You are 42 Weeks Pregnant!
WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH YOU
It is normal to be concerned about how your little one is doing. It is important for you to know that even though you are past your due date, most likely all is just fine with your baby.
At the end of your 42nd week, your pregnancy can truly be called “postterm.” Your care provider will probably order testing, just to be certain that there is still good utero-placental circulation. This testing can involve a non-stress test and/or a contraction stress test or a biophysical profile.
WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH YOUR BABY
If you have had a healthy and uncomplicated pregnancy, an extra week or two added on to the estimated due date usually doesn’t make much of a difference. In fact, ten percent of first-time pregnancies continue on until two weeks past the due date. Keep in mind that it won’t be much longer now until you greet your new little one.
Rarely is a pregnancy allowed to go beyond the end of the 42nd week. If you haven’t given birth, prostaglandin gels and cervical ripening agents are often used in an attempt to ripen your cervix so an induction can be performed.
EATING FOR TWO
Since cooking is probably the last thing on your mind at the moment, try “Easy (and I mean easy) pork chops,” submitted by Paula, a ParentsPlace.com member.
Ingredients:
Enough pork chops to feed your family
9″ x 13″ baking dish
Enough potatoes to feed your family
Cream of mushroom soup
Milk
Butter
Salt and pepper
Spray pan with Pam. Add just enough milk to cover bottom of pan. Peel and slice potatoes (like chips, but thicker). Place potatoes in pan and season with salt and pepper. Place pork chops over potatoes. Add cream of mushroom soup, covering pork chops. Cover pan with foil. Bake at 375 for 40 minutes. Uncover and cook 15 more minutes. Serve with a vegetable.
FACT OF THE WEEK
Yes, you can still make love — as long as your membranes are intact and you have not experienced third trimester bleeding or placental problems! The hormone oxytocin is released with orgasm, producing a blissful sensation. And if that’s not enough, oxytocin release can also help to bring on labor if your baby and your body are ready.