Inducing Labor at 35 1/2 Weeks?

Hi J.-
If she could wait until 36 weeks (just a few more days) that would be something. BUT, my sister in law had fraternalt twins, and the danger for her was that the babies would not wait the full term. They were fully developed enough to be just fine. One weighed 5lbs and the other almost 6. She tried to wait but couldn't. Are her twins causing her any physical harm? Or will they come on their own without labor being induced? My only concern is that they are so very small and the longer she can wait the better. My only other thought is that her doctor may be going out of town or be unavailable closer to her due date and he wants to be the one to delver. I will say that both of my sisters babies are perfect- happy, healthy, and sprouting like weeds.
Maybe ask her why she is so set on having them so early and get one of those books that shows the developmental stages and where her babies are at at 35 weeks. Tell her you trust her doctor, but you also konw that babies need to fully develop in the womb- not in an incubator- to be their healthiest.
Hope this helps!

My own personal opinion is that 35 1/2 weeks is TOO EARLY! I don't agree with induction unless the health of mom or babies is in jeopardy, and I definitely don't agree with scheduled C-sections. Barring any medical complications, the longer that babies can be inside Mom's womb, the better.

Hi J.,
I had my triplets at 35 1/2 weeks, but I would not recommend it for twins. The first day was scary....as far as babies' health. They were all born between 5-6 pounds, but I would have waited at least another week if possible. I would try to persuade her to go to 37 weeks.What is the reason for inducing her so early?
S.
Napa, CA

Hi J., I must say I am surprised she is being induced unless her physician thinks there is a good reason - High BP, one of the twins has stopped growing etc.

It is a bit early as these babies are more likely to be smaller nayway and then to have the added problems of prematurity on top seems a bit strange to me. It is so difficult to get someone into labor at 35/36 weeks anyway especially if it is her first pregnancy so this will increase her chances of having a C/S - it doesnt make sense - there has to be some other reason for his wanting to do this!
I have delivered many twins over the years and induction would not be my first choice unless there was really good indication for doing so. Ask you sister to question her physician as to why he is doing this before he touches her!

I've never heard of a Dr. that just decides to induce early for the heck of it. I wonder what your sister is not telling you... Have they calculated how big the babies are? Big enough to go vaginally?

Regardless, it's early... but totally viable... and quite a common time frame for twins...

Mine were taken by c-section at 34.5 weeks. They were discordinate... one 3#11oz, the 5#50z... They had ZERO health problems... and were in the Nicu for only 4 days to maintain body temp and gain weight... In fact, we left with them at their birth weights... and we were told by staff they had never seen a baby under 4# go home... but since no medical probs... no reason to keep them in a hospital full of germs...

If your sister is on the heavy side, I wouldn't be suprised if her blood pressure becomes a problem around that time frame... Or if gestational diabetes doesn't become an issue...

Overall, I guess my question would be wy 35.5 weeks? If no reason other than just to do it... Yeah... I'd be looking for a new DR.

good luck!

Hi J.,

I agree with the reply that said your sister should go for a second opinion, and unless medically neccesary 35 1/2 weeks just seems way early. 37 weeks is considered "full-term" for twins so to enduce before that doesn't sound right to me. My doctor enduced my labor at 38 weeks, but the only reason was because they were not coming on their own, and I was larger than life. It is very possible to carry to term with twins. My girls weighed 5 lbs 7 ozs. and 6 lbs. 15 ozs. and were perfectly healthy. And it is also possible to deliver vaginally. It just depends on the position of the babies. My girls were both head down so I was able to deliver vaginally and with no drugs. I was also 28 when I had my twins and it was my first preganacy as well. I had an amazingly healthy and active pregnancy. I gained 52 lbs. which is right around average for a twin pregnancy, but I wasn't overweight so your sister might not need to gain that much.

I hope you get the answers you need and if you or your sister have any other questions I would be happy to talk.

God Bless
Angie

Your sister needs to change doctors. Oh My Gosh! I have never heard of scheduling, this far in advance, the inducing of twins or any baby. I would have her ask why. Unless your sister has a complication, this should not be done.

Good luck and God Bless,
B.

I have twins and they came naturally at 34weeks 6 days. They were 5.10 and 4.10 and were very healthy. They were in the NICU for 7days.My ob-gyn was a specialist with high risk pregnancy and multiples. They prefer if you can get to 36weeks and then evaluate the babies and the mom. But mine came totally on their own. They also prefer if the babies get to 6lbs which may or may not happen.
Maybe because of her weight the DR feels that she may be more of a risk??
Best of luck to all.
B.

