If you’re pregnant and have already crossed the due date, it is not unusual to feel anxious. However, experts point out that an overdue pregnancy is usually not a cause for concern, provided the fetus is being constantly monitored with help from your obstetrician.
Overdue pregnancy: What does it mean?
Dr Shanta Kumari, Hyderabad based gynaecologist & obstetrician and past president of the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) says that the due date is usually fixed at the 40th week of pregnancy.
However, the due date of delivery is not set in stone, explain gynaecologists. It is common for the baby to arrive before or after the due date. Dr Kumari says that most babies arrive between the 37th and 41st week of pregnancy.
“Delivering even two weeks post the due date, up to 42 weeks, is possible. However, once they have crossed the 40th week and labour has not been induced yet, both the parents and the obstetrician have to become vigilant and keep a close watch for any complications that may occur,” she adds.
Dr Sailaja Devi K, consultant obstetrician, Fernandez Hospital, Hyderabad says that the management plan, in case of overdue pregnancy, can vary depending on the hospital’s policy.
What to expect if you’re overdue?
“Usually, if labour is not induced on the due date, the parents will have to seek advice from the obstetrician. The obstetrician will do the necessary analysis and take a call on the next steps. They may recommend an ultrasound,” says Dr Kumari.
According to Dr Kumari and Dr Devi the following four factors need to be considered in such cases:
- Baby movement: Keeping a close watch on the baby’s movements is a must to ensure fetal wellbeing in overdue pregnancy.
- Non stress test (NST): This test helps to monitor fetal heart rate.
- Kick-count: Noting down the baby’s movement and the kick count is important as it indicates fetal wellbeing. If the baby is moving, things are fine.
- Amniotic Fluid Volume: Amniotic fluid is the liquid that surrounds the fetus. Checking the amniotic fluid volume helps indicate the health of the baby and the necessary next steps.
“We can consider waiting for six days post the due date with constant monitoring of the above factors,” explains Dr Devi.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, some other tests used to monitor fetal wellbeing include the contraction stress test (which monitors how your baby responds to stress during contractions), the biophysical profile (a combination of tests that includes a non-stress test, an ultrasound and a modified biophysical profile).
Dr Kumari says that the obstetrician will work closely with the parents to make sure there are also no other complications during pregnancy such as hypertension, complications from previous pregnancies, etc.
“Close monitoring and observation are the main steps to follow while waiting for labour induction to happen,” says Dr Kumari.
Dr Kumari says that at any point of time, if an obstetrician comes across any issues, they may decide to try and induce labour so that the baby will be delivered.
How to cope with overdue pregnancy
Dr Kumari says that unlike popular belief, there are no ways to induce labour through home remedies. Physically, the woman is likely to be in discomfort, she says.
“In overdue pregnancies, the fetus will be big, and they will face difficulties moving around, lying down, etc. Some may experience breathing difficulties,” she says.
Dr Kumari adds that interventions like yoga, meditation will help to some extent, mainly in relaxing the mother’s muscles and the joints and maintaining a healthy weight. “Women should also be able to stay motivated through this period. They must be made aware that everything’s going to be okay. Staying positive around them will help them be optimistic and stress-free,” she says.
Marissa Kuncheff (31) from Bellevue, Washington says that while an overdue pregnancy can be normal, in her case, timely intervention helped her deliver a healthy baby.
Kuncheff went in for an ultrasound four days past her due date based on her obstetrician’s advice and found that the heart rate of the fetus kept dropping erratically.
“My obstetrician told me not to panic but that she wanted to induce labour that very day just to be safe,” Kuncheff says.
She says that the time she spent pregnant after the due date was uncomfortable. “I was so big and uncomfortable that my activities were very limited. I spent a lot of time in the nursery, folding and refolding clothes and daydreaming about when my baby would be there. I also baked a lot (during that time),” says Kuncheff. She adds that mothers who are overdue should try and keep themselves busy.
Takeaways
Experts point out that an overdue pregnancy or crossing your due date is not a cause for concern as long as the fetal health and wellbeing is closely monitored. Experts recommend consulting your obstetrician and working closely with them to undergo the necessary fetal health checkups and scans.
