42 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Belly Size & Ultrasound

42 weeks pregnant is a milestone to celebrate and savor. Find out what to expect when you’re 42 weeks pregnant, find out whether you can feel baby yet and what your uterus looks like. What size is a 12-week-pregnant uterus? What are the 8th week symptoms? When does baby start to move?

Your baby at week 42 of pregnancy

Your baby is still developing at 42 weeks of pregnancy. You now have the option of either waiting until your kid is born or having an induction. If you are pregnant for longer than 42 weeks, there is a risk of stillbirth. Though most infants continue to be healthy.

42 weeks pregnant is how many months?

When you are 42 weeks pregnant is 9 months and 20 days.

How big is your baby at 42 weeks pregnant?

The developing fetus is still present at 42 weeks of pregnancy. In reality, research indicates that post-term babies are larger than term babies and may weigh roughly 4.5 kg (10 pounds).

42 weeks pregnant baby position

The developing fetus is still present at 42 weeks of pregnancy. In reality, research indicates that post-term babies are larger than term babies and may weigh roughly 4.5 kg (10 pounds).

42 weeks pregnant: baby’s development

Your body may feel strained around 42 weeks of pregnancy. Given that the fetus is still developing, this is normal.

After 42 weeks of pregnancy, the baby is now completely developed and ready to be born. Although healthy babies can still vary greatly in size, the average newborn can be 500 mm long and weigh 6.5 pounds or more.

Your body at 42 weeks pregnant

According to the American College of Obsetrics and Gynocology (ACOG), “the average length of pregnancy is 280 days, or 40 weeks from the first day of a woman’s last menstrual period.” But it can often be very difficult to predict the exact date of conception. So very often babies are born after (sometimes well after!) their due dates. Did you know that only five percent of American babies are born on their due dates?

So what do you do if your due date comes and goes, and still no Baby? This is a good time to read up on your life postpartum. Not just how your new life with baby will be (chances are you’re already a graduate of the School of Newborn Studies by now!), but what your body will be like in the fourth trimester, too. You’ve gone through the most dramatic physical change of your life to date, and things won’t be the same for quite awhile.
Here’s what you need to know.

After your baby is born, your body will take awhile to bounce back, especially if you’ve had a C-section. To help you through this time, be sure to check out the following resources.

Your Recovery

Your C-Section: A Five Step Recovery Guide
Common Postpartum Concerns
Baby Blues vs. Postpartum Depression

Postpartum Fitness and Diet

Are You Ready to Get Back into Shape after Baby?
Postpartum Yoga for New Moms

For more information on postpartum fitness and diet, click here.

If you’re curious about what life will be like for your baby immediately after birth, be sure to check out our look at
Baby’s First Hours of Life.

And if you enjoyed reading our pregnancy week-by-week info, take a look at our new Baby Week by Week articles!

For more information on your newborn, click here.

Late delivery

Well, the deadline has passed and was two weeks ago. Your baby is still contentedly residing in its uterine home, and you are still as pregnant as ever — no, more pregnant than before.

You are not alone in your annoyance at being 42 weeks pregnant, and neither is your baby when it comes to tardiness.

Less than 5% of babies are really born on the day they were supposed to; most babies have their own schedules for delivery. Even if you may no longer feel like your baby is “thriving,” your practitioner will likely continue to check your baby using non-stress tests and biophysical profiles simply to be safe. Many infants continue to thrive well past week 40.

One thing is certain: You’ll be waiting for your baby with wide arms whenever he or she decides to make an appearance. Love to cuddle!

Having Trouble Sleeping at 42 weeks Pregnant

Having difficulties sleeping is a common pregnant symptom, and it’s especially common in the second and third trimesters, when other pregnancy symptoms peak and a growing belly makes it difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position.

When you’re 42 weeks pregnant, it could hurt to sleep on your stomach, but studies indicates that lying on your back puts more strain on the vena cava, the main blood vessel that returns blood to the heart.

