Why You Shouldn’t Wait Past Your Due Date to Deliver: Risks and Benefits Explained

Reaching your due date is an exciting time, but it’s not a guarantee that your baby will arrive on time. While a few extra days of pregnancy are often fine, going too far past your due date can carry health risks for both you and your baby.

From his Coral Springs, Florida, practice, board-certified OB-GYN Alan B. Patterson, MD, has guided many women through healthy pregnancies and deliveries. Known for providing gentle, patient-focused care, Dr. Patterson and our team offer thorough guidance on due dates, labor timing, and delivery options so you can feel confident in your choices.

Risks of waiting too long to deliver

A due date is when a pregnancy reaches 40 weeks of gestation, which is full term. Going past this point increases certain risks for both mother and baby. 

Decreased placental function

The placenta supplies oxygen and nutrients to your baby, but after 40 weeks, it may not work as efficiently. Placental insufficiency can slow your baby’s growth and lower energy reserves. In some cases, it can also cause stress during labor. Close monitoring helps catch changes before they become serious.

Meconium aspiration

Going past your due date increases the chance your baby will pass meconium, or their first stool, in the womb. If inhaled into the lungs, this can make breathing difficult after birth. Babies who experience meconium aspiration may require immediate medical care or time in the neonatal unit. Delivering on time reduces this risk.

Labor complications

The longer a pregnancy continues, the larger your baby may grow. Larger newborns can raise the risk of shoulder dystocia and make vaginal delivery more difficult. Prolonged pregnancies also raise the likelihood of needing an emergency C-section. Timely delivery can help prevent these challenges.

A potential stillbirth

While full-term stillbirth is rare, the risk does rise slightly with each passing day after 42 weeks of gestation. Declining placental function and lower amniotic fluid are possible causes. Regular late-term check-ups can detect problems early, but delivering closer to your due date is safest.

Benefits of delivering on time or slightly early

For most women, delivering between 39 and 40 weeks provides the best outcomes. The organs of your infant are now fully formed and prepared for life outside the womb. Inducing labor before 41 weeks can help:

• Lower the risk of stillbirth
• Reduce the chance of complications during labor
• Prevent the baby from becoming too large for a safe vaginal delivery
• Minimize the risk of emergency interventions

Planned deliveries also allow your care team to be fully prepared for labor, ensuring that the right medical support is available.

When induction may be recommended

Dr. Patterson may recommend induction for women who have gone past their due date without going into labor naturally — especially if there are signs of decreased fetal movement, reduced amniotic fluid, or health concerns like gestational diabetes or high blood pressure. 

Induction involves using medications or other methods to stimulate labor, and it can be a safe and effective way to avoid complications.

The decision to induce is always based on the unique needs of mother and baby. Dr. Patterson takes time to explain the process, answer questions, and make sure you feel comfortable with the new birthing plan.

Balancing safety and personal preferences

Some mothers hope to avoid medical intervention and let labor happen naturally. While this is a valid preference, it’s important to balance those wishes with medical facts. Waiting too long past your due date can lead to challenges that might require more intervention than planned.

Dr. Patterson’s goal is always to deliver a healthy baby while keeping you safe and comfortable. By discussing your concerns and preferences early, you can create a birth plan that respects your wishes while staying alert to any signs that indicate it may be safer to deliver sooner than your body’s natural start to labor.

The bottom line on due date and delivery

Going past your due date carries real risks for both mother and baby. With close monitoring and open communication, our team works with you to determine the safest timing for delivery. 

Dr. Patterson brings years of experience and a personalized approach to every pregnancy, ensuring that both you and your baby are given the best start possible. Contact our team to set up an appointment in our Coral Springs, Florida, office today.