My youngest was delivered at 34 weeks 6 days and ended up on life support for 3 weeks down at UCSF because his lungs were premature.

The doctors generally know what they are doing though and i would trust them.

Hi J.. I think the best thing would be for your sister to get a better understanding of why her doctor would choose to induce her that early. It's interesting the doctor would make that call so early in the pregnancy. If your sister is in good health throughout the pregnancy and doesn't have any issues with high blood pressure, etc. I don't know of any reason to induce at all. When I found out I was pregnant with twins, I realized that a lot of doctors automatically tend to induce and/or schedule a c-section. I wanted to allow my babies to "cook" as long as my body would let them so they would have a better chance of avoiding time spent in the NICU. I searched around and found a doctor that wouldn't intervene unless absolutely necessary and would let me deliver the twins vaginally as long as baby A was head down (didn't matter which way baby B was lying). Needlessly to say, I have 5 month old twin boys that came on their own at 39 weeks, delivered vaginally. They both weighed in at 7 lbs 2 oz. They didn't need any NICU time and came home with me. Sorry for the long answer...I wish you and your sister all the best with your new babies!

Hi J.,
It is artificial and wrong to induce labor so early, unless there are serious medical reasons to do so. If your sister is feeling well, and the twins are developing normally there is no reason to interfere with the pregnancy. I can share from the personal experience. I am a mother of twins, who were developing normally and without any complications. My first set of doctors were insisting on "managing" my pregnancy. Scaring me with all sorts of problems that "may happen," but needless to say did not happen and were not indicated. Telling me "when we should have the twins" and so on. I kept fighting and insisting that I'll let my pregnancy go normally, after some time I simply switched to a different group of doctors, and two wonderful midwives, who delivered my twins naturally, when my labor started on its on at 38 weeks. I had two beautiful boys, healthy and normal, although on the small side even at 38 weeks (5.9 and 5.5). It was a bit difficult to establish breastfeeding with them, but other than that the delivery, labor, & their health were great. I consider the "management" of pregnancy wrong ethically and medically. Only, if there are serious complications, it should be offered. You can tell your sister that if she is going to be induced, then the babies will be very small, and will have to stay in hospital connected to tubes in special unit, for a couple of weeks at least. Instead of being with their mother, they will be hooked up with the machines. You can tour the hospital and try to see the unit, or you can find pictures on the net. I do not think it is good for any baby, even if they don't remember it consciously. Second, the breastfeeding will be difficult, if at all possible. Third the natural cycles of birth and delivery will be interfered with, so the babies will not come when nature intended for them ,but when the doctors decided. If you want to write to me directly, or your sister wants to, I'd be happy to share my experience more or to offer support. Please keep telling her, that it will be hard on her and the babies if she goes with the induction. I forgot to mention that she will have a C-section, she will be in pain, will have to take meds, while needing to establish the milk flow. It will be unnecessarily taxing and emotionally draining on her, with having to be away from the kids, taking care of her C-section, and pumping.

Is it a medical reason? If not, that seems way early. I have two sets of twins. The first set was induced due to lack of fluid at 37 1/2 weeks. My second set was taken by c-section at 38 1/2 weeks. All 4 of my babies were under 5lbs even at 38 weeks. She may want to question her Dr so they wont have to spend NICU time.

Hi there,
I had twin boys a year ago, at 37 1/2 weeks. Full term for twins is 38 weeks, not 40 like for singleton babies. There is research that shows twins who go past 38 weeks can essentially wear out the placenta, so they receive reduced food and vitamins, oxygen, etc. I had to have a c-section because of the position of my babies. It is not ideal - I would have been better prepared, and they would have been better breastfeeders, if they could've made it a bit longer. That said, I am confident that the earlier birthdate was the very best decision for them given the risks. I have no idea why your sister's doctor said 35 1/2 weeks, unless it is related to her weight/medical issues. Perhaps you can show your sister responses to your post? Good luck!

