We get it. If you’re on your third trimester, your belly is getting heavier by the day, and it’s hard to move around. Other symptoms of pregnancy may also be too bothersome by this time. At this point, you’re now more excited to give birth and meet your baby
During Smart Parenting’s How Po Series Episode 3, entitled The New Normal In Pregnancy And Childbirth (Part 2), a 35-week preggo mom asked when is the best time to induce labor. She didn’t give any details about her pregnancy.
“Kung walang indication para pilitan kang mag-labor kung hindi ka pa natural na nagla-labor, hindi natin yan na ginagawa,” replied Dr. Maynila Domingo, M.D., obstetrician-gynecologist specializing in maternal-fetal medicine at ManilaMed in Manila City, one of our experts present during the live webinar.
Preggos with uncomplicated pregnancies should wait for labor to begin naturally
“Isipin niyo ganito. Yung pagbubuntis, [si baby] para siyang prutas. ‘Pag hinog na, babagsak yun, diba? That’s the natural response,” Dr. Domingo explains.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW“Kung hindi ka nagle-labor pa ng kusa, baka hindi pa ready si baby,” she added. “Kung normal pregnancy, walang ibang medical condition, we can safely wait,” Dr. Domingo assured.
A pregnant woman may go into labor naturally earlier or later than 40 weeks. Due dates are flexible. Doctors compute it based on the first day of your last menstrual period, assuming that you ovulated two weeks after that. (Click here to know how to calculate for your due date.)
Doctors induce labor only when necessary, and the reasons are patient-specific
According to Dr. Maynila, labor induction happens when the body does not spontaneously or naturally go into labor. Doctors have to give medication to cause uterine contractions and dilation of the cervix.
“The indication for induction is patient-specific,” Dr. Domingo explains. Typically, doctors only perform it if the patient has existing conditions or developed complications during her pregnancy.
For example, pregnant women who have preeclampsia or high blood pressure during pregnancy may need to be induced. “Kailangan ilabas natin yung baby kasi hindi mawawala yung high blood niya until andun yung inunan (placenta),” Dr. Domingo explained.
CONTINUE READING BELOWwatch nowPatients who have diabetes before pregnancy or developed gestational diabetes may also need it. “Habang lalong tumatagal yung pagbubuntis, may risk na din sa baby,” Dr. Domingo said. The timing depends on how the condition has been managed.
Other medical conditions, such as low amniotic fluid and fetal distress, also warrant induction of labor. (Click here to know the only circumstances your doctor will consider inducing your labor.) It’s also the reason your prenatal checkups become more frequent as your due date nears. Your doctor needs to check if your baby is still thriving in your womb.
According to the Americal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), risks when inducing labor. These include overstimulation, which leads to too frequent contractions that alter the baby’s heart rate, umbilical cord problems, infection in the mother or baby, rupture of the uterus, and fetal death. It also increases a pregnant woman’s chances to deliver via a C-section.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWDr. Domingo said that while there are pregnancies who reach 42 weeks, it doesn’t usually happen. “Hindi na tayo aabot dun [sa 42 weeks], kasi we are also expecting some complication kung sobrang tagal,” she said. (Click here to know how to induce your labor naturally.)
You can be more involved in decision-making when it comes to pregnancy and childbirth. It is essential to talk to your doctor about your birth plan to make an informed choice.
Watch them discuss binat below:
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