Your blood circulation will increase if you sleep on your left side, which will also be good for your uterus, kidneys, and fetus. If you’re having trouble falling asleep, try placing a pillow between your knees and another under your stomach. If the problem persists, consult your doctor.

42 weeks pregnancy symptoms

Your body undergoes many changes to give your baby-to-be enough room to grow. Some of these changes are comforting—your rounded belly and your full breasts, for example—while other signs can be troubling. Keep in mind that many of these physical changes will last only until your baby arrives.

Upper abdominal pain

The uterus is growing rapidly, putting pressure on organs like the bladder, intestines, and stomach. This can cause mild pain in the upper abdomen that may extend to the lower abdomen or sides of your stomach. The pressure on your abdomen can also cause pain when you cough or sneeze.

Lower abdominal pain

The uterus is growing rapidly and putting pressure on your bladder, intestines, and stomach. This can cause lower abdominal pain that may feel like mild cramping or a dull ache in the pelvic region. Back pain. The growing weight of your uterus on your spine can cause back pain that typically becomes worse as pregnancy progresses.

Leg cramps

The weight of your uterus can put pressure on your veins and cause leg cramps or swelling. You may also experience varicose veins in your legs due to increased blood flow. Neck pain. As the baby grows, it puts more pressure on the spinal cord, which runs down through your neck and back. This can cause mild pain in the neck area that may extend into your shoulders and arms.

Back pain

Your growing uterus can put pressure on your spine and cause back pain. The weight of the baby can also cause sciatica, which is when pain shoots down the back of one leg due to compression in the spinal cord. Backache. Your growing uterus may cause you to experience mild to moderate lower back pain or stiffness in your lower abdomen around this time.

Leaky breasts

It can be alarming, especially if you aren’t expecting it! But rest assured, this is not usually a cause for concern. Breast milk production begins when the hormone prolactin rises in response to pregnancy. Prolactin stimulates the cells of the mammary glands that produce milk and causes them to grow and multiply.

Sleeping difficulties

You may find it harder to get comfortable when you’re pregnant. Your growing abdomen can make it more difficult for you to find a position that feels good, and your joints may be sore from carrying extra weight. You might also experience restless leg syndrome, which is when you feel like your legs are moving even though they aren’t. This happens because the joints in the body release chemicals that cause itching or tingling sensations when they are irritated by things like pregnancy hormones.

Swollen Ankels

You may be experiencing swollen ankles, which is common during pregnancy. This happens because the increased levels of hormones in your body cause fluid to accumulate in your tissues, including those that line the walls of your veins and arteries. It’s usually not a cause for concern unless you have swelling in both legs or it lasts longer than two weeks.

Fatigue (constant tiredness or weakness)

One of the most typical symptoms of early pregnancy is fatigue, which frequently starts at this point. Although there are many causes of exhaustion during pregnancy (including changes in hormone levels), some research indicates that inadequate sleep brought on by nighttime awakenings from unpleasant sleeping positions may also be a role.

Heartburn or gas

There may be a rise in heartburn and flatulence during the 42nd week of pregnancy. This is because progesterone produces a decrease in the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle, which typically prevents stomach acid from entering the esophagus. This can cause heartburn and discomfort by allowing stomach acid to flow back up into the esophagus. Try spreading your meals out more, staying away from items that are known to cause heartburn (such spicy foods), and drinking lots of water.

Mood swings and crying spells

The 42nd week of pregnancy is a vulnerable time for women, when they are more likely to experience mood swings and crying spells. Until your hormone levels settle, this will have an impact on your mental and emotional well-being. This is a common occurrence for pregnant women; one study indicated that 75% of women felt emotional shifts like irritability or depression in the first trimester.

Indigestion, or constipation

During the 42nd week of pregnancy, you may suffer gastrointestinal issues like indigestion or constipation. Pregnancy hormones like progesterone and estrogen might increase the likelihood of gastrointestinal issues including indigestion. These hormones slow down digestion by relaxing the digestive tract, preventing food from being swallowed whole. You can reduce the frequency and severity of indigestion during pregnancy by cutting out on high-fat and sugary foods and eating more often, smaller meals (like sweets or fried foods).