What is the doctor's reasoning for inducing labor? I have twins and am in a twins club and have honestly never heard of an induction except for medical reasons. 35 1/2 weeks is ok for twins - they'd likely be fine - but I'd ONLY induce if there is a medical problem. Otherwise, full term for twins is 38 weeks.
I delivered via C-section at 36 1/2 weeks because I developed pre-eclampsia. If I hadn't, my doctor wasn't going to induce me until 38 weeks (and only because I begged her!).
I'd advise your sister to question her doctor's motives. It's never healthy to take babies out of the womb early unless there is a very good medical reason. The longer they stay in, the bigger they will be, the better they will be at regulating their own body temperature, latching on, eating in general, and their lungs are not fully developed at 35 weeks.
Ask questions or demand a second opinion - induction at 35 weeks is NOT in the best interest of the babies!

J.
Mom of Hudson and Beckham, age 3

J.,

Unless there is a problem with the babies, they shouldn't be inducing until at least 37.5 -38 weeks. Why does the doctor want to induce her then? They would be premature and you can't guarantee that it will give them enough time to get their lungs mature-with the meds that they give. I would have your sister get a second opinion- I don't know the whole story-so its hard to say, but it seems like the doctor is doing a very dangerous thing to induce that early!

Please let us know what happens.

Molly

I am a twin. I was born 44 years ago, back when they didn't induce labor like they do now. In fact they didnt do sonograms, so she didnt know for sure she was having twins, but she was as big as a house. We came 1 week early. My mom had a normal delivery. My twin sister was breach... and still they did not interviene and she had a normal birth.
Just goes to show you that God made women's bodies to birth, and to do so in the right timing. For these doctors to step in as "gods" and pronounce they KNOW BETTER is arrogant, prideful and wrong. Not to mention the fact that there is proof that babies born at full term have less health risks and problems than pre term babies. Hey, just think of all the THOUSANDS of EXTRA DOLLARS the hospital will get to deliver them preterm. I think that is the motivation here.
It sure isn't the health of the babies, because in the womb doing their final maturing is the perfect place God designed for them to be.

ps....we were 8.5 pounds each.

Any amount of time the baby is out of the womb prior to the due date is "early" - lung development is the biggest reason to try & have a baby as close to the due date or after as possible. With twins, however, it is common to induce early, though I know several mom's who were allowed to either wait until they went into labor on their own or were induced within a week of their due date.

I would really encourage your sister to ask more questions if she's not exactly sure why they want to induce so early. Most likely there is a very good medical reason (hopefully) & not just on a whim of the dr's or something. There may be issues or complications she's not telling you or that, for some reason, the dr. didn't think was necessary to disclose - assumption kind of thing. But I've personally never heard of an induction that early without medical cause, twins or not.

Will the doctor being doing an amnio a week before the induction to test for surfactant? This will show if the babies lungs are developed enough. If the lungs are not developed enough and an early delivery is necessary, the doctor should then be giving your sister corticosteriod shots to develop the babies lungs, then an early delivery will be safer. I think your sister should at least be getting a second opinion as I have never heard of a doctor wanting to deliver babies this early unless it was a medical necessity. My daughter was delivered at 37 weeks (medical necessity) and only weighed 5 lbs. 8 ozs. I can't imagine how small twins at 35.5 weeks will be.

J.,

You've already heard from several 'multiple moms' who have 'been there and done that'. However, I wanted to echo what many are saying. The delivery date isn't until September and already your sister is being told that the children will be induced at 35.5 weeks...that's crazy.

I delivered my twins at 35 weeks and fortunately, they had no medical issues. As many mentioned, multiples often come early, but the full-term gestation for twins is 37 weeks. Unless there is a medical situation that arises during the pregnancy, there is no need to determine induction as a 'given'...especially this early in the pregnancy.

Multiples' lungs typically mature sooner than a singleton because they are kicking each other in the womb (whether fraternal or identical) and it helps to prepare the lungs sooner. (God is wonderful in that respect).

I am the president of our multiples club. If your sister would like to talk, please ask her to contact me.

Best of luck to both of you in your pregnancies!!

