You are here:
Childbirth/Labor
Advertisement
Question
I am 40 weeks pregnant today and I have to take percocet for an injury to my shoulder and ankle. I am taking about two a day. I have not had any contractions or lost my mucus plug. I am dilated 2 cm though. My Dr is making me wait until my 42 week to induce. Could the percocet be causing me not to go into labor?
Percoset will not prevent you from going into labor.
I know it's very difficult at the end of pregnancy to wait to go into labor on your own - I have 5 children myself and I remember how hard those last days of pregnancy can be.
If you induce, you are increasing your chance of a cesarean by 50%. Also, your labor will probably be more difficult and more painful, so it is actually a good thing for you overall that your doctor won't induce before 42 weeks.
The chances that you will go into labor on your own in the next two weeks is very very good, and the percoset will not prevent that from happening.
Hang in there!!
Dorothy H, LCCE
Related Articles
- Mucus Plug - Breaking Bag of Waters - Childbirth - A Picture Guide to Childbirth - Mucus Plug
- Why Labor is Good for Babies
- Mucus Plug - When did you lose your mucus plug?
- Labor and Delivery Basics - Handling Labor and Delivery from Vaginal Birth to Cesarean, Epidural to Natural Baby Delivery
- Baby and Your Body - Pregnancy
Answers by Expert:
Dorothy H, LCCE
Expertise
As a certified childbirth educator and birth doula, I can answer questions dealing with preparing for birth, childbirth classes, pregnancy, what happens during labor and birth, doulas, VBAC, natural childbirth, cesarean birth, interventions in labor, labor, birth, helping someone through labor, concerns or fears about labor and birth, doulas, breastfeeding, and other topics dealing with pregnancy, labor, and birth.
Experience
Since 2004, I have taught childbirth education classes focused on helping couples gain confidence, make decisions for their birth, and give them tools for helping them get the birth they want. Since 2004, I have also attended births in local hospitals as a birth doula (as of 8/10, I have attended 120 births) so I am able to see firsthand what is working in helping couples deal with labor. I am also a mom of five children, and have various birth experiences myself, including unmedicated birth and a cesarean.
Organizations
Lamaze International
DONA International
Publications
International Doula Magazine
Education/Credentials
I am a Lamaze-certified childbirth educator.
I am a DONA-certified birth doula.
Past/Present Clients
I work with approximately 4-6 couples a month with my childbirth classes.
I attend 2 births a month with doula clients.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.