In pregnancy week 42, your little one is over 20" and weighs a whopping 8 pounds. It is normal for babies to be born after their due date. There will be tests conducted to check amniotic fluid and fetal heart beat. Sometimes the baby is not overdue but there is a miscalculation of the first day of the last period, because the mother experiences irregular ovulation. If the baby is overdue, when he or she is born, the skin will be very dry, wrinkled and peeling. This is because the vernix, which protected the skin, had already shed in readiness for delivery at the due date. However, this will go away after a few days. The baby's movements will be very slow but will not stop. However when an overdue baby is born, he or she will have very long nails, a lot of hair and no lanugo on the skin. The health care provider will cut the nails soon after birth to prevent your little one from scratching herself and himself. The baby will also be very alert and fully mature.
When you take your baby home for the first time both you and your partner may feel exhausted. If your mother can help you out for the first one month, it will be great. However if she cannot, you can always hire a woman, who is experienced looking after newborn babies to help. She will teach your husband and you the skills you need to bathe, breastfeed, cook, sooth an infant and take care of your little one generally. They usually charge an hourly rate, so you must know when is the best time to hire her so that she can help, bathe, feed and put the little one to sleep. However, having the woman for just a few hours a day can be very helpful for you, so that you do not get too overwhelmed.
When you bring up your little one you will really begin to appreciate your mother and all she did for you. The more you experience being a mother the more you will appreciate your mom and the more gratitude you will have for her. This may create a new, deeper bonding between your mother and yourself. It will be great to write a letter to her or phone her to express to her your love, appreciation and gratitude for her.
In pregnancy week 42, you can try out all the natural remedies for inducing your little one. The doctor will definitely try for induction after 42 weeks. Many hospitals will just get you to opt for caesar, especially if the baby is overdue, so as to avoid complications. It is in pregnancy week 42 the doctor will recommend induction, as in week 41; the cervix may not be ready to dilate. Whereas a later induction may be risky as the placenta gets old and may not be as efficient as it was earlier.
One more thing that you must ensure is to have a baby seat ready to bring your little one home after the birth. Pregnancy week 42 will feel especially long, so make sure you occupy yourself for example you can write your experiences during your pregnancy, if you have not done so yet. Once you have delivered you will not remember many things, but whatever you write now may be helpful in your next pregnancy.
