YOUR BABY IS OVERDUE, NOW WHAT?
Written By: Caroline Meyer
You due date seems like a magical number of the exact time to expect your little bundle of joy. It is worked out from your potential conception date, plus 40 weeks. The truth is, this date is just an estimate. Most people give birth before or after their due date. It is not really considered overdue or post-term until 2 weeks after your due date.
An overdue pregnancy is more likely if:
- You are very overweight This is your first baby
- You have had a previous overdue pregnancy
- You are carrying a boy baby
- Your due date was calculated incorrectly
- There are issues with the placenta or baby (very rare)
Risks of post-term pregnancy
From 41 weeks onwards, in a confirmed overdue pregnancy there may be some risks of health problems. These include the baby being larger than normal which can result in a Caesarean or operative vaginal birth. There is also a chance of shoulder dystocia where baby gets his shoulder stuck behind your pelvic bone. The amniotic fluid may be at a lower level than normal (oligohydramnios) which can cause compression on the umbilical cord during labour as well as cause fluctuations in baby’s heart rate. There may also be a lower level of fat under the skin, a coating on the skin which feels greasy (vernix caseosa), staining of the amniotic fluid and skin from the meconium (first bowel movement) and baby being covered in lanugo (soft, downy hair). This is often referred to as post maturity syndrome. Issues for mum to be can include postpartum bleeding, severe vaginal tearing and postpartum bleeding as well as the added risk of surgery being needed.
Next steps
If you are a week or more past your due date, you should be having regular prenatal monitoring including foetal heart rate monitoring via a foetal ultrasound or nonstress test or a combination of both. There should also be an amniotic fluid volume assessment done to check levels. If labour does not begin normally, your health care provider may recommend an induction. An induction consists of medication which is used to ripen the cervix and stimulate uterine contractions. The cervix may also be dilated via a catheter filled with saline. Your amniotic sac may also be broken to stimulate your body to commence labour. If everything looks okay and both you and baby are healthy, you may be encouraged to wait a little and see if baby comes on his own. This might be a little difficult to wait when you are already impatient to meet your little one, but sometimes this is the best option for you and the little one.
Make sure that you are under the care of a medical service provider if you are post term to ensure that you and your baby are monitored closely. In most cases, baby will come naturally in his own time. If he is being a little stubborn and it is posing a risk to either of you, you will more than likely undergo an induction or if the doctor considers it warranted, possibly a caesarean section.
In the meantime, keep up your health and strength with good nutrition, gentle exercise, rest and even meditation. Enjoy what rest you can before baby arrives!