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Questions and Answers

Q. I am currently 9 weeks pregnant with my third child. My first preg & birth was normal, my secound preg was normal but no heart beat was detected at 40 weeks, five days before my due date. My daughter was stillborn, reason "inconclusive:.

My doctor wants to induce at 37 weeks this time as long as the baby's lungs are developed. I have been reading inducement/labor horror stories that end in ceasarean. Am I endangering my babys life even more by inducing early? Should I just let nature take its course and hope that stillbirth will not strike twice?

What are your thoughts/experiences?

A. My advice to you would be, if you do not wish to be induced, to find a middle ground to satisfy both you and your doctor. Perhaps doing a biophysical profile or non-stress tests towards the end of your pregnancy and inducing if something doesn't look right. Being induced at 37 weeks can increase the risk of a cesarean, especially if your cervix isn't ripe or ready. Chances are that you will never experience another stillbirth, although I'm sure the fact that the reason being inconclusive doesn't help you. Most of the causes of stillbirth are never found.

Cyndi Klausing, RN, ACCE, has been a childbirth educator and breastfeeding counselor for over 18 years. She currently works as a newborn nursery nurse and is the mother of four sons.

Cyndi will answer your questions on fertility, pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and babies. Her advice does not take the place of your practitioner. Personal answers will not always be possible.