UK Wedding News
15/11/2017
The research, which has been published in PLOS Medicine, included first-time mothers aged 35 and over, a group that generally is at a higher risk of birth complications.
Currently, women who are overdue but well, are often given a couple of extra weeks to see if labour will happen spontaneously before doctors intervene.
Inductions are offered to avoid the risks of prolonged pregnancy, which can include stillbirth. Guidelines recommend inductions are offered to pregnant women between 41 and 42 weeks of gestation, one to two weeks after the due date.
However, new research has suggested that bringing forward induction to 40 weeks' gestation could be a safer option for mothers and babies. It is thought one baby death might be avoided for every 526 inductions of labour if women over 35 were helped to give birth on their due date rather than a week or two after it.
In the study of almost 80,000 women in England, the rate of stillbirth or death of a baby within seven days of birth was eight per 10,000 pregnancies when induction was carried out earlier, compared with 26 per 10,000 when induction was postponed, known as 'expectant management', to allow more time for labour to happen naturally.
Researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine subsequently calculated that a change in policy to inductions at 40 weeks could potentially save about 50 babies' lives a year in the UK.
Hannah Knight, Lead Researcher, said: "There appears to be evidence that bringing forward the offer of induction to 40 weeks would be beneficial. It should be something that women and doctors discuss together.
"This study represents the strongest evidence yet that moving the offer of induction forward to 40 weeks might reduce the risk of stillbirth in this specific age group, which we know face a greater risk of stillbirth and neonatal death."
Those behind the study did, however, acknowledge that it was also too soon to recommend changing the current guidelines as more studies are needed.
(JP/MH)
20/03/2020
LeToya Luckett-Walker Is Pregnant
Charlotte Crosby Finds New Romance
Lydia Bright Gets Candid About Giving Birth
Lana Del Ray Splits From Boyfriend
Angelica Ross Learns Of Boyfriend's Secret Life
Ashley Graham's Breastfeeding Struggle
Susanna Reid's Mother's Day Plans
Lin-Manuel Miranda Homeschooling Kids
Kristen Bell Speaks Of Pride For Daughters
Prince George & Princess Charlotte Now Homeschooled
Giving Birth On Due Date 'Could Be Safer' For Women
A new study has said that stillbirth and newborn death risk could be reduced by offering more pregnant women the chance to give birth on their due date.The research, which has been published in PLOS Medicine, included first-time mothers aged 35 and over, a group that generally is at a higher risk of birth complications.
Currently, women who are overdue but well, are often given a couple of extra weeks to see if labour will happen spontaneously before doctors intervene.
Inductions are offered to avoid the risks of prolonged pregnancy, which can include stillbirth. Guidelines recommend inductions are offered to pregnant women between 41 and 42 weeks of gestation, one to two weeks after the due date.
However, new research has suggested that bringing forward induction to 40 weeks' gestation could be a safer option for mothers and babies. It is thought one baby death might be avoided for every 526 inductions of labour if women over 35 were helped to give birth on their due date rather than a week or two after it.
- - - - - - Advertisement - - - - - -
In the study of almost 80,000 women in England, the rate of stillbirth or death of a baby within seven days of birth was eight per 10,000 pregnancies when induction was carried out earlier, compared with 26 per 10,000 when induction was postponed, known as 'expectant management', to allow more time for labour to happen naturally.
Researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine subsequently calculated that a change in policy to inductions at 40 weeks could potentially save about 50 babies' lives a year in the UK.
Hannah Knight, Lead Researcher, said: "There appears to be evidence that bringing forward the offer of induction to 40 weeks would be beneficial. It should be something that women and doctors discuss together.
"This study represents the strongest evidence yet that moving the offer of induction forward to 40 weeks might reduce the risk of stillbirth in this specific age group, which we know face a greater risk of stillbirth and neonatal death."
Those behind the study did, however, acknowledge that it was also too soon to recommend changing the current guidelines as more studies are needed.
(JP/MH)
Top stories
20/03/2020
LeToya Luckett-Walker Is Pregnant
Charlotte Crosby Finds New Romance
Lydia Bright Gets Candid About Giving Birth
Lana Del Ray Splits From Boyfriend
Angelica Ross Learns Of Boyfriend's Secret Life
Ashley Graham's Breastfeeding Struggle
Susanna Reid's Mother's Day Plans
Lin-Manuel Miranda Homeschooling Kids
Kristen Bell Speaks Of Pride For Daughters
Prince George & Princess Charlotte Now Homeschooled
