Medically reviewed by Dr Deborah Lee, Dr Fox Online Pharmacy, and Emiliana Hall, the founder of The Mindful Birth Group®.
At 41 weeks pregnant you're in month nine of pregnancyand probably eager to meet your new baby. You've stocked up on maternity pads and have been diligently doing your pelvic floor exercises.
By 41 weeks pregnant you're considered overdue and your baby should be making their appearance any day now, although some women do reach 42 weeks pregnant. You might be wondering about the odds of going into labour at 41 weeks and we've got good news - according to the NCT, while over 80 in 100 babies arrive before 41 weeks of pregnancy, 99 in 100 arrive by week 42, so the chances of you having your baby this week are high.
Find out what's going on with your baby and body in these final days of your pregnancy.
How many months pregnant is 41 weeks?
According to Emiliana Hall, they say: "At 41 weeks, you are around nine and a half months pregnant. While it may feel like you have been pregnant forever, it is completely normal for pregnancies to go beyond the estimated 40-week due date. Many babies arrive at 41 or even 42 weeks, especially if this is your first pregnancy. Your midwife will monitor you closely and discuss options if labour does not start naturally soon, says Emiliana.
2. Baby development at 41 weeks pregnant
At 41 weeks, your baby is fully developed and simply waiting for the right moment to arrive. They now weigh around 3.6kg (8lbs) and measure about 51cm (20 inches) long—similar in size to a small pumpkin.
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Skin changes – The vernix caseosa, the waxy coating that protected your baby’s skin in the womb, has mostly disappeared, which may cause their skin to look drier or more wrinkled at birth.
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Increased alertness – Your baby’s brain and nervous system are fully developed, meaning they will be more alert and responsive when born.
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Fat stores built up – Your baby has good fat reserves to help regulate their temperature outside the womb.
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Longer nails and hair – Some babies born at 41 weeks may have noticeably long fingernails or a full head of hair.
If labour has not started yet, your midwife may offer a membrane sweep or discuss induction options with you, but some babies still arrive sspontaneously at this stage. says Emiliana.
41 weeks pregnant symptoms
At 41 weeks, you may be feeling uncomfortable, impatient, or even anxious about when labour will start. Common symptoms include:
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Pelvic pressure – Your baby is very low now, which can cause significant pressure and discomfort in the pelvis.
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Backache and cramps – Many people experience period-like cramps as their body prepares for labour.
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Braxton Hicks contractions – These may feel stronger and more frequent but still irregular.
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Increased vaginal discharge – You may notice a bloody show, which is a sign that labour could be near.
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Swelling and tiredness – Carrying extra weight for this long can make you feel fatigued, and swelling in your hands and feet may persist.
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Emotional highs and lows – Feeling frustrated or emotional is completely normal at this stage. It can help to focus on mindfulness, relaxation and self-care, says Emiliana.
Your body at 41 weeks pregnant
Your body is working hard to prepare for labour, even if it doesn’t feel like it. You may notice:
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Cervical changes – Your cervix may be softening and dilating in preparation for birth, though this can happen gradually.
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Increased bowel movements – Some people experience more frequent bowel movements as their body clears out before labour.
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Colostrum leakage – Your breasts may leak colostrum, your baby’s first milk, in preparation for breastfeeding, adds Emiliana.
Your bump at 41 weeks pregnant
At this stage, your bump may feel very heavy and low as your baby is fully engaged in your pelvis.
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Less movement but still regular – Your baby has limited space, but you should still feel consistent movements. If movements slow down or feel different, contact your midwife immediately.
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Tightness and discomfort – Your skin and muscles have stretched to their maximum, which can make you feel achy and itchy.
Looking after you at 41 weeks pregnant
With your baby arriving any day now, prioritising your well-being is essential.
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Rest when possible – Even though sleep may be difficult, resting helps conserve energy for labour.
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Stay hydrated – Drinking water supports circulation and prevents dehydration, which can trigger contractions.
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Gentle movement – Walking, bouncing on a birth ball, or doing pregnancy yoga can encourage your baby to move into an optimal position for birth.
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Relaxation techniques – Deep breathing, meditation, or hypnobirthing techniques can help you feel calm while you wait.
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Keep eating well – Small, nutritious meals can help maintain your energy levels, says Emiliana.
7. Other things to consider at 41 weeks pregnant
Emotional support – Waiting for labour can feel frustrating, but talking to your partner, friends, or a birth professional (such as a doula) can help you stay positive and reassured.
Monitoring and checks – Your midwife will likely offer a membrane sweep to encourage labour naturally and may arrange extra monitoring to check on your baby’s well-being.
Induction discussions – If labour has not started by 42 weeks, induction may be recommended to reduce any potential risks. Your midwife will discuss your options and preferences, and everything is your choice.
Birth preferences – If you were opting for a water birth or home birth, check with your midwife about availability, as some policies may change after 41 weeks.It's a good idea to have this discussion ahead of time to avoid any surprises on the day", says Emiliana.
And according to Dr. Deborah Lee, they say: "You are now 10 months pregnant, and your baby is overdue. This is common, but your midwife and Obstetrician will be watching carefully and helping decide if and when you need to be induced. This is because the placenta works less efficiently at this time and eventually, it you don’t go into labour naturally, they need to help nature take its course.
