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40 weeks pregnant without labor should have caesarean section no longer depends on the status of the fetus, the ability to give birth naturally as well as the wishes of the mother and family. What a pregnant mother should do when her due date is over is a periodical antenatal check-up to determine the status, depending on the test results, the doctor will appoint a cesarean section or apply labor induction to give birth naturally or continue. follow-up.
1. The development of the fetus at 40 weeks old
40 weeks fetus has an average weight of 3.4 kg and is about 50.8 cm long, the baby can be born at this time or not. Therefore, if there are no signs of labor at 40 weeks, don't worry because many first-time mothers have to wait until 2 weeks after the due date for the baby to be born.
Newborns are born with a temporarily deformed head, a body covered with mucous membranes and blood, and discolored or dry skin. The presence of maternal hormones in the baby can cause the baby's genitals to be larger than normal. The nurse or doctor will suck the mucus out of the baby's mouth and nose, the mother will hear the baby's first cry, then the baby will have the umbilical cord cut.
A series of rapid newborn screening tests will be done to assess your baby's response, after which his weight and height will be measured. If you have to have a cesarean section, a doctor specializing in neonatal care will take care of your baby.
2. Signs of labor at 40 . weeks
The following are signs of labor at 40 weeks that pregnant mothers should refer to to be more proactive in the upcoming labor:
The abdomen drops and drops down: A few weeks before birth, the fetus tends to move. down in the pelvis, especially for pregnant women who give birth for the second time, these signs may be vague and signs of labor can only be felt when labor actually begins; The cervix begins to open: When labor begins at 38 weeks, the uterus will gradually expand and become thinner. Because each pregnant woman's pregnancy is different, the speed at which the cervix opens will also be different; Cramps and back pain happen more: One of the most common signs of labor at 38 weeks pregnant is cramping, more pain in the pubic bone, groin and back. This phenomenon usually occurs in those who give birth for the first time. This is because the muscles and joints in the pelvis and uterus are stretched to prepare for the birth of the fetus; Diarrhea: Diarrhea is also considered a sign of labor at week 38 that pregnant women should pay attention to. Diarrhea is caused by the muscles in the uterus relaxing and preparing for childbirth, causing changes in the entire body of a pregnant woman, including the rectum. Having diarrhea will make pregnant women feel tired and uncomfortable but this is completely normal, you should drink a lot of water, limit indigestible foods and should not eat too full; Weight stops gaining: At the end of pregnancy, a woman's weight tends to level off or there are cases of weight loss. This is considered normal and does not affect the health of mother and baby. The cause of weight loss in pregnant women during this time is due to the decrease in the amount of amniotic fluid; Vaginal mucus color changes and blood appears: About a few days before giving birth, pregnant women will see vaginal mucus changes and secretions more. This is because the mucus plug that seals the cervix to prevent infection has been shed. In some cases the mucus plug comes off with a little blood. This sign is known as the “bleeding” phenomenon and it is a signal that your labor is about to begin; Strong and continuous contractions: When preparing for labor, uterine contractions are the most obvious sign to recognize. The contractions of the uterus during labor will make you feel pain, discomfort, no sign of relief or disappearance when changing positions and the frequency of contractions will be rapid and regular, about 5-7 minutes apart; Amniotic fluid rupture: Amniotic fluid rupture occurs when the amniotic sac ruptures and causes amniotic fluid to leak out of the vagina. This is one of the accurate signs of impending birth that pregnant women need to pay attention to. When there is a phenomenon of rupture of membranes, pregnant women need to go to a medical facility to prepare for the journey of labor to receive their baby.
3. 40 weeks pregnant, not in labor, what to do?
When encountering this case, many pregnant women are often worried and wonder, "Should I have a caesarean section at 40 weeks and what to do". Accordingly, when the pregnancy is past the due date, it is mandatory to go for a check-up to determine the status, depending on the test results, the doctor will appoint a cesarean section or apply labor induction to give birth normally or continue. follow. In case there are signs of fetal distress, an active cesarean section is mandatory to ensure the best health of the newborn.
In addition, the cesarean section is also indicated for cases of pregnancy beyond the due date combined with other causes such as:
Elderly women; People with old cesarean section; Being treated for infertility and infertility; The fetus is in the breech position,... In case the fetus is in normal health beyond the due date, the natural delivery method is still preferred. When there are no signs of labor, the doctor will initiate labor with the drug Oxytocin or Prostaglandin. After having signs of labor, pregnant mothers will be closely monitored to ensure a healthy birth process and the best health of the baby.
Some cases of induction of labor but the delivery process is often difficult or there are obstetric complications, it is also necessary to have a cesarean section immediately. Therefore, whether a cesarean section should be performed at 40 weeks' gestation without labor depends on the pregnancy status, the ability to give birth naturally as well as the wishes of the mother and family.
4. Causes of pregnancy over 40 weeks without labor Most pregnancies over 40 weeks without labor, if monitored and handled early, will not be dangerous to the health of the mother and the fetus, so the mother should not be too worried settle.
There are many causes of pregnancy over 40 weeks without labor, limiting the following causes and risk factors can help pregnant women prevent this condition:
Obesity: Obese women, eat Drinking too much nutrition during pregnancy is one of the reasons why the baby is large and overdue; Placental abnormalities or fetal development: This is one of the reasons why labor lasts for more than 40 weeks; Family history: Pregnant women in the family who have had a pregnancy past the due date have a higher rate of this condition than other women. To prevent pregnancy beyond the due date, pregnant women need to remember the exact first day of the last menstrual period. This is an important milestone to calculate the exact week of pregnancy as well as the due date. For women who have irregular menstrual cycles, too short or too long, they should remember the due date based on the ultrasound results at 12-13 weeks of pregnancy.
It can be said that pregnancy beyond the due date increases The risk of complications is dangerous to the life and health of the fetus, so regular antenatal check-ups are necessary to prevent complications.
To protect mother and baby during pregnancy, Vinmec provides a package Maternity service to help monitor the health status of mother and baby comprehensively, periodically check antenatal care with leading obstetricians, perform Full range of tests, important screening for pregnant women, timely advice and intervention when detecting abnormalities in the health of mother and baby.
The Obstetrics Department of Vinmec International General Hospital has been highly appreciated by customers for its professional quality as well as professional care services by:
Comprehensive mother and baby care: Comprehensive mother & baby health care present, from before - during - after a full pregnancy; prenatal and postnatal screening for infants and mothers; heel test; maternity package ; pre-marital examination; prenatal care and counseling; cord blood storage. Children receive the best care from birth: right after the baby is born, the baby is skin-to-skin with the mother, the umbilical cord is cut by the father, and is monitored and cared for in the special care room for a few days. 12 hours for early detection of transient respiratory failure or other medical conditions. The baby is fully vaccinated. The birth team not only has obstetricians and midwives, but also has pediatricians on duty, monitoring to handle problems arising for the baby during the birth process. Modern and advanced techniques: Painless delivery by special anesthetic techniques. Treatment and care for extremely preterm infants < 27 weeks - Vinmec is the only hospital in the North that can save the lives of babies born 24 weeks premature. Outstanding equipment: The room is designed according to international hotel standards, with modern equipment such as specialized transport incubators with ventilators, blood suction, pressure-controlled oxygen tubes; deafness screening machine, brain cooling machine to treat asphyxia; CFM brain function monitor; Monitor 5 parameters; Resuscitation bed with built-in heating lamp.
Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.
