41 Weeks of Pregnancy | Third Trimester | Fetal Stage

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At 41 weeks of pregnancy, the amniotic fluid volume decreases [1]. Without vernix caseosa to protect and moisturize its skin, the fetus may develop dry skin from exposure to the amniotic fluid [2].

The fetus’s central nervous system continues developing. As a result, the fetus is increasingly awake in utero [3]. When sleeping, eye inactivity suggests the fetus can enter periods of deep sleep [4].

About 12% of fetuses are born at 41 or 42 weeks of pregnancy [5]. Babies born this week are considered “late-term” [6].

References:
1. Sherer DM, Langer O. Oligohydramnios: use and misuse in clinical management. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2001;18: 411–419.
2. Singh G, Archana G. Unraveling the mystery of vernix caseosa. Indian J Dermatol. 2008;53: 54–60.
3. van de Pas M, Nijhuis JG, Jongsma HW. Fetal behaviour in uncomplicated pregnancies after 41 weeks of gestation. Early Hum Dev. 1994;40: 29–38.
4. Birnholz JC. The development of human fetal eye movement patterns. Science. 1981;213: 679–681.
5. Moore KL, Persaud TVN, Torchia MG. The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2016.
6. ACOG Committee Opinion No 579: Definition of term pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. 2013;122: 1139–1140.

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Produced and written by: Samantha Lattof, PhD MSc
Medically reviewed by: Ayodeji Olelakan Abere, MD MBA MHA
Animation by: SciePro / Pond5
Music by: audiomarket / Pond5
Narration by: Ava / Wellsaid