Overdue

By now, your baby is full developed and ready to be born. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always mean that your baby will come on time, especially if you are a first-time mom. This can be problematic because the placenta has an expiration date. 

After 37 weeks, the placenta begins to decline. Past 41 weeks, the rate of stillbirth goes up significantly. In addition, your baby is growing rapidly which decreases the chances that it will fit through your pelvis. Because of these concerns, your doctor will recommend labor induction shortly after you go past your estimated due date.

If you go into labor spontaneously, your body begins to release a hormone called prostaglandins that prepares your body for labor by ripening (i.e., pushing forward, softening, and thinning out) your cervix. Once this occurs, your brain will release a chemical called oxytocin which causes your uterus to contract. Your cervix will respond to these contractions by dilating.

If the labor process doesn’t begin naturally, your doctor will mimic what your body would have done if you had spontaneously gone into labor by inducing you. Labor induction begins by applying a ripening agent to the cervix. Over the course of 12 hours or more, the ripening agent will help your cervix move forward, soften, and thin out.

Once your cervix has ripened, your doctor will give you Pitocin (a synthetic form of oxytocin) to create regular and intense contractions and dilation of the cervix.

Past your estimated due date, you should meet with your doctor on a regular basis to conduct tests and monitor the baby’s heart rate. If there are any signs of distress, your doctor may suggest immediate labor induction.