40 weeks pregnant and labor doesn't start. Should I induce labor?

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

It's quite common to get 40 weeks pregnant and not go into labor. In this case, the girls begin to panic and sound the alarm. After all, the so-called date of birth is set exactly for the specified period. To him, a woman should be born. If this does not happen, you have to think about stimulation. But is it worth it? Maybe it's better to refrain, be patient and wait a little more? And if you do stimulation, how best to carry out this process? Please note that any such action may adversely affect your he alth. So think twice before you get down to business.

Norms

So, it's 40 weeks pregnant, and labor doesn't start. This situation is familiar to many women. It causes, as already mentioned, a lot of problems and disagreements, it sows panic. Doctors usually put a date in the form of the EDD, which indicates exactly 40 weeks of pregnancy. It is generally accepted that by this time the birth should occur without any problems.

But it doesn't always work out that way. 40 weeks isthe so-called norm. In general, the bodies of a woman and a baby are completely ready for childbirth at the 38th week. But there are cases when they give birth earlier - on the 36-37th. This phenomenon is not considered a pathology, although it may come as a complete surprise to the expectant mother. So until the 40th week at least you should not panic. But you will have to prepare for childbirth from about the 36th. Especially if you have a heredity in the form of prematurity.

Last weeks

40 weeks pregnant and not going into labor? To be honest, you should not be afraid of such a phenomenon. We have already found out the generally accepted norms in this area. But it’s not just that it’s believed that pregnancy lasts 42 weeks. It is this "bar" that is set for all women in labor.

What does this mean? If you haven't given birth at 40 weeks, there is no reason to panic. Especially if the child develops right on time. There is no need for stimulation. A normal pregnancy can end at any time before the 42nd week. Until the specified period, you do not even need to think about stimulation. No point.

Why? Pregnancy is an unpredictable period. And it is impossible to say exactly when the child will be born. Doctors came up with the definition of EDD just to be prepared for this event. And so that a woman can prepare everything for the future baby. This decision is based on experience and statistics. Already 40 weeks pregnant? Second pregnancy or first - it doesn't matter. Then you can safely wait at least another 14 days. But at the same time, be ready for childbirth at any time.

Is it stimulated

Doing all this is not so easy. The wait can be extremely tiring at times. Yes, and at 40 weeks of pregnancy, the stomach of many women turns to stone, a variety of unpleasant sensations and ailments appear. That is, a certain overworking of the body takes place. In principle, there is no need to be afraid of this. After all, you can still walk in an "interesting position" for about 14 days. And such a decision is considered the norm.

Many think about artificial induction of labor. Especially by the 40th week of pregnancy. This decision should not be made spontaneously. It all depends on your situation as a whole, on the recommendations of doctors, as well as on your he alth and the development of the child in the womb. Often, doctors offer to conduct stimulation on their own or even carry it out without any knowledge under the guise of "injecting ascorbic acid for he alth." Remember, the decision to artificially induce labor is yours alone. But if you have just started your 40th week of pregnancy, and your he alth is normal, do not rush into it! Wait, the body will decide when it is ready for childbearing.

Words for

Well, there are some people who are into labor induction. As already mentioned, you should not take this option into account if the DA has just arrived. You don't have to go into labor on that day.

You will have to seriously think about a "forced" decision when you have already passed the 42nd week and the 43rd has begun. Just after this, the danger tochild and mother becomes the maximum. After all, by the specified period, the baby is completely ready for independent life, and the woman's body begins to literally get tired of the "foreign body" inside.

In addition, as an option - this is the appearance of some serious consequences of the absence of childbirth at 40 weeks. This happens very rarely. Nevertheless, it sometimes happens that various discharges begin at the 40th week of pregnancy. And not generic. And some incomprehensible. If you do not have infections and diseases, it's time to think about artificial stimulation of labor. You should tell your doctor about all changes in the body. And already he will decide with you on stimulation.

