41weeks
pregnant

Medically reviewed by Clare Herbert, Senior midwife and team leader

Written by Chess Thomas | 11 Jan 2022

IN THIS ARTICLE

Highlights this week

Why you shouldn't worry if your breasts have started leaking.

Baby development at 41 weeks

It's getting snug in there! For safety reasons, your doctor or midwife will talk with you about inducing labour very soon. You'll usually be offered induction from a week after your due date. Once you're overdue, it’s unlikely you’ll wait more than two weeks past your due date to give birth because you're likely to have gone into labour by then one way or another.

Waiting longer than 42 weeks puts you and your baby at increased risk of complications. After 42 weeks, you're more likely to have a caesarean birth, and your baby is more likely to need to go into neonatal care. While it’s rare, there is also a greater risk of stillbirth. If you don’t want to be induced, you can decline the offer. If you wait for labour to start, you're likely to be offered monitoring of your baby every few days from 42 weeks.

The amount of amniotic fluid in your uterus continues to drop
Your baby may now weigh around 3.6kg (7.9lb)
Your baby's skin may peel a bit from the long bath in amniotic fluid

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Pregnancy symptoms during week 41

Anxiety

It's hard not to be anxious when your due date comes and goes, and you're still pregnant (especially when well-meaning family and friends keep calling to check on your status!). But don't worry – you won't be pregnant forever. There's a good chance you'll go into labour on your own this week, and if you don't, you'll probably be offered induction before you get to 42 weeks.

Kicking

Keep paying attention to your baby's movements and day or night, don’t hesitate to contact your midwife or local maternity unit right away if you’re concerned. Your baby should remain active right up to delivery, and a noticeable slowdown or change in activity may be a sign of a problem.

Leaking fluid?

Also call if you think your waters have broken. Sometimes there's a big gush of fluid, but sometimes there's only a small gush or a slow trickle. Don't try to make the diagnosis yourself. Call even if you only suspect you have a leak. If your waters break, it's likely that your contractions will start soon and you’ll go into labour. But you'll get the choice to have an induction right away or wait 24 hours to see if things progress naturally.