Wanting to go into labor before you are 40 weeks.

Delia - posted on 08/29/2012

39 weeks ladies. 39 weeks is the minimal goal. It is OFFICIAL. I just got through taking a continuing education class on this (I'm an R.N.). There are so many problems with inducted babies as well as cut out babies forcibly removed from their Mamas before 39 weeks. I have a friend who works postpartum and she commented that since their hospital implemented the new policy, surprise surprise..........the babies are doing SO much better! There's a reason y'all ought to wait until the baby sends out the hormonal signal that it is well developed and ready to thrive on the outside.

Becky - posted on 06/24/2011

Totally agree, Erin! I am against early elective inductions, but I think it's silly to get bent out of shape over a 37-38 week pregnant woman saying, "I am so over this, baby can come any day now!"

Erin - posted on 06/24/2011

See, I think all heavily pregnant women have a licence to complain. But talking about being over it, and physically doing something to induce an early labour are two very different things. If my daughter had come at 38 weeks, I certainly wouldn't have complained. But I wasn't about to increase any risk to her by booking an induction or doing castor oil. I eventually booked an induction for 41+4, after I was found to be 4cm, almost completely effaced and with a bulging bag of waters. In the end, I went into spontaneous labour the day before, and she was born the morning her induction was scheduled lol.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 06/24/2011

Oh man, at 37 weeks, I was DONE being preggo. I had terrible varicose veins, spd, and cramping to the point of tears. My then 3 1/2 year old son had to help me into the hot bath, and would see me screaming in pain. It was terrible. I can totally understand wanting the baby out, and wanting your body back. I would not have induced if offered, but I would not have been upset about her coming earlier. She was 2 days past her due date, which in preggo terms isn't much....but when you are done...it is to long!

Becky - posted on 06/24/2011

Sorry, I'm a little bitchy today. Pregnancy hormones. :) All the same, I don't think a mom should judge another mom when she says she's ready for the baby to come already, or to be done being pregnant. Even if I had not been developing pre-eclampsia and my son hadn't been not growing, I was soooo sick at the end of my pregnancy. I was miserable. I couldn't eat, I couldn't keep anything down, I was afraid to leave the house because of the puking. If I'd said, "I'm so done being pregnant" and someone had said, "well, it's better for the baby to go to 40 weeks," I might have slapped them! That said - and I said before - I would not induce early no matter how miserable I was, if there was not a medical reason for it. But, I don't think a person should be faulted for being ready to just meet their baby and be done being sick and miserable already either! It doesn't mean they wish any ill towards the baby, it just means they feel like shit! Now, if a woman says, "Oh, I've never felt better" and in the next sentence says, "I'm so ready for this baby to come even though I'm only 36 weeks" well, then I can understand being annoyed by it.

Jeannette - posted on 06/24/2011

@ Becky, obviously if your son needed to be born before 40 weeks to be alive and healthy, that is what is best. I'm talking about women who have healthy pregnancies.

Delia - posted on 06/24/2011

Helped her along? It sounds like he stripped her membranes. Good sex with orgasms can be just as effective. You can tell her I said that. Just don't hop up immediately, rather keep the semen up against the cervix so their prostaglandins can soften it up. The oxytocin released when she has an orgasm can kick off contractions (the natural form of Pitocin which is synthetic) if it's actually time for her to go into labor. Evening primrose oil also can be used to ripen the cervix, and nipple stimulation is another way to kick of contractions - if it's really time.

Becky - posted on 06/24/2011

Well, since my son was not thriving in my womb and possibly would have starved to death had I gone to 40 weeks or beyond, I'll take the healthy baby with jaundice at 37 weeks over losing my baby at 40, thanks.

Tania - posted on 06/24/2011

I get angry when women talk about having their babies early. I had 2 preemies. My oldest at 34 weeks and my youngest at 30 weeks. Its not fun having to leave the hospital after 4 days and leave your tiny baby behind. You feel completely helpless. Maybe some of these women should visit a NICU. Even babies at 36-37 weeks can need assistance.
Some people need to get a clue. Sorry for the mini rant but having a sick newborn is very hard.

Ashley=) - posted on 06/24/2011

On my second pregnancy, i wanted her out at 6 months.If she could of been born healthy i would of loved it.Now of course thats not realistic nor i would not of wanted that to really happen.I was having such an awful pregnancy i just wanted it to be over.I went a week over in the end and it all ended in an emergency c-section to save her life.

When your having a bad pregnancy and your tired and sore.You have known something was wrong from early in the pregnancy.Forgive me for wanting my baby to born before 40weeks.lol.Anytime form 37 weeks should be fine if your certain of dates like i was.My baby-girl small but super healthy was well worth the whole 41weeks.Well worth it.I felt bad for wanting her to be out so soon, i was having such a hard time.I carried her so tiny but the pain and the worry i carried made up for the lack of baby bump.