Redevelopment

Already 40 weeks pregnant and still not going into labor? Artificial stimulation is useful when there is an increased development of the fetus. That is, if the child is ahead of his real life according to the state of the body at the moment.

In practice, babies who develop faster are born at 36-38 weeks of pregnancy. And up to 40 rarely "sit" inside the mother. True, for various reasons, childbirth may not occur by this time. And then at the 40th week, the decision to stimulate is usually made. She is also different. And the consequences are also varied. You will have to know about them before agreeing to the procedure.

Arguments against

Until you are 42 weeks pregnant, don't panic about giving birth. Yes, I really wantquickly give birth and experience all the joy of motherhood. Only after all, our body itself is adapted for childbearing. And he "knows better" when it is required to start labor. If you still want to stimulate for no apparent reason, first study all the consequences and negative aspects of this process.

For example, many women claim that such a step is just negligence. And doctors, and women in labor. After all, medicines are often used to stimulate. They adversely affect the he alth of the mother, as well as the unborn baby. Side effects can be deplorable. Lethal outcomes are extremely rare, but they are possible.

In addition, artificially induced labor is much more painful than naturally initiated. Contractions will be several times stronger. Are you 40 weeks pregnant? Pain, discharge and other "charms" do not bother you? Then you better wait a bit! After all, not everyone will be able to cope with contractions that appear after medical stimulation of childbirth. You can get shocked and also just die from pain. This rarely happens in today's world. But this kind of event should not be completely ruled out.

Among other things, the pain of stimulation can lead to loss of consciousness. Shock is not the worst thing that awaits a woman in labor. But the loss of consciousness will be the cause of a caesarean section. If you plan to give birth on your own, then you will only have to think about stimulation in extreme cases.

Me myself

Well, ifyou still want to stimulate childbirth, it is advisable to choose among them the so-called folk methods. Drug exposure has a lot of negative consequences. But if you try to independently induce labor, then the likelihood of these decreases. In any case, you will not have huge pain during contractions - they will be exactly the same as during normal childbirth.

What do you recommend? There are several options here. Are you 40 weeks pregnant (second or first, doesn't matter)? Has the birth started yet? Want to get to know them faster? Then walk up the stairs. Climb up and down for a while, back and forth. This method often helps.

Also, as an alternative, it is recommended to jump on the ball. We are talking about options "with ears". This is a good prevention of hemorrhoids, as well as stimulation of labor. That is, any physical activity is suitable. Sometimes even long walks can induce labor.

Alternatively, some doctors "prescribe" "male therapy" to their patients. More specifically, sexual intercourse. It almost always induces labor at 40-42 weeks of gestation. All this is due to the contraction of the muscles in the body. We can say that sexual intercourse is a real labor stimulator, which is distinguished by its safety.

Medicines

True, most often in hospitals and maternity hospitals, a medical method of stimulating labor is used. With conscientious doctors, a similar option is considered in the case ofbaby's postmaturity. That is, when the 42nd week of pregnancy comes. But most often this method is used when you just don’t want to “mess around” with a woman in labor for a long time and wait until she gives birth on her own.

Oxytocin is used as a stimulant. This is a special hormone that is responsible for the onset of labor. So that a woman in labor, who is against stimulation, does not find out about the introduction of the drug, it is often called a "vitamin" or "ascorbic". After intravenous administration, painful (sometimes even too much) contractions begin, childbirth "starts".

Conclusions

What can we say at the end of our today's topic? Are you 40 weeks pregnant and still not going into labor? There is no reason to panic. This is normal. A post-term pregnancy is considered from the 42nd week. More precisely - after its completion. Until this time, you should not think about stimulation. Unless your he alth deteriorates sharply over time.

Try to avoid medication when stimulating. The consequences of this may be irreversible. True, sometimes you can’t do without it. In any case, there is no cause for concern at the 40th week of pregnancy. Be patient for another 14 days. Only after that you can seriously think about stimulation.