41 Weeks Pregnant | Week By Week Pregnancy

[@mariatavani624]

I was following along with these videos during my third trimester with my second baby, and I made it to 41 weeks, 3 days! I had an induction with pitocin (I was already 4cm dilated since 40 weeks, so there was no point in using earlier methods of induction). The day before the induction, I realized I had been in denial that it could get to that point, and was feeling fearful and anxious. It was still important to me to labor without pain medication, but all of the natural labor content I'd been taking in made it sound like getting induced is a death sentence for natural labor. I wasn't able to find any support or encouragement for how to do the rest of labor as naturally as possible if you *do* end up getting induced--everyone just says to not get induced! Anyway, I scheduled a last-minute appointment with my OB to get a membrane sweep, mainly so that I could have a conversation with her about exactly how the induction goes and what to expect. She told me that the dosage of pitocin can go from 2-36 ml, and that they would start at the lowest dosage and wait 30 minutes before increasing it to the next level. She said the goal of pitocin is simply to get my body to go into labor, and that once my body took over, the pitocin could be dialed back so that the contractions did not get too overpowering or too close together. She also reassured me that the reason women who get induced are more likely to have a c-section is largely because often, the pregnancy has a complication that is already at higher risk for c-section, and that's the reason for the induction. She said since my pregnancy had no complications and the baby was still looking great, there would likely be no need to change my plan for natural pain management. Really the only thing that was changing was that all of early labor and active labor would happen at the hospital. This was such a needed conversation for me, as it allowed me to shift my plan and still feel calm, confident and prepared to have a positive birth experience WITH an induction, which everyone seemed to think is impossible. My husband went out and got my favorite treats and snacks too bring with us, since I knew I might be in the process for a while before active labor really kicked in, I talked with my doula, and at the end of the day I felt ready and at peace, and so very excited to meet my baby. The next day I went in for the induction, and it was such a calm way to arrive at the hospital (compared to with my first, when I was in full active labor and 8cm when I got checked in). It took about 6 hours of increasing the pitocin gradually for the contractions to be strong enough that I felt like I really needed to manage them. During that time I walked many laps around the floor, used a yoga ball, did squats and lunges, ate snacks occasionally, watched a little KZbin, and listened to music. Finally I felt labor really kicking in, and because I had done natural labor once before, I knew exactly what my body was feeling and how I needed to be supported to manage the surges. Right before that, the nurse had checked me and I had basically not progressed at all, but then quite suddenly things got intense at the next dosage increase. My support team was amazing, and I felt so in tune with my body and what was happening in the labor process. A little less than an hour after active labor really started, I was leaning over a c-cub (essentially all 4s but more comfortable), and knew I needed to get things to OPEN. As I did, my water broke. Instantly my mental fog cleared, and I looked at my husband and said "The baby is coming. I can do this!!" No time for a cervical check--5 minutes of powerful pushing and roaring later, my beautiful baby boy was born. This birth was so empowering and incredible. The contractions were a little more painful than what I remember with my first, but they decreased the pitocin when they got too close together, and the active labor was so short that the whole labor was definitely easier! I felt so aware and in control. I was able to communicate exactly what I needed, and when I wasn't able to talk, my support team intuitively knew what to do. It was exhilarating!! I never reached a point of despair or panic or considering asking for an epidural. Sorry this was so lengthy. But I hope my story gives some encouragement to someone that will get induced--you can still have the rest of your labor naturally! Adjust your plan and talk to your care provider. You can do it, Mama!

[@annem015]

41w2d with #3. #1 was in-hospital, [failed] medicated, induction at 40w6d. Born 7lbs12oz. #2 was in-hospital, medicated, induction at 40w3d. Born 10lb2oz. This one, we chose to have in a birthing center. WHOLE new experience, already a little scary, slightly nervous. I've had my 3 BPP's recently, NST's the past few weeks. All looks well, he just isn't wanting to come yet. I've been told I could go to 42 weeks. Although nervous about the whole ordeal, I am strangely calm too. I keep telling myself he will come, just in God's timing.

[@gemmahulme8883]

41 weeks today!!! Thanks for this video! Important reminder!

[@louiskye839]

I’m 40+5 right now. I’ve totally been getting in my head about it thinking my body forgot how to do this. Fearing that I’ll need to be induced instead of the natural birth I’ve been planning on. Thank you this video was helpful❤

[@ktherinealfaro]

Same here! How did it go?

[@racheg5421]

Im currently 41 weeks pregnant and while i was getting impatient and worried about an induction im.now enjoying my last week being pregnant and trying to sleep/relax as much as possible (getting oxytocin flowing as much as i can) i have an induction booked in 5 days but i think my body will go into natural labour before then ❤❤❤

[@NataliaPasha]

Hiiii how was it?

[@racheg5421]

@NataliaPasha Hi I didn't go into natural labour, 🙃 the midwives tried all the induction techniques and after 3 hours and contracting 1 minute apart for ages at 2-3cm dilated I asked for an epidural and after that complications happened with my heart rate and babies heart then I had a csection. C section went well though and baby is healthy and almost 6 months 🤗 I was 41+5 days

[@yukia.animation]

Thank you Bridget...Your video makes me so much calmer. I am week 40+3 and literally EVERYONE around me asks me if my baby is okay and wants me to go to hospital to get induced, and they constantly put idea of risks into my mind, it makes me so anxious over nothing. Because I just know intinctively everything is fine, (I've had a relatively strong intuition about things) and that both of us are healthy. I will wait a few more days. Your videos anchor me in these few last days.

[@kalarandazzo2691]

I just gave birth at 41+1! That was a stressful week of waiting but when he was ready he came after 6 hours of active labor 😊

[@mary_iln]

I gave birth to my second baby on October 29th at 41+3 😊

[@pareeshaslaughter6798]

Congratulations ❤🎉 Did she come on her own? Or did you have to be induced?

[@plantlady3069]

2 days past due date today, this video was sooo reassuring, thank you. God bless 💖

[@MrsTakerei]

41 wks today BABY #3🎉 scheduled to be induced in 3 days, really tried to avoid the induction due to the intensity of the last induction with Pitocin I had with my son almost 2 years ago. My health care providers insist 40w+10d is the max time thats safe to let baby come on her own so it was really nice to hear a different option from you that you can go over 2weeks because thats my thinking as well. The date they give you is only an estimated date after all and its not like baby knows theyre late but they surely do know when theyre ready to come out. Anyway am trying to clear my body and mind of all negative thinging which is proving harder than i thought so baby feels safe to come naturally before the scheduled date. Thank you for the advice and helpful tips and congratulations on your pregnancy ❤

[@Joraelfa]

Had my beautiful second baby boy 40+4 ❤

[@StMaryofEgyptPrayforMe]

40 + 6 today with my second ❤ patiently waiting for this wee one, if nothing starts by 41 + 3 my midwife will probably send me for an ultrasound to check fluid etc. With my first I went to 41 + 4, I went for the ultrasound then and was having contractions during the ultrasound lol! She came on her own timing and it was wonderful!

[@katherinereynolds3659]

41 weeks with my 5th baby today. I’m admittedly a little stressed but it’s mostly because I have four crazy kiddos. 🤣

[@VidaOwusu-s9l]

My baby Efws 4.5kg

[@kaitlinbeevers2092]

Yeahhhhh, don't say days or weeks at this point. Days I can handle, but hearing weeks after you're already a week overdue is just wrong.

[@Almondamande]

❤