Every expectant mother worries about post-term pregnancy, as it poses risks to both maternal health and fetal development. However, there's no need for excessive concern—post-term pregnancy is preventable. Below, we share key prevention methods.
Risks of Post-Term Pregnancy
We know maternal blood flows through the placenta to nourish the fetus, supplying oxygen and nutrients. After 40 weeks, placental blood flow decreases, reducing oxygen and nutrient delivery. This causes chronic fetal hypoxia, leading to reduced fetal movements, slowed heart rate, and even intrauterine death.
As pregnancy extends, the fetus continues to grow, with weight significantly increasing compared to 40 weeks—often exceeding 4000 grams—and bones hardening. The enlarged fetal size, combined with the mother's unchanged pelvic structure, makes natural delivery more difficult. This increases the risk of injury to both mother and baby during passage through the birth canal.
Another adverse effect of post-term pregnancy is oligohydramnios (reduced amniotic fluid). When fluid levels decrease, uterine contractions exert direct pressure on the umbilical cord, potentially obstructing blood flow and causing acute fetal hypoxia or even death.Additionally, with reduced amniotic fluid, fetal meconium cannot be adequately diluted. If this viscous meconium is inhaled into the respiratory tract, it can obstruct the airways. This increases the risk of postnatal complications such as respiratory distress, atelectasis, and pneumothorax, leading to neonatal hypoxia. Severe cases may cause oxygen deprivation and functional abnormalities in vital organs including the heart, brain tissue, lungs, kidneys, and liver.
Fetal malformations also warrant attention in post-term pregnancies. Statistics indicate a higher incidence of fetal abnormalities in post-term pregnancies compared to term pregnancies, with a malformation rate of 2.8%. Common anomalies include anencephaly, adrenal hypoplasia, and congenital heart disease.Of course, appropriate examinations during pregnancy can detect anencephaly and severe cardiac malformations, allowing for timely termination to prevent the birth of a malformed infant.
So, how can one prevent post-term pregnancy?
Methods for Preventing Post-Term Pregnancy
Breast Massage: Starting from 39 weeks gestation, applying warm, damp cloths to the breasts daily and gently massaging them can stimulate the pituitary gland to release oxytocin, thereby reducing the incidence of post-term pregnancy to 5%. Note: Alternate warm compresses and massage between both breasts every 15 minutes, performing this routine 3 times daily for 1 hour each session.
Walking: Walking helps the fetus descend into the pelvis, relaxes pelvic ligaments, and prepares for delivery. While walking, mothers should combine movement with massage and talk to their baby. Schedule walks twice daily (morning and evening) for about 30 minutes each, or three times (morning, afternoon, evening) for 20 minutes each. Choose quiet, pollution-free environments; avoid walking along roadsides.
Exercise: Prenatal exercises are widely popular abroad. They not only encourage fetal head engagement but also enhance the resilience and elasticity of pelvic floor muscles.
Stair Climbing: Climbing stairs strengthens thigh and gluteal muscles while aiding fetal engagement, potentially hastening the onset of the first stage of labor.
Post-term pregnancy carries significant risks; expectant mothers should learn preventive measures.