How many weeks before they wouldn't try and delay the labour?

[weeblueberry]

Just curious and prompted by some massive BHs I've had this evening at 36 weeks about what stage they'd stop trying to delay labour and would either let nature take its course or give you a c section (depending on the situation).

Someone told me recently it was 33. Not sure if it's right tho?

I had my first DD at 36 weeks. They treated it like any other labour and didn't try to delay it.

This was a long time go though.

I don't think they'd try and stop labour at 36 weeks.

My waters broke at 33 weeks with DS1, and the consultant said that while they wouldn't induce labour unless I was showing signs of infection, they also wouldn't try and stop labour if it started by itself.

Interesting to know. Thanks! So at this stage would you treat it like a normal labour (ie staying at home as long as possible etc)

Isn't 35 weeks the cut off? I thought that before 35 weeks they give the steroids to improve the lungs so would presumably want to delay it for at least long enough to inject the steroids and give them time to take effect.

Note that I have absolutely no medical knowledge & this information is based on Casualty etc!

I'd ring the hospital for advice. My waters broke at 36 weeks and I was advised to go to hospital.

Sorry I shluld reiterate I don't think I'm in labour . The strong BH just made me wonder in case it had been contractions.

My waters broke at 35 weeks and I was induced after 3 days as no contractions were happening.

I'm sure I read post week 35 they treat it like normal labour :)

I think 35 weeks is the earliest they are going to just let it progress happily. Before 35 weeks they try and delay enough to get steroids in to assist the lungs.

When I had DD (2011) & pre-eclampsia, the magic date at our hospital was 36 weeks.

I'm not sure what would have happened had labour started spontaneously before that date - but they definitely were working towards getting me to 36 weeks for delivery.

In the end, I actually stayed in hospital and was induced at 38 weeks. The Consultant was visiting me twice daily towards the end & was eager not to induce unless 100% necessary. It was.