To prepare for birth, the cervix softens and thins. As this happens, the opening gets bigger, or dilates. But if your cervix has not changed, even if you’re in the 39th week of your pregnancy,
you should not induce labor without a medical reason
. If your body is not ready, your delivery is less likely to go smoothly.
Can you request to be induced at 39 weeks?
If your pregnancy is healthy, it’s best to let labor begin on its own. If your provider talks to you about inducing labor, ask
if you can wait until at least 39 weeks to be induced
. This gives your baby’s lungs and brain all the time they need to fully grow and develop before he’s born.
Can I request to be induced?
Inducing labor should only be for medical reasons. If your pregnancy is healthy, it’s best to wait for labor to start on its own. If your provider recommends inducing labor, ask about waiting
until at least 39 weeks
to be induced so your baby has time to develop in the womb.
What happens when you get induced at 39 weeks?
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.
Can you be induced without medical reason?
Research suggests that inducing labor without a medical reason
increases the risk of problems during and right after birth
. Despite these risks, many women have labor induced for non-medical reasons. These include: Desire to get the pregnancy over with.
Will my doctor induce me at 40 weeks if I ask?
Sometimes a woman with a
healthy pregnancy will ask for labor to be induced at
39 or 40 weeks. Previous studies suggested that inducing labor may increase the risk of needing a cesarean delivery or C-section, which is major surgery. It takes longer to recover from surgery than a vaginal birth.
What is the quickest way to go into labor?
- Get moving. Movement may help start labor. …
- Have sex. Sex is often recommended for getting labor started. …
- Try to relax. …
- Eat something spicy. …
- Schedule an acupuncture session. …
- Ask your doctor to strip your membranes.
Why does my doctor want to induce me at 39 weeks?
Babies are “due” after 40 weeks of gestation, but evidence suggests that
infant mortality and complications are lowest
for those delivered at 39 weeks, when a fetus is considered full term. Some obstetricians have recommended inducing labor at 39 weeks to reduce the risk of complications.
What is the average weight of a baby born at 39 weeks?
| Gestational age Length (US) Weight (US) | 37 weeks 19.02 inches 6.30 pounds | 38 weeks 19.41 inches 6.80 pounds | 39 weeks 19.72 inches 7.25 pounds | 40 weeks 20.08 inches 7.63 pounds |
|---|
How long does it take to give birth after being induced at 39 weeks?
The time taken to go into labor after being induced varies and can take anywhere between
a few hours up to two to three days
. In most healthy pregnancies, labor usually starts spontaneously between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy.
What are reasons to get induced?
- Postterm pregnancy. …
- Prelabor rupture of membranes. …
- Chorioamnionitis. …
- Fetal growth restriction. …
- Oligohydramnios. …
- Gestational diabetes. …
- High blood pressure disorders of pregnancy. …
- Placental abruption.
How can I induce labor fast at home?
- Exercise.
- Sex.
- Nipple stimulation.
- Acupuncture.
- Acupressure.
- Castor oil.
- Spicy foods.
- Waiting for labor.
What happens if you don’t go into labor at 40 weeks?
And
stillbirth
, though still rare, becomes a concern: At 40 weeks, the risk is 2 to 3 per 1,000 babies; at 42 weeks, it’s 4 to 7 per 1,000. If labor hasn’t started spontaneously, you’ll probably be induced at 41 weeks—at the latest.
Why is my body not in labor?
Keep in mind that there are medical reasons for inductions such as cancer, hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, a small-for-date baby, uterine infection, a decrease in the amount of amniotic fluid or an intrauterine death followed by a
long wait for labor
(don’t freak, we are talking weeks, not days and chances are …
What causes a baby to be overdue?
The reason why the baby is overdue is
usually not known
. Sometimes it is because of a genetic predisposition (hereditary). Women who have already had a baby that came much later than their due date are more likely to have an overdue baby in future pregnancies. Being born after the 40th week only rarely harms the child.