My first came herself at 39weeks, perfect pregnancy and birth.I had severe morning sickness but other than that it was perfect.

Jeannette - posted on 06/22/2011

Well she just said that her doctor "helped her along" at her appt. this morning, at 38.5 weeks. So she thinks she might go tonight. I didn't know this, but she said she was "helped" with all 3 of her others and they came that night. I don't know. I just hope she and the baby are fine. I'm not trying to be negative and saying that "OMG something will definitely go wrong." I guess until I have a pregnancy where I am uncomfortable at the end (knock on wood, again) I won't know how it feels. So I can't judge.

Erin - posted on 06/22/2011

The end of pregnancy is ROUGH!! I was huge, it was the middle of a brutal Aussie summer, and I was miserable. So yeah, by about 36-37 weeks, I was done! I know I bitched and moaned a lot, but it was just talk (I agree with Dana there). I actually went to 41+4 with a 9lb 6oz, 22incher.

I would not electively induce before 41 weeks. I have known several late-term prems (36-37wks) who had the classic feeding, jaundice and temp regulation issues. I don't care how uncomfortable I am (and anyone who has seen my belly pics will know lol), I would not risk that.

Teresa - posted on 06/22/2011

I understand. For me the anxiety of remaining pregnant was weighed against what was best for my son. I was pregnant after two tragic losses and scared to death to lose him too. We induced at 39 weeks.

But yes, in most cases, 40 weeks is the goal and I agree completely.

Nikki - posted on 06/22/2011

I was induced with both of mine at 37 weeks. my daughter, I had been having strong consistent contractions for 4 days and had dilated to almost 4 cm so they put me in hospital and gave me pitocin to jump start me.

My son was inuced at 37+4 because he was already over 8 lbs. I wound up having a c-section with him because of his head circumfernce. 14 1/4 inches just wasn't cooperating.

Sapphire - posted on 06/21/2011

Just to also comment on due dates. Some of us actually know the exact date of conception due to infertility treatments. While a majority of women have an estimated due date, there's a few of us aroudn that know the exact date when baby was conceived and know the exact weeks/days of gestation.

Dana - posted on 06/21/2011

Ugh, Delia, you just described the first two weeks of my 34 weeker's life. He didn't have the suck/swallow thing down, so he had an NG tube at first, and then trying to get him to learn the suck swallow reflex was hard because he didn't stay awake long and was jaundiced also. Such a vicious cycle.



By two weeks though, we were out of the hospital and at home. I was still pumping though, since he wouldn't latch on. Eventually I got him latched with a nipple shield and then onto actual nipple. It was quite a trial. He's had no other issues though and he'll be 3 next month.

He was also a big preemie weighing in at 5lb 11oz, 21 inches long too!

Dana - posted on 06/21/2011

Yeah, I wouldn't want my child to come early if it didn't have to. Mine actually did come early and I'm currently 24wks pregnant and getting weekly progesterone shots to try and prevent another preterm delivery.

That being said though, there are plenty of women who are just uncomfortable and fed up, I think it's just a lot of talk and wanting to get it out (words, not baby) for the most part.

Jeanette - posted on 06/21/2011

i hear it all the time too i just feel very strongly that as moms we all have a lot of different experiences and circumstances that are not know to everyone... and while i don't myself know why anyone would not want to go full term just to be safe i do understand how someone could feel overwhelmed and exhausted and say something that maybe they don't wholeheartedly mean... now if i were confronted with someone who was planning an early induction or c-section i would strongly encourage them to reconsider... which i have done with my sister...

Delia - posted on 06/21/2011

Maybe her hospital has one of the newer policies no longer permitting inductions before 39 weeks, "splitting the difference". She holds on an extra week, and the baby is brought out a week earlier - assuming baby doesn't decide to come on it's own. After all, guestimated due dates figure babies coming of their own accord between 38 to 42 weeks. Has she tried talking to the baby and just welcoming it to come on down and make its appearance?

Jeannette - posted on 06/21/2011

Hey, I agree with you Jeanette. I don't think that all premies or babies born before 40 weeks get sick or are "inferior." I guess I just don't understand why somebody would want to have their child early, just in case problems would arise. It isn't my body or my baby and I don't have any say in what she or any other woman does. I was just voicing my opinion. I don't think she is a bad mom, but it isn't just her who got me started on the subject, it's from a lot I have read or heard lately.

