The last few weeks of pregnancy can be a very difficult time for you. With things like body aches and insomnia , you may be thinking, "Oh, if only this would be over soon." Sometimes, with the hustle and bustle of work and celebrations, you may be tempted to induce labor before the due date. But is it really good for you and your baby to do so without a medical reason? Let's talk about this in more depth.
Why can it be dangerous to deliver a baby before the due date?
In the past, even doctors thought that babies born at 37 or 38 weeks were completely healthy. But new research has found that this is not the case. In fact, the last few weeks of pregnancy are a very critical time for a baby's development.
Think about it, what happens if you take a cake out of the oven too early? It's not baked properly, is it? That's how it is. The baby's vital organs, like the brain and lungs, are fully developed and ready to come into this world during those last two to three weeks.
Simply put, staying in the womb until 39 weeks is the best and safest start for a baby.
There are several major risks that can arise if the baby is delivered a few weeks before the due date, that is, before 39 weeks.
| Risk | Description |
|---|---|
| Difficulty breathing | The baby's lungs are not fully developed, which can cause breathing difficulties. This may require the baby to be placed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). |
| Difficulty eating | The baby may have difficulty drinking milk because the coordination needed to suck and swallow milk is not yet fully developed. |
| Effects on brain development | The baby's brain grows by about a third in size during the last 4-5 weeks. Premature birth can hinder this growth. |
| Serious infections | Because the immune system is not fully developed, there is a high risk of serious infections. |
This is why organizations like the March of Dimes around the world run programs like "Healthy Babies Are Worth the Wait." Knowing this, many parents decide to wait until labor occurs naturally.
Situations where the baby is delivered before the due date
Now you may be thinking, "Isn't it always better to have a baby before the due date?" Not so. Sometimes, due to your or your baby's health condition, it can be risky to wait until the due date. In such cases, the doctor may decide to have the baby early. That is, in cases where the risk of keeping the baby in the womb is greater than the risk of giving birth early.
Medically necessary reasons:
- If the baby's growth has stopped: Sometimes the baby's growth does not occur properly in the womb. Doctors call this `IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction)`.
- If the water breaks early: If the water breaks before the due date, it is called `PROM (Premature Rupture of Membranes).` The baby may need to be delivered due to the risk of infection.
- If you have diabetes: Whether you had diabetes before you became pregnant or developed it during pregnancy ( gestational diabetes ), it may be recommended to deliver your baby early.
- If you have high blood pressure or preeclampsia: This is a very dangerous condition for both mother and baby, so delivering the baby as soon as possible is the best solution.
If there is a medical reason like this, the benefits of delivering the baby early far outweigh the risks.
For reasons like these, don't have a baby before the due date!
The last month or two of pregnancy is very difficult. But pressuring the doctor to deliver the baby early without medical necessity, either because of that inconvenience or for other personal reasons, is not good for either you or the baby.
The following reasons are not at all appropriate reasons to deliver a baby before the due date.
| Not a Good Reason | Why is it not good? (Why is it not good?) |
|---|---|
| "I can't get any bigger." | Weight gain during pregnancy is normal. The healthy development of your baby is more important than your body shape. |
| "I'm afraid the baby is too big" | In most cases, babies are not large enough to be delivered naturally. This is a decision that your doctor will make. |
| "I don't sleep well at night." | Sleep difficulties are common in the final stages, but they are not a major enough reason to hinder the baby's development. |
| "There is a family event/work" | Your baby's health is more important than your or your family's schedules. |
| "I want to have a nice birthday" | The desire to have a baby on a special day is not worth taking a health risk that could affect the baby's entire life. |
Talk to your doctor about this.
Ask your doctor early in your pregnancy what circumstances would be best to recommend an early delivery. If your doctor suggests an elective delivery for some reason, you have every right to ask these questions:
- "Doctor, is there a problem with my health or the baby's health that would make having a baby early?"
- "Can't we just wait for the natural day ?"
If there is no medical risk, your doctor should respect your wish to wait for the natural delivery.
Take-Home Message
- The last few weeks of pregnancy (especially 37 and 38) are essential for the full development of the baby's brain, lungs, and other organs.
- Avoid delivering the baby before 39 weeks unless there is a clear medical reason.
- It is only appropriate to deliver the baby early, on medical advice, when there is a risk to the health of the baby or mother.
- Don't put your baby's health at risk because of your inconveniences, personal schedules, or other trivial reasons.
- Talk openly with your doctor about any questions or concerns you have about this. It is both your responsibility to give your baby the best start.
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