36weeks pregnant, can i start inducing labor now or do i have to wait???

[kingivan]

hi ladies, my due date is 2/18/12 i made it to 36weeks by the grace of god given the fact i was high risk since i had 7 m/c in the pass never made it pass 8weeks... now that im full term is it to early to start trying to induce labor at home... like i hear people say having sex will induce labor, drinking 2 tblspn full of castor oil,eating spicy foods etc... is it to early to start any of that? this saturday ill be 37wks and thats when my baby shower is as well which makes it even better to have a baby lol...

[keyarenee]

castor is not dangerous you just got to know what you doing i took it at 38 and my daughter was healthy than ever no problems at all my sister took it at 40 weeks and had her baby on her due date. some times due dates be off there just estimates. 37 weeks is full term,they just want u to go a full nine months just to be on the safe said for slow progresses. 40 weeks is ten months.

[destiny210]

omg im 34 weeks n i want my son out already im probably going to wait till i hit 36 n try caster oil my mother in law said it worked for her n shes had 12 kids

[kingivan]

thnx

[RippedonScotch]

When your baby wants to come out it will.   Until then I suggest you just hold in there and enjoy it for now.   Soon enough your going to be missing sleep and you time.  

[Ashelen]

this is actually more for anyone who might stumble upon this post than it is for you Kingivan but I wanted to include it because it's really important information from a reputable source about why babies need at least 39wks where possible!

http://www.acog.org/About_ACOG/News_Room/News_Releases/2011/Fight_Prematurity_with_Awareness_-_Longer_Pregnancies_Ob-Gyns_Say


Healthy Babies Need 39 Weeks
"After 37 weeks of pregnancy, there's still significant fetal development occurring until a woman's due date. The remaining weeks are the time when the lungs and brain mature and the fetus gains body fat," said Sindhu K. Srinivas, MD, a member of the Committee on Practice Bulletins-Obstetrics. Despite research demonstrating the developmental importance of these last few weeks, there has been an increase in deliveries scheduled before a woman's due date. "We know that healthy babies need 39 weeks to have the best start in life. Therefore, The College recommends against labor inductions or cesarean delivery for non-medically indicated deliveries at less than 39 weeks."

[kai0912]

I also agree with the other ladies.... Just wait until baby is ready im on my second and want him out any earlier than he decides to... With my firs my body went into natural labor by itself at 38weeks yes my son is healthy but i didnt nothing to induce labor... They know when its time. Pelus u made it this far dont give up now! Good luck

[LosingMyMindInGA]

I just want to clarify something as well.  While they still SAY 37 weeks is considered full term, this is a very dated way of thinking.  Babies are born all the time at 37-38 and even 39 weeks with signs of prematurity.  Unless there are other documented medical factors that would make the benefits of bringing that baby out early outweigh the risks it is HIGHLY recommended that you let the baby decide when it's time to be born.  Once you hit your due date, THEN it's time to start pondering the possibilities of eviction.  I'm in agreement that the ACOG should change the definition of "fullterm" to a FULL 40 weeks.  

[Ashelen]

http://www.pediatricsdigest.mobi/content/120/6/1390.full

please read that article, I think a lot of women on here could benefit from the info it contains! even 37wks is BARELY full-term. and if your dates were off by just a few days when you were dating the pregnancy (by LMP or ultrasound) baby coming out at 37wks could have awful consequences and land baby in the NICU for days or weeks.

I know a lot of women still refer to 37wks as full-term, and MOST babies born at this point will be fine, but the way to reduce the risk of a NICU stay and ensure that baby's brain has fully developed to it's maximum potential is just to sit tight and get as close to 40wks as you possibly can. It really is best for baby's growth and development to finish in the womb!

Most of what you try at home to induce will not work, and no doctor worth his salt will induce at 36 or 37wks without a clear medical need. BUT some of the techniques used for "at-home labor induction" can be dangerous. Castor oil, for instance, is DANGEROUS and no longer recommended in more progressive or modern midwife practices.

So the best thing to do is hang in there...especially if you've been high-risk in the past, you want baby to just stay put and continue to grow and develop in utero as long as possible! it's hard, and everyone gets nervous at the end, but it's definitely best for baby..it also allows your body to get more prepared for labor so when it does start you're more likely to have a smoother delivery.

[Clysta]

Pregnancy is not 37 weeks it is 40 weeks. When baby is ready they will come - I understand it's hard, but you need to let them decide, as they will come when ready.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

After having such a hard time making it past the first trimester I'm having a hard time understanding why you would want to evict that baby before s/he is ready?  I understand the discomforts of the last few weeks of pregnancy, I've done it 6 times.  But to try and force labor to start before your baby is ready is asking for trouble. Even a few days early can bring about respiratory problems among other things.  Castor oil is NOT recommended, it's an old wives tale that will likely do nothing more than make you even MORE miserable by sending you to the toilet a zillion times.  Have sex will work IF your body is already preparing for labor.  The prostroglandins in semen are said to help your cervix prepare.  It will not necessarily trigger labor.  The BEST and most natural thing you can do to help that baby come out when s/he is ready is to walk, walk, walk and let gravity do its job.  Other than that, let that baby bake until the timer goes off.  Wishing you a healthy, easy labor - when baby says it's time :)

[kingivan]

oh ok thank you... well i wasnt going to try until after his shower that way i have his stuff ready like his car seat and stroller etc..

[apr_augmommy]

37 weeks is full term. 36 weeks and below is considered premature. I had my twins at 36 weeks. Even though they were at a great weight they were considered premature.