This has been a topic that has been widely debated lately, after preliminary results from a research study were published in August this year. The study shows that it is safer for the child to start the birth as early as week 41, if it does not start spontaneously. Now the study is reviewed and ready for publication.

- We have awaited the scientific analysis that it is really true that there is a greater risk of waiting two weeks over time. Now we plan that as soon as we can ever get started offering all the women who will start running in week 41, says Nils Crona.

The article on the study is ready for publication in the scientific journal British Medical Journal, where it will be published in a couple of weeks.

Change from 2020

The plan is to start earlier at the beginning of the year at Sahlgrenska and the other hospitals in the region.

- I can't say exactly when it will be, but that is our goal, says Nils Crona.

Initiating a birth requires more care resources than a spontaneous childbirth. For example, it usually takes longer.

- Yes, it definitely takes more resources and it is a question we have for a discussion with the other women's clinics in the region. We are preparing a request to implement this methodology and we also need funding from the region for this, says Nils Crona.

Although the results of this study are clear, the region should now also take a closer look at other studies on the subject.

- We have asked that the region, with its scientific unit, analyze all available information about this with start-up, so that we get a clear message that this is actually worthwhile.

Six children though

The Swedish Postterm Induction Study SWEPIS would have included more than 10,000 women, but had to be discontinued prematurely after six children died, according to TV4's Cold Facts. The women were drawn into two groups, where one group started in week 41 and the other in week 42. It was in the group that started later that six children died, five of them in the stomach and one shortly after birth. The study was then discontinued for ethical reasons. The number of women who participated in the study landed at around 2,700.