A pregnancy that has reached 42 weeks of gestation without birth is called what?

A pregnancy that has reached 42 weeks of gestation without birth is called what?

• A. Postterm pregnancy
• B. Term pregnancy
• C. Preterm pregnancy
• D. Prolonged-term pregnancy

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is how we name pregnancies as they pass the typical term window. Term pregnancy covers about 37 to 41 weeks of gestation. When a pregnancy goes all the way to 42 weeks and there is no birth, that situation is called a postterm pregnancy. It signals that gestation has extended beyond the expected duration and is associated with increasing risks such as aging placenta, reduced amniotic fluid, and potential fetal distress, which is why monitoring and sometimes induction are considered. The other terms don’t fit this scenario: a term pregnancy is within 37–41 weeks, a preterm pregnancy is before 37 weeks, and prolonged-term is not the standard term used in most guidelines.

The main idea here is how we name pregnancies as they pass the typical term window. Term pregnancy covers about 37 to 41 weeks of gestation. When a pregnancy goes all the way to 42 weeks and there is no birth, that situation is called a postterm pregnancy. It signals that gestation has extended beyond the expected duration and is associated with increasing risks such as aging placenta, reduced amniotic fluid, and potential fetal distress, which is why monitoring and sometimes induction are considered.

The other terms don’t fit this scenario: a term pregnancy is within 37–41 weeks, a preterm pregnancy is before 37 weeks, and prolonged-term is not the standard term used in most guidelines.