Fetal assessment in postterm pregnancy

Abstract

There is considerable disagreement over the management of postterm pregnancies. The main controversy is whether to adopt a policy of routine induction or one of selective induction allied to frequent fetal surveillance. Current evidence suggests that routine induction at 42 weeks' gestation does not increase the risk of instrumental delivery or cesarean section. To adopt the former approach, it is important that gestation is confirmed by early ultrasound examination, which has reduced the true incidence of postterm pregnancy to less than 6%. There have been no recent significant advances regarding methods of fetal surveillance in the postterm pregnancy.