Reasons for Giving Birth Late

Averages

• The average length of a woman's first pregnancy is about 41 weeks plus one day. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advises that labor should not be induced before 39 weeks. Most births occur between the 38th and 42nd week, but 5 percent of pregnancies last more than 42 weeks, which has a higher risk of complications.

The Role of Genetics

• According to BioNews, the cause of overdue babies could be the father's genetics. A study published in the British Medical Journal found that if a woman had a prolonged pregnancy with a particular father, she would experience another prolonged pregnancy if she had a second child with the same father. Therefore, the length of a woman's pregnancy could be predetermined at the time of conception.

Nature's Role

• Before you decide to induce labor, you should know that labor usually occurs exactly on time, whether it be later or earlier than expected. Although male genetics have been shown to play a role, scientists have not yet concluded why some pregnancies last longer than others. Unless a doctor says otherwise, inducing labor before the 41st week is generally unnecessary and could be potentially harmful.

Risks of an Overdue Birth

• Giving birth after 42 weeks is riskier for both baby and mother. Not only does the size of unborn babies increase over time, which can lead to complications at birth, the children themselves may experience problems over their lifetimes. A study published in the scientific journal Acta Pediatrica showed overdue babies had increased chance for neurological problems as children. It's important to note, however, that the length of the pregnancy is not necessarily the cause of these problems, but possibly another symptom of genetically based problems.