Skip to Content

Session 10: Week 38 – Here comes your eviction notice!

Main Education: Induction of Labor

Induction of labor is a procedure to induce (start) your labor before it begins on its own. Medicines and other methods are used to start contractions and help your cervix soften, thin (efface), and dilate (open). 

Week 38 Pregnancy Insights

  • Your pregnancy lasts longer than 41-42 weeks.
  • You have a rupture of membranes, and your labor doesn’t begin on its own.
  • You have health problems, like diabetes or high blood pressure during your pregnancy.
  • Your baby has stopped growing or does not have enough amniotic fluid.
  • Cervical ripening is a process that helps to soften and thin out your cervix.  Medicines called prostaglandins may be used to ripen your cervix.  Theses medicines can be inserted into your vagina or taken as a pill.  Other methods can also be used to dilate the cervix.  This includes a catheter with an inflatable balloon on the end that is inserted into your cervix.  Saline is injected through the catheter helps the balloon to expand. 
  • Stripping the membranes is a procedure that causes your body to release prostaglandins naturally.  Prostaglandins soften the cervix and may help to cause contractions.  Your healthcare provider will sweep a gloved finger over the membranes that connect the amniotic sac to the uterine wall.
  • Rupturing the amniotic sac is a procedure that is used to cause your water to break.  Your healthcare provider will use a small tool to make a hole in your amniotic sac.  This may help contractions to start. 
  • Oxytocin may be given through an IV to cause contractions to start and stay strong and regular.

Generally, a labor induction is a safe procedure.  However, problems may occur, including, but not limited to:

  • Failed induction; resulting in a cesarean section
  • Changes in fetal heart rate, such as being too high, too low, or irregular
  • Infection in the mother or the baby
  • Increased risk of having a cesarean delivery
  • Breaking off (abruption) of the placenta from the uterus
  • Rupture of the uterus (Rare)
  • Your baby could fail to get enough blood flow or oxygen.  This can be life-threatening

SIDS

SIDS, or sudden infant death syndrome, is the sudden death of a sleeping baby younger than 1 year old. The death cannot be explained even after a review of the baby’s health history, surroundings, and autopsy results. SIDS is one type of sudden unexpected infant death (SUID). A SUID is any unexpected death of an infant.

It is very important to lay your baby down to sleep in safe surroundings.   This can greatly reduce his or her risk for SIDS.  Tell grandparents, babysitters, and anyone else who cares for your baby the following rules:

  • Put your baby on his or her back to sleep.  Do this every time your baby sleeps. (naps and at night) until he or she reaches 1 year of age.  Do this even if your baby sleeps more soundly on his or her stomach or side.
  • Put your baby on a firm, flat surface to sleep.  Your baby should sleep in a crib, bassinet, or play yard that meets the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) safety standards.  Make sure the slat of a crib are no wider than 2 3/8 inches and that there are no drop-side rails.  Do not let your baby sleep on pillows, waterbeds, soft mattresses, quilts, beanbags, or other soft surfaces.  Never let him or her sleep on a couch or recliner.  Move your baby to his or her bed if he or she falls asleep in a car seat, stroller, or swing.  Your baby may change positions in a sitting device and not be able to breathe well.
  • Put your baby in his or her own bed.  A crib or bassinet in your room, near your bed, is the safest place for your baby to sleep.  Never let him or her sleep in bed with you. Experts recommend that you have your baby sleep in your room for his or her first 6 months of life.  This will help decrease the risk of SIDS.  It will also make it easier for you to feed and comfort your baby.
  • Do not leave soft objects or loose bedding in your baby’s crib.  His or her bed should contain only a firm mattress covered with a fitted bottom sheet.  Use a sheet that is made for the mattress.  Do not put pillows, bumpers, comforters, or stuffed animals in his or her bed.  Dress your baby in a sleep sack or other sleep clothing before you put him or her down to sleep.  Avoid loose blankets.  If you must use a blanket, tuck it around the mattress.
  • Do not let your baby get too hot.  Keep the room at aa temperature that is comfortable for an adult.  Never dress your baby in more than 1 layer more than what you would wear.  Do not cover his or her face or head while he sleeps.  Your baby is too hot if he or she is sweating or his or her chest feels hot.
  • Do not raise the head of your baby’s bed.  Your baby could slide or roll into a position that makes it hard for him or her to breathe. 
  • Breastfeed your baby.  Experts recommend that you feed your baby only breast milk until he or she is 6 months old.  Always put your baby back in his or her own bed after you breastfeed him or her at night. 
  • Give your baby a pacifier when you put him or her down to sleep.  Do not put it back in his or her mouth if it falls out after he or she is asleep.  Do not attach the pacifier to a string.  If your baby rejects the pacifier, do not force him or her to take it.  If your baby breastfeeds, wait until he or she is breastfeeding well or is 1 month old before you offer a pacifier. 
  • Do not smoke or allow others to smoke around your baby.  Also do not let anyone smoke in your home or car.  The smoke gets into your furniture and clothing, and this means your baby is breathing smoke.  This increases his or her risk for SIDS.
  • Do not buy products that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS.  Examples are sleep wedges and sleep positioners.  There is no evidence that these products are safe.