The
therapist, working with the individual, should motivate him/her to think in a
positive way and help him/her to face real life situations. Antidepressants are
sometimes given to the patient to control the physical symptoms. Social anxiety
is a serious problem. A person diagnosed with it could be avoided by others
around him for being a loser. The resulting loneliness may lead the individual
to the ways of alcohol or drug addiction. If a friend or family member is
suffering from it, you should try your best to support and help him/her out.
You should try to make them understand that even though life is full of
challenges, it is beautiful and worth living! 40 Weeks Pregnant and No Signs of
Labor Your body starts preparing for labor at least a month before your due
date. However, what induces labor and why is it different (in terms of
duration) for expecting mothers, is a question not yet answered.
Pregnancy Advertisement According to the No2 Core doctors, post-term births are more
likely due to irregular menstrual cycles. Also, since the due date is
calculated on the basis of ultrasound scan, there are less likely chances of
miscalculation and this possibility can be safely ruled out. Although,
generally speaking, the third trimester is from 37 to 42 weeks, and a pregnancy
is not considered overdue until after 42 weeks. So, the only possibility is
that your little stubborn baby is simply taking his/her own sweet time. Your
Baby - at 40 Weeks At officially full-term, your baby weighs around seven and a
half pounds and measures 19-22 inches. Your baby can be smaller but equally and
perfectly healthy. He/she is completely developed and his/her hair and nails
are growing everyday. The skull bones haven't fused together so that they can
overlap and assist in coming through the birth canal, during the labor. Your
baby is preparing to adjust with the outside world. He/she can search for the
thumb and also suck it.
The immune system of your baby is also strengthening.
You - at 40 Weeks You are irritated by all the questions your friends and
family are asking you, anxious because of the delay, and irritated waiting for
"the day" to finally arrive. And with no contraction at 40 weeks
pregnancy, you have the liberty to be slightly stressed. But, you need to
understand that even if you and your baby are ready, your body might just need
that extra week. So, you need to relax and consult your doctor. Signs of Labor
As there is no knowledge of what might trigger labor, there are few signs that
you can observe. Nesting: You may find the sudden urge to clean your house and
also end up doing so. It is Mother Nature's way of telling that you are ready
to bring your baby to a clean house. Also, once the baby is delivered, you may
not have time to clean your house and baby-proof it. House-work is a good
exercise and can induce labor. Dropping or Lightening: A few weeks before
labor, you may have less heartburn. But, you may also feel more pressure in
your pelvic area. You may notice some swelling in your legs and your abdomen
will look lowered.
This is caused due to 'lightening' or 'dropping', that is,
your baby settling down nearer to the cervix. It releases pressure from your
diaphragm and you can breathe easily and eat more. In case this is not your
first baby, dropping may occur just before labor. Braxton Hicks Contraction: A
cramped, menstrual like feeling, along with intense contractions, are often
signs of pre-labor. If you have contractions every 5 minutes and it lasts for
one minute, you must go to your nearest hospital. Sometimes, as the labor is
nearing, you may feel strong and painful but consistent contractions, and
wonder if you are already in labor. If the intensity of contractions is not
increasing, you may be experiencing what is known as 'false labor'. Breathing
in a rhythm, or lying down on your left side, can relieve the discomfort caused
due to contractions. Drink a lot of water and try urinating. It will release
some pressure and reduce cramping. Change in Cervix: In your prenatal check-up
in the third trimester, your physician may do a vaginal exam to check for
changes in your cervix. You will notice that during the 40th week of pregnancy,
your cervix starts to soften. This is to assist in delivery. If you have given
birth before, your cervix may be dilated to 1 - 2 centimeter, and may not mean
start of labor. Bloody Show: A jelly-like substance called mucus, seals your
cervical canal during the nine months of pregnancy, to avoid any kind of
bacteria from entering into the uterus.
Loosening of this mucus plug, often
referred to as 'bloody show', can be a sign for onset of labor. The plug may
come out as a lump or as increased discharge over several days. A vaginal exam
can also cause you to loosen the plug, and may not actually indicate labor.
Baby Monitoring Tests It is always best to consult your doctor if you detect
any of the above-mentioned signs. Your doctor will suggest some tests to
monitor fetal development. Kick-count: A Cardiff Count to Ten is the most
common method that the doctors resort to, for checking baby movements in the
40th week of pregnancy. In this method, you monitor your baby's movement and
record the start and stop time on the kick chart, until you reach ten kicks. On
an average, if your baby's kicks reaches ten movements in less than two hours,
you can relax. Your baby is absolutely healthy. Biophysical Profile: The doctor
will measure your baby's heart rate, movements, breathing, muscle tone, and the
amount of amniotic fluid around him/her, through a non-stress test and an ultrasound.
Non-stress Test: Two belts will be placed on your abdomen to monitor the baby's
heart rate and your contractions. You will be given a button to press whenever
you have a contraction, and a paper will simultaneously print out your baby's
reaction.
This will help the doctor to gain an insight of your baby's
well-being. Inducing Labor or Contractions There are many medical and natural
ways to induce labor. However, before you resort to any of these methods, do
not forget to consult your physician. After 40 weeks of pregnancy, if you still
have no signs of labor, your doctor may suggest inducing labor medically by:
Stripping the membrane Breaking water using a plastic hook Hormone
propagandist through IV Hormone pinto through IV However, the choice is yours.
You can refuse, and wait to start contractions naturally. Walking: Gravity,
moving of your hips, and pressure of the baby's weight might induce your cervix
to efface. But, remember not to tire yourself out, you need the energy for the
D-day (delivery day). Sex: May seem impossible, but it can actually assist in
starting labor. Sperms contain the hormone propagandist, that can dilate the
cervix and trigger contractions. Alternative Therapies: Acupuncture or
Acupressure can also stimulate contractions. Massage: Studies show that
massages release Oxycontin, a hormone that is very important to kick start a
labor. If it doesn't work for you, at least you will feel relaxed and refreshed
just in time to face the gruesome labor. Herbs and Natural Supplements: Evening
primrose oil capsules or red raspberry leaves are believed to trigger
contractions. Dealing with Overdue Pregnancy In the 40th week of pregnancy,
everyday you fell that 'this is the day' and it just passes by. You are not
alone. As per studies, less than 10% births actually happen on due date. Rest
are either pre term or post-term or around 1-2 weeks around the due date. So,
you belong to a very broad category.
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