Home / Glossary Postmature pregnancy By Motherly Editors April 3, 2024 Rectangle Inside this article DefinitionKey TakeawaysImportanceExplanationExamples of Postmature pregnancyFAQs About Postmature PregnancyWhat is a postmature pregnancy?What causes postmature pregnancy?What are the risks associated with postmature pregnancy?How is postmature pregnancy managed?How can I reduce the risk of postmature pregnancy?Related Motherhood TermsSources for More Information Table of Contents Toggle DefinitionKey TakeawaysImportanceExplanationExamples of Postmature pregnancyFAQs About Postmature PregnancyWhat is a postmature pregnancy?What causes postmature pregnancy?What are the risks associated with postmature pregnancy?How is postmature pregnancy managed?How can I reduce the risk of postmature pregnancy?Related Motherhood TermsSources for More Information Definition Postmature pregnancy, also known as post-term or prolonged pregnancy, refers to a pregnancy that extends over 42 weeks or beyond the expected due date. It occurs when a baby remains inside the womb for longer than the average gestation period of 40 weeks. This could potentially lead to health risks for both the mother and baby. Key Takeaways Postmature pregnancy refers to a pregnancy that has continued for 42 weeks or more from the starting date of the last menstrual cycle, which is significantly longer than the typical 40-week duration for most pregnancies. Such pregnancies carry higher risk factors, such as diminished amniotic fluid, which can affect the baby’s nutrition and growth. The baby could also inhale meconium (its own stool) leading to breathing issues. The placenta might not function adequately in supplying nutrients, possibly resulting in lower birth weight. Monitoring and managing postmature pregnancies is vital. This could include regular ultrasounds, monitoring baby’s movements, non-stress tests, and inducing labor or proceeding with a caesarean section if necessary. Importance The term “Postmature pregnancy” is significant in the context of motherhood as it refers to a pregnancy that goes beyond 42 weeks of gestation, past the due date. This condition raises concerns because, after this time, the placenta may not adequately support the baby due to its decreasing functionality. Serious complications can arise including decreased supply of nutrients and oxygen to the baby, which may result in lower birth weight and meconium aspiration syndrome. Furthermore, the baby can also undergo skin peeling and a lean body appearance due to the loss of fat and muscle tone. Therefore, postmature pregnancy is a critical condition that must be closely monitored for the well-being of both the mother and the baby. Explanation Postmature pregnancy, also known as prolonged or overdue pregnancy, serves as a term to describe a pregnancy that has extended beyond the typical gestation period of 40 weeks, specifically, pregnancies extending beyond 42 weeks. It is a purposeful descriptor used by healthcare professionals to identify pregnancies that may necessitate closer monitoring or earlier induction of labor. The purpose of identifying a pregnancy as postmature is to mitigate potential health risks for both the mother and the newborn, as extended pregnancies can lead to numerous complications, such as decreased amniotic fluid, increased infant size, placental insufficiency, and an increased risk of cesarean delivery. Labeling a pregnancy as postmature aids medical professionals in customizing the care and intervention strategies for the expectant mother and baby, ultimately reducing the potential for neonatal and maternal morbidity and mortality. It provides a framework for healthcare professionals to conduct appropriate interventions, such as increased antenatal surveillance, and discuss the benefits and risks of inducing labor versus expecting spontaneous delivery. The term is used to ensure that suitable antenatal care and birth plans are in place to address potential risks and ensure the health and safety of both mother and child. Examples of Postmature pregnancy Case One: A woman named Mary was pregnant with her first child. Her due date was expected to be on July 14th, but she didn’t go into labor until August 7th, making her pregnancy postmature. She was monitored closely by her healthcare team for any signs of distress in her or the baby. She ended up delivering a healthy baby girl after a slightly more challenging labor due to the baby’s larger size. Case Two: Sarah, a mother of two, experienced postmature pregnancies with both of her children. In both instances, she had to be induced nearly two weeks past her due dates as the babies were showing no signs of coming naturally. Due to the pregnancies being postmature, she was closely monitored for risks such as low amniotic fluid and slowing growth in the babies. Case Three: A woman named Jessica was expecting her third child. She had never carried a pregnancy past 40 weeks with her previous two children. However, this time, she passed her due date without any signs of labor. As she entered into her 42nd week of pregnancy without signs of labor, her obstetrician diagnosed her pregnancy as postmature and planned for an induction to avoid any complications. The induction went smoothly and she gave birth to a healthy baby boy. FAQs About Postmature Pregnancy What is a postmature pregnancy? Postmature pregnancy refers to pregnancies that last for 42 weeks or more. Typically, pregnancies last for about 40 weeks. What causes postmature pregnancy? The exact cause of postmature pregnancy is not known. However, it might be related to hormonal factors or genetic reasons. Sometimes, the cause could be because the dates were calculated wrongly. What are the risks associated with postmature pregnancy? Postmature pregnancies may carry risks for both the mother and the baby. This can include a higher chance of cesarean delivery, prolonged labour, and complications related to the baby’s size. For the baby, there might be a risk of reduced nutrients and oxygen. How is postmature pregnancy managed? Doctors generally keep a close watch on postmature pregnancies. They will monitor the baby’s development, heartbeat, and the amount of amniotic fluid. If the doctor believes that continuing the pregnancy might be risky, they might induce labor or plan for a cesarean section. How can I reduce the risk of postmature pregnancy? Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, following your doctor’s advice, and ensuring your pregnancy due date is correctly calculated can help reduce the risk of postmature pregnancy. However, some factors like hormones and genetics might be out of control. It’s always best to stay in regular contact with your healthcare provider. Related Motherhood Terms Gestational Period Due Date Overdue Pregnancy Extended Gestation Induced Labour Sources for More Information Here are four reliable sources for more information about Postmature pregnancy: Mayo Clinic WebMD American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) World Health Organization (WHO) Inside this article DefinitionKey TakeawaysImportanceExplanationExamples of Postmature pregnancyFAQs About Postmature PregnancyWhat is a postmature pregnancy?What causes postmature pregnancy?What are the risks associated with postmature pregnancy?How is postmature pregnancy managed?How can I reduce the risk of postmature pregnancy?Related Motherhood TermsSources for More Information More terms Assistive Technology Devices April 2, 2024 Baby Massage February 26, 2024 Parenting Joys February 26, 2024 Version April 3, 2024 RhoGAM (RhIg) April 3, 2024