A couple of questions

Is induction at 38 weeks Safe?

Babies born early (called premature babies) may have more health problems at birth and later in life than babies born on time. This is why it's important to wait until at least 39 weeks to induce labor. If your pregnancy is healthy, it's best to let labor begin on its own.

What happens when you are induced at 38 weeks?

What is an induced labour? Labour normally starts naturally any time between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy. The cervix softens and starts to open, you will get contractions, and your waters break. In an induced labour, or induction, these labour processes are started artificially.

How long does it take to give birth after being induced at 38 weeks?

The time taken to go into labor after being induced varies and can take anywhere between a few hours up to two to three days. In most healthy pregnancies, labor usually starts spontaneously between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy.

Which week is best for induction?

When a woman and her fetus are healthy, induction should not be done before 39 weeks. Babies born at or after 39 weeks have the best chance at healthy outcomes compared with babies born before 39 weeks. When the health of a woman or her fetus is at risk, induction before 39 weeks may be recommended.

Do babies born at 38 weeks need NICU?

Late preterm babies who are born between 35 and 37 weeks gestation may not look premature. They may not be admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), but they are still at risk for more problems than full-term babies.

Why do doctors induce at 38 weeks?

Contractions help push your baby out of your uterus. Your provider may recommend inducing labor if your health or your baby's health is at risk or if you're 2 weeks or more past your due date. For some women, inducing labor is the best way to keep mom and baby healthy. Inducing labor should be for medical reasons only.

What can I do to induce labor at 38 weeks?

Natural ways to induce labor

  1. Nipple stimulation. Nipple rolling or gentle rubbing may lead to a release of oxytocin, which could help induce labor.
  2. Exercise. Exercise is advisable during pregnancy unless a doctor specifies otherwise. …
  3. Sex. …
  4. Homeopathy and herbs. …
  5. Castor oil. …
  6. Food.

How long is labour after induction?

If you are not having contractions after 24 hours, you may be offered another dose. Sometimes a hormone drip is needed to speed up the labour. Once labour starts, it should proceed normally, but it can sometimes take 24 to 48 hours to get you into labour.