~ L.
President of El Dorado Mothers of Multiples (EDMoMs)

Not that it is published anywhere, but supposedly the gestation time or "full term" drops a week with each additional baby...(so 38-39 for twins and 37 for triplets) and it gets harder to keep them in... but the other things I know dr.s consider is size and health of the mother... for example, does your sis have high blood pressure? gestational diabetes? if so, they might be inducing early to try to avoid complications from those, they might be worried that her bp would get too high if they wait... or that the insulin might affet the babies...The other thing is the size of the babies... are they 5# already? If they are, then they probably would be fine... and remember, due dates can be off by a bit... my second's due date changed about a week both directions during different points in the pregnancy and then he came a day before the date... and then the nurses, the next day, were teaching student nurses and the student asked about the dry skin around his wrists and ankles and the teacher said "that's actually a indicator that he was about a week late" and then asked me when my due date had been and when I told her he was a day early, she laughed and said "it just goes to show that all of our technology, we still aren't 100% sure, babies come when they're ready, but I'd estimate this one to have been about 41 weeks"... but the other thing is that your sis needs to have confidence in her dr and it seems like she does... maybe ask her if she's like you to come along on her next checkup and meet her dr and see if that reassures you? By all means, be concerned, that's being a good sister!!! Good luck!

J.,
To answer your question - this IS normal for the US OB/GYN hospital delivery system - unfortunately! Perhaps you can find some literature on what they do in Europe - and countries who have superior infant mortality rates and health outcomes than the US! SANd show her. She could wait until her body goes into labor naturally and then go to the hospital. What did women do 100 years ago! We have been procreating for how long? With no early inductions for twins. As long as she has no complications and everything is fine, she could wait. Find some info from midwives to show your sister. She needs to feel confidant that her babies will be okay. Of course she trusts her Dr's. Most people do. But we have access to more information via the internet / books to become more informed in our healthcare choices. There is more to Dr's suggestions than meets the eye. And it's called insurance!

WHy are they inducing? Are there problems? If not you might want to look up complications using pitocin to induce labor. Not to scare you, but babies have been killed in this process.

35 1/2 weeks is too early! My little girl was born then, 'cause I was in a car accident that started labor early, and her lungs were immature, meaning a week in NICU--and she wasn't twins.
It is odd that the dr. is making such a call so early in the pregnancy--especially with your sister being a bigger gal. Size discrimination in obstetrics DOES happen. Your sis might want to do some reading at http://www.plus-size-pregnancy.org

twins DO come w/ far more risks than singetons, and it's difficult to answer w/out knowing how the babies are progressing......BUT 36wks IS full term for twins and research shows that most twins are delivered by that time. ours were scheduled for csection (breech and one was a bit smaller, so risky) @ 36wks but the md didn't schedule it til were were about 33wks along, so i suppose it might be early for the md to set a date already. note that 50% of twin pregnancies don't survive! and if one goes to "baby heaven" late in the pregnancy (like last trimester), it's very likely the other one will go "there" too. if your sister totally trusts her md, there's not much u can do since voicing your opinion (which has been based on a singleton) would likely create more tension between the two of u at a time she needs your support!

Hi J.,

In my opinion, it's WAAAAAAAY too early to even tell what's going to happen in early September, especially with twins.

When my sister was expecting twins the situation was similar, but it was said differently. But they DID say they would induce her, and that made her nervous a little, but she trusted her Dr. She delivered 2-8 pound boys a month early from her due date, and inducing was never done.

I think the Dr's just try to give us "need to know it all" mom's all the info that they think we "need to know"..... Maybe your sister started the inducing conversation, and the Dr was forced to respond. This early it just doesn't always come up in conversation I wouldn't think.

Everything will be just fine whether they induce her or not.

But Congratulations!!!!!! You and your sister will be having babies together this year :O) She's trying to catch up to you quickly by having twins, isn't she? I'm happy for you and your families.

I hope all is healthy, and everything goes well.

~N. :o)

If there's a way to express your concerns without undermining your sister's confidence in her doctor, that seems like the way to go. You have valid opinions, and they do too. However, her life will be in their hands. This is tricky.

J.,
Babies can survive outside the womb at 24 weeks, we learned that in class this week. I also had my child at
34 weeks. She was very healthy and came home with us the next day.
W. M.

I think you should advise you sister to consult with another doctor.
I was 23 when I was pregnant with my twins and also on the heavier side of things. However, all the doctors that I spoke with said that as long as the girls and I were doing fine there was no reason to induce me.
I would also ask your sister if there is a reason the doctor is recommending inducing, especially since she isn't due until September, I feel that it's too early to be considering that option so completely.
I did end up having my water break prematurely at 34 weeks and was able to deliver my girls both vaginally with no complications. They stayed in the NICU for 10 days, mainly to ensure weight gain and treat jaundice. They are now 8 years old and very healthy, happy girls.
There are some great books, websites, and groups to get information from concerning twins. Have your sister see if there is a local Mother of Twins/Multiples group where she lives. There was one where I lived when I was pregnant and it was great to get to meet other moms of multiples and get their point of view.

