Week 42: The Grand Finale
You're 42 weeks — this is typically the latest most doctors will wait. If labor hasn't started naturally, induction will likely be recommended. Your baby is ready!
Medically reviewed by Samantha L. Fox, RN, BSN, MSN
Nursing Informaticist · United States Navy Nurse Corps · Last reviewed
Your baby is the size of a...
🍈 Jackfruit!
👶 Baby Development
- ✓Baby is fully mature — all systems ready
- ✓May have longer fingernails and more hair
- ✓Skin may be dry or peeling (less vernix protection)
- ✓Alertness level is high
- ✓Baby is ready to meet you!
- ✓Placenta may start to be less efficient
💊 Common Symptoms
- •Very uncomfortable — ready to be done!
- •Contractions may be starting
- •Extreme pressure on pelvis and bladder
- •Exhaustion
- •Emotional — ready to meet your baby
- •Increased monitoring and appointments
🩺Clinical Context — From a Nurse's View
Forty-two weeks is the practical ceiling. Almost no provider in modern obstetrics waits past 42w0d because stillbirth risk continues climbing and placental function continues declining. If you're still pregnant, you and your provider are likely already discussing induction this week. Methods range from cervical ripening (Cytotec, Cervidil, Foley balloon, or membrane sweep) to break-the-water-and-pitocin to direct Pitocin if your cervix is favorable. Induction takes longer than spontaneous labor — often 12-24 hours from start of cervical ripening to delivery for a first baby. The vast majority of inductions end in vaginal delivery. C-section rates are higher for inductions at unfavorable cervices, lower at favorable cervices. If your baby is large by ultrasound estimate (>4500 g / 9 lb 14 oz), shoulder dystocia risk goes up and your provider may discuss whether elective C-section is reasonable — though ultrasound estimates are accurate to only ±15-20% at term. You're at the finish line. Trust your team.
Written by Samantha L. Fox, RN, BSN, MSN — Emergency Department nurse, US Navy Nurse Corps officer.
🚨 When to Call (or Go to the ER)
- !Water breaking — go in
- !Regular contractions, 5-1-1 — go in
- !Bleeding heavier than bloody show — go in
- !Decreased fetal movement — go in
- !Severe headache, vision changes, RUQ pain — go in
✅ Normal — Even If It Feels Worrying
- ✓Significant discomfort
- ✓Frequent contractions that aren't yet labor
- ✓High monitoring frequency
- ✓Emotional exhaustion
✅ To-Do This Week
- Attend all scheduled monitoring appointments
- Discuss induction plan with your doctor
- Stay hydrated and well-rested
- Keep your hospital bag ready and by the door
- This is it — your baby will be here very soon!
- Trust your medical team and your body
🩺 Questions for Your Doctor
- ?Is induction necessary at this point?
- ?How is the placenta functioning?
- ?What does the monitoring show?
- ?What are the risks of waiting longer?
- ?What will the induction process be like?
- ?Is a C-section recommended?
📚 References
- [1]ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 146: Management of Late-Term and Postterm Pregnancies. Obstet Gynecol. 2014;124(2 Pt 1):390-396.
- [2]ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 107: Induction of Labor. Obstet Gynecol. 2009;114(2 Pt 1):386-397.
- [3]ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 229: Antepartum Fetal Surveillance. Obstet Gynecol. 2021;137(6):e116-e127.
Editorial review: Samantha L. Fox, RN, BSN, MSN. Last reviewed: see footer.
Your baby is the size of a...