Women who carry their baby at least 39 weeks also have less postpartum depression. To prepare for birth, the cervix softens and thins. As this happens, the opening gets bigger, or dilates. If your body is not ready, your delivery is less likely to go smoothly. For example, you are at increased risk of having a C-section, especially if you are giving birth for the first time.
And your baby may be more likely to need intensive care after delivery. Even when the cervix shows signs of being ready, there are reasons to allow labor to happen on its own. Natural labor is usually easier and shorter than induced labor. And you can usually spend the early part of your labor at home, moving around and staying as comfortable as you can. By contrast, an induced labor takes place in the hospital. You will most likely be hooked up to medical equipment, including at least one intravenous IV line and an electronic fetal monitor.
All of these methods may cause faster or more intense contractions than if labour started naturally. Oxytocin is naturally produced by your body to help the uterus contract. It may also be called by its synthetic name, Pitocin. An amniotomy is where your care provider uses an instrument that looks like a crochet hook to break the amniotic sac, allowing amniotic fluid to leak out.
This is uncomfortable but not painful. Again, this is usually done once the cervix is favourable, and oxytocin is used to keep labour consistent. Each induction method carries some specific potential risks, so you and your care provider have to weigh the risks and benefits against the risks and benefits of continuing the pregnancy without inducing labour. Some uncommon but serious risks include uterine rupture and heavy bleeding after delivery. New research suggests that an induction at 39 weeks actually leads to a lower C-section rate, lower infant mortality and fewer blood pressure problems for women.
Some of those studies point to a lower rate of admission to the NICU , while others found a slightly higher rate. Induction may not be right for you if you have had a previous C-section or other major uterine surgery and are attempting a vaginal birth after Caesarian VBAC due to the risk of uterine rupture; if your placenta is blocking the cervix known as placenta previa ; if you have an active genital herpes outbreak; or if your baby is breech or transverse bum down or lying sideways in the uterus.
There are a bunch of home remedies out there to get labour started. If you have a midwife, she may have some approaches that she would like to use first, including the stretch and sweep described above. Some traditional midwives, like Indigenous midwives , may use an herbal tea called blue cohosh to induce labour, but talk to your care provider beforehand.
Nipple stimulation, either manually or with a breast pump , is another anecdotal approach. Destinee Heikkinen, a mom of four, knows a fair bit about trying to get labour started—all her pregnancies were close to 42 weeks. The bottom line: Labour, like parenting, is unpredictable and messy. The best thing you can do is arm yourself with information to help with decision-making every step of the way. What is inducing labor? What are medical reasons for inducing labor?
Your provider may recommend inducing labor if: Your pregnancy lasts longer than 41 to 42 weeks. After 42 weeks, the placenta may not work as well as it did earlier in pregnancy. The placenta grows in your uterus womb and supplies your baby with food and oxygen through the umbilical cord. Your placenta is separating from your uterus also called placental abruption or you have an infection in your uterus. Your water breaks before labor begins.
This is called premature rupture of membranes also called PROM. You have health problems, like diabetes , high blood pressure or preeclampsia or problems with your heart, lungs or kidneys. Diabetes is when your body has too much sugar called glucose in your blood. This can damage organs in your body, including blood vessels, nerves, eyes and kidneys.
High blood pressure is when the force of blood against the walls of the blood vessels is too high and stresses your heart.
Preeclampsia is a serious blood pressure condition that can happen after the 20th week of pregnancy or after giving birth called postpartum preeclampsia. Your baby has a stopped growing.
Or your baby has oligohydramnios. What are the risks of scheduling labor induction for non-medical reasons? If your provider recommends inducing labor, ask these questions: Why do we need to induce my labor?
Is there a problem with my health or the health of my baby that may make inducing labor necessary before 39 weeks? Can I wait to have my baby closer to 39 weeks? How will you induce my labor? What can I expect when you induce labor? Will inducing labor increase the chance that I'll need to have a c-section? What are my options for pain medicine? Last reviewed: September, See also: 39 weeks infographic. Prepare for a healthy pregnancy and baby this year.
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