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Your baby's head may look pointy from squeezing through the birth canal, and her skin may be peeling from her long bath in amniotic fluid.
By the end of this week, you may need to be induced. Note: It's not safe to try to get your labor going on your own.
How will you announce your baby's birth? Most use social media or their phone, and others get more creative.
It's getting snug in there
For safety reasons, your doctor or midwife will talk with you about inducing labor if your baby isn't born in the next week – or earlier if there are any problems. Most providers won't let you wait more than two weeks past your due date to give birth because it puts you and your baby at increased risk for complications. After 42 weeks your labor is more likely to be prolonged or stalled, both you and your baby have an increased risk of injury during a vaginal delivery, and there's a greater risk of stillbirth.
Anxiety
It's hard not to be anxious when your due date comes and goes and you're still hugely pregnant (especially when well-meaning family and friends keep calling to check on your status!). But don't fret – you won't be pregnant forever. There's a good chance you'll go into labor on your own this week, and if you don't, you'll be induced by 42 weeks or earlier if you or your baby has any problems.
Kicking
Keep paying attention to your baby's movements, and let your doctor or midwife know right away if they seem to decrease. Your baby should remain active right up to delivery, and a noticeable slowdown in activity could be a sign of a problem.
Leaking fluid?
Also call if you think your water may have broken. Sometimes there's a big gush of fluid, but sometimes there's only a small gush or a slow leak. (Don't try to make the diagnosis yourself. Call even if you only suspect you have a leak.) If your water breaks but contractions don't start soon, you'll be induced.
Don't see your symptom?
Wondering about a symptom you have? Find it on our pregnancy symptoms page.
Get support if you're still pregnant
Fed up with the waiting game? Check in with other moms-to-be in your Birth Club who are feeling stalled too.
Do something nice for yourself
Whether it's a mani-pedi, a prenatal massage, a movie night, or something else, go ahead and treat yourself.
