2 weeks over due. Should I have an induction?
Hey Beth, I am coming up to 2 weeks over due. Should I have an induction?
Ahh it’s such an exciting time isn’t it, but also very frustrating!
So there is lots of research around induction and some the findings are uncertain. That said, there is some evidence that shows an increased risk of perinatal death (where a newborn dies within the first week) and still birth at weeks 41 & at week 42. I’ll explain in terms of actual numbers so you can see how much of an increase.
Before I continue I want to clarify that when speaking about 41 weeks pregnancy, that refers to 41+0 to 41+ 6.
When speaking about 42 weeks pregnancy, that refers to 42+0 to 42+6.
Risk of Stillbirth for being 2 weeks over due
This is data from one study that was done in 2019. For women who are deemed “low risk”…
The risk of stillbirth is …
38 weeks 0.12 in 1000
39 weeks 0.14 in 1000
40 weeks 0.33 in 1000
41 weeks 0.80 in 1000
42 weeks 0.88 in 1000
Perinatal Death and NICU admission for going over due.
NICE guidelines have collated research from a few studies who compared the risks for induction at 41 weeks vs 42 weeks. They looked at NICU admission and perinatal death (when a baby dies within the first week)….
Induction at 41 weeks
The risk of perinatal death is 4 per 10,000
Risk of NICU admission 300 per 10,000
Induction at 42 weeks …
The risk of perinatal death is 35 per 10,000
Risk of NICU admission is 440 per 10,000
Between these 2 different weeks, the findings showed no difference between the amount of caesarean births, instrumental births or vaginal births. So basically induction made no difference to type of birth.
When you compare induction at week 42 to induction at week 43, the difference here is caesarean birth.
Induction at week 42 gives a caesarean birth rate of 1,330 per 10,000.
Compared to week 43 giving a 2040 caesarean birth rate.
Between these 2 weeks (week 42 & week 43) perinatal death and NICU admission is the same.
So, those are the numbers. I’ve used NICE guidelines and also a book written by a midwife/Dr called “In your own time’.
I wanted to give you the exact numbers so you can form your own viewpoint.
I’d also say that these are generic stats. Your own obstetric team may advise you differently knowing your own health, medical history and your pregnancy too. So you can use this email to start a conversation with them but this shouldn’t replace the advice that they are giving you.
2 weeks over due. Should I have an induction?
Ultimately, the choice is yours. If you decide to have an induction, or not. In the lead up, I would really recommend a day off from thinking about it. I imagine it’s been taking over your thoughts. If you can, have a day where you rest, nap, watch a film, have a nice walk and do very little. I would even say once you’ve made a decision too, stick with it (obviously unless you were worried about the health of baby). You could also try some natural ways to induce labour. Sometimes the stress comes with making the decision and actually once the decision has been made, you might feel great relief from this and then can start planning for how you’re going to make your induction amazing or how you’re going to enjoy that extra day being pregnant, whichever choice you make. If you do choose to have an induction, make sure you have a read of some positive induction stories to get you feeling excited and prepared for going in.
Best wishes,
Beth
Xx
