ABSTRACT
DIAGNOSIS/DEFINITION Postterm pregnancy is defined as pregnancy that has lasted until 42 weeks, or 294 days, or 14 days after the due date [estimated date of confinement (EDC)] (1). Prolonged pregnancy can be defined as a pregnancy that has lasted until 41 weeks, or 287 days, or 7 days after the due date (EDC) (2). The term “postdates” can signify a pregnancy that lasted until 40 weeks, or 280 days, but is often defined differently in the literature and should be avoided (1). All these definitions may have slightly different meanings in the literature, so it is important to be clear when using these terms. These definitions and this guideline pertain to singleton gestations. For multiple gestations, please refer to chapter 43 in Maternal-Fetal Evidence Based Guidelines.
