What to do if you are still pregnant at 45 weeks

Under normal circumstances, a woman will give birth within 40 weeks of pregnancy, and the delivery period is calculated based on 40 weeks of pregnancy. But some women's pregnancy exceeds 42 weeks, which is considered a post-term pregnancy. In fact, overdue pregnancy is very bad for both the mother and the fetus. If you encounter a post-term pregnancy, you must take immediate action. So what should I do if I haven't given birth in 45 weeks of pregnancy?

The function of the placenta gradually decreases after 40 weeks of pregnancy, and significantly decreases after 42 weeks. Therefore, after 41 weeks of pregnancy, you should fully consider terminating the pregnancy and try to avoid post-term pregnancy. The appropriate delivery method should be selected based on a comprehensive analysis of the fetal fortune, fetal size, and the condition of the cervix.

1. Determine the date of delivery

For expectant mothers who still have no signs of labor at 40 weeks, it is recommended that they go to the hospital as soon as possible and ask the doctor to clarify whether the delivery period is appropriate.

2. You can go to the hospital for induction of labor at 41 weeks of pregnancy

Induction of labor can be called the last step for pregnant women hoping for natural childbirth. In the past, obstetricians believed that doctors would only perform induction of labor for pregnant women after 42 weeks. However, current medical research has found that after 42 weeks, the test tube embryos of pregnant women may have already ruptured (48% of them are already at the third stage). The efficacy is getting worse, and the amniotic fluid of pregnant women is getting lower and lower. In fact, the effect of induction of labor at this time is not very good. Therefore, if you have not given birth after 40 weeks, you can perform induction of labor.

3. Induction of labor

(1) Promote cervical health: The condition of the cervix is ​​an important factor affecting the success rate of induced labor. It is difficult to succeed in induced labor with an immature cervix. Therefore, a cervical Bishop score should be performed before induced labor. If the score is <7, cervical health promotion treatment should be given before induced labor.

(2) Induction of labor: If the Bishop score of the cervix is ​​>7, induction of labor should be performed. During the induction of labor, the fetal heartbeat, uterine contractions and the progress of the entire delivery process should be closely monitored.

4. Be fully prepared for a cesarean section

If the pregnant woman's condition is clear and she still cannot give birth naturally after taking oxytocin, she should undergo a caesarean section immediately without waiting any longer. Because the longer the delay, the greater the perinatal mortality and morbidity of the fetus, and the greater the harm to the pregnant mother.

If you have any of the following conditions, you should fully consider cesarean section to terminate the pregnancy.

(1) Those with poor placental function, poor fetal reserve capacity, and inability to tolerate uterine contractions.

(2) Macrosomia: estimated neonatal weight ≥ 4000 g (especially 4500 g), with a high risk of cephalopelvic disparity and shoulder dystocia.

(3) Combined with transverse fetal presentation, such as breech presentation.

(4) In addition, there are other pregnancy complications and diseases such as pregnancy-induced hypertension and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

(5) Failure of induction of labor or slow progress of the entire delivery process, suspected cephalopelvic disproportion.

The original article explains in detail what to do if the baby is still not born after 45 weeks of pregnancy. As an expectant mother, it is best for you to give birth within the delivery period. If you cannot give birth within the delivery period, you must take immediate measures to induce labor, or give birth to the baby by cesarean section. As a pregnant woman, you should never wait until 45 weeks before giving birth and taking any measures.