Reaching the 40th week
Pregnancy is reaching its end. Don’t worry if the expected due date (EDD) passes. In some cases, the EDD is miscalculated from the beginning, especially in cases in which a woman doesn’t know the date of her last menstrual cycle, or if she didn’t have an ultrasound during the first trimester. Ultrasounds performed at a later date can often overestimate the gestational age [1].
In other cases, pregnancy does last a little longer than usual. But that doesn’t mean anything is wrong. To eliminate any risk, doctors often order an additional ultrasound at the start of week 41. A CTG may also be performed to monitor the baby’s heart [2].
Patience is key when a woman is past her due date. In all likelihood, contractions will start at any moment now. If labor hasn't started by 41 weeks, her doctor will offer to induce it, as the risks for the baby start to rise from then, though they stay small. If the wait is becoming too much for your partner to handle before then, she can also talk to her doctor about inducing labor. Most obstetricians use oxytocin to prompt the uterus to contract [3].
