A pregnancy which lasts longer than the usual gestation period of 42 weeks.
A condition in which pregnancy lasts longer than 42 weeks. Although risks to the health of mother and baby increase after 42 weeks of pregnancy, 95 percent of postmature babies are born healthy and without incident.
A situation in which a pregnancy endures for a duration surpassing 42 weeks; the typical duration of a regular pregnancy is 40 weeks. Postmaturity might be linked to a familial inclination for extended pregnancies.
Postmaturity is linked with an extended labor process and an elevated likelihood of a challenging childbirth. This is attributed to the fact that a postmature fetus tends to be larger than the norm, and their cranial bones are denser, which makes them less adaptable to fitting through the birth canal. As pregnancy continues beyond 42 weeks, the risk of fetal demise rises due to a decline in the placenta’s efficiency, leading to inadequate oxygen and nutrient supply for the fetus. Infants born postmaturity often exhibit dry skin and could be more vulnerable to infections.
Numerous obstetricians endeavor to avert postmaturity by initiating labor as the pregnancy approaches the 42-week mark.