Posttermpregnancy
Thetermspostterm（prolonged）pregnancyaredefinedaspregnanciescompleted42weeksormore.Theproblemofposttermpregnancyiscompoundedbyinaccuratepregnancydating.Assessmentsofgestationalageinthefirsthalfofpregnancyareneededwhenmenstrualdataareunreliable.Thecausesoftruepostterm（42+weeks）pregnanciesareusuallyunknown.Thematernalproblemsincludeanxiety,apprehension,andpossiblytraumaticbirthofalargeinfant.Theinfantproblemsincludeoligohydramnioswithacutecordcompression,meconiumpassageandaspiration,macrosomiawithlaborproblemsorshoulderdystocia,andplacentalinsufficiencywithdysmaturity,hypoxia,organdamage,acidosis,anddeath.Managementincludesvaginalcervicalexaminations,ultrasoundassessmentofamnioticfluidvolumeandfetalsize,andNST.Deliveryshouldbeaccomplishedifthecervixisfavorable,theamnioticfluidislost,thefetusismacrosomic,orfetaldistressoccurs.Theoutcomefortheseinfantsshouldbeexcellent,andnormalmentaldevelopmentisexpected.