Jeanette - posted on 06/21/2011

just to clarify i did say i don't agree with chosen early induction or c-section... i totally understand a pregnant women being tired and sore and "feeling" like she wishes it was just over already... if i could have chosen differnetly for myself i wouldn't change a thing... i really just don't get thinking people are wrong for having feelings that may differ from your own and judging other peoples experiences passed on your own... there are two sides to every thing... all my "premies" were born healthy and none have experienced any of the problems associated with premature birth... i may just be extremely blessed... my point is babies can be born pre term and be just as and sometimes more healthy then full term babies... it is really irrelevant when they are born as long as they are healthy. yes waiting longer is the best i'm not arguing that... my point from before still stands... in my opinion regardless of your feelings on it... its her body and she has a right to have her own feelings on it with out prejudice from you or anyone else... i think we can all agree pregnancy is a very emotionally charged time and i think its easy to have feelings and say things one minute that might change the next... judging this mother because of something she said is not fair... judging any mom period is not fair... being a mom is hard work we should be finding ways to boost each other not wasting time arguing over differences in opinion...
‎"The most important thing she'd learned over the years was that there was no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one." -Jill Churchill

Delia - posted on 06/21/2011

Jeanette, please take a look at my earlier post about 4 before yours.I too have had 2 babies born early, one at 36 weeks ( like you, I'd been contracting since 32 weeks), and one at just shy of 35 weeks. I experienced what that research details in terms of late term pre term babies when it came to feeding struggles.

Oh honey, I never struggled so hard to get a baby to wake up, stay awake, latch properly to the breast and eat! Then came the vicious cycle brought on by their poor feedings of increasing jaundice leading to more difficulty awakening, keeping awake and feeding leading to ever increasing jaundice (Incidentally, I nursed 3 full term babies prior and taught breastfeeding on the postpartum unit). The 36 weeker ended up being ambulanced to the hospital after she aspirated on breastmilk while nursing and stopped breathing altogether turning a most impressive color of dark purple like grape juice. They decided she had gastro esophageal reflux related to prematurity (And yes, I know that's the diagnosis du jour these days).

All's well that ends well, but it was a struggle! I certainly do not consider my early arrivals to be inferior, in fact I think of them as rather superior (just kidding), but as a Mom presented with a CHOICE (which neither you nor I had) it seems like one of the more important inconvenient sacrifices she will have to make for what's in her baby's best short term and long term interest.

Jeanette - posted on 06/21/2011

i have 4 children, 3 pregnancies and i had all of them before 38 weeks naturally... no inductions... my water broke on its own every time... my first was born at 36 weeks exactly and her placenta had begun to deteriorate... my twins were born at 36w5d... with them i had been in labor for 3 weeks so i really held them in as long as i could and my youngest went the longest and was born at 37w3d... while i hate the idea of being induced at all or having a planned c section unless medically nessecary... due dates are really just an estimate and just as you could be 35w instead of 38w... you could also be 41w instead of 36w... in my opinion regardless of your feelings on it... its her body and she has a right to have her own feelings on it with out prejudice from you or anyone else... i think we can all agree pregnancy is a very emotionally charged time and i think its easy to have feelings and say things one minute that might change the next... i personally get a little offended when people talk like babies born before 40 weeks are somehow inferior because their not full term and technically 37 weeks is full term the placenta on average begins to deteriorate and stop functioning around 36 weeks.

Stifler's - posted on 06/21/2011

It irritates me too. People who are 36 weeks posting NO BABY YET... der fred we didn't expect you to have had it.. you're not even due. I went to 41+2 with a 16 month old like seriously you think I didn't want the baby out. But if they're not ready they're not ready and babies come when they're ready. I was induced and ended up with foetal distress and an emergency caesar and yes I blame being induced for that.

Lissa - posted on 06/21/2011

Due dates are just estimations, people don't seem to understand that. Being 38 weeks pregnant could actually be 35. I personally went a week over then 38 weeks with the next two. My lovely midwife described my daughter as over cooked, she was very dry skinned and the placenta had begun to slightly deteriorate, she was 38 weeks. Your baby will come when it's ready, 2 weeks is a long time in pregnancy so much can change. Unless there is a serious medical need for it to be done I don't think it should happen.

Lady Heather - posted on 06/21/2011

Yeah, I don't get the wanting them out early thing. Uncomfortable is a lot easier for me to handle than a baby. Haha. Freja was born at 39w6d and I was sooooo not ready for her to come out. This one can stay in as long as she likes.

Delia - posted on 06/21/2011

38 weeks is NOT term. It just means the lungs are developed sufficiently for survival outside the womb. There is a strong push for more pregnancies to last 39 weeks, and not a day less.



March of Dimes has had it with doctors inducing or taking babies via c-section prior to 39 weeks because those inductions/cesarean sections have led to a marked increase in NICU admissions, respiratory and feeding complications,



Some facts your friend might find interesting are as follows:

*Babies born before 39 weeks are more likely to have vision and hearing problems after birth.

* Babies born before 39 weeks often can't learn to suck and swallow well, and they may not be able to stay awake long enough to eat.

