As your pregnancy passes the 40-week mark, there is an increased level of risks for both you and the baby. The baby continues to grow even after you pass the due date and can get too big for the uterus. After it outgrows the uterus, there is a possibility for injury to him and you. With no room your baby might not be able to grow any longer and also might become more stressed and have an increased risk of maconium aspiration or even stillbirth.
Dysmaturity Syndrome
Dysmaturity syndrome normally occurs after the due date of a baby. It is a condition in which the growth of the baby inside the uterus is restricted because it isn't getting enough blood through the placenta any longer. Ultrasounds often can detect a risk before anything bad happens, so it is important to get tested frequently when past the due date.
Meconium Aspiration
Meconium aspiration occurs when the baby has a bowel movement in a small amount of amniotic fluid and inhales it. Normally this happens while the baby is being delivered, but as time passes past the due date the risk of it happening within the uterus is enhanced. Meconium aspiration leads to a reduced ability for the baby to get oxygen. It also can cause pneumonia.
Stillbirth
Stillbirth is when the baby dies within the uterus before being delivered. Stillbirth is rare but the risk of it increases as women go further past their due date. In order to avoid stillbirth it is important to have antepartem testing administered near the end of your pregnancy. This testing measures the heart beat of the baby in relation to your body’s contractions and your amniotic fluid levels. By undergoing this testing you can get an idea of how well the baby is doing in your stomach and doctors can decide when it is time to induce labor.
Increased Size
Babies born after their due date are larger because they have a longer period to grow. Since the babies are larger, they cause more trauma to the woman’s body and can lead to more complications, such as tearing and muscle strain. Being past the due date also increases the chance of fetal distress, which leads to a higher c-section rate. C-sections also are more common when women are past their due date because larger babies are more difficult to deliver vaginally.