I am not a Dr, and I didn't have twins, but I was induced to early and had an emergency c-section because the baby was to high still. I went through 19 hours of labor then the baby became distressed and was having heart problems. My friend who had the same Dr. was also induced and had a c-section about 6 weeks after I did. I would look into the Dr's record of births and see how many c-sections vs push births. My Dr had a high record of inducing and doing c-sections. I think (no proof remember, just my opinion) that it is easier for the Dr to do a c-section because it is planned. Dr knows that if she induces the baby will come today one way or the other. C-sections also cost more, so the Dr gets paid more for the surgery, and doesn't have to worry about being called in the middle of the night to do a natural birth.
But with twins I have herd they come early.
Good luck, and good for you for not just doing what was told by the Dr. Hope you and your sister and baby the very best.

I am kind of amazed at all the responses suggesting that there is no good reason why your sister should be induced when her doctor thinks she should. Unless you know her entire medical and gynecological history, plus the exact status and details of her pregnancy, I'm not sure you or any of the rest of us should be making that call.

Do I think 35 1/2 weeks is a bit early? Yes. Do I think that on the surface, the doctor deciding now that this is what s/he will do is rather premature? Yes. Do I think a second opinion is not a bad idea? Yes. BUT... I don't think we should jump to decide that the doctor is wrong without more information. If I were you I would mention to your sister that this seems early, and ask her why her doctor is making this recommendation. But in the end, the decision is between her, her husband, and her doctor. Good luck to you both.

Maybe it has something to due with her weight issues? Does she have high blood pressure? We should assume the dr. knows what he/she is doing?

Good luck to your sis?

I had twins naturally and went into labor at 37 1/2 weeks. Full gestation for twins is 38 weeks. I don't understand any reason to deliver early unless there is some placenta previa or another underlying medical reason. The bigger the better, the healthier the kids are etc. Is there a multiples club where your sister lives? She can search on line. They can be invaluble as far as information and help with multiples. Here in Marin there is MPOMC.org. Good luck!
M.

Except for the unlikely scenario that she has a rare type of twins, mono-mono amniotic, where they are at risk for cord untanglement, there is no reason her doctor should be pre-planning such an early delivery. Perhaps they discussed some worse-case scenarios? The current AMA standard is no induction before 39 wks gestation, unless there is a medical reason to do so. Unfortunately, there are some unethical doctor's still out there. However, it's more often that there is a misinterpretation by the patient (why it's often good to bring someone with you). So, I wouldn't judge this doctor unless you know more about the situation. Some doctor's really want to please their patients and feel pressured by someone who is begging not to have to go full term. Still not a good reason. Best wishes to your sister and daddy, the babies, and the new auntie. (mom of twins, L&D nurse)

35 1/2 weeks is fine. My boys were born at 35 weeks and 2 days (after 2 weeks of bed rest)and still weighed in at 6'5 and 5'8 with no complications. 36 is usually the goal when carrying twins but for me, they had given me a steroid shot to aid their lung development. Now they're 7 and you'd never know developmentally wise that they were early.

I had an emergency c section at 34 weeks with twin girls. They were healthy with no major problems. I stayed in the hospital for 5 days and they were in the hospital for 10 days. They weighed 4 lb 1 oz, and 4 lb 9 oz. I think your sister will be just fine as well as the twins.
L.

What happened to a second opinion? Have you read any medical books on the subject?

I am a mom of 1 year old twins that were induced at 37 weeks. My doctor informed me during my pregnancy that she does not like to wait more than 37 weeks before inducing twins; there is literature that suggests that full-term for twins is 37 weeks -- not 40. I believe that a premature baby is defined as one being delivered before 34 weeks. I had a fabulous traditional birth -- not a c-section -- and the babies didn't have to go into the NICU at all. They both were 5 lbs 5 oz.

I would imagine that your sister's doctor has a good reason for inducing early. Her weight could be an issue because high blood pressure can be a problem in the late stages of pregnancy and the weight does not help. In general, I would trust the doctor, but it doesn't hurt to ask your sister if her doctor has explained why 35.5 weeks is when he/she wants to schedule the birth.

