42 Weeks Pregnant - JustParents

Baby development this week

At 42 weeks pregnant, your baby is post-term. Some babies are still born healthy at this stage, but pregnancy continuing this far needs a clear plan with your maternity team.

Your baby is mature, but that does not mean nothing is changing. The brain is still developing, your baby is still receiving antibodies through the placenta, and the body is ready for the big transition to breathing, feeding and keeping warm after birth.

The placenta is still doing an important job, but it is also one of the reasons your team will want to monitor things carefully now. As pregnancy continues beyond 41-42 weeks, there is a higher chance that the placenta may not work as well, and the very small risk of stillbirth or problems for the baby increases. NHS guidance says induction will be offered if you do not go into labour naturally by 41 weeks, because risks are higher if pregnancy continues.

Your baby's movements remain one of the most important signs to pay attention to. Movements may feel squashed, low, stretchy or firm, but they should still follow your baby's usual pattern. If movements reduce, stop, or feel significantly different, contact your maternity unit or midwife straight away.

What's happening to your body

At 42 weeks pregnant, you should be in close contact with your maternity team. You may be offered induction, further monitoring, or a specific plan based on your pregnancy, your preferences and local guidance.

If induction is offered, your midwife or doctor should explain why, what method they recommend, what the benefits and risks are, and what alternatives are available. NICE recommends discussing that some risks associated with pregnancy continuing beyond 41+0 weeks may increase over time, including the chance of caesarean birth and the baby needing neonatal intensive care.

If you choose not to have induction, NICE says your team should discuss whether you want additional fetal monitoring from 42 weeks. Monitoring can give useful information about how your baby is at that moment, but it cannot reliably predict what will happen after monitoring ends.

Call your maternity unit straight away if your waters break or you think they may be leaking, even if contractions have not started. Also call straight away if your baby's movements reduce or feel different from their usual pattern, you have bleeding, severe pain, fever, a severe headache, vision changes, sudden swelling, pain below your ribs, or you feel something is wrong.

How you might be feeling

Week 42 can feel like a lot. You may be tired of waiting, tired of questions, tired of appointments, and tired of trying to sound calm when everyone keeps asking what is happening.

You might also feel conflicted. Perhaps you hoped labour would start on its own. Perhaps you feel ready for induction. Perhaps you are unsure, disappointed, relieved, anxious, impatient, or all of those at once.

There is no prize for waiting the longest, and there is no failure in accepting help to start labour. This week is not about proving anything. It is about making informed decisions with the people caring for you and your baby.

If you feel overwhelmed, ask your midwife or doctor to slow the conversation down. You can ask them to explain the recommendation, write down the plan, repeat the risks and benefits, or give you time to think if there is no immediate emergency.

Things to think about this week

This week, focus on staying closely connected to your maternity team and making sure you understand the plan.

Useful checks this week

attend all appointments, monitoring or induction assessments you are offered
ask what your maternity team recommends now and why
ask what happens if you choose induction
ask what monitoring is recommended if you choose to wait
ask when you should next be reviewed
keep your phone charged and your maternity unit number easy to find
call your maternity unit or midwife straight away if baby movements reduce, stop or feel significantly different from your baby's usual pattern
call if your waters break or you think they may be leaking
seek urgent advice for bleeding, severe pain, fever, severe headache, visual changes, sudden swelling or feeling very unwell
protect your energy from unnecessary visitors, messages and pressure from other people

If induction is discussed, useful questions include:

Why are you recommending induction now?
What method would you use first?
What happens if my cervix is not ready?
How long might the process take?
What monitoring would my baby and I have?
What pain relief options would be available?
What happens if induction does not work?
What are the benefits and risks of waiting longer?
If I choose to wait, when will I be checked again?

If you choose to continue pregnancy after 42 weeks, ask for a very clear same-day plan: what monitoring is happening, when the next review is, who you should call, and what symptoms mean you should call immediately.

Pregnancy Week 42