*Even when lungs are fully developed, deliveries between 36 and 38 weeks,6 days, may still be associated with significantly increased respiratory problems

*Important growth in the liver occurs during the last weeks of pregnancy.

* According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, infants born at 37 to 38 weeks face problems with brain development and function, including psychological, behavioral and emotional problems



Some hospitals have tough new policies to discourage or even prohibit doctors from scheduling deliveries before 39 weeks w/out a medical reason due to the data against such deliveries.



Babies send hormonal signals to be born when they're ready, and women should challenge doctors who suggest early inductions/c-sections without a compelling medical reason, because they aren't using the most current evidence.



That's my "two cents".

Elizabeth - posted on 06/21/2011

I have had 4 children. My first one was 14 days early natural labor that started on fri had her mon, second one was induced 3 weeks early for health reasons they wanted him born by the childrens hosptial 1.5 hours away so they picked what day he would be born based on my frist one 3rd one was induced 16 days early cause of terable back pain and when i went in i was at the cut off point to go home dailated to 5 even though i was at 4 all weekend with the first one. and my last one was born 12 days early with a complete natural 8 hour labor (i liked the slow growing labors of the first 3 better) I feel that if there is no medical reason to have you baby early then dont let nature take it course There is one thing that i might say good idea to. If the father is a military man and is going to be home on leave but has to go back before the due date and it is safe let him see the birth of his child

Jeannette - posted on 06/21/2011

Haha Joanna, I don't think it is the same woman. She's not technically going to be induced yet, but she said she was going to ask the doctor about it tomorrow. I'm not trying to put her down and at least she is full term, as I said. I guess it is because I don't know what the uncomfortable feels like that I can't understand wanting the baby to come out early.

My son was due Nov. 21st. I wanted him to come then for 2 reasons, one is because I wanted as much relax time as I could get and two because he was due the day after New Moon was coming out in theaters (I know, you can laugh at me if you want.) But he ended up coming on November 17th. A couple times I had thought it would be neat and special if he came Nov. 13th, Friday the 13th. My husband and I met on Friday the 13th. But as his due date was getting closer, I just knew that I wanted him in at least til his due date.

Sapphire - posted on 06/21/2011

I have to say that if this is her 4th pregnancy, she knows her body pretty well. She's pretty sick & tired of pregnancy. I am sure she is aware of the health benefits to keep a baby cooking as long as possible and many women just simply rant and complain. Don't let it get to you. I had to be medically induced at 36 weeks, and was grateful to take home a small, but healthy baby 48 hours later. I would have loved that feeling of letting baby cook and go into labor naturally. But oh well-it is what it is. Many women do opt for early inductions, or attepmt to bring on labor early. it's their business. I'd stay out of it and jsut simply wish teh best for her & baby,

Teresa - posted on 06/21/2011

In a normal, healthy, vaginal delivery w/out extenuating circumstances... I'm against trying to go before 40 weeks. 'Trying' being the key word there... some kids just want to come early and that's fine... if it's not TOO early.



For me though... I went to 37 weeks and 38 weeks 5 days. :)

Becky - posted on 06/21/2011

Well, both of mine have come before 40 weeks - one induced for medical reasons and the second, all on his own free will. So I think I'd be going stir-crazy if I went right to 40 weeks, or worse, past that! Mind you, the end of both my pregnancies were also hell - with the first, I couldn't keep anything down, and with the second, I had such bad pelvic pain I could barely walk. However, like I said, my second came early (not that early, 38 weeks 6 days) on his own. I would never induce early just because I was uncomfortable. HOwever, if baby wants to come early - after 37 weeks of course - on its own, that is just fine and dandy with me!

Rosie - posted on 06/21/2011

i'd say stuff like that when i was 4 months pregnant. i think people are just so sick of being pregnant, they want the baby to come if it wants to, not necessarily wanting to get induced. i think you're a loon if you want to stay pregnant longer. that being said, i don't feel there is a need for induction before 39 weeks, anything after that is fair game to me, IMO.

Firebird - posted on 06/21/2011

Do we have the same friend? lol I have a friend on facebook as well who's being induced right away (also 2 weeks early) because she's getting a bit uncomfortable.

I personally would never induce or do anything to hurry it up, unless it were truly medically necessary.

Heather - posted on 06/21/2011

I loved being pregnant! I find it troubling or at least saddening when women treat it as such a chore. I think some people forget what a blessing it is and how lucky people are to be pregnant at all.

Sara - posted on 06/21/2011

Yeah, I feel the same way. I'm pregnant with my second right now, and yes, I'm uncomfortable, but I also don't want her to come earlier than she needs to. It really irritates me when women try to do things like drink Caster oil or other things in order to try and induce labor before their due date.