Inducing labor at 35 weeks is sometimes needed for pregnant women. Most pregnancies last 40 weeks, but there are situations where early delivery is necessary.
Let’s look at the reasons to induce labor at 35 weeks through medical factors and conditions.
Understanding these reasons and labor complications can help parents make informed decisions about the health of both mom and baby. Keep reading for more details.
Reasons To Induce Labor At 35 Weeks
One of the main reasons for induction includes addressing health issues for moms and helping babies grow safely.
It can also prevent problems in babies by ensuring enough fluids and avoiding getting too big.
For some moms, it’s about planning and convenience, ensuring they reach full term safely.
Benefits For Mom
Maternal health concerns
Some mothers may have certain medical conditions like high blood pressure, preeclampsia, diabetes, kidney disease, or blood problems related to Rh factor issues.
Therefore, early induced labor is necessary. Induction of labor can prevent pregnancy complications and regular contractions from worsening.
Emotional well-being
Mental health is one of the non-medical reasons and benefits of induction. As the pregnancy gets closer to the end, some moms may feel more worried and stressed.
This is especially possible if they had difficulties in this or previous pregnancies.
Inducing labor at 35 weeks of pregnancy can help with these feelings by giving them a clear birth plan.
Knowing the delivery date and the time of induction can calm their nerves and let them prepare for their baby’s arrival.
Benefits For Baby
Avoiding fetal distress
In some cases, a post-term pregnancy is one of the common reasons that lead to fetal distress.
It means the baby is not receiving sufficient oxygen and nutrients through the placenta.
Therefore, this is among the reasons for induced labor. It will ensure timely intervention to protect the baby’s health and well-being.
Addressing growth problems
Some babies may experience growth problems in the womb. This leads to restricted development and potential health issues after birth.
Labor induction can facilitate the baby’s transition to a more controlled environment with access to specialized medical care.
Maintaining amniotic sac fluid levels
Adequate amniotic fluid levels are crucial for the baby’s development and protection. In post-term pregnancies, there is an additional risk of decreased amniotic fluid levels.
It can impact the baby’s growth and increase the risk of complications during birth.
Pregnancy inducement can help ensure the baby has sufficient amniotic sac fluid for safe delivery.
Preventing placental aging and acidemia
As the pregnancy progresses beyond the due date, the placenta may age and function less efficiently. It can lead to reduced oxygen and nutrient supply to the baby.
Moreover, it can result in neonatal acidemia, a condition where the baby’s blood pH levels become too low, posing risks for health conditions.
Inducing labor at 35 weeks of pregnancy can minimize these risks and provide a better chance of a healthy delivery.
Elective Induction
Convenience and planning
Some women may choose an elective method of induction for personal reasons. They may live far from the hospital or need to plan for childcare and work responsibilities.
Elective induction allows for better scheduling and preparation, making it easier for the pregnant woman and her support network to prepare for the birth.
Reaching full term
At 35 weeks, some pregnancies are nearing full term. Women might prefer elective induction for timely and safer delivery, especially if there are no medical induction concerns.
Full-term babies have a lower risk of certain complications, making elective induction of labor a reasonable choice for some women.
How Is The Situation Of Premature Babies Born At 35 Weeks?
Size and weight
Babies born at 35 weeks are generally around 20 inches long and weigh 5 1/2 to 6 pounds. It is considered relatively healthy for their gestational age.
Their size is closer to full-term babies, but they may still appear smaller than babies born at 40 weeks pregnant.
Development
Babies born a little early have grown and developed in the belly. However, some parts of their bodies are not fully ready.
For example, their lungs might not be as strong as those of babies born on time, so they could have trouble breathing.
Neonatal intensive care unit
Unlike larger babies of induced labor at 39 weeks, most babies born at 35 weeks need extra care in the NICU.
They get help with breathing, eating, and staying warm until they can do these things on their own and become healthier.
Feeding difficulties
Late preterm infants might have difficulty breastfeeding or bottle feeding due to immature sucking and swallowing reflexes.
They might require assistance and patience during feeding sessions.
Temperature regulation
These babies may struggle to maintain their body temperature since they have less body fat than full-term babies.
Keeping them warm is essential to prevent complications like hypothermia.
FAQs
Why Early Delivery May Be Dangerous?
Early delivery before 39 weeks may be dangerous because a baby’s important organs, like the brain, lungs, or blood vessels, still develop during weeks pregnant 37 and 38.
Among the potential risks of labor induction, babies can be prone to medical conditions requiring intensive care.
They may face breathing problems (increased fetal heart rate) and feeding issues due to underdeveloped lungs, and difficulties with sucking or swallowing.
Besides, there’s a serious risk of infection and health complications. Thus, letting the baby grow and develop as long as possible in the womb is crucial for a healthier start to life.
What Are Natural Methods For Induction Of Labor?
Nipple stimulation
Gentle rubbing or rolling of the nipples may trigger the release of synthetic oxytocin, which could help spontaneous labor.
Exercise
Unless specified otherwise by a healthcare professional, regular exercise during pregnancy is advisable. However, no strong evidence supports that exercise alone can induce labor.
The Bottom Lines
Induction of labor at 35 weeks is usually done for important medical reasons to keep the mom and baby safe.
Reasons to induce labor at 35 weeks include preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, or placental abruption.
If the health care providers think the baby should be born early, they may start labor at 35 weeks.
But if there are no serious medical risks, it’s not a good idea for a formal induction method at this time. Full term pregnancy is the best option in this case.
Babies born too early might face health problems. Always talk to healthcare providers to make decisions for induction and what’s best for the baby and the mom.
