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What's happening to your baby?
No one really knows how labour starts but however it starts, there’s no doubt that your baby is ready to be born. Your baby is perfectly adapted for breathing air and feeding on milk, and is primed to respond to and learn from its environment.
Your baby has lost its layer of greasy white vernix and so its skin may be a little dry and flaky. A dab of moisturiser will help with this. Your baby’s genitals may be also be a little swollen but this will settle down soon. |
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What's happening to you?
You're probably feeling tired, heavy and a little impatient by now, especially if friends from your antenatal class have already had their babies.
If you still haven't had your baby by 41 weeks, you'll usually be offered a membrane sweep. This separates the membranes around your baby from your cervix and releases hormones called prostaglandins, which can kick-start labour.
If a membrane sweep doesn't work, your doctor or midwife will suggest inducing your labour with artificial prostaglandins. These are inserted into your vagina as a gel, tablet or pessary, usually in the morning.
It's only if an induction with prostaglandins doesn't work that your doctors will start to discuss the possibility of a caesarean section with you. Do bear in mind that only about 20 per cent of babies are induced, so you're most likely to go into labour naturally.
Until then, savour this time – put your feet up and let everyone spoil you. |
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"You'll find that everyone is full of good advice about how to bring labour on. Something people often suggest is making love. There may actually be something in this because sperm contains prostaglandins, which are hormones that help trigger labour. Something else that's worth trying is stimulating your nipples. It sounds bizarre, but research suggests that, provided your cervix is ready for labour, it might actually work!"
Bev Rolls, Midwife |
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All the best,
The SMA Baby Club |
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