What should I do if my due date has arrived but I haven't given birth yet
Release time : 03/24/2025 09:30:01
The estimated date of labor is the date when the woman expects to give birth. It can be predicted by several methods such as menstrual calendar method, pregnancy calendar method, basal body temperature curve method, counting from the onset of fetal movements and counting from the onset of morning sickness.
Of course, the expected date of delivery cannot accurately calculate the period of delivery. Some women have yet to give birth after the expected date of delivery.
So what should I do if the due date is here and I haven't given birth yet? Let's go and consult an obstetrician together.
What should I do if the due date is here and I haven't given birth yet? Many pregnant women will encounter this situation. The baby still doesn't move after the expected date of delivery.
What should I do if the due date is exceeded? In fact, the expected date of delivery is only the expected date of delivery of the mother, not the precise date of delivery. Doctors say that it is normal to give birth within two weeks before and after the expected date of delivery.
If born between 24 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, it is considered premature delivery; if born after 42 weeks, it is considered overdue.
So what should I do if the due date is here and I haven't given birth yet? Let's see what the doctor says.
1. Don't be too nervous and pay attention to fetal movement.
If the fetal movement is less than three times per hour or less than 20 times in 12 hours, you should go to hospital for further examination. The doctor will decide the time of delivery according to the situation.
2. Continue with your prenatal examinations and provide the results of your early pregnancy tests, such as ultrasound, blood tests, and pregnancy tests, along with any indications of fetal movement, to the doctor for a reassessment of your gestational age.
3. Strengthen prenatal examinations, shorten the interval between visits, and keep in touch with the doctor at any time to report on fetal movements within the womb, as well as follow up ultrasound scans for amniotic fluid volume.
If there is no abnormality, the pregnancy can continue under close monitoring.
If the expected date of delivery is postponed to 14 days later, and when the so-called expired pregnancy is reached in clinical practice, the placenta of some pregnant women will age and the fetus will experience hypoxia and suffocation, so it will be harmful to the child, so you should go to the hospital in time to take measures.
The reason for not giving birth on the estimated due date is that the doctor indicates that the estimated due date is merely a woman's estimated date of childbirth, and it is not an exact date for delivery. Birth within two weeks before or after the estimated due date is considered normal.
Despite this, there are still quite a few expecting mothers who wish to understand the reasons behind preterm birth.
Let's hear the doctor explain it together.
The cause of expired pregnancy is not clear, but doctors have summarized several possible reasons for expired pregnancy. 1. Low estrogen levels Although the mechanism of labor is very complex, the level of blood estrogen levels is closely related to labor. Delayed pregnancy may be related to low blood estrogen levels.
However, in a large number of overdue pregnancies, there is no direct evidence that estrogen levels are lower than ordinary normal pregnancies.
2. Placental sulfatase deficiency (Placental sulfatase deficiency) is a rare sex-linked recessive genetic disease. The disease was reported by Ryan in 1980. Although the fetal adrenal gland produces sufficient 16α-OH-DHEAS, due to the lack of placental sulfatase, people with this disorder cannot convert this weak activity dehydroepiandrosterone into estradiol and estriol, resulting in an expired pregnancy.
3. Some fetuses in expired pregnancies are larger, the fetal head has not entered the pelvis for a long time, and the cervix has not received the stimulation it deserves, which delays the start of labor.
This is the reason why it is common.
4. Inherited that a small number of women have longer pregnancies, and several pregnancies have expired pregnancies. Some cases are found in one family, indicating that this tendency may be related to inheritance.
To induce labor beyond the due date is called post-term pregnancy.
Expiration of pregnancy will age the placenta, which will significantly reduce blood flow in the intervillous space, forming an infarction, further reducing blood flow, reducing oxygen and nutrients supplied to the fetus, and preventing the fetus from continuing to grow.
In this case, birth needs to be carried out to ensure the health and safety of the fetus.
So what are the ways to promote it? 1. Exercise promotion method for expectant mothers to strengthen exercise can promote the fetus to enter the pelvis, and at the same time it can also exercise the pelvic floor muscles and increase productivity.
However, it is best to find a "bodyguard" when going out to exercise to prevent a sudden "emergency".
Doctors said that walking can help the fetus descend into the pelvis, relax the pelvic ligament, and facilitate smooth delivery.
Prenatal gymnastics is very popular abroad. Gymnastics can not only promote the fetal head into the pelvis, but also increase the resilience and elasticity of the pelvic floor muscles.
Climbing stairs can exercise the muscles of the thighs and buttocks, and help the fetus enter the pelvis, so that the first stage of labor can come as soon as possible.
2. Dietary Induction Method: Doctors have indicated that consuming winter radishe and water spinach porridge during labor can facilitate a smoother childbirth for expectant mothers. Not only does it expedite the delivery process, but it also alleviates the pain experienced by the mother.
3. Medication induction of labor. If other methods fail to bring on labor pain in the pregnant woman, then medication induction of labor is the only option.
Before administering oxytocin to induce labor, pregnant women must undergo a series of examinations and monitoring to assess the fetal condition and placental function.
B-mode ultrasound examination can determine the maturity of the placenta, amniotic fluid volume, fetal size, and umbilical cord blood flow.
