The last days and weeks of pregnancy can become a bit uncomfortable and it can be tempting to say yes to being induced due to convenience. Let us find evidence based information so that we can make good decisions for a healthy mom and healthy baby. Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) and March of Dimes has campaigned for the cause of ‘Letting Labor Start on Its Own’ with a tremendous drive on patient education.
By entering labor spontaneously a woman’s body can take advantage of the release of the hormone Oxytocin that slowly and progressively helps the uterus to contract. Endorphins which are natural morphine like substances are released in the body which enables the mother to cope with the process of labor. Let’s educate and inform each other to learn to be patient and allow the body to do what it is supposed to do! Our bodies have the innate wisdom to know when to go in labor and there is very good evidence that supports that waiting the full 40 weeks of gestation is beneficial for baby since he/she is still growing every day and week!
Waiting the Full40 is both scientifically proven and leads to better birth outcomes.
Let us spread the word that a baby’s brain at 35 weeks weighs only two third of what it will weigh at 39-40 weeks!
Let us be a strong advocate to informing moms that babies born too early may have more health problems at birth and later in life!
Labor should only be induced for medical reasons and never for convenience or personal reasons.