The gestation of the human being is a complex process with a certain duration that should not be forced. The natural, and therefore the most convenient is that the delivery is triggered spontaneously, when they start up by themselves the physiological mechanisms that make labor begin.
These mechanisms they have their reason for being. The hormones secreted by the mother better predispose the baby to life outside the womb, and in addition, its development is favored every day that remains within the womb until the day she decides to be born.
"Term" babies
A pregnancy under normal conditions lasts between 37 and 42 weeks. If born within those weeks, it is considered a full-term baby. Within this category, three subcategories can be distinguished, depending on when the birth occurred:
Babies born between weeks 37 and 39 will be considered "early term".
Babies born between weeks 39 and 41 will be considered "normal term".
Babies born between weeks 41 and 42 will be considered "late term".
On the other hand, babies born before week 37 are considered premature, while those born with more than 42 weeks are considered post-term.
But obviously, although in both cases it is considered a full-term baby it is not the same to be born in week 37 than in week 42. There is nothing less than five weeks apart, a key time for the baby's development.
The uterus is a protected environment, which keeps the baby safe from the dangers of the extrauterine world.Every day inside the uterus counts
Although they are already trained, towards the end of pregnancy, lThe most important organs continue to develop and rehearsing to function on their own when the baby is born. The brain is one of the most changing in recent weeks and develops better inside than outside the uterus.
In the last trimester, the brain multiplies its size by four. In week 35, for example, it only weighs two thirds of what it will weigh in week 39 or 40.
On the other hand, towards the end of pregnancy the baby takes care of accumulate fat which will allow you to better regulate the temperature outside, as well as better functioning of the organs and maturation of the lungs.
Every day inside the womb is key to the development of the baby. Being born before week 39 is related to major respiratory, hearing, vision or learning complications, to name a few differences.
Babies born before term have a higher risk of jaundice as well as greater difficulties in sucking and swallowing. Although it may not seem like it, even being born days before can affect its development.
Physiological processes that prepare the baby
What triggers labor? Childbirth is triggered by a conjunction of synchronized biological factors between the mother and the baby. A recent study has discovered the ON button that starts labor: a signal that comes from the lungs that communicates that they are already mature and ready to start breathing outside the uterus.
When the baby decides to be born, they start a series of hormonal processes beneficial to your health. The mother's hormonal response prepares him to be born, causing the baby to become receptive to recognize his mother and the environment, to favor what is known as the moment of imprinting, which in the case of births that are not triggered naturally it is altered.
Induction, only in exceptional cases
Induction of labor, according to WHO should be limited to certain medical indications and in no case should it be greater than 10% of deliveries.
Induction by means of synthetic hormones such as prostaglandin gels and / or synthetic oxytocin and elective caesarean section (without a medical reason for weight) are not always the best alternative, since the complications they bring can be greater. It carries a greater chance of ending up in an instrumental or caesarean delivery, so it should be limited to certain medical indications.
Childbirth is a natural process that should not be forced. Everything is synchronized so that hormones do their job when the time is right.Staying active, walking, dancing are activities that favor pelvic sway and help soften the cervix. For its part, gently stimulate the nipples and have sex (provided it is not contraindicated) secretes the hormone oxytocin that stimulates uterine contractions.
