When is it safe to go into labor

Now, most doctors have received the memo that unnecessary inductions are potentially dangerous for moms and babies. If there are solid, compelling medical reasons to induce or schedule a C-section, then, by all means, that's what those procedures are there for.

However, if the medical reason can wait until a baby is full term, mothers and babies both fare better. Another great thing about these guidelines is that it spells out that a woman isn't really "over due" when she goes past her due date a week or two.

For a long time now, doctors have been fixed on that week mark as if a timer will go off and all hell's going to break loose if the baby isn't born lickety-split. Their concern is about babies growing too big for mom's pelvis, or a placenta growing too old to sustain a baby.

While those things do occasionally happen, they don't happen very often. Since post due date pregnancies put doctors on the defense legally speaking however, the birth culture pressed hard for women to accept medical interventions to push them into labor once the buzzer went off. The thing is that prior to when all those crazy inductions took over the birth industry in the 80s and well into the s, women delivered safely a week or two past their due dates all the time and it was no big deal.

Sure, they were crazy uncomfortable and frustrated, but nobody considered that there was anything wrong with them. These new guidelines send the message that women and their doctors need to hear: So what if the baby's a little late?

No biggie. He or she will come when really, truly ready to be born. Frankly, we think mom's body knows when that time is far better than anybody else. Our daughter is being encouraged by her doctors at the Cleveland Clinic to let them induce her at 39 weeks although she is experiencing no problems or complications.

In fact, they are encouraging all pregnant women to be induced at 39 weeks since there are new studies that suggest inducing women at 39 weeks reduces the risk of C-section, preeclampsia and maternal hypertension. They claim that there is no adverse effect on the baby but I wonder if that's true. This is incredibly frustrating. Who even schedules vanity c-sections or inductions anymore? All this article does is terrify women who have a serious medical reason for early delivery, such as placenta previa.

By Jeanne Faulkner, R. If your due date has come and gone, you may be anxious for labor to begin. It's very unlikely that you will suddenly go into labor without warning. Your body will let you know that you're close to the big day, so you can make sure your hospital bag is packed, and be ready to go to the hospital when the time is right.

Although every woman is different, you may notice some of these signs that indicate that labor might start in the next few days:. A change in energy levels. If you're feeling extra tired or experiencing a sudden surge of energy in the days or weeks before labor, this is perfectly normal. You might also have the urge to "nest" and prepare your home for the baby. Although nesting can begin any time during your pregnancy, many women experience it just before labor.

Don't overexert yourself. Just rest, and save your energy. Your baby drops lower into your pelvis in the weeks, days, or hours before labor. This is called lightening, because you may find breathing a little easier. Bloody show. You might notice a thick, pinkish or blood-streaked discharge called a bloody show. This is the mucus plug that sealed your cervix during pregnancy. It often appears several days before labor begins, although it's not always noticeable.

Although every pregnancy is different, and there is no definite set of events, you may experience some early signs of labor. Some of these can be very subtle, and you may not even notice them. Contractions are the most common first sign of labor. Just before you go into labor, your cervix, the lower part of your uterus, will soften, thin out, and shorten. You may feel a little discomfort, maybe even a few light, irregular contractions.

Your cervix will also start to dilate open , which can happen slowly at first but will progress more quickly as you approach active labor. If they do not ask, tell them about the baby's movements. Slowing down labour or stopping it is not appropriate in all circumstances — your midwife or doctor can discuss your situation with you. They will consider:. You may be offered a course of steroid injections to help your baby's lungs get ready for breathing if they're born prematurely.

Steroids may not be offered after 36 weeks as your baby's lungs are likely to be ready for breathing on their own. If you're in premature labour and you're 24 to 29 weeks pregnant you should be offered magnesium sulphate. This can help protect your baby's brain development. You may also be offered it if you're in labour and 30 to 33 weeks pregnant. This is to protect your baby against problems linked to being born too soon, such as cerebral palsy.

If you take magnesium sulphate for more than 5 to 7 days or several times during your pregnancy, your newborn baby may be offered extra checks. This is because prolonged use of magnesium sulphate in pregnancy has in rare cases been linked to bone problems in newborn babies. Your midwife or doctor will offer the choice of 2 treatments and they should discuss the risks and benefits with you. Babies born before full term before 37 weeks are vulnerable to problems associated with being born premature.

The earlier in the pregnancy a baby is born, the more vulnerable they are. It's possible for a baby to survive if born at around 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Babies born this early need special care in a hospital with specialist facilities for premature babies. This is called a neonatal unit.