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Q&A: When to induce labor?

Do I need to induce labor early if my baby is too small?

Re: Do I need to induce labor early if my baby is too small?

There is a pretty wide range for what is considered to be normal size for a fetus. However, if the fetal weight appears to be less than the tenth percentile for gestational age, it can be a sign the placenta is not supplying the fetus with the nutrients it needs to grow. There are a number of ultrasound tests (biophysical profile, umbilical artery Dopplers) your doctor can do to tell how well the placenta is working, so in many cases, your doctor will not need to induce labor, especially if you are preterm (prior to 37 weeks). However, if you are at term (after 37 weeks) and the fetal weight appears to be less than the tenth percentile, your doctor may want to induce labor or even perform a c-section, depending on the results of the ultrasound testing.

Dr. Ashley Roman | May 29 , 2009 11:57 AM

Q&A: When to induce labor?

I am 30 weeks and have measured small through my entire pregnancy. The dr has done 3 ultrasounds to check the baby and she is doing great...she is VERY active during the day and enjoys it when we talk to her. My dr says that every baby grows differently and that the blood flow from placenta to uterus is normal...so dont worry about a thing...just ask your dr and trust their answers...your instincts will tell you if something is wrong so make sure you listen to them.

angelface152000 | February 25 , 2010 2:51 AM

Q&A: When to induce labor?

I am 39 weeks pregnant and I have been measuring small for the past month or more. I've had 4 profiles to measure the growth of the baby and everything is fine with the baby including her being very active. They think that she weighs any where between 5lbs13oz to 6lbs10oz. My doctor decided to stripped my membranes to try and bring on labor, I go back in one week if it doesn't work this time around.

jesslynn1 | August 28 , 2010 8:19 PM

Q&A: When to induce labor?

I am 37 weeks and last week I found out that my baby is small. This is concerning since at 26 weeks he was oversized. So I have been having NST's, which have been going well so no induction yet but we might soon. I want him here ASAP so I can make sure he's getting enough to eat. I feel so helpless with him in there, the only thing I can do is rest and eat more and I have no idea if it's helping.

okoriley | November 27 , 2010 2:22 PM

Q&A: When to induce labor?

i am 39 weeks today and will be induced in 5 days if i haven't gone into labor by myself by then... i am so ready... i've been measuring 2 weeks ahead throughout my entire pregnancy... the doctor thinks that the baby is between 7 1/2 and 8 lbs...

kelkelsugar | December 01 , 2010 7:31 AM

Q&A: When to induce labor?

I am 40 wks today & have measured small up until last wk. He now measures to be around the same as my last, which was 7lbs14oz.

scmama1983 | February 28 , 2011 12:38 PM

Q&A: When to induce labor?

I am 38 weeks my baby has been measuring a little big throughout my pregnancy. If i have not had him by tues which is my next apt i will be scheduled to induce on thurs of the upcomming week. They are estimating him to be around 8 lbs already which is somewhat scary considering my biggest baby so far was 7lbs 2oz and i struggled to deliver her!

cristiem85 | March 25 , 2011 12:10 PM

Q&A: When to induce labor?

I am 2 days shy of 38 weeks and my baby has measured 1-3 weeks ahead throughout the whole pregnancy. I just had an untrasound and they said she is already 7 1/2 lb at the least and that there is an abnormally high amount of amniotic fluid for this late in the pregnancy. I have been 2 cm dialated and 75% efaced since week 36 when I went into labor and it stopped after I was given pain medication. Since then I have been back to the hospital twice with contractions 2 minutes apart and my doctors will not help my labor to progress until i am past my due date :(

melissahope10 | June 13 , 2011 12:39 AM

Q&A: When to induce labor?

When it comes to inducing you labor, do the research. The cons may outweigh the pros. Drugs used to induce labor can have very nasty side effects on both you and the baby. The off-label use of Cytotec (used to soften the cervix) can lead to a ruptured uterus which can lead to hemorrhaging and even the need for a hysterectomy. Contractions caused by Pitocin are much more intense and can put both you and the baby in distress, often times leading to the need for a c-section. When it comes to making this decision based on whether or not your doc thinks your baby in too small, no that ultrasound test and other text are not always accurate.

pchefshawna | June 23 , 2011 8:56 AM

Q&A: When to induce labor?

I have a doctor suggesting induction for the opposite reason, he thinks my baby is too big. At week 37 she is measuring at 7lb 12 oz, and because I have gestational diabetes, he is 'suggesting early delivery'. Meanwhile my primary OB says that while the baby is big, its just healthy big, and not dangerously so or even very big by GD standards. I dont understand what this 'specialist' is trying to accomplish other than freaking me out.

Kimera | August 01 , 2011 1:57 AM

Q&A: When to induce labor?

I also have GD but am measuring small. They still want to induce before my due date...doc says that they do not like to let the pregnancy go all the way to the due date with GD whether I'd measure large or small. I believe it is the concern over the placenta going bad.

JessHenchey | August 25 , 2011 11:35 AM

Q&A: When to induce labor?

when I was just under 37wks I had vaginal bleeding and began to get contractions 5-6 minutes apart. I was hospitalized and on week 37 day 2 I was induced. The induction took over 36 hrs and was very uncomfortable, the worst cramps you will ever experience in life! however once my water burst I was able to get an epidural, @ hour 38 I went from 3-10cm and had my daughter out in 3pushes. finally I had relief after a very scary few days, it turns out that a small portion of the placenta had detached and caused the bleeding and pain most likely! although she was early weighing only 6# and. 18.5 inches long, my little peanut came out healthy!

lmaddox85 | September 05 , 2011 10:58 AM

Q&A: When to induce labor?

Thank goodness I don't have to be induced until after 42 weeks. The group of midwives I see for prenatal care strip your membranes at 41 weeks, try castor oil a few days after that, and then if you're still not in active labor, you get induced at the hospital.

meg.taylor09 | November 02 , 2011 10:42 AM

Q&A: When to induce labor?

We heard there was a new ruling that doctors are no longer permitted to induce before 39 weeks for anything other than serious medical reasons--i.e. hypertension gets out of control, gestational diabetes, etc. I haven't researched enough to know where this came from or what the exact conditions are, but it wasn't something we were informed about up front. Because I work an hour away from home, I was thinking of inducing about 1-2 weeks early just so our son would be delivered safely in the hospital... while delivering in a car is a fun story for later and is the stuff some rock songs are made of, it's not something I need to experience, thanks.

AorthianArcher | November 02 , 2011 12:42 PM

Q&A: When to induce labor?

With my daughter I was extremely small my whole pregnancy. My Dr, has never worried since I gained my weight and my daughter was extremely active - everyone thought she would only be 6/7 pounds - she came out 9 pounds!! :) It can also be how the baby is lying and the position. - Second pregnancy bigger baby and carrying my weight like the last (different looking bump though!! lol)

KymberleeJean | November 05 , 2011 1:38 AM

Q&A: When to induce labor?

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you asked...

Q&A: When to induce labor?

Re: Do I need to induce labor early if my baby is too small?

Q&A: When to induce labor?

Q&A: When to induce labor?

Q&A: When to induce labor?

Q&A: When to induce labor?

Q&A: When to induce labor?

Q&A: When to induce labor?

Q&A: When to induce labor?

Q&A: When to induce labor?

Q&A: When to induce labor?

Q&A: When to induce labor?

Q&A: When to induce labor?

Q&A: When to induce labor?

Q&A: When to induce labor?

Q&A: When to induce labor?

Q&A: When to induce labor?

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