HealthPartners - Preparing for childbirth

MEDICAL INTERVENTIONS

PREGNANCY DEFINITIONS According to definitions endorsed by ACOG and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, a pregnancy is not full term until 39 weeks. Current pregnancy definitions • Early term – 37 weeks through 38 weeks and 6 days • Full term – 39 weeks through 40 weeks and 6 days • Late term – 41 weeks through 41 weeks and 6 days • Post term – 42 weeks and beyond CERVICAL RIPENING Normally, your body will produce prostaglandins to painlessly “ripen” (shorten, soften, and dilate) your cervix during the last weeks of pregnancy. If your health care provider feels that labor induction is necessary but your cervix has not ripened naturally, they may act to speed up this process. There are several ways to ripen the cervix. Your provider may place a prostaglandin suppository in your vagina next to the cervix. Or they may insert a small silicone tube with a balloon on the end into the cervix. When filled with water, the balloon will physically begin dilating the cervix. Both procedures are typically done in the hospital.

Induced Labor Induced labor, or labor induction , refers to an action used to start uterine contractions before labor begins on its own. Induction is done to encourage a vaginal birth. If labor hasn’t started naturally, there are several ways to start the process. Your health care provider will decide on the best course of action based on your health and any other relevant factors or special circumstances. They may recommend an early birth because the benefits outweigh the risks. Medical reasons to induce labor may include: • High blood pressure, diabetes, preeclampsia • Rh disease that causes problems with your baby’s blood • Overdue pregnancy (2 weeks past your due date) • Your baby stopped growing or there isn’t enough amniotic fluid

• Your water breaks before labor begins • Known complications with the baby

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