The Number Train - Learning for Kids

Reviewing site statistics, I have always been struck by the fact that the so-called 'DIY' Induction of Labour is always up there in the top 5 most searched terms on our Pregnancy and Childbirth information website.As a practising obstetrician, however, I am never surprised by this. In my day to day work I am all the time encountering women at term who are otherwise well but who, after 40 odd weeks of pregnancy, just cannot wait for it to be over and done with. They are physically and emotionally drained and would happily swap that stress with the stress of looking after a fragile newborn.It is an accepted medical scientific fact that by 37 weeks of gestation, a baby in the womb is technically at term and therefore functionally mature and able to cope with the outside world. That is true for the overwhelming majority. However, spontaneous labour may not occur for another three or four weeks, even more. For some, that is sometimes too much to cope with. It is therefore no surprise that these women clamour for labour induction.There is almost total consensus among obstetricians and midwives that induction of labour before at least 41 weeks in the absence of a medical indication (fetal or maternal wellbeing) is not a good idea. This is for a number of quite valid and powerful reasons which are not the focus of this article.So, what is the truth regarding do-it-yourself induction of labour at term? Is there a scientifically proven 'DIY'