42 weeks pregnant

42 weeks pregnant

As frustrating as it may be that your baby has not yet arrived, try to stay calm. When you are stressed, it can negatively affect your baby and cause them to become distressed too.

 

At 42 weeks, there is a risk of your baby growing too large to safely pass through the birth canal. Your midwife or doctor may offer a caesarean section (C-section) or a method of labour induction.

 

Around 1 in 5 (20%) births are induced. Some of the common methods used to induce labour include:

  • Membrane sweep – your midwife or doctor will sweep their finger around the cervix to separate it from the membranes that are around your baby
  • Breaking your waters – your doctor will use an instrument to break through the amniotic sac
  • Medications – prostaglandin may be administered to dilate your cervix and oxytocin may be given to stimulate uterine contractions and labour

 

During labour induction, you will be closely monitored by your doctor.