You’re still expecting even though your due date has passed. So, what’s going on here?
Your due date is just a calculated estimate of when your baby will be 40 weeks old, despite its magical appearance. Similarly, your due date is not a guarantee of when your baby will arrive. It’s very usual to give birth before or after your due date. Your pregnancy must last two weeks over your due date to be legally labelled as a post-term pregnancy.
It’s time to stop!
Post-term pregnancy is possible if you:
- You’re about to give birth to your first child.
- You’ve experienced an overdue pregnancy in the past.
- It is a boy for you.
- You’re overweight if your BMI is 30 or higher (obesity)
It was incorrect if your due date was calculated based on a late second- or third-trimester ultrasound. This could be due to a misunderstanding about when your previous menstrual period began or if a late second- or third-trimester ultrasound determined your due date.
An overdue pregnancy can sometimes result in problems with the placenta or the baby.
You’re tired of being pregnant and scared, whatever the case may be. Don’t worry; a late pregnancy will not last forever. Labour may begin at any time.
The dangers of a premature birth
According to research, your baby is at risk for several health difficulties if your pregnancy lasts between 41 weeks and 41 weeks and six days (late-term pregnancy) or 42 weeks or more (post-term pregnancy).
Reduced-fat beneath the skin, a lack of a greasy coating (vernix caseosa), decreased soft, downy hair (lanugo), and staining of the amniotic fluid, skin, and umbilical cord by your baby’s first bowel (postmaturity syndrome), which may increase the risk of an operative vaginal delivery, C-section, or getting a shoulder stuck behind your pelvic bone during delivery (shoulder dystocia) (meconium)
Oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid) might affect your baby’s heart rate and cause the umbilical cord to become squeezed during contractions.
Late-term and post-term pregnancies may pose risks, such as complications following delivery:
- Severe vaginal tears
- Infection
- After labour, there is a lot of bleeding.
- Keeping a watchful eye on your pregnancy
Your prenatal treatment will continue after your due date has gone. Your doctor will check your baby’s size, heart rate, and posture, as well as a question about their movements during appointments.
Assume you’ve missed your deadline by more than a week. A nonstress test and an amniotic fluid volume evaluation, or a combination of a nonstress test and a foetal ultrasound, may be performed in that circumstance (biophysical profile). Additionally, in some cases, labour induction may be recommended. The artificial stimulation of uterine contractions to induce a vaginal birth before labour begins on its own is known as labour induction.
A light tap on the back of the baby’s head
If you and your doctor decide on labour induction, you may be given drugs to help your cervix ripen. Your health care practitioner may place a tiny tube (catheter) into your cervix with an inflating balloon on end to dilate it. By filling a balloon with saline and pushing it on the inside of the cervix, the cervix can be ripened. If your amniotic sac is still intact, your doctor may be able to break your water with a thin plastic hook.
If necessary, you may be given medication to help start your contractions. Pitocin is a popular choice since it is a synthetic version of oxytocin, which causes the uterus to contract.
Keep your wits about you.
You’ve made it to the end! Whether your doctor recommends a wait-and-see method or an induction, keep in touch with them. Ensure you know what to do if you suspect you’re about to give birth. In the meantime, try to unwind and enjoy the remainder of your pregnancy.
Takeaway
Most kids are born just a few weeks beyond their due date. However, if you’re nearing the end of your anticipated due date window and still haven’t seen any symptoms of labour, there are some things you may do to assist your baby into the world.
You should always consult with your doctor or midwife before doing so. They can talk about the advantages and disadvantages of your particular health status, as well as provide advice on the safest ways to help your baby arrive in your arms.
While waiting can be difficult, there are advantages to giving your kid plenty of time to develop before bringing them into the world. When the risks of keeping your baby within outweigh the benefits, your doctor or midwife will be available to help you come up with a safe birthing plan.
