What is happening in week 41
Doctors count pregnancy weeks from the first day of your last period, so week 41 sits in the third trimester (week 28 until birth). That is 1 week past week 40, and about 9.4 months by a rough conversion. By week 41 the average baby is about 3 to 4kg and the fast growth period is over.
Your baby
The NHS says the average baby is now about 3 to 4kg and describes the fast period of growth as over. Overdue babies often have red, dry, peeling skin because they have lost their vernix.
Your body
Painless Braxton Hicks contractions, backache, sleep problems and heartburn continue. Waiting for labour can be tiring.
This week’s to-do
- Talk with your doctor about options past the due date, which may include extra monitoring or induction.
- Ask any questions about induction; earlier delivery may be advised for medical reasons.
- Rest and keep your hospital bag ready.
When to call
Call your doctor or hospital if you have any bleeding, or if the baby’s movements change.
Chaitanya Hospital in Kadapa, near RTC Bus Stand, Simhapuri Colony, provides delivery and emergency care 24/7. Our antenatal check-ups team can answer questions about your own pregnancy.
Use the week-by-week guide to jump to your week, or the due date calculator to work out your dates. Timings for scans and tests come from NHS guidance in the UK and can differ from your doctor’s schedule, so always follow your own doctor’s advice. This page is educational and not a substitute for a doctor.
Sources
- NHS Best Start in Life: 41 weeks pregnant
- South Tees NHS: Offer of induction of labour at 41 weeks
- Cambridge University Hospitals: Reduced fetal movements
Text on this page is paraphrased from the sources above. Sizes are averages and vary between babies.