Swelling (edema)

Your body retains water to provide the necessary fluids for your growing baby-to-be. You can prevent much of this swelling from drinking plenty of fluids and keeping your legs up. You may also want to purchase socks designed to improve the circulation in your feet.

Shortness of breath

Shortness of breath, also known as dyspnea, is a very common and often overlooked symptom of pregnancy. It happens when there isn’t enough oxygen in your body or when your blood flow is constricted. This can make it difficult to do even the smallest things like walk across the room or climb stairs.

You may feel like you need to take deeper breaths than usual or that it takes longer than normal for your breathing rate to return to normal after an activity such as climbing stairs.

Symptoms to be aware of

Please share any concerns you may have with your doctor or midwife. Don’t worry about whether or not you’re repeating yourself or wasting anyone’s time by bringing up an old topic. This pregnancy is yours, so listen to your body if you suspect something is wrong.

Cholestasis of Pregnancy

Cholestasis of pregnancy is a liver problem. It slows or stops the normal flow of bile from the gallbladder. This causes itching and yellowing of your skin, eyes, and mucous membranes (jaundice). Cholestasis sometimes starts in early pregnancy. But it is more common in the second and third trimesters. It most often goes away within a few days after delivery. The high levels of bile may cause serious problems for your developing baby (fetus).

42 weeks pregnant belly

The uterus is using all of its available space to carry the fully developed baby, causing your tummy to swell to the utmost extent. You’ve had your stretch marks for a while, so you’re probably accustomed to them at this point.

PUPPP, or pruritic urticarial papules, also known as polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PEP), is a rash that typically appears in the stretch marks on your stomach in the later stages of your pregnancy (third trimester).

Stretch marks on the skin around the abdomen often start to itch and turn reddish. When these combine, itching plaques called wheals are formed. These irritating plaques cover your body, but they hardly never extend past your breasts. A few weeks after you birth your baby, it normally goes away.

42 weeks pregnant belly size

By week 42, your belly will have expanded and protruded considerably. You might have trouble seeing where you’re walking. There is a 26-35 cm range for fundal height (10.2-13.8 in). Around 9 cm (3.5 inches) above your belly button is where you’ll notice a significant increase in amniotic fluid.

Some women may measure smaller and some larger than this, but this is a good general guide for how big your belly will be at this point in pregnancy. Of course, being 42 weeks pregnant with twins makes you feel heavier than other pregnant women your age.

Measuring pregnant belly at 42 weeks

If you’re measuring your belly at home, use a tape measure and measure around the widest part of your abdomen. Measurement is usually taken above the navel or below it, depending on what’s more comfortable for you. Be sure to stand up straight and relax as much as possible while taking your measurement—it should be taken at the same time every day so that you can monitor how quickly or slowly your belly is growing.

If you are measuring your belly at the top of your pubic bone, expect to see an increase of about two inches per month. If you’re measuring this lower, around your navel and below, it can be as much as three inches per month. The average weight gain during pregnancy is between 25 and 35 pounds and usually occurs in the last trimester (after week 28).

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Braxton Hicks at 42 weeks Pregnant

As your body gears itself for labor, you can experience more Braxton Hicks contractions, which cause your belly to tighten. Not only are nerves, hormones, and the urge to urinate keeping you awake at night, but late pregnancy is also characterized by acute leg, foot, and calf cramps, especially at night.

42 weeks pregnant ultrasound

Your OB will want to keep a careful eye on the baby because of the hazards associated with being 42 weeks pregnant. To check that the baby is still moving normally, has plenty of amniotic fluid, is breathing normally, and has a healthy heart rate at 42 weeks of pregnancy, an ultrasound, a non-stress test, and a biophysical profile will be performed.