Fetal development 42 weeks of pregnancy • hello healthy

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Embryo growth

How is the development of the fetus 42 weeks of pregnancy?

Entering the development of a baby at 42 weeks of gestation, you could say you are approaching delivery time.

However, it is important to understand that not all babies will be born on their due date at the beginning of pregnancy.

Quoted from What To Expect, in some cases, babies can be born 2 weeks earlier than the estimated due date.

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 earlier than you think.

The size of your fetus at 42 weeks of pregnancy is approximately the size of a large enough watermelon or jackfruit, this is in accordance with the development of the baby.

Even so, it is not impossible that you will still be able to give birth normally through the vagina.

Babies born past the due date that should sometimes appear to have hair and nails that tend to be longer.

Even accompanied by dry, cracked, peeling, and wrinkled skin. This condition is often experienced by the fetus at the development of gestational age 42 weeks.

This condition is usually only temporary because he lost the vernix (a protective substance in the baby's skin) due to his birth past the due date.

Changes to the Body

How are the changes in the body of a pregnant woman at 42 weeks of gestation?

Not much different from the pregnancy in the previous few weeks. At 42 weeks of development, the pregnancy symptoms you feel are still the same.

These include leg cramps, difficulty sleeping, back pain, pressure in the pelvis, hemorrhoids (hemorrhoids), frequent urination, and contractions.

In addition, although not always, you can experience psychological pressure before childbirth.

Don't panic, you should try to be more relaxed and relaxed for the good of yourself and the baby in the womb, especially near the due date of his birth.

You can communicate with the fetus in the stomach because at 42 weeks of pregnancy, the fetus can be invited to interact.

Take note, there is a possibility that your little one will be born at the end of this 42nd week. It's good to be aware if you feel the following signs of labor:

• Mucous discharge, which is sometimes accompanied by bleeding
• Your water breaks
• Constant, intense contraction over a short distance

If you experience the signs above, contact your doctor immediately so that the development of the fetus at 42 weeks of gestation is not disturbed and the baby can be delivered immediately.

Maintain a pregnancy that lasts 42 weeks

Not yet appearing signs of childbirth at 42 weeks gestational age fetus is actually not a problem.

However, what should be worried about when the baby has not been born at more than 42 weeks of gestation. That means, you are at risk of experiencing pregnancy complications, such as:

• Placenta problems
• Amniotic fluid is low
• Pinched umbilical
• Risk of physical injury during childbirth
• There is a risk of giving birth to a cesarean section
• Possibility of using the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)

The above are examples of pregnancy complications and need further examination. Immediately contact a doctor for immediate treatment.

Visit to Doctor / Midwife

What should I discuss with my doctor to help develop the fetus at 42 weeks gestation?

Always consult a doctor if you experience symptoms that are not normal at the development of the fetus 42 weeks of pregnancy.

It is feared that there are possible complications that arise in pregnancy. You are also encouraged to feel how many kicks your little one usually does in the stomach during this third trimester of pregnancy.

Immediately be alert if the baby's kicking frequency suddenly changes, especially less frequently.

Not only that, other signs of abnormalities that you should pay attention to include vaginal discharge, bleeding, and unusual abdominal pain. Do not delay to check with your doctor after experiencing these symptoms.

Tests that may be needed to support fetal development 42 Sunday

At the stage of fetal development at 42 weeks, your doctor will pay close attention to your pregnancy.

The reason is if in the last week of pregnancy you show no signs of giving birth, you have a greater risk of experiencing pregnancy complications.

However, you can breathe freely as long as your little one in the womb doesn't show any signs of concern.

During this time, the doctor will perform several tests to determine the condition of the baby in your stomach. Starting from a pregnancy ultrasound examination, a non-stress test, to a contraction stress test.

All of these tests are aimed at checking if the baby is moving well, is breathing smoothly, has an adequate amount of amniotic fluid, and has a stable heart rate.

If your birth is likely to be late than your due date, your doctor may consider inducing labor.

Especially if the previous series of tests showed that the baby could not stay in the womb any longer. The labor induction procedure includes:

Removing the membrane that covers the baby

This is one of the labor induction procedures. The way to remove the membrane covering the baby is by rubbing the amniotic sac to release certain hormones that trigger contractions in the next 48 hours.

Breaking your water

Breaking the amniotic sac, using a special tool so that contractions appear faster.

Take certain drugs

The ripening of the uterus can be done by inserting 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 make childbirth easier.

Stimulates contractions

The way to stimulate contractions is to use a synthetic or artificial version of the hormone oxytocin so that contractions occur more easily.

Health and Safety

What do I need to know to maintain the healthy development of the fetus at 42 weeks of gestation?

Here are some ways that can help you to maintain a pregnancy at 42 weeks at the end of the third trimester:

• Routinely consult your health condition to the doctor.
• Don't hesitate to always ask questions and discuss with your doctor.
• Perform a series of tests that are necessary during pregnancy.
• Take time to walk more often than usual.
• As much as possible avoid stress.

Give positive suggestions to the fetus so that it is not stressed but can still be born soon, considering that the gestational age is getting bigger.

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