Signs and symptoms of week 41 pregnancy
Out of the 9 months of pregnancy, the last few weeks are the most trying weeks for not just the mother and the fetus, but for the entire family looking after the pregnant mother. It is crucial that during the penultimate few weeks, the mother and the baby are taken utmost care of. It is better if at the commencement of the pregnancy itself, the couple enrolls for classes that teach one about childbirth, pre and post natal care so that the last few weeks of pregnancy and the birth of the baby is a smooth ride, without any health complications for the mother or the child.
At the 41st week, a couple must consider its time of glory to have already arrived. At this stage, it is extremely crucial to educate oneself and all those close to the mother about the much anticipated as well as dreaded term, labor. Labor has three stages- early, active and a period of transition. The entire process taking these three constituent parts together is a rather long one, and could range between 12 and 20 hours. The average duration of labor for a woman who is bearing her first child is usually around 15 hours.
The first stage, that is the early labor is the longest phase and can range from a few hours to even a few days. Regular contractions take place in early labor. However one must note that these contractions are not the same as the contractions the mother experiences during the earlier stages of pregnancy, which were the Braxton Hicks contractions. The contractions that mark the onset of early labor actually serve to make the mother’s cervix larger and more accommodative to prepare for the delivery of the baby. One need not panic during this phase and there is no need to even rush the mother to the hospital. However, it is advisable to keep drinking water throughout the labor, during all three stages.
The next stage in labor is marked by active labor and this lasts between 3 and 4 hours. This phase is much more active than the previous phase and the cervix not just contracts, but it keeps dilating till the water breaks. This is the sign that the doctor needs to be informed and the mother needs to be shifted to the hospital. However, panic must not set in and the mother must at all times be accompanied with somebody to comfort her. It is extremely reassuring for an expectant mother to have her husband by her side when she is about to deliver her baby, especially is it is the couple’s first child.
Following this is the transition period and this is arguably the most serious phase in the delivery of the child. Them other’s cervix at this stage is completely dilated and because of the intensity of contractions taking place, she may have to endure a lot of pain. At this stage, her husband should try to encourage and soothe her as much as possible. The mother must take deep breaths and try to relax as far as she can. Stress will only complicate the baby’s delivery. In the second sub-stage of the period of transition, her pain will increase and she will be required to start pushing now. In the third and final sub-stage, her contractions will intensify and continue for half an hour and the mother will be required to keep pushing the baby and the placenta out, till the child finally arrives and she is a proud mother!
At the 41st week, a couple must consider its time of glory to have already arrived. At this stage, it is extremely crucial to educate oneself and all those close to the mother about the much anticipated as well as dreaded term, labor. Labor has three stages- early, active and a period of transition. The entire process taking these three constituent parts together is a rather long one, and could range between 12 and 20 hours. The average duration of labor for a woman who is bearing her first child is usually around 15 hours.
The first stage, that is the early labor is the longest phase and can range from a few hours to even a few days. Regular contractions take place in early labor. However one must note that these contractions are not the same as the contractions the mother experiences during the earlier stages of pregnancy, which were the Braxton Hicks contractions. The contractions that mark the onset of early labor actually serve to make the mother’s cervix larger and more accommodative to prepare for the delivery of the baby. One need not panic during this phase and there is no need to even rush the mother to the hospital. However, it is advisable to keep drinking water throughout the labor, during all three stages.
The next stage in labor is marked by active labor and this lasts between 3 and 4 hours. This phase is much more active than the previous phase and the cervix not just contracts, but it keeps dilating till the water breaks. This is the sign that the doctor needs to be informed and the mother needs to be shifted to the hospital. However, panic must not set in and the mother must at all times be accompanied with somebody to comfort her. It is extremely reassuring for an expectant mother to have her husband by her side when she is about to deliver her baby, especially is it is the couple’s first child.
Following this is the transition period and this is arguably the most serious phase in the delivery of the child. Them other’s cervix at this stage is completely dilated and because of the intensity of contractions taking place, she may have to endure a lot of pain. At this stage, her husband should try to encourage and soothe her as much as possible. The mother must take deep breaths and try to relax as far as she can. Stress will only complicate the baby’s delivery. In the second sub-stage of the period of transition, her pain will increase and she will be required to start pushing now. In the third and final sub-stage, her contractions will intensify and continue for half an hour and the mother will be required to keep pushing the baby and the placenta out, till the child finally arrives and she is a proud mother!
