Libby O'Donnell on Post Term Pregnancy

Sally's interview with midwife Libby O'Donnell from The Lismore Birth House on post term pregnancy, induction, weighing up the risks and benefits, alternatives to induction and the importance of have a due period, (ie 38-42 weeks) rather than a due date (see NSW Health policy below).Related links:* "Recommendation:Expectant mothers should be informed that there is only a 35% chance that they will actually go into labour during the week of their estimated date of birth (+/-3 days). Maternal anxiety may be alleviated if a range of dates (for example 38+0- 42+0 weeks) is substituted for a specific date of delivery, with the optimal time for birth being approximately 40+0 weeks gestation."Management of Pregnancy Beyond 41 Weeks: http://www1.health.nsw.gov.au/PDS/pages/doc.aspx?dn=GL2014_015* General overview of post term and inductionhttps://midwifethinking.com/2016/07/13/induction-of-labour-balancing-risks/* A woman's uterus is only receptive to synthetic oxytocin hormones right at the very end of her pregnancy when she has sufficient oxytocin receptors to respond to it.http://www.spreaker.com/user/pregnancybirthandbeyond/dr-sarah-buckley-on-the-hormones-ofbirth* "Induction of labour carries inherent risk and must be exercised with caution. There needs to be clear benefits for the mother and/or the fetus. ""Health care professionals offering induction of labour must: • provide the woman with adequate time to discuss the information with her partner/support person before coming to a decision; • encourage the woman to access a variety of sources of information; • invite the woman to ask questions, and encourage her to think about her options; and• support the woman in whatever decision she makes. "http://www1.health.nsw.gov.au/pds/ActivePDSDocuments/PD2011_075.pdf(Further info on informed consent: https://ama.com.au/ausmed/respect-informed-choices-pregnant-women-doctors-toldAired on 99.9 BayFM Byron Bay on 22 August 2016Produced and presented by Sally CusackCopyright PBB Media and Sally Cusack 2016www.pbbmedia.org