Doctors can decide based on the results of the examination whether they need to give oxytocin to the expectant mother.
Experienced obstetricians can assess the maturity of the cervix (softness of the cervix and dilation of the outer orifice of the uterus) through digital cervical examination of the expectant mother, and then consider whether to receive birth treatment earlier.
What should be paid attention to when the due date is not accurate? Expecting a baby prematurely may not be beneficial for their health, while overdue pregnancy not only does not promote the growth and development of the baby but also poses a potential threat to their health.
If the estimated due date is not accurate, what should expectant mothers pay attention to? Let's take a look together and keep an eye on it to ensure a smooth birth and healthy growth for their baby.
1. Seek hospitalization as soon as possible, rejecting the misconception that "staying in the womb for a day is better than growing outside for three days."
2. Determine if the estimated due date is truly past.
Pregnant women with irregular menstrual cycles should take this issue into account.
These pregnancies may be delayed by a delay in ovulation, and the estimated date of delivery is accordingly postponed.
Therefore, the last menstrual period is not the actual due date for labor and delivery. If it is induced prematurely at that time, it may lead to preterm birth, affecting the growth and development of the baby.
At this point, expectant mothers should accurately provide the doctor with information about the onset of early pregnancy symptoms, the timing of fetal movements, and the results of the early pregnancy ultrasound examination.
3. Actively cooperate with doctors for examination and treatment.
Once it is confirmed that the pregnancy has expired or is about to expire, a medical examination will be conducted to assess the function of the placenta and the growth of the fetus.
If the placental function is normal, if the fetus continues to grow within a short period of time, and the fetus faces less danger, the doctor will adopt the method of induced abortion under strict observation.
If the placental function is poor, the fetus stops growing, then there is a threat of death for the fetus, doctors will do surgery in short term to ensure the safety of mother and child.
4. Avoid making decisions on your own, as this may interfere with the doctor's judgment.
This may not only delay the timing of treatment, but also affect the doctor's mood, which is extremely unfavorable to both the baby and the baby.
What are the symptoms of pregnant women before delivery? Doctors say that understanding the symptoms of pregnant women before delivery can help expectant mothers prepare for delivery.
What are the symptoms that pregnant women experience before childbirth? Let's hear a doctor's explanation together. During pregnancy, as the fetus grows and matures, the mother's body undergoes a series of physiological changes to adapt to the impending delivery. These changes may include the following: 1. * * Abdominal distension**: As the fetus grows, the uterus gradually expands, which may cause the abdomen to appear more distended. 2. * Changes in breasts**: The increase in progesterone can make the breasts more sensitive, larger, or produce milk. 3. * Frequent urination**: Due to the pressure on the bladder from the uterus, pregnant women may feel the need to urinate frequently. 4. * Fatigue**: The body prepares for childbirth, feeling more exhausted. 5. * Nausea and vomiting**: This is one of the most common symptoms, known as "morning sickness." 6. * Emotional fluctuations**: The emotional state of pregnant women may become unstable due to the impending delivery. 7. * Sleep problems**: Due to changes in the body and mind, pregnant women may experience insufficient sleep or poor sleep quality. 8. * Umbilical contractions**: Although not experienced by all pregnant women, some may feel mild umbilical contractions during the process of dilation of the cervix. 9. * Vaginal bleeding**: While not experienced by all pregnant women, vaginal bleeding may occur during childbirth. 10. * Edema**: The feet and hands of pregnant women may experience edema due to changes in blood circulation. These symptoms may vary from person to person, and some pregnant women may not have obvious symptoms, while others may experience some or all of the above symptoms. If you have any concerns about your personal situation, it is recommended that you consult with your doctor for detailed advice.
Regular cramps or back pain: This is caused by alternating contraction and relaxation of the uterus.
As labor progresses, this feeling of contraction increases.
Pain is inevitable due to the swelling of the cervix and the birth of the fetus from the reproductive tract, but it has great benefits to the fetus.
This phenomenon only occurs at the beginning of labor.
The head of the fetus sinks into the mother's pelvis, and the mother feels as if the fetus is about to fall off.
This usually occurs a week or hours before delivery.
Increase in vaginal exudates: This is due to the accumulation of sticky secretions in the cervical opening during pregnancy. Due to the viscosity, the secretions are usually blocked like a stopper.
As labor approaches, the cervix expands and the plug no longer works because secretions will flow out.
This phenomenon mostly occurs a few days before delivery or immediately before delivery.
The false labor contractions can do some preparation work in the days or even weeks before delivery, making your cervix softer and thinner, and maybe slightly dilating.
If you've had a child, your cervix may open up to 1-2 cm before the start of labor.
But know that if this is your first baby, even if you're 40 weeks pregnant and your cervix has dilated by one centimeter, it doesn't mean you are going to have a baby any time soon.
As labor approaches, if your cervix begins to dilate, you may be expelling a cervical mucus plug - a thin, thick substance that has been sealing the cervical canal for nine months.
This adhesive plug may be expelled in one piece, or it may be excreted over several days in the form of increased vaginal discharge.
The medical information provided in this text is for reference only.
If you experience discomfort, it is recommended to seek medical attention immediately. The diagnosis and treatment should be based on a consultation at an outpatient medical facility.