Overdue birth & labour induction

Definition:

Overdue birth - Giving birth anywhere between 37 to 42 weeks is considered normal, more than 42 weeks is considered overdue.

Mr Stefan Chmelik on Overdue birth, induction of labour

The idea of ‘due dates’ are now presented as if they are written I stone, and severe pressure is put onto any woman to have the labour induced that goes past their given date. In reality, expected delivery dates are seldom accurate, and birth can happen around two weeks either side of this date quite naturally. I have spoken to several older GP’s who were quite content to leave women to go four week over term back in their day.

Unless there is a very specific medical cause for concern, most women should be able to wait until the “melon is ready to fall”, as the Chinese proverb puts it. However, the pressure itself is enough to cause an anxiety level that can inhibit the start of labour. Acupuncture has a very good track record of facilitating the start of the birth process, but is not the same as inducing labour. Acupuncture will not start labour if there is a reason why the baby would not easily be birthed, so there is no risk attached.