Many expectant mothers breathe a huge sigh of relief when they make it to 37 weeks of pregnancy.
But don't start counting your baby's 10 fingers and 10 toes just yet - the pregnancy isn't over.
A full term pregnancy lasts at least 40-41+ weeks, often even later than the estimated due date.
Only about 5 percent of deliveries actually happen on the due date! Babies born between 37 and 38 weeks are still weeks away from their due date, and can still face risks for health problems and developmental delays that many babies may experience from a pre-term birth, rather than those who are born around 40 weeks.
Research has shown that many of these "early term" infants are helped along by elective labor induction, often based on the preferences of the parents or doctor.
There are many induction risks for babies born early.
Parents may not realize that this elective procedure sets their baby up for these induction risks, including a greater chance of having a cesarean birth.
It's understandable that parents would like to meet their baby earlier, rather than waiting until the full 40 weeks.
The last few weeks of pregnancy can be exhausting.
You're tired and having difficulty sleeping, not to mention the multiple trips to the bathroom because your growing baby is crowding out your bladder.
Induction Risks When a baby is born early, or between 37 to 40 weeks, they are at a higher risk of developing breathing problems.
Breathing difficulties can make it necessary that a baby needs a ventilator and can develop feeding problems, too.
This can delay bonding and breastfeeding efforts.
Risks Can Be Physical Some babies born early term have difficulty rooting and sucking, induction risks that aren't as likely after roughly that 36-to 38-week mark.
They also are at risk for having difficulty maintaining their blood sugar levels and temperature, as well as developing jaundice.
Risks Can Be Developmental Researchers are beginning to discover that early term babies also have difficulties that can show up later when they start school.
They are more likely to develop learning disorders, including Asperger's syndrome, ADHD, and dyslexia, induction risks that carry over beyond the first few weeks of life.
Inductions Can Lead To Unexpected Cesareans When a pregnant woman is induced before her due date, prostaglandins are used to ripen the cervix and her membranes are prematurely ruptured.
These can lead to fetal distress, resulting in a cesarean section, which carries its own risks.
Induction Can Be More Painful For Mom There is also research that the use of pitocin, the drug often used to induce birth, is linked with the development of ADHD.
Labor is often more painful and can take longer for women who are induced, rather than those who are able to start labor on their own.
There are natural methods available to try to induce your pregnancy yourself, but whether this intervention is done by a doctor or yourself with natural herbs or techniques, it still can carry the same consequences.
While most babies are born close to their due date, there are still a significant number of babies who aren't yet born by 41 weeks, when induction is usually recommended by medical professionals.
Women need to be informed about the benefits and risks associated with induction and make the choice that is right for them.
She should also receive support for her choice.
Remember that a due date is not an expiration date.
In most circumstances, letting your baby choose his or her birthday is the safest option for both mother and child.
But don't start counting your baby's 10 fingers and 10 toes just yet - the pregnancy isn't over.
A full term pregnancy lasts at least 40-41+ weeks, often even later than the estimated due date.
Only about 5 percent of deliveries actually happen on the due date! Babies born between 37 and 38 weeks are still weeks away from their due date, and can still face risks for health problems and developmental delays that many babies may experience from a pre-term birth, rather than those who are born around 40 weeks.
Research has shown that many of these "early term" infants are helped along by elective labor induction, often based on the preferences of the parents or doctor.
There are many induction risks for babies born early.
Parents may not realize that this elective procedure sets their baby up for these induction risks, including a greater chance of having a cesarean birth.
It's understandable that parents would like to meet their baby earlier, rather than waiting until the full 40 weeks.
The last few weeks of pregnancy can be exhausting.
You're tired and having difficulty sleeping, not to mention the multiple trips to the bathroom because your growing baby is crowding out your bladder.
Induction Risks When a baby is born early, or between 37 to 40 weeks, they are at a higher risk of developing breathing problems.
Breathing difficulties can make it necessary that a baby needs a ventilator and can develop feeding problems, too.
This can delay bonding and breastfeeding efforts.
Risks Can Be Physical Some babies born early term have difficulty rooting and sucking, induction risks that aren't as likely after roughly that 36-to 38-week mark.
They also are at risk for having difficulty maintaining their blood sugar levels and temperature, as well as developing jaundice.
Risks Can Be Developmental Researchers are beginning to discover that early term babies also have difficulties that can show up later when they start school.
They are more likely to develop learning disorders, including Asperger's syndrome, ADHD, and dyslexia, induction risks that carry over beyond the first few weeks of life.
Inductions Can Lead To Unexpected Cesareans When a pregnant woman is induced before her due date, prostaglandins are used to ripen the cervix and her membranes are prematurely ruptured.
These can lead to fetal distress, resulting in a cesarean section, which carries its own risks.
Induction Can Be More Painful For Mom There is also research that the use of pitocin, the drug often used to induce birth, is linked with the development of ADHD.
Labor is often more painful and can take longer for women who are induced, rather than those who are able to start labor on their own.
There are natural methods available to try to induce your pregnancy yourself, but whether this intervention is done by a doctor or yourself with natural herbs or techniques, it still can carry the same consequences.
While most babies are born close to their due date, there are still a significant number of babies who aren't yet born by 41 weeks, when induction is usually recommended by medical professionals.
Women need to be informed about the benefits and risks associated with induction and make the choice that is right for them.
She should also receive support for her choice.
Remember that a due date is not an expiration date.
In most circumstances, letting your baby choose his or her birthday is the safest option for both mother and child.
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