what's the thinking behind inducing "late " babies?

[jasper]

A friend is a week past EDD.
Her hospital advises induction after two weeks or so. There are no complications with the pregnancy.
She was told something about amniotic fluid getting less and less to the possible detriment of the baby being the reason for possible induction .
Is this true?

I can understand wanting to be induced from the "I can't stand being pregnant for a moment longer " point of view but what exactly are the medical reasons for a routine induction? Is the evidence strong? Are there any risks or complications associated with induction?

For that matter how do they work out EDD (from a scan?) and how reliable is the method they use?

I believe that one of the main reasons is because the placenta begins to function less effectively after due date,never heard of the amniotic fluid thing though.with induction there is more of a risk of needing an assisted delivery and medical intervention as the body if effectively being 'forced' into labour rather than it going naturally,monitoring is also needed(continuosly i think) with an induction also i think that an induced labour is sorer than a natural one as the contractions are enforced and become very strong very quickly(not having the normal build up)which could lead to needing/wanting more pain relief than may otherwise.

When I was born I was nearly 2 weeks late and my cord had deteriorated - to the point that it virtually disintergrated as I was born. I don't know if that's common.

I think in a lot of cases the induce just for damage limitation's sake. I dunno. I sometimes think they do things just because they can and therefore think they should. But maybe I'm just too cynical.

They wanted to induce my first early because he was too small (I refused) and my second because her due date was going to coincide with Easter - she came early of her own accord.

I was induced with DD when 12 days overdue. The reasons given were things like the cord and placenta reasons given below, and to be honest I was getting a bit fed up!

My EDD was determined by my dating scan at about 16 weeks.

1. Not all women have the same gestational age

2. The "real" average is 41 weeks 3. Past 42 weeks it would be advisable to have a scan every day or other day to check amniotic fluid level and placenta 4. There are loads of women who go past 42 weeks 5. There is an increase risk of foetal death past 42 weeks but i do not know the figures 5. In quite a few hospital you can now go to 43 weeks 6. At the end of the day she cannoty be induced by force !

It would be good to know how long her cycle is - if it is longer than 28 days than it is quite normal to have an "overdue" baby...

I am (as most know) dead against induction for reasons explained by Loobie.... and just heard that my SIL was induced and gave birth 3 hours ago by a 2nd section (unfortunately I am NOT surprised!)

Forgot to add that - induction often leads to increased risk of c-section or other assisted births. After two days of inductions - 3 gel pessaries, drip, attempt to break waters, the works - still had to have an emergency c-section.

Luckily my c-section was a very positive experience, and neither me or DD had any problems whatsoever.

This will answer your question Jasper

here

This is the mother's version

here

DD was induced because they thought she was getting too big. Also, my doctor was going on vacation the following week. She was induced 6 days after her due date.