What are the risks?

Between 41 weeks and 41 weeks and six days, a pregnancy is called late-term. When a pregnancy reaches 42 weeks and beyond, it’s postterm. Late-term and postterm pregnancy can raise the risk of some health problems, including:

• Larger than average birth size (fetal macrosomia). This increases the chance that you may need forceps, a vacuum device or another instrument to assist with the birth. It may raise the risk of requiring a C-section. A larger baby is more likely to get a shoulder stuck behind your pelvic bone during delivery (shoulder dystocia)
• Postmaturity syndrome. This condition is marked by decreased fat beneath the baby’s skin; a lack of a greasy coating (vernix caseosa); decreased soft, downy hair (lanugo); and staining of the amniotic fluid, skin and umbilical cord by the baby’s first bowel movement (meconium)
• Low amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios). This can affect the baby’s heart rate and compress the umbilical cord during contractions

Late-term and postterm pregnancies can cause problems related to delivery. Some mothers may experience:

• Severe vaginal tears
• Infection
• Postpartum bleeding