Which condition is associated with an increased risk during labor in late-term pregnancies?

The condition associated with an increased risk during labor in late-term pregnancies is decreased amniotic fluid, also known as oligohydramnios. Amniotic fluid plays a crucial role in cushioning the fetus, facilitating movements, and promoting lung development. In late-term pregnancies, insufficient fluid can lead to complications such as umbilical cord compression, which can affect fetal heart rate and oxygenation during labor. It may also increase the risk of labor augmentation and the need for interventions, such as cesarean delivery, to ensure the safety of both mother and baby.

While conditions like gestational diabetes and placenta previa can present risks, they are more relevant to specific management strategies and outcomes rather than being directly associated with the physiological changes during labor itself. Preterm labor is characterized by contractions and cervical changes before 37 weeks of gestation, and it does not pertain to late-term pregnancies, where gestation has progressed beyond 40 weeks. Therefore, the critical element linking decreased amniotic fluid to increased labor risk in late-term pregnancies underscores the importance of monitoring and management in these circumstances.