If your pregnancy goes overdue, there is a risk that the placenta won't function well enough to supply your baby with oxygen and nutrients. The risk of stillbirth or neonatal death gets higher the longer you go overdue.
If a baby is overdue, the main associated risks are: The placenta might gradually stop being able to do its job properly. An infection might develop inside the womb. Unexpected problems might arise during labor.
You at 42 weeks
There's a higher risk of stillbirth if you go over 42 weeks pregnant, although most babies remain healthy. At the moment, there's no way to reliably predict which babies are at increased risk of stillbirth, so induction is offered if you do not go into labour by 42 weeks.
A full-term pregnancy also benefits your baby after labor. The brain is only two-thirds developed before 37 weeks, and the lungs, liver and muscles will be more fully developed at 40 weeks, as well. Babies who are born at term also tend to suck and swallow more effectively, making breastfeeding easier.
Babies born early (called premature babies) may have more health problems at birth and later in life than babies born on time. This is why it's important to wait until at least 39 weeks to induce labor. If your pregnancy is healthy, it's best to let labor begin on its own.
Most pregnancies last 37 to 42 weeks, but some take longer. If your pregnancy lasts more than 42 weeks, it is called post-term (past due). This happens in a small number of pregnancies. While there are some risks in a post-term pregnancy, most post-term babies are born healthy.
Most doctors and midwives are happy for you to go a few days over your due date as long as everything seems to be okay. Many will let pregnant women go up to two weeks over. After 42 weeks, however, the baby's health might be at risk.
What is the longest recorded human pregnancy? The longest recorded human pregnancy was 375 days, or just over 12 months.
When a pregnancy reaches 42 weeks and beyond, it's postterm. Late-term and postterm pregnancy can raise the risk of some health problems, including: Larger than average birth size (fetal macrosomia). This increases the chance that you may need forceps, a vacuum device or another instrument to assist with the birth.
Researchers found that babies born at late term—41 weeks' gestation—are slightly more likely to be classified as gifted and have higher standardized test scores than babies born at full term, or at 40 weeks' gestation.
Spending most of your time in bed, especially lying on your back, or sitting up at a small angle, interferes with labor progress: Gravity works against you, and the baby might be more likely to settle into a posterior position. Pain might increase, especially back pain.
Research indicates that inducing labor at this time reduces several risks, including risks of having a stillbirth, having a large baby (macrosomia) and developing high blood pressure as the pregnancy advances. It's important that women and their providers share in decisions to induce labor at 39 to 40 weeks.
Warning Signs of Premature Labor
Menstrual-like cramps felt in the lower abdomen that may come and go or be constant. Low dull backache felt below the waistline that may come and go or be constant. Pelvic pressure that feels like your baby is pushing down. This pressure comes and goes.
You're also more likely to have your baby early if you're over 35 (Fretts 2018b, Lean et al 2017). Babies who are born early or with a low birth weight are more likely to need extra care straight after birth.
Most pregnancies last 37 to 42 weeks, but some take longer. If your pregnancy lasts more than 42 weeks, it is called post-term (past due). This happens in a small number of pregnancies. While there are some risks in a post-term pregnancy, most post-term babies are born healthy.
Getting up and moving around may help speed dilation by increasing blood flow. Walking around the room, doing simple movements in bed or chair, or even changing positions may encourage dilation. This is because the weight of the baby applies pressure to the cervix.
If you are 40 weeks pregnant, no sign of labor and considered overdue by a physician, then it may be necessary to have your labor induced. There are several factors that contribute to this, including the status of your cervix, the health of your baby, fetal stress testing, and if you are truly ready to deliver.
The truth is your baby's sex has very little to do with the length of pregnancy.
Tips for inducing labour naturally when you're overdue
Walking, squatting, climbing stairs (sideways!) and prenatal yoga are all great ways of helping to widen the pelvic brim.
At 37 weeks, the risk of stillbirth was roughly 1 for every 10,000 pregnancies, the study found. This risk steadily rose, reaching roughly 32 stillbirths for every 10,000 pregnancies by 42 weeks.
If your pregnancy lasts longer than 42 weeks (294 days), it's called a prolonged pregnancy . Between five per cent and 10 per cent of women have a pregnancy that naturally lasts this long .
Induced labour is usually more painful than labour that starts on its own, and you may want to ask for an epidural. Your pain relief options during labour are not restricted by being induced. You should have access to all the pain relief options usually available in the maternity unit.