What if the pregnancy is past the due date?

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In the last weeks of pregnancy, women always expect the baby to be born every day, but there are some cases where the baby is past the due date and there are still no signs of labor. This case can be dangerous to the fetus and the mother, so what should the mother do when the pregnancy is past the due date?

1. When is it called a pregnancy past the due date?

Usually the due date is calculated as 280 days (or 40 weeks) of pregnancy, if a normal pregnancy and healthy fetus will last between 37 and 41 weeks, if the baby is born in This time is considered a full-term infant.
Overdue pregnancy is a pregnancy in the womb for more than 294 days (more than 42 weeks) counting from the first day of the last menstrual period or determining the date of birth through the first trimester ultrasound if the last menstrual period is not remembered or the menstrual period is not available. even.
In fact, there are only a few cases of pregnant women who are diagnosed with a true overdue pregnancy, because some pregnant women calculate their menstrual cycle incorrectly.

2. Is it okay if the fetus is past the due date?

If the fetus is past the due date, if not handled, it can cause:
If the placenta is still functioning well, the fetus continues to grow, it can cause birth difficulties due to large fetus, obstetric trauma, cesarean section. The amount of amniotic fluid can be gradually depleted, when the baby is born, it is easy to fail because the uterine contractions compress the umbilical cord. If the placenta is degenerated, the fetus will not be well nourished, may fail, suffocate and die in the womb or during delivery, or the baby will be malnourished, wrinkled skin and poor resistance. Amniotic fluid often contains meconium: If there is meconium in the lungs of the fetus, it will make the baby born with severe breathing difficulties. Pregnant women have a higher risk of postpartum infection and bleeding when the baby is past the due date.

3. What to do when the pregnancy is past the due date?

When the pregnancy is less than 1 week past the due date, it is necessary to regularly check and monitor the pregnancy every 2 days with ultrasound and monitor the uterine contractions.
When the pregnant woman realizes that the fetus is 1 week older than the due date (equivalent to 41 weeks of pregnancy), she needs to go to a qualified medical facility (from the district level or higher) to monitor the development of the baby. pregnancy and promptly handle bad cases that occur.
At the hospital, the doctor will monitor the growth of the fetus in the uterus and monitor the risk factors affecting the labor process by means of:
Fetal ultrasound: Measure the size of the fetus fetal and amniotic fluid index, if oligohydramnios is a sign of placental insufficiency and hypoxia to the fetus. Amniocentesis: The doctor aspirates a little amniotic fluid under the guidance of ultrasound to see if the amniotic fluid is mixed with meconium. Induction of artificial labor and monitoring of fetal response: The mother is given an intravenous infusion of 5% Glucose solution mixed with 5 units of Oxytocin to induce three uterine contractions every 10 minutes as in the first phase. beginning of birth. At the same time, the mother will be fitted with a monitor to monitor the fetal heart response to contractions within thirty minutes. If the baby can withstand the stimulation from this artificial labor, it will usually also be able to withstand the actual birth. In case there are signs of fetal distress when performing artificial labor, it is necessary to have a caesarean section immediately. After assessment and prognosis of labor, there is solid evidence that the fetus is mature enough and tolerating labor, and induce labor by methods such as: Intravenous oxytocin solution, use of substances similar to Prostaglandin... During the process, it is necessary to monitor fetal movements and fetal heart to detect bad cases in time. In some cases, there are indications for cesarean section when:
The baby can't stand labor, fetal distress. The baby is too big There is an old cesarean section. Abnormal pregnancy, elderly mother. After the baby is born from cases of pregnancy past the due date, the child must be carefully cared for by warming, clearing the airways, giving vitamin K1 and closely monitoring the child's development...

When the pregnancy is one or two days past the due date, you shouldn't be too worried, regularly monitor the pregnancy every 2 days to assess the development of the fetus and the status of amniotic fluid. In case the pregnancy is more than a week after the due date, there are still no signs of labor, it is necessary to be hospitalized for monitoring.
At Vinmec International General Hospital, there is a package maternity service as a solution to help pregnant women feel secure because of the companionship of the medical team throughout the pregnancy. When choosing Maternity Package, pregnant women can:
The pregnancy process is monitored by a team of qualified doctors Regular check-up, early detection of abnormalities Maternity package helps to facilitate the process. birthing process Newborns get comprehensive care

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.