What can cause my pregnancy to go overdue?

Your pregnancy is more likely to go overdue if:

• you have never given birth before
• you’re over the age of 30 years
• you are living with obesity
• you've gone overdue before
• going overdue runs in your family

What are the complications of being overdue?

If your pregnancy goes overdue, there is a risk that your placenta won’t function well enough to supply your baby with oxygen and nutrients.

The risk of stillbirth or neonatal death gets higher the longer you go overdue. But the risk is still low in Australia.

If your pregnancy is overdue, there may also be a higher chance of:

• breathing problems for your baby
• having a large baby
• a long labour
• your baby needing to go to the special care nursery (SCN) or neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
• you needing a caesarean section

How will my overdue pregnancy be managed?

There are several options that may be recommended if you are overdue. Your doctor or midwife should explain these options to you, including the risks and benefits.

You can then work with your healthcare team to work out the best option for you. Things to consider are:

• test and health check results
• how overdue you are
• if your cervix is ready for labour
• your preferences

It’s your choice whether to have treatment or not.

Monitoring you and your baby

If you are overdue, your midwife or doctor will recommend regular checks. This is to make sure that both you and your baby are healthy. They may:

• do an ultrasound scan
• check your baby’s heartbeat with a cardiotocograph (CTG)

They might recommend these tests 2 times a week.

If tests show that your baby’s health is at risk, your doctor or midwife may recommend inducing labour. If tests show that your baby is well and your health is good, you might choose to wait and see whether labour starts naturally.

Keep in mind that these tests only tell you how your baby is at that moment. They can’t predict whether your baby’s health might change.

If your pregnancy lasts longer than 42 weeks, you will probably be offered monitoring more often. It’s also recommended that your baby is monitored closely during labour and birth.

Membrane sweep

Your midwife or doctor may offer you a ‘membrane sweep‘ (also called a ‘stretch and sweep’). The aim of this is to start labour.

A membrane sweep involves having a vaginal examination. Your midwife or doctor will sweep their finger around the inside of your cervix. This stimulates your cervix to make hormones that can trigger natural labour.

Induction of labour

If your labour doesn’t start naturally, your midwife or doctor may suggest inducing labour. This is when medicines or other techniques are used to start your labour.

Induction of labour is recommended when the risks of continuing your pregnancy outweigh the risks of inducing labour.

Questions to ask your midwife or doctor

You may want to ask the following questions about being overdue:

• Are there any risks to me or my baby if I’m overdue?
• Is there anything that can help bring on labour?
• Are there risks with inducing labour?
• When, where and how would my labour be induced?
• Are there alternatives to induction of labour?
• Can I have some written information on the options we have talked about?
• How long can I take to think about my options?

When should I see my doctor or midwife?

If your pregnancy is overdue, it’s very important to pay attention to your baby’s movements.

Let your doctor or midwife know straight away if you notice any changes in your baby’s movements. This could mean that the movements suddenly speed up, slow down or stop altogether.

Resources and support

If you have any questions or concerns about going overdue, talk to your doctor or midwife.

Read more about induction of labour.