencing these symptoms.

Tests that may be needed to support fetal development 42 Sunday

At the 42-week stage of fetal development, the doctor will be more strict in paying attention to your pregnancy. Because if in the last week of pregnancy you do not show signs of giving birth, then you have a greater risk of experiencing pregnancy complications.

However, you can breathe freely as long as your little one in the womb shows no alarming signs. At this time, the doctor will do several checks to ascertain the condition of the baby in your stomach. Starting from ultrasound examinations of pregnancy, non-stress tests, to contraction stress tests.

All of these tests aim to check if the baby is moving properly, breathing smoothly, having a sufficient amount of amniotic fluid, and a steady heartbeat. If your birth is likely to be late from the due date, the doctor may consider doing labor induction.

Especially when a series of previous tests showed that the baby should not be longer in the womb. The labor induction procedure process includes:

• Removing the baby's wrapping membrane, by rubbing the amniotic sac to release certain hormones that trigger contractions in the next 48 hours.
• Solve amniotic fluid, using a special tool so that contractions appear more quickly.
• Splitting the uterus, by entering certain types of drugs, known as prostaglandins, into the vagina. More or less overnight, this drug can help to widen the size of the cervix which will facilitate the delivery process.
• Stimulates contractions, using a synthetic version of the hormone oxytocin so that contractions occur more easily.

Health and Safety

What do I need to know to maintain health and safety during pregnancy?

Here are some ways that can help you to maintain pregnancy at the end of the third trimester:

• Regularly consult the condition of your health to the doctor
• Don't hesitate to always ask questions and discuss with your doctor about the choices related to pregnancy
• Perform a series of tests that are needed during pregnancy
• Take time to walk more often than usual
• As much as possible avoid stress
• Look for effective ways to overcome the possibility of the emergence of pelvic pain, difficulty sleeping, contractions, and other symptoms of pregnancy in a more intense level.

Hello Sehat does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.