Baby development at 41 weeks pregnant?
At 41 weeks your baby is fully developed and the size of a small pumpkin! They have matured to the stage where the are ready to be born and survive in the outside world.
After delivery your baby will undergo newborn screening. Within 72 hours of birth, they should be examined to check their eyes, heart, hips and in boys, their testes. They will be checked again at 6-8 weeks. Their hearing is also checked at birth. Each baby has a heel prick test to check for cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease or other blood cell abnormalities. The heel prick test also checks their thyroid function, and at 5 days they are checked for phenyl ketonuria (PKU), says Dr. Lee.
41 weeks pregnant symptoms?
All the same old pregnancy symptoms are likely to be there, plus there is the added aggravation of waiting for the baby to arrive and not knowing exactly when. It can be very frustrating, and you may feel impatient and fed up.
Your body at 41 weeks pregnant?
Breast discharge, vaginal discharge, and frequent urination are constant reminders.
You will be getting frequent Braxton Hicks contractions. A bloody show occurs when the mucus plug that’s bee protecting the cervix becomes detached, and you suddenly find a lump of blood stained mucus in your underwear. This could be hours, or days before labour starts, says Dr. Lee.
Your bump at 41 weeks pregnant?
Your bump is still hard and round. You may well have noticed it has dropped down a little as the head has engaged in your pelvis.
You may see a little arm or leg pushing out from inside the uterus as your baby moves around, now with increasingly little space. Be aware of fetal movements which should still occur every hour. If you ever feel movements are tailing off, you must contact your local maternity unit without delay, says Dr. Lee.
Looking after you at 41 weeks pregnant?
You may be offered induction which means the maternity team will start your labour off. This is very common and happens to 1 in 5 pregnancies. The first step is usually a membrane sweep in which a midwife or obstetrician inserts a couple of gloved fingers into the vagina and sweeps them around the cervix.
They may insert a prostaglandin pessary into the vagina. These soften the cervical tissues and encourage cervical dilatation as well as making it easier to rupture your membranes if needed. The baby’s heart rate will be monitored before and after this has been done. After the pessary or gel have been inserted, it’s a good idea to keep walking around as this encourage pressure on the baby’s head which is needed for the onset of labour, says Dr. Lee.
The next step may be breaking your waters which means doing a vaginal examination and deliberately making a hole in the membranes that surround the baby. You will feel a gush of warm fluid when this happens rather like you have wet yourself. It’s uncomfortable but not painful and does not hurt the baby.
Contractions usually start within 24 hours of this, but the next step if needed is to start a syntocinon drip which brings on uterine contractions. This will get labour underway. Pain relief will be offered in accordance with your birth plan, says Dr. Lee.
It’s important to keep talking – keep connected to those around you – and to accept help. Your emotional and mental health needs are also very important. You may have concerns about all sorts of things – work, money, relationships, and any other children and it helps to share these issues with your friends and family, and the team caring for you. Try not to bottle up those emotions. If you’ve had depression or anxiety in the past, let your midwife know.
One thing you probably won’t feel like thinking about contraception, but in fact, many methods can be started immediately after pregnancy, even before you leave hospital! These are safe, effective and will not affect the baby or breastfeeding. Ask your midwife for more information, before you go into labour, and while you have time to think about it, says Dr. Lee.
Pregnant women should take a 10 mcg vitamin D supplement from October to March. This is very important for the health of both mother and baby. It is even more important for anyone with dark skin, or those who don’t go outside very often.
The best advice is not to smoke, drink alcohol or have no more than 200 mg per day of caffeine (that’s about 2 cups of instant coffee). If you need help to do this, talk to your midwife. There are many support mechanism to help you. It’s never too late to give up.
You can still have vaccinations against RSV, whooping cough, and influenza in the later stages of pregnancy. Ask your midwife for more information. These stimulate your baby to produce antibodies to these viruses and prevents them from developing infection, or means the infection if they get it, will be less severe", says Dr. Lee.
Meet the experts
Emiliana Hall is the founder of The Mindful Birth Group® and continues to teach Mindful Natal® courses and support families as a birth and postnatal doula and hypnobirthing expert. An experienced antenatal educator and hypnobirthing practitioner with a robust professional background in supporting expectant parents through their pregnancy and postnatal journeys. With almost a decade of experience, Emiliana has dedicated her career to providing compassionate and evidence-based guidance to families, ensuring they feel empowered and prepared for childbirth and beyond. She is a sought-after speaker and mentor in the field of prenatal education, known for her reassuring, respectful and knowledgeable approach.
Dr Deborah Lee, Having worked for many years in the NHS, mostly as Lead Clinician within an integrated Community Sexual Health Service. Dr Deborah Lee now works as a health and medical writer, with an emphasis on women's health, including medical content for Dr Fox pharmacy. She has published several books and remains passionate about all aspects of medicine and sexual health. After completing her Medical Degree at University of Southampton Medical School in 1986, Dr Lee trained as a GP and after a number of years specialised in Sexual & Reproductive Health (S&RH).
Mummy to a little girl, Adejumoke Ilori is Commercial Content Writer for Mother&Baby. With a BA hon in Creative Writing, she has worked for digital platforms, where she has empowered women from the inside and out, by sharing real life stories based on relationships and loving yourself.