Your Pregnancy: Week 41

Pregnancy symptoms at 41 weeks will likely be more of the same; Braxton Hicks contractions, difficulty falling asleep and getting comfortable and back pain. You may also continue to experience round ligament pains and find yourself dealing with heartburn and indigestion.

Leg Cramps
Leg cramps are common during pregnancy and often occur at night as you’re trying to rest and fall asleep. Your baby may be putting pressure on the nerves in your legs, causing them to cramp up. Stay hydrated and try some calf-raises when they occur to alleviate the discomfort. Short walks during the day or a bath in the late evening can also help ease cramping.

Urinary Tract Infections
UTI’s are common during pregnancy. But as your baby grows during late-term pregnancy, more pressure is put on your bladder and urinary tract causing bacteria to become trapped, leading to infection. Stay hydrated and be sure to empty your bladder completely each time you use the restroom. If you’re able to, consider sleeping without underwear or at least be sure the underwear you do use is 100% cotton.

Chloasma or Melasma
Hormones are to blame for the darkening of the skin some women experience during pregnancy. The cheeks and chin are prone to this condition caused by an influx of progesterone, estrogen, and melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH). This condition usually slowly fades after delivery.

So, what exactly is 41 weeks pregnant in months? At this stage of our pregnancy, you have what is considered a late-term pregnancy. You may be induced soon and you’re now actually 10 months pregnant. Your baby is overdue but expect you’ll be meeting your little one very soon.

A 41-week ultrasound may be ordered to monitor fetal movement ad development and check amniotic fluid levels and the baby’s heart rate. Be mindful of your baby’s kick counts once you reach 41 weeks and contact your healthcare provider if you notice any change in fetal movement or activity.

Your abdomen may tighten more often now as your body is getting ready for delivery. You also may have noticed that your baby bump has ‘dropped’ in recent weeks. Your baby is now engaged — turned upside down with their head toward the pubic bone — and ready to deliver. Your skin may feel tight and stretched out. A moisturizing body butter may help alleviate any itching and discomfort.

Now may be a good time to schedule a dentist appointment for the near future as pregnancy can have an effect on your teeth. You may have noticed teeth and gum sensitivity in recent months or even dealt with issues of bleeding gums. Be sure to book an appointment if you haven’t been to the dentist recently.

If you’re feeling antsy or uncomfortable try to distract yourself as best you can with audiobooks, podcasts or something you can do with your hands like painting or knitting. You may not feel up to putting the final touches on the baby’s room, but simply stacking diapers in the changing table cabinet or doing some bulk order grocery shopping may make you feel productive and ready.

• If you are experiencing chloasma or melasma, talk with your doctor to see if there’s anything topical you can use to lighten these darkened areas of your skin. Face creams like Meladerm work well within weeks to lighten dark areas but if you’re planning on breastfeeding, be sure to run it by your doctor, midwife, or lactation consultant before using.
• Schedule a dentist appointment if you haven’t already to be sure your teeth and gums remain healthy.

You may find yourself feeling fuller faster as you move into week 41 of your pregnancy so consider eating several small nutrient-dense meals throughout the day rather than larger meals at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Grazing on healthy options full of protein and fiber as well as fruits and vegetables will keep you feeling full and provide you the energy you need to get through your day.

One way to ensure you’re getting all the nutrients you need, especially if you’re too exhausted to prepare a light meal, is through protein shakes. The carbs, protein, and iron will be beneficial just be sure to double-check the sugar content and opt for a clean version rather than one full of fillers. Look out for psyllium fiber or coconut flour on the labels; these ingredients don’t add any nutritional benefit. Opt for whey protein if you can handle dairy or pea or hemp protein if you have dietary restrictions.

Don’t simply rely on shakes — include a variety of mini whole food meals throughout your day like:

• Boiled eggs
• Apple slices and nut butter on whole-wheat bread
• Cut vegetables with hummus

If you notice a significant decrease in fetal movement be sure to call your doctor right away for monitoring. Other issues to look out for that may warrant a call to your health care provider include increased thirst or excessive itching which could be a sign of cholestasis — an issue with your liver.

Preeclampsia, placental problems, and cholestasis of pregnancy are all significant conditions that can occur during pregnancy and include their own host of symptoms to be aware of like swelling, bleeding, and itchiness. If you’re experiencing any of these issues, it’s important to let your doctor know right away.

These symptoms also require a call to your doctor:

• Extreme swelling of feet and hands
• Swollen painful legs
• Issues with your vision including blurriness or flashes of light

Pregnant women are at a higher risk of illness as a result of a COVID-19 diagnosis and those diagnosed with COVID-19 have an increased chance of delivering pre-term (before 37 weeks), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Note: If you are visiting your doctor during COVID, be sure to confirm that the doctor’s office is following COVID protocols as indicated by the CDC.

According to the National Partnership for Women and Families, Black mothers-to-be are three to four times more likely to experience pregnancy-related death than white women.

Midwife Debbie Allen encourages Black moms to ask questions and advocate for themselves during pregnancy. “It can be very intimidating going to an OB or any doctor and feeling like they’re the expert in this field, but I think that you can’t be intimidated about something that could be life or death for you,” she said in an interview with Southern California public radio syndicate, LA List.

“You have to ask questions. You have to put as much thought and effort into your pregnancy and your birth as you do your wedding, as you do with all of the events that mean something to you. I think we just go into an OB’s office assuming that they have our best interest, and they may, but sometimes you just get lost in the bigness of that.”