Doctor says its ok...But I think its too soon?

Question

I'm 36 weeks preggo, 3cm dilated, and 100% effaced. My doctor says I'll more than likely deliver within the next 2 weeks. She took me off my medicine to stop my contractions and said I can start walking and doing all that stuff to induce labor. My question is, even if my baby is measuring big, isn't 36 weeks still a little too soon to actually *try* and self induce?

Answer 1

36 weeks will be just fine! A baby is considered term (not premature) at that time. Don't worry!

But be warned! They took me off my medication at 36 weeks and my baby came 2 days later!

Congrats!

Edit: MaryRose is correct, technical full-term is 37 weeks. But the general rule is that they will not stop labor starting at 34 weeks. 34 and 35 weeks could mean a little bit of time in the ICU for feeding and/or breathing but by 36 weeks a baby normally ready!

Everyone is going to have an opinion - as you can see from the passionate (and sometimes rude) responses you have received but in the end the only one that matters is that of your doctor who has the true knowledge.

And frankly, there are many of us that have had babies early that can give you a little insight that someone who has yet to have their child can relate to.

Answer 2

Do what you want. If she took you off of your medicine, than I am sure that the baby is fine. If you don't want to induce labor, than take it easy. The way that I figure it is the longer that the baby is in the womb, the healthier it will be, so I would be a little stricken by this too. So, instead of walking around etc. take some time to rest. As she said, it will be here within the next two weeks anyway.

Answer 3

My boss was dilated to two and had contractions for 2 weeks before finally having her son. She was even still working and on her feet for about 4 hours of her shift. Even if your baby was born tomorrow it will have VERY little if any problems. Even my son that was born at 29 weeks is now a completely healthy, active 3 year-old with no delays.
Congrats on the baby. Keeps us updated!

Answer 4

A doctor usually wouldn't let you try to self induce if he/she really thought anything was wrong with your baby, if it makes you feel better, get a second opinion..easiest way i think would be to go to the ER and have them check you. Plus in 2 weeks you'll be 38 weeks, that's only 2 weeks early from your due date that is perfectly normal.. The window is 2 wks before or after your original due date.

Answer 5

Nope. Babies are fully formed and ready to go at 36 weeks. Your doctor wouldn't suggest something that was dangerous for you and your baby. I'm 13 weeks pregnant with my 2nd and my doctor and I have already discussed the possibility of inducing early for different reasons based on my last delivery. Good luck!

Answer 6

no because he doesnt expect you to just BOOM go into labor in the next week. at 37 weeks you are considered full term anyways and they will not stop contractions/labor if you go in because of it they will just let you have the baby because your baby isnt at much risk at 37 weeks.. and i would trust your doctor. i was dialated to a 2 at 36 weeks. with my second child i didnt have her until 10 days before my due date the night before i went in i hadnt progressed at all was only about 40% effaced. i had an hour and half of labor and BOOM 6 mins before she was born i got to the hospital and i was 100$% effaced and was 8cm dialated.. as im yelling I GOTTA PUSH NOW>. they told me no.. and said once her water breaks the baby will be out.. my daughter had already started decending to the point basically her head broke my water because she was dropped SOO MUCH starting to come out already... bag was bulging. boom my water broke and one push and she was out.. BEST LABOR EVER...

** forgot to add i had premature rupture of the membranes with my second child at 19 weeks they told me i WOULD have my daughter by 24 weeks and the likely hood of her living was slim to non.. and that its unlikely to seal back up.. i proved them wrong...i had been having contractions since i was 21 weeks along.. they stopped them and all that fun stuff i didnt have her until 10 days before due date they took me off the meds about the same time as you. her lungs were a lil under developed not much though... not enought to need any medical help with them though... so she was perfectly healthy.. born 7lbs.7oz (hoping the next child is about 6 lbs then ill have had an 8lber a 7lber now just need a 6 lber cause i dont want a 9 lber lol)

Answer 7

get ready because your baby is coming soon, 1 day or 2. Not weeks from now. Your baby should be fine if you deliver it now. If your baby seems big enough, and his lungs are mature than you will have no problem, its okay to self induce, specially if you are 3cm dilated, and are 100% affaced. Good luck and take care.

Answer 8

Likely not. Most babies are born between 38 weeks and 42 weeks. Heck, you're considered full term at 36 weeks, and very rarely will a baby have a pre-term issue when born at 36 weeks.

Good luck, and enjoy the baby!!

Answer 9

Well she said within the next two weeks. My daughter was born at 38 weeks and was fine. I'm sure your doctor knows what she is doing.

Answer 10

Yeah, I agree with you! I wouldn't purposefully do anything to help my body along that early! Yes, even though you're measuring big, that doesn't mean the baby is definitely further along than 36 weeks... and if you had the baby at 36 weeks, the lungs may not be fully developed.

p.s., you are not "full term" until 37 weeks.


Edit: So, I think your question was, does it make sense to TRY to induce labor at this point, right? Not whether or not it would be safe to have the baby now? That's the question I was answering. It seems everyone disagrees with me. But I am still comfortable with what I said. Your baby of course can surive this early, but as I said above, you are not considered "full term" until 37 weeks. I wouldn't PURPOSEFULLY make myself go into labor before this. Though I think going off your meds is fine.