Saturday, June 26, 2021

Post-maturity

 

What is post-maturity?

The normal length of pregnancy is from 37 to 41 weeks. Post-maturity refers to any baby born after 42 weeks gestation or 294 days past the first day of the mother's last menstrual period. About 7 percent of all babies are born at 42 weeks or later. Other terms often used to describe these late births include post-term, post-maturity, prolonged pregnancy, and post-dates pregnancy.

What causes post-maturity?

It is not known why some pregnancies last longer than others. Post-maturity is more likely when a mother has had one or more previous post-term pregnancies. Sometimes a mother's pregnancy due date is miscalculated because she is not sure of her last menstrual period. A miscalculation may mean the baby is born earlier or later than expected.

Why is post-maturity a concern?

Post-mature babies are born at the very end, or past, the normal length of pregnancy. The placenta, which supplies babies with the nutrients and oxygen from the mother's circulation, begins to age toward the end of pregnancy, and may not function as efficiently as before. Other concerns include the following:

  • Amniotic fluid volume may decrease and the fetus may stop gaining weight or may even lose weight.

  • Risks can increase during labor and birth for a fetus with poor oxygen supply.

  • Problems may occur during birth if the baby is large.

  • Post-mature babies may be at risk for meconium aspiration, when a baby breathes in fluid containing the first stool.

  • Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can also occur because the baby has too little glucose-producing stores.

What are the symptoms of post-maturity?

The following are the most common symptoms of post-maturity. However, each baby may show different symptoms of the condition. Symptoms may include:

  • dry, peeling skin

  • overgrown nails

  • abundant scalp hair

  • visible creases on palms and soles of feet

  • minimal fat deposits

  • green/brown/yellow coloring of skin from meconium staining (the first stool passed during pregnancy into the amniotic fluid)

Symptoms of post-maturity may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your baby's physician for a diagnosis.

How is post-maturity diagnosed?

Post-maturity is usually diagnosed by a combination of assessments, including the following:

  • your baby's physical appearance
  • length of the pregnancy
  • your baby's assessed gestational age

Treatment of post-maturity:

Specific treatment for post-maturity will be determined by your baby's physician based on:

  • your baby's gestational age, overall health, and medical history
  • extent of the condition
  • your baby's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
  • expectations for the course of the condition
  • your opinion or preference

In a prolonged pregnancy, testing may be done to check fetal well-being and identify problems. Tests often include ultrasound, non-stress testing (how the fetal heart rate responds to fetal activity), and estimation of the amniotic fluid volume.

The decision to induce labor for post-term pregnancy depends on many factors. During labor, the fetal heart rate may be monitored with an electronic monitor to help identify changes in the heart rate due to low oxygenation. Changes in a baby's condition may require a cesarean delivery.

Special care of the post-mature baby may include:

  • checking for respiratory problems related to meconium (baby's first bowel movement) aspiration.

  • blood tests for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Prevention of post-maturity:

Accurate pregnancy due dates can help identify babies at risk for post-maturity. Ultrasound examinations early in pregnancy help establish more accurate dating by measurements taken of the fetus. Ultrasound is also important in evaluating the placenta for signs of aging.

Saturday, June 12, 2021

Pregnant and Lactating women and mRNA Vaccine.

Are pregnant and lactating women and their infants protected with the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines?

Yes, according to the results of a prospective cohort study that included 131 women, COVID-19 mRNA vaccines produce an antibody response in pregnant and lactating women that is comparable to that in non pregnant women and superior to the antibody response to natural SARS-CoV-2 infection. Additionally, antibodies are present in both the umbilical cord blood and breast milk of vaccinated patients, supporting the transfer of immunity to the fetus and infant. Finally, there were no significant differences in vaccine adverse effects.

All things considered, the decision to accept the COVID-19 vaccine or not ultimately belongs to the patient. Given disease prevalence and the latest information on vaccine safety in pregnancy, I have been advising my patients in the second trimester or beyond to receive the vaccine with the caveat that delaying the vaccine until the postpartum period is a completely valid alternative. The most important gift we can offer our patients is to arm them with the necessary information so that they can make the choice best for them and their family as we continue to fight this war on COVID-19.

 OBG Manag. 2021 May;33(5):24-25 | doi: 10.12788/obgm.0098