In U.S., inducing labor early is more common

In the past, doctors often allowed pregnant women to carry well past their due date before considering inducing labor. Today, however, inductions are commonly performed well before that date rolls around.

"Forty weeks is no longer the average gestational age," says Dr. Alan Fleischman, medical director for the March of Dimes. "New obstetric practices have moved it up to 39 weeks."

Though 39 weeks is not considered premature and there's little danger in delivering an infant at this stage, Fleischman warns against routinely inducing women to bring on labor. Women who are induced are more likely to have a cesarean section than those who are allowed to go into labor spontaneously, and the risks associated with a surgical delivery are greater for mother and child.

Also, because determining a pregnancy due date is not an exact science, many women who are induced aren't as far along as their doctors think.

-- Valerie Ulene