How many people think that pregnancy lasts 40 weeks? If we count from the first day of the last menstruation, pregnancies last an average of 40 weeks. But an average does not mean that it is a mandatory rule to be met for the beginning of all deliveries. The important thing to study in pregnancies is the development of the baby and not its duration. But it seems that When the 39th week arrives and there are no symptoms to announce the onset of labor, the rush begins for both doctors and some women tired of pregnancy.
It is proven that not all babies develop at the same speed in the womb. Just as children do not grow at the same rate, intrauterine babies are not ready to be born in the same time frame. Knowing that not everyone goes at the same speed, it seems illogical to cause a delivery in a pregnancy in which mother and baby are healthy and without any problems. It is true that there are some exceptions in which this induction is necessary since it is possible that the baby's health is in danger and that the mother's body is not able to put itself into labor. However, we have to know the existing alternatives to induction; the body has mechanisms that we can use.
Why are there so many inductions?
As we have already said, not all babies have the same speed in their development. Some studies indicate that labor begins at the moment in which the baby secretes a substance into the amniotic fluid as a result of the completed lung maturation. This substance warns the mother's body that the moment of her labor has arrived; basically it signals that the baby is ready to be born.
Sometimes this happens in week 38, other times in week 41. But as of week 41, doctors begin to “harass” us with labor induction and many times the little information we have leads us to think that it is the best. In these cases what should be done is a more exhaustive follow-up of the mother and the baby; forgetting for a moment the possibility of causing labor by doctors
It is proven that the faster the baby is put to be born, the more it is delayed. And the same to the mother; the more rush you have to give birth, the worse. The fear of induction keeps the pregnant woman in a nervous state of mind; the message that reaches the baby is not good so he decides to delay his arrival in the world. In all animal species, females go into labor when they are calmer.
These times usually coincide with the nights when most predators sleep. Imagine for a moment that a cow was being repeated every day that they are going to inject endless drugs and drugs so that her baby is born now. Both mother and baby will have anxiety. If we extrapolate this, we will understand why the human species is the one that needs the most inductions. In the animal kingdom of mothers there is no rush for a calf to be born.
The double side of inductions
Starting at week 40, even sometimes at week 39, they start rushing us to go into labor. As if it were as easy as pressing a button. Before the inductions are the dreaded touches and dangerous maneuvers in which they press on your cervix to help start labor. The woman's body has been preparing throughout pregnancy to endure and survive childbirth. The last weeks are very important.
During the last weeks of pregnancy it is possible to dilate little by little without realizing it. This is facilitating the long posterior dilation that is ahead. There are many cases of women with 2 centimeters of dilation for a whole week without any apparent contraction. By the time the body and the baby give the warning, labor has begun without the need for stimulation maneuvers.
Cases where induction is justified
There comes a time in gestation when the baby cannot grow more or develop more in the womb. Along with lung maturation, it would be ready to be born. Sometimes for different reasons the start of labor does not arrive and it is necessary to help the woman's body.
While it is true that babies have their precise moment to be born, there are some circumstances that justify induction:
- The placenta is not working adequately.
- The woman's blood pressure is high and carries a risk for your health and that of the baby.
- The amniotic sac has ruptured but the contractions do not appear.
- Infections
- Some maternal illnesses, such as diabetes or Rh disease.
- Baby you're losing mass and it does not grow in the womb.
Cases where induction is not justified
If you are pregnant over 40 weeks and If your pregnancy has been normal so far, you can refuse a future induction. Doctors have to inform you of the pros and cons. Induction of labor is a painful and invasive process; In addition, it puts a lot of stress on the baby. In general, it is quite common for dilation to be made difficult by being "forced."
So it is important to know in which cases there is no need for an induction:
- You are not over the 40th week of pregnancy yet.
- Your pregnancy has developed normally and there are no risks.
- The growth of the baby does not correspond to the week of pregnancy in which you are according to the date of your last period. Your baby may be 1 to 2 weeks younger than your FUR indicates. When we talk about an intrauterine baby, 1 or 2 weeks means a lot.
- There is no disease life-threatening maternal or fetal.
- Inductions at the request of the patient: Oddly enough, there are people who want their child to be born on a specific day, even if labor induction is necessary for this.
- The amount of amniotic fluid is totally normal and there are no losses.
- There is no fetal distress.
- In some hospitals, doctors "advise" women to induce labor before the weekend arrives if they are already 41 weeks old, since they do not have prenatal care on weekends. Inducing labor because the doctors won't be working that weekend is more than questionable.
A large part of inductions end in caesarean section and the age of the woman does not matter. When they explain it to you, it looks very simple: oxytocin dropper and epidural because it will hurt a lot and wait. What they don't tell you is that normally, and the moment you put yourself in the hands of the doctors, you are already one more patient.
The rush to deliver the baby leads to the amniotic sacs breaking early. This forces the baby to be born in a period not exceeding 12 hours. A body that has not given the order that it is prepared to dilate, no matter how much oxytocin is put on it, will not work well. In addition, the epidural stops many women from the work of dilation and contractions.
What do I do if I am approaching week 42?
If you and your baby are doing well there is no need to go through an induction. As we have already explained, it is a painful and very stressful process for both of you.
There are some more natural ways to help start labor:
- The sexual intercourse.
- To walk.
- Doing very moderate exercise.
- Some foods such as chocolate. Some say that spicy also helps.
- La relaxation; essential to convey to your baby that you are ready to welcome him.
- Nipple stimulation; many mothers who breastfeed when pregnant are advised to exercise caution. Stimulation of the infant to the nipple can initiate labor.
Finally, and however you start, remember that it is important to have knowledge of all the options. The power to choose from knowledge gives a lot of peace. Fear can play tricks on us and our most anticipated day can turn sour. Our body is a perfect machinery that will work as your brain allows it; take it easy.
If induction is ultimately necessary, try to hold out for a bit without the epidural. You will help the body understand the stimulus that is being sent to it. The key to success for both natural and induced labor is to work peace with our mind. The breaths that are to accompany labor will do their job if you take them seriously. Everything will flow and the end will be the same: you finally meet the person who has been growing inside you, to which you have given life and for which you will now live.