I have completed 40 weeks + 3 days. There are abs. no signs of labor. My cervix has dilated 2cm and is copmpletely soft. The baby's position is head down, but not engaged. The NST was normal. The baby movements are fine as also its heart rate.

Now I want to know 2 things...
1. What can be reason for me not going into active labor and not contracting, when I already have experienced normal labor and childbirth. I had presumed that the second labor would be a cake walk.

2. Does the combination of pitocin and epidural generally lead to lowered heart rate of the baby, which ultimately leads to a C-section? My doc is considereing induction thru pitocin. I am very worried.

Pls reply soon. Thanks in advance. Archie replied. Dear Chini,

This is a response to both of your messages.

Pitocin is safer and I was about to recommend this one to you.

About Epidural and pitocin impact on reducing progress, it depends on where you are getting hospitalized and how expert the team is.
No- not that many induction results in C-section.

You are postterm and I would recommend get this baby out than worried. Postdate babies have their worries and concern if left in womb. If your Dr. is OK then keep baby in for another two weeks, but will incrase risk of C-section as size of baby will be increasing. If Dr. don't want to keep longer go ahead and get induced.

I wish you easy labor.
Archie