When you are expecting, you may do everything possible to ensure a peaceful delivery. Unfortunately, there may be unexpected issues or other factors that arise that can hinder your birth plan. In some cases, a California physician may find it necessary to induce the labor process. There are some situations, however, where a physician may decide to deliver a baby early due to non-essential issues, such as scheduling problems. While babies take a full 39 weeks to fully develop in the womb, delivering them any earlier could present certain risks to both the mom and the baby.
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are certain risks that come with labor induction. Babies may be born prematurely, or before all of their organs have had the chance to develop properly. Premature babies may have difficulty breathing and could suffer from certain chronic conditions, such as cerebral palsy. Early induction may also lead to the following: serious infection, ruptured uterus, C-section, decreased heart rate and jaundice. If you are induced, you may experience a situation where the umbilical cord drops down into the birthing canal, cutting off the baby’s oxygen supply.
A study looking at the lung development in premature births found that babies who were delivered at 39 to 40 weeks had considerably less complications when it came to respiratory distress compared to those delivered at 36 to 38 weeks. The difference of a few weeks can have a significant effect on a baby’s health.
This information is intended to educate and should not be taken as legal advice.
