Does anyone know why doctors want to induce labour at 40 weeks in women that are pregnant and have endometriosis?

[Zolta]

[GynaeResearcher]

Hello Zolta

I have no idea. I have quickly searched the medical literature and cannot find anything to suggest why this might be proposed. I can only imagine it is because of some reason other than endometriosis per se. Women are offered membrane sweeping after 40 weeks and/or induction after 41 weeks. Have a look at the NICE guidelines and ask the midwife/ obstetrician why it is being suggested.

And let us know what they say!

Thanks

[Zolta in reply to GynaeResearcher]

I will let you know x

[missteal]

I have no idea. I have endo and went over due with both my babies, one by 4 days and the next by 11 days (longest 11 days of my life). I'd ask your midwife x

[Zolta in reply to missteal]

Am going to ask in my 36 week check up appointment x

[ConsultantGynaecologist]

Hi Zolta,

There is no medical reason for early induction of labour for endometriosis. Are you sure your doctor is suggesting induction merely for this reason? There may be other reasons. For example, if you are over 40 years old, we sometimes offer induction at term.

I hope it all goes well,

Shaheen

Mr. Shaheen Khazali MRCOG MSc

Consultant Obstetrician, Gynaecologist and laparoscopic Surgeon

Centre for Endometriosis and Pelvic pain,

St. Peter's Hospital, Chertsey, Surrey

[Zolta in reply to ConsultantGynaecologist]

Thank you for your reply. My consultant said to me on 12 weeks scan and antenatal appointment that if I make 40 weeks and baby has not arrived then I will be induced at week 40-41 because of having endometriosis, and she wrote this in my notes. My endo is not that bad just mainly in the ovary and some in uterosacral area. I will ask why they want to induce from week 40 at my 36 week appointment (2 weeks from now).

I am not worrying about it as such but just curious, if my baby does not want to arrive before 40 weeks I am rather reluctant to be induced because want to go as natural as possible. I am 29 years of age so it won't be age related. The only other thing I can think of is because of having a right-sided unicornate uterus, but have had a very healthy pregnancy so far and this has not seemed to cause any complications. The baby is growing well at a good steady rate and the only thing can think of is maybe they think the placenta will stop functioning as well after 40 weeks. I have heard this can be the case in 'normal' pregnancies, but with abnormal shaped uterus might this have more of an affect on the placenta after 40 weeks?

Zolta

[ConsultantGynaecologist in reply to Zolta]

I'm sure your obstetrician will explain to you why she wanted to induce . It looks like, in your case, providing all is going well (which in our case, is) it should be ok to go beyond term. Your Unicornuate uterus, may, and I repeat, may mean that you will go into labour before term anyway. And yes, there is the concern of placental insufficiency after term. The bottom line is, it is not black or white. Your choice and how you feel about induction will be the centre. Your obstetrician is there to give you pros and cons of each option and it will be for you to make the choice. Good luck and let me know how it went.

Shaheen Khazali

[Zolta in reply to ConsultantGynaecologist]

Hi just letting you know that at the 36 week appointment the consultant said that I don't have to be induced at weeks 40-41 if I go overdue. Thought at beginning I should because am subfertile but because am only 29 they said there is really no need to do this and would be different if I was 40 years old or older. I will be offered sweep/induction if go 10-14 days overdue like every one else. Great news I am so glad, now more likely to be born when he is ready

[ConsultantGynaecologist]

This sounds reasonable. Good luck and best wishes.