The mother of a post-term infant asks the nurse why the infant is being watched so closely. What is the nurse's most appropriate response?

A. Delivery of the post-term infant is more difficult: While post-term infants may present challenges during delivery, this does not explain why the newborn requires close monitoring after birth. The focus is on postnatal adaptation rather than delivery difficulty. B. Infants born post-maturely are generally large: Some post-term infants are macrosomic, but not all, and size alone does not determine the need for intensive observation. Monitoring is based on physiologic risks rather than solely on weight. C. The placenta does not function adequately as it ages: Placental aging can lead to decreased oxygen and nutrient transfer, placing the post-term infant at risk for hypoglycemia, meconium aspiration, and other complications. Close monitoring after birth ensures timely detection and intervention for these potential problems. D. There is less amniotic fluid: Oligohydramnios can occur with post-term pregnancies, but the primary concern for close neonatal observation is related to placental insufficiency rather than amniotic fluid volume alone.