42 weeks pregnant
Your baby will be here soon.
In short
At 42 weeks your baby is about the size of a pumpkin, around 52.5 cm long. Your baby will be here soon.
- Third trimester, week 42 of about 40.
- At 42 weeks you should meet a consultant obstetrician to agree a plan that suits you.
Turn your baby round in 3D every week in the free Lullagram pregnancy section
Your baby is fully ready to be born. Their growth has slowed and they are mostly waiting for labour to start.
How big is my baby at 42 weeks?
At 42 weeks your baby is about the size of a pumpkin, around 52.5 cm long. Before about 14 weeks babies are measured from crown to rump; after that the figure is head to heel. These are typical figures from fetal growth charts. Your own baby may be bigger or smaller, and your scans are what count.
What is my baby doing at 42 weeks?
- Your baby is fully ready to be born.
- Their growth has slowed and they are mostly waiting for labour to start.
- Their skin may be dry or peeling at birth, which is normal and settles by itself.
- Your baby should keep moving in their usual pattern until birth.
What changes for me at 42 weeks pregnant?
- Most women go into labour by 42 weeks.
- You may feel tired, uncomfortable and more than ready to meet your baby.
What is a good tip for this week?
Ask your care team to explain each option and take the time you need to decide what feels right for you.
What can a partner do this week?
Go to appointments with them where you can and help write down questions to ask.
What should I know in Ireland at 42 weeks?
- At 42 weeks you should meet a consultant obstetrician to agree a plan that suits you.
- From 42 weeks you'll be offered extra monitoring twice a week, with checks of your baby's heart rate and scans of the fluid around your baby.
When to get help: If your baby's movements slow down, change or stop, contact your maternity unit straight away. HSE: when to get help.
Want these updates on your phone? The Lullagram app has a free pregnancy section with this week-by-week guide, Irish dates worked out from your due date, a contraction timer and more. When your baby arrives, the baby tracker is ready in the same app.
Guides for your pregnancy: pregnancy care in Ireland · maternity leave and benefit · hospital bag checklist · popular baby names · free IVF in Ireland · due date calculator
Sources and guidance
This page is written to be consistent with the official guidance below. It is general information for parents in Ireland, not medical advice. Links checked 23 September 2026.
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