In week 41 of your pregnancy you are already a little ‘overdue’. Nothing to worry about yet, many women give birth after their due date. In week 41 you may hardly be able to wait for your little one to arrive. It’s just a matter of hanging in there a little longer!

About time

If you have not yet given birth after week 40, you can speak of running ‘overdue’. Some pregnant women are ‘overdue’, and many of them are in their first pregnancy. At first it is not that bad to be ‘overdue’. The obstetrician or gynecologist can determine quickly enough whether a woman is fit enough to carry the baby for a while. If necessary, an ultrasound will be used to determine whether there is still sufficient amniotic fluid present for the baby to move. In some cases, a pregnant woman is referred to the hospital, where she will be under the supervision of the gynecologist for a while. He or she may decide to induce labor or take other measures.

To the hospital

In some cases it will no longer be possible to give birth at home at week 41. Although there is nothing necessarily wrong with the baby (and with the delivery), a late delivery carries more risks. For example, the quality of the placenta may deteriorate, or a pregnant woman’s blood pressure may rise. If all goes well, an obstetrician will make a choice in consultation with the pregnant woman. A pregnant woman can possibly be stripped to induce a home birth, but this is not always successful.

Keep courage

Running out of time can be very exciting for pregnant women. After all, they have been waiting for the arrival of their baby for forty weeks! However, it is advisable for pregnant women who are running late to wait for the birth as calmly and relaxed as possible. A child will not allow itself to be forced to come. The tension may be caused by the fact that the pregnant woman does not know what awaits her: will she still be able to give birth at home? Or in the hospital? And what will the birth be like?

Your baby’s development

The baby is already fully grown; everything is there and done. As a pregnant woman, you really don’t have to worry that your baby will continue to grow considerably in these last few weeks, which may even make the delivery more difficult. In week 41 the baby only grows a little. And no matter how difficult it is for a pregnant woman, the baby cannot be forced to come yet.

You in week 41

Try to remain mentally calm. Of course you are curious about your baby and you don’t really know what to expect when it comes to the birth and the time afterwards. However, it won’t last long now. Don’t be fooled by all kinds of stories from women who have already given birth, or who come up with tips about inducing labor and so on. Your baby is coming soon!