How overdue can i be

After 41 weeks, there is a slight risk to your baby's health caused by reduced efficiency of the placenta. After 42 weeks the risk increases, but it's still small. Depending on your hospital's policy, you may be offered an induction around 41 weeks to avoid that risk. Many doctors induce labor by 41 or 42 weeks. If your pregnancy goes beyond 42 weeks and you don't want to be induced, your doctor may offer monitoring with scans to measure the baby's pulse and the volume of fluid around the baby; or you may have an NST once or twice a week until labor to pick up any signs that the placenta is failing.

If a problem is found, you'll be advised to have a cesarean or an induction. Let's face it: No one wants to be pregnant for 42 weeks. The physical and mental stress of being pregnant beyond your due date is exhausting, but it can help to know that unless you have a medical condition, being overdue does not significantly increase your health risks. You may worry that your baby will grow too large, causing difficulty in labor, but your baby isn't likely to put on enough weight in the last week or so to make a big difference, and most overdue babies have a normal birth weight.

So if you're overdue, do your best to stay calm and relax. Your baby will be here before you know it, and any extra stress you're feeling right now will soon be just a distant memory. Find out more about NICE guidance on the induction of labour.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Kelly A, Tan B. American Journal of Epidemiology. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Decker R. Journal of Perinatal Medicine. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. NHS Digital. When it comes to content, our aim is simple: every parent should have access to information they can trust.

All of our articles have been thoroughly researched and are based on the latest evidence from reputable and robust sources. We create our articles with NCT antenatal teachers, postnatal leaders and breastfeeding counsellors, as well as academics and representatives from relevant organisations and charities.

Read more about our editorial review process. Overdue baby — what happens if my baby is late? Read time 11 minutes. Email Post Tweet Post. Well, the story starts with the due date… When is a baby overdue or late? How accurate are due dates? Why are some babies overdue or late? What is a membrane sweep? What happens during a membrane sweep? How likely is a membrane sweep to start labour?

Can I do anything to start labour myself? What is induced labour? When and why would I be offered an induction? Induction of labour is offered in the following conditions: If a pregnancy lasts longer than 42 weeks, because of the increased risk of stillbirth and complications of labour. If you have specific conditions, such as diabetes , high blood pressure, obstetric cholestasis or pre-eclampsia. If there are concerns about the growth of your baby and your healthcare team feel this would be the safest option for you and your baby.

You are also likely to be offered an induction of labour in the tragic event of your baby dying in the womb. NICE, ; Thomas et al, What happens in an induction of labour? Induction of labour can be carried out in a hospital maternity unit in different ways. What happens once labour starts? Is it more painful to induce labour? Whatever the cause, you're probably tired of being pregnant, not to mention anxious. Rest assured, an overdue pregnancy won't last forever.

Labor could begin at any time. Research shows that when pregnancy extends between 41 weeks and 41 weeks and 6 days late-term pregnancy as well as 42 weeks or beyond postterm pregnancy , your baby might be at increased risk of health problems, including:. Prenatal care will continue after you pass your due date. During visits, your health care provider will check your baby's size, heart rate, position and ask about your baby's movements.

If you're more than one week past your due date, your health care provider might do fetal heart rate monitoring nonstress test and an amniotic fluid volume assessment or a combination of a nonstress test and a fetal ultrasound biophysical profile. In some cases, labor induction might be recommended. Labor induction is the stimulation of uterine contractions during pregnancy before labor begins on its own to achieve a vaginal birth. If you and your health care provider choose labor induction, you might be given medication to help your cervix ripen.

Your health care provider might dilate your cervix by inserting into it a small tube catheter with an inflatable balloon on the end. Filling the balloon with saline and resting it against the inside of the cervix helps ripen the cervix.

If your amniotic sac is still intact, your health care provider might break your water by creating an opening with a thin plastic hook. If necessary, you might also be given medication to kick-start your contractions.

A common choice is Pitocin, a synthetic version of oxytocin — a hormone that causes the uterus to contract. You're in the homestretch! Whether your health care provider suggests a wait-and-see approach or schedules an induction, stay in touch and make sure you know what to do if you think you're in labor.

In the meantime, do your best to enjoy the rest of your pregnancy. There is a problem with information submitted for this request.