Like others, I am wondering if there is a legit medical reason for this. Just so you know, pregnancy for a single birth is technically considered "at term" at 37 weeks. Even though dues dates are calculated at 40 weeks, the typical preganacy duration is actually 38 weeks. Most multiple are born even earlier for a variety of legit reasons, but I have not heard of a doc planning so far ahead of time for an early delivery. My son (a single birth) was born at 29 weeks (not induced, not a c-section, just went into labor early despite excellent pre-natal care) and is now almost six years old and is doing just fine. He came home from the hospital at what would have been 35 weeks gestationally. Again, I'm not sure what's up with 35.5 weeks, but at least that's past the amjor milestones where the chances of complications and other problems go down dramatically.

Get the facts. The Doc has a ligitimate reason to induce or he wouldn't do it. I think your sis might not be telling you everything.

One month early is not too early to have healthy babies though. Their lungs are fully developed and that is certainly one of the main concerns with premies. Do some research about premies and twins and you will be able to relax into an informed opinion.

Oh dear... Well, I don't know her history, and I'm assuming that her doctor must have a good reason for saying such a thing. (Besides the fact that she is carrying multiples)
If you have found out since then if that is the only reason, maybe seeking another care provider wouldn't be a bad idea.
It is perfectly healthy and normal for a low risk mother to carry her twins and even triplets to term and beyond. Here is a cute youtube vid I found that you and your sister might enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E-wULAaD50

Don't worry, your sister will be fine. I am a mother of twins who were born 6 weeks early. They are now 9 years old & are very healthy. My twins are a boy & girl and were premies when they were born. I had to be induced 6 weeks early because my son was not gaining the weight he was suppose to. My doctor said that my girl was taking in most of the food & was afraid that something may go wrong with my son if he doesn't get enough food or gain weight. Thus I had no choice. I also had my twins both ways: normal & C-section with 2 epidurals. My son was 2.5 lbs & daughter was 3.10 lbs.. They stayed in the hospital until they were 4 lbs. They were both fine & have no disabilities. Now they are 60 lbs & involved in a few sports activities. With the new technology these days, I'm sure your sister will be just fine with her beautiful twins. I also just had my 3rd baby who is a boy & 14 months old. He was full term & is also healthy. Good luck to your sister, you & your family!!:)

Twinz Mom+1

This is way too early. Current research has shown that babies born before 39 weeks have a higher incidence of morbidity. Hopefully your sister will listen to you. Do some online research yourself and see the data available.

Hello-
I have twin G/B 5.5 years old. I carried them until 37 weeks, which my doctor said was considered full term for twins. Although I could have carried longer, the doc said that any longer could possibly cause issues. At 37 weeks they were 6 lbs 3oz and 6 lbs 1 oz respectively. My doc said that they were pretty good size for twins. I did not have any issues with the pregnancy. Maybe there are issues with your sister's pregnancy that is causing her doctor to want to have the twins sooner rather than later (there could be limited room for the babies to move inside). Or maybe the babies are measuring large already. Or one baby is measuring much larger than the other one. We got measured every month to make sure they were both growing and growing at the same pace. The twins were able to come home with us.

Good luck. Tell your sister to get all the rest she can now. And to take whatever help is offered. THe first couple of years with twins can be daunting. But it gets so much easier.
K.
Mom to Taylor and Dylan

Hi J.. Are your sister's twins in different sacs, or in a single sac? I'm not an OB, but I've read that twins in the same sac should not go longer than 35 weeks, as the risk of both twins dying greatly increases (have witnessed this first-hand with family friends - though I don't know how far along the pregnancy was, just that it was in it's 3rd trimester). Ultimately, like most everyone else is writing, she needs communication from the doctor as to why this is being suggested. A second opinion from another OB may be a good idea, as well. Good luck to both you and your sister during your pregnancies!!

I have a scheduled c-section coming up in two weeks (my third baby in 3 years). My doctor told me at my last visit that I was at the 34 week mark and if I went into labor early they would not try to stop labor as that is considered the point at which it is safe to deliver without prematurity issues. He said that they like to see the baby go full-term, if possible, but not to panic if I go into labor early, which is not uncommon when having three babies in as many years. I hope this makes you feel better. My cousin is a mid-wife in the navy and has delivered something like 600 babies. She said that heavy women often have big babies and that they sometimes have a difficult time with delivery for that reason. Maybe the baby is too big? That's a totally lay person's guess. I have no medical knowledge of such things. Why doesn't she just ask her doctor. He probably has a good reason.

N.