Will softening of the cervix put me into labor on its own?

Question

I am 40 weeks and 4 days pregnant with my first. They plan on admitting me Friday morning at 8 a.m.(41 weeks) and attempting to soften my cervix, but I think they plan on sending me home saturday at 8 a.m. without administering pitocin or anything further. What's the sense in this?

Answer 1

A friend of mine had to have that done. They just put this gel into your cervix and it is used to soften the walls of the cervix. but you probably already know that part lol. I do think that once this is done you shouldn't go home. They should keep you at the hospital. You never know though you are over 40 weeks pregnant you may go into labor tonight. I really think you should talk to the doctor to find out what the plan is before during and after they give you this stuff good luck

Answer 2

what you are talking about sounds like they are going to use Prostaglandin gel: Prostaglandin gel is placed in the back of the vagina and helps soften and ripen the cervix. In some women, labour may start without further intervention.

I had this done, they will keep you in long enough to make sure you don't have a bad reaction to it or go in to labour. I went into labour about 24hrs after the gell so maybe this is why they are sending you home, untill real labour kicks in. usually with this method they will give you up to 3 doses 12hours apart to start labour but it varies with each women as to how many doses it takes.

Answer 3

Please, please ask what they are planning on using! A lot of hospitals use cytotec(misoprostol), which is extremely dangerous. It causes both effacement and dilation "Cytotec's manufacturer, G. D. Searle Corporation, obtained FDA approval in 1988 for its use in preventing peptic ulcers. By 1997, Cytotec had become "the predominant agent of choice" for labor induction, according to Dr. Charles Lockwood, chairman of obstetrical practices for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Even so, the package insert contains an explicit warning that "Cytotec may cause the uterus to rupture during pregnancy if it is used to bring on labor." The insert goes on to say that uterine rupture may lead to "severe bleeding, hospitalization, surgery, infertility, or death." from http://www.whatisaids.com/cytotec107.htm. I've put a couple other links for you to start looking into it, too.

Also, the average first pregnancy is 41 weeks, 3 days. Personally, I wouldn't even think of doing anything to induce until at least 42 weeks.

Answer 4

Had the same situation about 42wks the softening didn't work,the drugs inserted for labor to start didn't work too.On the third day i had a c-sec,i was so tired by then.I asked them why they did not have the c-sec on the first day intead of all the trouble.Any way my son is healthy, handsome and adorable.Goodluck

Answer 5

the process of labor will be facilitated by softening and lengthening of the cervix, and eventually, descent of the baby,
thats why the med helps
i hope it helps

Answer 6

yeah