If 37 weeks is considered full-term...?

Question

Then why do so many people go up in arms when women ask questions about inducing labour? I can understand that kind of reaction if the woman was premature, or if she was considering drinking cyanide to induce (not that anybody WOULD do that), but it's an innocent question on its own.

I *especially* wonder about the people who are all "OMG!WTF!BBQ! Ur beybee iz gunna DIE if u induce!"
Clearly, people like that don't know what they're talking about, so why do they bother saying anything at all? Why do people give such nasty "advice" on this subject, and then complain when they get negative reviews? A little respect never hurt anyone.

Okay, there seems to have been some confusion as to what my question is: Basically, I'm asking why people feel the need to climb on a high horse and give overly negative responses to the questions about inducing labour. Unhealthy options like castor oil are well-known, it just seems unnecessary to be rude about it, so I was wondering why people respond when all they want to do is make these women feel bad about themselves?
I'm being induced at 37 weeks, but only because I developed preeclampsia about a week ago. I'm not asking for induction advice or facts, I'm just wondering why people get so negative about this kind of thing. That's all.

Answer 1

What was your original question regarding inducing labor? Labor is induced when an abnormal situation occurs; in my case, it was because my water broke and the doctors did not want to risk infection. I was 34 weeks pregnant. If there is no risk to the woman or the baby, I see no reason why a doctor would induce. Babies are kept in the womb for a reason, when they are ready to come out, labor begins. Sometimes there is a risk that justifies inducing the baby to begin labor earlier than anyone expected, but those are special cases.

Answer 2

I have personally never seen the reaction...but if you want the reason they will not just induce women before 40 weeks without a medical reason it's because our system for estimating the due date is NOT full proof. Doctor's can be wrong with blood tests and ultrasounds even. It's only and estimate and can be wrong by up to 3 weeks in some cases, but the norm is 2 weeks. Many doctor's then are concerned if they induce at what they think is 38 weeks and are wrong by two weeks, okay they just induced a 36 week old fetus that may have problems from being born early. Is it worth the risk because the mother is simply umcomfortable and can't sleep, or their back hurts? Umm, NO! Even for planned inducing for medical reasons they do not like to do them before 38 weeks for that reason, unless it is a severe case and can not wait.

Answer 3

1) Some babies are full term at 37 weeks, some are not, even when the dates are 100%.

2) Inductions cause complications to both the baby and mother, they also lead to more interventions more often than not. More interventions means more chance of harm. If you have no medical need why take the risk.

3) Some old wives tales for starting labour truly are VERY unsafe.

I always warn against inductions, even for postdates(note I said post dates, not post term -- if your doctor doesn't know the difference FIRE THEM) babies. Because the risk is not worth the reward in my opinion. Also because our society is so "NOW NOW NOW" about childbirth I feel I must offer the counter-view just to help balance the world.

But I try to be respectful, however sometimes I do kind of loose it and get sarcastic. Though it is sarcastic in proper English that also has footnotes.

However I have no problems with bad reviews when I get sarcastic.

Women have given up all their power and it makes me very sad. We need to take back birth! Back into the hands of women where it belongs!

[Also hang out in mommy groups with kids under a year and I bet if you really study the kids after awhile you will be able to pic out all the ones that were born weighing less than 6lbs, even the full term babies that were born small for gestational age]

Answer 4

Yes technically, 37 weeks is full term (in the sense that most babies born at 37 weeks will have no problem surviving and will need little to no medical intervention), but a full pregnancy is 40 weeks. Most people who say rude comments like the ones you mentioned just have no knowledge of the subject. It's actually quite common to have the baby early if you have a planned c-section or if the mother has gestational diabetes.

I always like to blame my doctor when people disagree with my choices. Somehow it's ok when a trained physician says something but when I say the same thing...people go crazy.

Regards,
Mari

Answer 5

38 weeks is considered full term. They can survive of course but they still need those few more days to be completely "done" LOL. Anyway, people shouldn't induce labor unless absolutely necessary and not just because they want to have it since it's full term, the baby should stay in there until it wants to come out.

Answer 6

They just dont know what they are talking about. Ive been induced with one baby and everything was great and it wasnt harder than my regular labor and had another premature, like at 34 weeks, and he was like a full term baby. Healthy and didnt need any special treatments and we went home in 2 days. I see people freaking out about being induced at 36 or 37 weeks and people telling them that their babies will be fine, but probably have to be hooked up to special things, and monitored closely, etc...A babies lungs mature by 34 weeks. So being induced is fine and the doctor will not induce if the baby is gonna die from it.

Answer 7

40 weeks is full term but if a women delivers at 37 weeks in is not considered a preemie. If that makes sense. I know when I have been pregnant i am soo done with being pregnant at like 8 months you just have to suffer through the next 2 months. I guess it wasn't that bad I did have three.

Answer 8

alright im not going to say those things you quoted. but i really do beleive that birth and labor are natural processes and should be left so. Induced labors do have higher rates of complications and c-section. And I had a baby born 10.5 weeks premature. To me, every day int he womb is important, "normal" gestation is 40 weeks for a reason. I saw plenty of "almost" full term babies in the nicu.

Answer 9

The reason women go into labor is because the baby releases a hormone into your system once their lungs are completely developed. That triggers labor. The longer the better for the baby's sake. but 37 weeks is full term.

Answer 10

well..I think the big issue with some people is that the medication they use to induce is not safe for the baby and can cause alot of problems...I actually read a comment from someone one day that said that it can cause problems in the future for the babies...but I've known lots of people who have been induced and their kids grow up to be very healthy, smart, and intelligent people...if the medication is given right...and the hospital staff knows what they are doing, then everything should be fine....