Your due date is a date that is calculated from your last menstrual period. Your due date is at 40 weeks but your pregnancy is classified as a term from 37 to 42 weeks.

Many people become tired of the pregnancy towards their due date, as they get heavier and symptoms of pregnancy and general mobility can become more of a challenge. Most first babies are born after their due date, and it can become frustrating waiting for your baby to arrive, especially when most people know when you are due so will often ask if the baby is born yet when you are reaching 40 weeks. If you have never laboured before this can be stressful, as anticipating labour can be a source of anxiety.

However, there is a lot of new research that has been looking into the gestation babies are born in, and the impact this can have on them long term. If your baby is born spontaneously at 37 or 38 weeks then there is no need to be concerned, the baby is term, and this was the time they were ready to be born. However, inducing a labour before 40 weeks without a clinical indication can have an impact on baby’s long-term brain development.

As I have said many times before in these articles, there are instances where you will be recommended an induction of labour for clinical reasons. For example, there are some instances where the placenta isn’t functioning properly and the baby shows signs that they are not growing well or having to compensate for this, and so in this case it may be safer for baby to be outside than in.

In other situations, you may have a medical condition that is making you unwell and in order to ensure your wellbeing the recommendation is for an induction before your due date. All of these decisions are made on an individual basis and I would urge you to discuss with your healthcare provider the rationale for induction, the alternatives, and what the process actually entails.

However, we do still see some inductions requested or suggested with less robust rationale and in these instances, it is worth understanding what the long-term impact can be on inducing a baby early without a clinical indication. Every week that a baby stays in utero, can have an impact on the health needs of that baby, on their brain development, and on their learning when they are older. For example, a baby born at 38 weeks has a 13% chance of being admitted to the neonatal unit for feeding, breathing, or other issues and so is separated from mum.

Whereas a child born at 39 weeks has only a 9% chance of this happening. In addition, babies born when they are less than 39 weeks are associated with an increased incidence of having some more learning challenges when they start school. The risk of term stillbirth is still at similar rates for 38 and 39 weeks so you are not increasing your risk of stillbirth if you go to your due date (in the absence of other risk factors).

Therefore, there are some instances where health professionals will suggest an induction, and many of these are for reasons that can be explained to you. The risk vs benefit for you may be different from that of other people. However, I would urge you to ask why an induction is being recommended, if there are alternatives, and what the induction process will entail. I would also urge you that if you are feeling uncomfortable and wish to no longer be pregnant that this is understandable, but if there is no clinical indication to keep going until your baby is ready. You can find more information at https://everyweekcounts.com.au. 

Bree Lowing is a Registered Midwife and provides bulk-billed in-home antenatal and postnatal services through 

 The Mountain Midwife www.themountainmidwife.com.au.