What is Early Elective Birth
Early elective birth refers to making a choice to have a baby before the time the baby is due. Pregnancy is considered full term from 39 weeks through 40 weeks and 6 days.
Early elective births can take place after 39 weeks of gestation. Most health care providers practice within the guidelines of delivering a baby no later than 42 weeks of pregnancy (gestation) and no earlier than 39 weeks.
Generally, the longer the baby stays inside the uterus to reach full term, the lower the risks are to both the baby and the mother.
In some cases, labor may be induced before 39 weeks due to health risks to the mother or baby. Induction of labor refers to the use of medicines to bring about contractions and labor in a pregnant woman.
Medical reasons for having early birth
It may be safer to induce labor before 39 weeks of gestation if:
- A woman is carrying more than 1 baby. Twins may be delivered at 38 weeks of gestation.
- A
woman is having complications during pregnancy, such as:
- High blood pressure caused by pregnancy (preeclampsia).
- Bleeding.
- Infection.
- There
are conditions affecting the baby’s health, such as:
- Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), in which something is preventing the baby from growing well.
- Abnormal fetal heart rate.
- Lack of fluid that surrounds the baby (oligohydramnios).
- Problems with the placenta.
- Fluid that surrounds the baby (amniotic fluid) is leaking.
There are many other medical reasons why you may need to have early birth. You and your health care provider will discuss your risks to determine whether there is a medical reason for you to deliver your baby early.
Reasons to avoid early elective birth
Sometimes early birth is not the best choice. It may not be a good idea if:
- It is chosen just for convenience.
- You want the baby to be born on a certain date, like a holiday.
You are more likely to need a cesarean delivery before 39 weeks of gestation. Having a cesarean section may cause problems such as:
- Infection.
- Bleeding.
- Longer recovery time.
Babies born early term (between 37 and 38 weeks and 6 days gestation):
- May need special care in the nursery or in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
- Have
a greater risk for:
- Infection.
- Brain damage or bleeding inside the brain.
- Feeding problems.
- Breathing problems.
- Problems controlling their temperature.
- Slow physical and mental development.
- Dying during their first year of life.
General tips for a healthy pregnancy
Good prenatal care reduces the risk of problems for you and your baby, and may help you to avoid preterm birth. During your pregnancy, do the following:
- Take a prenatal vitamin containing folic acid. Take any additional vitamins as recommended by your health care provider, such as calcium supplements.
- Make sure you are up to date on your vaccinations.
- Eat
a healthy diet that includes:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Lean proteins.
- Calcium-rich foods, such as milk, yogurt, hard cheeses, and dark, leafy greens.
- Whole grains.
- Follow instructions from your health care provider about managing any medical conditions you may have during your pregnancy.
- Drink enough water to keep your urine clear or pale yellow. For many women, this may be 10 or more 8-oz glasses of water each day. Keeping yourself hydrated may help prevent preterm contractions.
- Do notuse alcohol, tobacco products, or drugs. This includes cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
- Exercise regularly and get plenty of rest. Unless told otherwise by your health care provider, try to get 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week.
- Keep all prenatal visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.
Summary
- A full term pregnancy is usually best for baby and mother. In some cases, early elective birth may be necessary due to health risks to mother or baby.
- Generally, the longer the baby stays inside the uterus until it is full term, the lower the risks are to both the baby and the mother.
- An early elective birth may lead to a cesarean delivery. This can lead to other problems for the mother and baby.
- Keep all prenatal visits as told by your health care provider. This is important. Good prenatal care reduces the risk of problems for you and your baby, and may help you avoid preterm birth.
