Overdue (Post-Term) Pregnancy
A post-term pregnancy is a pregnancy that has lasted 10 days past the expected due date. In most pregnancies, your baby will not be harmed if you are overdue. However, your doctor can tell you about any problems that may occur.
If you are overdue, you have 2 options: fetal surveillance or labour induction.
If you are overdue, you have 2 options: fetal surveillance or labour induction.
Fetal Surveillance (also called Expectant Management)
Fetal surveillance is a “watch and wait” approach.
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You will visit your doctor 1-2 times per week and have tests done to check on how well your baby is doing.
- If it looks like there is a problem, your doctor will recommend that your labour be induced (started with medications).
- Otherwise, you will continue with this monitoring until your labour begins on its own.
Labour Induction
This means that your doctor or nurse will start your labour with special medications instead of waiting for it to begin on its own.
Talk to your doctor about which option is best for you and your baby.
