The outcome of post-term pregnancy. A comparative study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether prolonged pregnancy was associated with dangers to the fetus, and to assess the incidence of cesarean section as well as fetal distress. The outcome for mother and baby in both groups of patients with post-term pregnancies was generally good. Furthermore, the improvement of prognosis for postdate pregnancy is due to the availability of electronic fetal monitoring and ultrasound, making possible the identification of fetal distress, as well as the use of prostaglandin to ripen a stubborn cervix, and induce labor successfully in most cases. Consequently, we feel that fetal jeopardy with continued intrauterine existence, as well as the excellent results of induction of labor, justify the active approach. The routine induction of labor in postdate pregnancy may reduce perinatal morbidity, as indicated in previous reports [2], and confirmed in this study.