A prolonged delivery, also called a post-term delivery, is one that takes place 42 or more weeks after gestation. A typical pregnancy lasts between 38 and 40 weeks. A post-term delivery creates greater risks for both the mother and the baby.

Risks to the Baby

Babies who are delivered post-term can suffer from a number of medical conditions, including:

• Death
• Injuries to the brain
• Spinal cord injuries
• Shoulder dystocia
• Nerve paralysis
• Pneumonia
• Asphyxia
• Broken bones

Risks to the Mother

Just like the baby, the mother also has an increased risk if giving birth after 42 weeks. Mothers are at risk for a number of complications, including:

• Hemorrhage
• Cervical rupture
• Infection

Also, delivering late often results in cephalopelvic disproportion. This is a condition caused by a large fetus that is unable to pass through the pelvis.

Prolonged deliveries often result in the inducement of labor, and when the proper methods are used, there can be a normal, healthy delivery. Also, the advancements made in ultrasound technology have made post-term deliveries very rare. Ultrasounds make it possible for doctors to keep a close eye on fetal health as well as appropriate delivery dates. While late deliveries are rare, they do happen.

The best thing a parent can do if their baby is hurt in any way is stay calm. It is very easy to panic in the face of our children suffering, but remaining calm will prove to be much more effective in the face of an injury. Keep in mind that symptoms of brain injuries often don’t show up for days, so keep an eye on your child for days after the accident.

If you would like to learn more about prolonged delivery, please visit the website of <a rel="nofollow" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/article_exit_link');" href=" /">Chaikin Sherman Cammarata Siegel P.C.</a> today. We serve residents of Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland and New York.