My patients often ask me if I can induce labor, because they are worried or uncomfortable, or just for convenience. In actuality, after 38 weeks or so, in uncomplicated pregnancies, there is no benefit to the baby from prolonging the pregnancy. The problem is, natural labor doesn't always start the minute the baby and you are ready. Unfortunately, with an unripe cervix (not that dilated or effaced), induction can take several days. At our hospital, three-day inductions are not that unusual. Also, induction of labor increases the chances of ending up with a cesarean, and makes the birth process a whole lot more medical.

You may worry that the baby is getting bigger and wonder whether induction would help you to have a better birth, with a smaller baby. Research indicates that even when the baby seems to be getting "too big," induction is more likely to end in cesarean than just waiting for labor, even though babies continue to gain a quarter to a half a pound each week. When you mess with Mother Nature, you increase the odds that labor won't go easily.

Women who have a history of short labors, and those whose cervices are already very dilated may be expected to have easy inductions, and may consider induction for convenience if their doctor or midwife thinks it is advisable. If your labors are very short, induction in the hospital may save you from delivering at home or in the car! But for most healthy mothers and their low-risk babies-to-be, unless a medical reason for induction develops, patience is the best approach, at least through 7-14 days past your due date. Which is why it may be a good idea to be a little vague when telling acquaintances about your due date, so you don't strangle someone when asked for the hundredth time, "haven't you had that baby yet?" Going late can be very frustrating. But remember, all babies come eventually!