Posterm pregnancy is defined as a pregnancy that has reached or extended beyond 42 weeks gestation. Late-term pregnancy is defined as a pregnancy that has reached between 41 weeks 0 days and 41 weeks 6 days gestation. Risk factors for postterm pregnancy include a history of prior postterm pregnancy, first pregnancy, obesity, and genetic predisposition. There are two main issues of concern when a pregnant patient has not yet delivered past the due date. Because there is more time for the fetus to grow, the rate of macrosomia (excessively large fetal weight) is twice as high in a postterm delivery. This leads to a higher rate of cesarean section or operative vaginal delivery. The second issue is placental aging which can be associated with increased rates of meconium aspiration syndrome, fetal distress, and stillbirth.
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