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Prolonged Pregnancy: Labour After 42 Weeks

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Prolonged, or post-term pregnancy, is defined as a pregnancy that progresses beyond 42 weeks. It can pose a dilemma for the maternity team, who may have to choose between induction of labour before the uterus or cervix is in a favourable state and an increased risk of poor outcomes.

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Prolonged, or post-term pregnancy, is defined as a pregnancy that progresses beyond 42 weeks (Harding 2016). Galal et al. (2012) suggest that the fetal, neonatal and maternal complications associated with prolonged pregnancy may be underestimated. This can pose a dilemma for the maternity team, who may have to choose between induction of labour before the uterus or cervix is in a favourable state and an increased risk of poor outcomes with every day of delay beyond the expected date of delivery.

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Meet the educator

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Anne Watkins
Anne is a freelance lecturer and medical writer at Mind Body Ink. She is a former midwife and nurse teacher with over 25 years’ experience working in the fields of healthcare, stress management and medical hypnosis. Her background includes working as a hospital midwife, Critical Care nurse, lecturer in Neonatal Intensive Care, and as a Clinical Nurse Specialist for a company making life support equipment. Anne has also studied many forms of complementary medicine and has extensive experience in the field of clinical hypnosis. She has a special interest in integrating complementary medicine into conventional healthcare settings and is currently an Associate Tutor, lecturing in Health Coaching and Medical Hypnosis at Exeter University in the UK. As a former Midwife, Anne has a natural passion for writing about fertility, pregnancy, birthing and baby care. Her recent publications include The Health Factor, Coach Yourself To Better Health and Positive Thinking For Kids. You can read more about her work at www.MindBodyInk.com.
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What do others think?

131 reviews by Ausmed Learners
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KR
Kim Roberts
22 Jan 2022
Excellent presentation. Liked the up to date research used.
KK
Kristine kealy
21 Feb 2022
Working in emergency nursing and prenatal/post natal it's important to know what you can do when serious issues arise
JM
Jodie Mitchell
25 Mar 2022
Interesting article, definitely more research needed on this topic
LR
Leah Roberts
14 Dec 2021
Succinct article that clearly outlines the risks around prolonged pregnancy and associated management options.
SH
Susan Harrington
27 Dec 2021
Concise and informative.
RT
Rachel Tabib
13 Dec 2021
Informative evidence-based research
CB
Carol Baker
30 Dec 2021
I found this reading to be both informed and interesting, leaving me feeling like I would like to learn more on this subject.
JH
Jemma Hall
07 Mar 2022
Informative quick read
MK
Maninderjit kaur
13 Dec 2021
This course is very helpful and knowledgeable for me.
DC
Debra Curran
16 Apr 2022
Registered Midwife
Excellent presentation on prolonged labour, however the image for membrane sweeping actually shows an amniotic hook, that in my experience is not a part of the cervical sweeping
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