Due Dates and Inductions
Just found out you’re pregnant? The first question almost everyone will ask you is “when are you due?”. So we thought we’d explore this a little further as due dates can be an interesting topic that quite often inform the path forward as you approach or pass it.
What’s in a Due Date?
Did you know that due dates are actually just “best guesses” for the most part? In fact, research suggests coming up with a due date based on your Last Menstrual Period (LMP) is not actually an evidence based practice. However, it’s still one of the most common ways to calculate a due date. Were you surprised by this fact?
A typical pregnancy can vary between 247-284 days. That’s a span of 5 weeks! Using the traditional method of dating pregnancies from the LMP, a pregnancy could last from 37 weeks to a little more than 42.5 weeks.
You might have a longer pregnancy if:
You, or other family members have carried longer
You’re over 30
This is your 1st pregnancy
You’re carrying a boy
In fact, only 50% of pregnant people will have a baby by 40 weeks and 5 days. The other half will give birth after that. Remember, the best predictor of labour, is time! When your baby is ready, they will let you know!
Inductions
While there are a number of reasons you might need to have an induction, a due date that’s come and, perhaps feels like, long gone, is often one of them.
First, let’s find out what’s meant when we talk about inducing labour: Labour inductions use medications, as well as other methods, to encourage the labour process to begin. For instance, Oxytocin is a synthetic hormone that’s given by IV and is just one of the methods used to induce labour.
An induction can take place over a period of days and may require several steps in order for labour to progress. Here are a few stats:
In Ontario, 1/3 of all labours are induced
In Ontario, approx 54% of ALL low risk pregnant patients received Oxytocin before or during labour
Here are some medical reasons why your labour might be induced:
Pre-eclampsia
Significant disease that is not responding to treatment
Infection
Term Pre-labour with rupture of membranes AND Group B Strep Positive (GBS+)
When the benefits of labour outweigh the risks of pregnancy
Post due dates after 41 weeks
We encourage all pregnant families to use the BRAND decision making criteria when assessing the risks and benefits of induction. Here are 5 things to consider if you decide to have an induction:
One-to-one support is essential. This can be your partner, a Doula and/or a Nurse or a Midwife. This level of support improves the experience of birth and reduces the likelihood of negative stories and/or trauma
You should understand the process for your proposed induction, as well as the benefits and trade-offs
You’ll want to know the risks or different births happening: spontaneous vaginal birth (50%), assisted birth such as using forceps or vacuum (20%), unplanned cesarean (30%)
Be sure to use shared decision making with your healthcare professional, including ongoing discussions and proper documentation in your chart. Informed decision making also includes the right to refuse
Use all of the comfort measures in your toolbox by taking a good evidence-based childbirth education class so that both you and your partner can learn these strategies and implement them
Finally, we just want to mention that neither large babies (suspected or otherwise) in non-diabetic pregnant people, nor provider/patient convenience, are not acceptable reasons for choosing an induction, doubling the risk of a cesarean occurring.
In the event of gestational diabetes (GD), we suggest you review the information provided by Evidence Based Birth below to determine the effectiveness of an elective induction for those with GD.
Resources
Ontario Midwives: When your pregnancy goes past your due date
Evidence Based Birth: Induction for Gestational Diabetes
Provincial Council for Maternal & Child Health: Safe Administration of Oxytocin
Lamaze International: Info about Scheduling and Induction
Evidence Based Birth: Pitocin during the Third Stage of Labour
Interested in joining us? Our classes are a great way to meet other new parents. Fitmama Strong Online has been operating classes online from our virtual studio since 2020. Our community is a thriving and welcoming space for you and your littles.
Grab our Prenatal Fitness & Yoga Guide for lots of info about pregnancy and exercise, including a prenatal fitness workout, prenatal yoga session and an evening wind-down stretch. We also offer our prenatal population on-demand workouts, that include fitness and yoga, specifically for the prenatal population.
If you’re new to Fitmama Strong Online, try one of our 3 Class Passes! You can use them at our postnatal Express Strong, Express Elevate and Express Flow classes. It doesn’t matter if your baby was born 6 weeks ago or 6 years ago, we have something for all postnatal members! Already been to Fitmama Strong classes? Grab a monthly membership and keep moving along with us:)
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