← Week 41
Week 42 of 42
Trimester 3
42 Weeks Pregnant
In week 42, your baby is putting on weight quickly and fine-tuning their lung and brain function. They are becoming more responsive to light and sound from the outside world as they prepare for the big transition to life outside.
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Your baby is the size of a Watermelon
52 cm
Length
3.7 kg
Weight
Week 1Week 13 - End of Trimester 1Week 27Week 42
Baby's Development This Week
In week 42, your baby is putting on weight quickly and fine-tuning their lung and brain function. They are becoming more responsive to light and sound from the outside world as they prepare for the big transition to life outside.
- The baby is fully developed and may be larger than average.
- Vernix is mostly gone — skin may appear dry or peeling.
- Fingernails are long and may scratch the face.
- The baby continues to practice breathing and may pass meconium.
- About 51.7cm — still growing.
Your Symptoms at Week 42
As you progress through week 42, you may feel more physical strain as your baby grows. Back pain and difficulty finding a comfortable sleeping position are common. Keep your feet up when you can and take pride in how far you've come in this incredible process.
Strong pelvic pressure
Labor is imminent — rest between contractions. (severe)
Labor is imminent — rest between contractions. (severe)
Frequent contractions
Time them and follow your provider's instructions. (severe)
Time them and follow your provider's instructions. (severe)
Anxiety
You'll meet your baby very soon — focus on breathing. (severe)
You'll meet your baby very soon — focus on breathing. (severe)
Physical exhaustion
Rest whenever possible; conserve energy for labor. (severe)
Rest whenever possible; conserve energy for labor. (severe)
When to Call Your Doctor
- Follow your provider's specific instructions
- Any labor signs — contractions, water breaking, bleeding
- Decreased fetal movement
- Green or brown amniotic fluid (meconium staining)
Week 42 Checklist
- ✓Follow your provider's induction or delivery plan (essential)
- ✓Attend all monitoring appointments (essential)
- ✓Stay calm — you're about to meet your baby (essential)
- ✓Make sure your support person is on standby (essential)
Frequently Asked Questions
Continue Your Pregnancy Journey — Week 42
← →
Week 41 of Pregnancy
Review what happened last week with your baby's development
Guide
Third Trimester Overview
Everything happening during your third trimester — symptoms, tests, and milestones
Symptom
Braxton Hicks Contractions
How to tell practice contractions from the real thing
Symptom
Swollen Feet & Ankles
Normal swelling vs. warning signs of preeclampsia
Tool
Contraction Timer
Time contractions to know when to head to the hospital
Related
Group B Strep Test
Routine test between weeks 35–37 — what a positive result means
Nutrition
Third Trimester Nutrition
Foods for energy, labor prep, and healthy final weight gain
Guide
Pregnancy Week by Week
Full guide from week 1 to 42 — your complete pregnancy roadmap
Medical Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance about your pregnancy.