There are reasons to induce or start labor before Nature starts labor. And there are reasons not to induce, or times when labor should not be hurried.

This article is in development. Please send links to your favorite studies and articles to show the pros and cons of induction. When it is medically necessary and when it is harmful. The summaries and links can be read and accessed by clicking read more.

The March of Dimes is against routine induction. Pressure is on the medical establishment not to induce and especially not to induce before 39 weeks.

When babies come even a couple of weeks early they are not fully developed. 37 weeks gestation is considered term, but babies are picking up more benefical powers to thrive once off the umbilical cord even after they are first considered full term.

Babies born between 35-37 weeks are called "late-premature" to show that they were going to be receiving benefits in the womb even though their lungs are mature enough to breath air. 

Here is a recent article on

Being born as a late-premature baby costing IQ points.