Possible induction-advice/support needed (LONG)

OK- heres the rub. I have been 1cm dilated, 50% effaced for a couple weeks. Growth sono at 38 weeks should baby at just over 7.5 pounds, EDD June 17 (originally 18). I feel really good, have been pretty active.

At yesterday's appointment (39 weeks), Dr. mentioned if I'd want to be induced on the 18th I could. I mentioned Thursday June 21 or Friday 22 would be ideal- for everyone. She said that was fine. DH said, "How about THIS Thursday (joking). She made a face and said I don't really like to induce early unless medically necessary.

She asked why is Thursday/Fri such a hot day for us. I explained that my mom and sister (who plan to be here for the birth) are in NY, and with their schedules, it would be ideal. Plus, with DH's work schedule, if she comes on a Thursday or Friday, that will tack on additional days off for him without using his vacation time.

She checked me, announced there'd been no change from the previous week, said, "We'll schedule the induction for the 21st." Then she left.

I was disappointed but figured, "Oh well- I've waited 39 weeks, one more is nothing." She came back in and said she realized she will be out of town on June 21-24. I said, "OK- then we can induce that Wednesday- no problem."

Then she told me, "Why don't you come in on Thursday and I'll check you again. IF there's any more progress, we can induce this Friday (June 15).
I said,"OK- that's great,"

The more I think about it, the more I'm freaking myself out for a few reasons:
1. I feel like, why is it suddenly OK to induce early when at first she said no.
2. I feel like I'm "cheating" by inducing.
3. Do more inductions wind up with a c/s?

On the plus side, it would be VERY helpful because then I can be assured my mom and sis will make it, DH will get extra time off, plus we be able to make provisions for my dog (as of now, we'd have my neighbors who we don't know very well walk her).

I have to believe my Dr. would never put me or my baby at risk- and there's a large chance she'll check me Thurs and tell me, "Nope- not going to happen", which I would be fine with.

I am so torn- I want to meet my baby, but I want to do "what's right"- and for whatever reason I can't muddle through what "right" is.

Thanks for reading through- sorry so long.

Re: Possible induction-advice/support needed (LONG)

Both of my kids were inductions at 40 weeks. Both were vaginal deliveries. I needed to induce with my daughter as I was having insurance problems and needed to be out of the hospital by a certain date. With my son I preferred to be induced so that I was able to ensure I had someone to watch my daughter.

Good luck with your decision.

Re: Possible induction-advice/support needed (LONG)

I don't think you're doctor will steer you wrong. If she checks this week and she feels like you're body is ready than that is awesome that you're mom and sister will be there. And if it's the next week that's good too. You shouldn't be hard on yourself like you're rushing it, you're doctor will tell you if it's good or bad. What ever day it is, that's the day it was meant for!

Re: Possible induction-advice/support needed (LONG)

I don't understand why they would want to induce you early? IMO, with no medical statistics behind this...that would greatly increase the rate of your being a failed induction, therefore increasing your likelihood of need a C-Section, when you could give birth vaginally if you wait until your due date.

You could be induced and it could take 3 or 4 days of drugs, and then you might need a C-section. Personally, I would wait until after your due date and then talk about scheduling an induction.

Re: Possible induction-advice/support needed (LONG)

Amy, I know how you feel... it is so frustrating sitting and waiting for the baby... personally, I would wait until your due date and if the baby doesnt come by then, then schedule an induction... but I believe that your doctor would not put you or your baby at risk... when you go for your next visit, talk to her more about it...

Re: Possible induction-advice/support needed (LONG)

well I can tell you that your chnace of a c-section is greatly increased with an induction (this was the case for me, I was induced at 39 weeks due to medication that I am taking and I wound up with a c-section...my dd was also 9 1/2 pounds

I think you need to go with your gut but be prepared that you MAY wind up with a section

good luck ..either way it goes, you will be fine...my c-section went very smoothly so no need to worry about that

Re: Possible induction-advice/support needed (LONG)

I have to agree with racheee..why induce? I know it would be more convenient but to me its like taking matters into your own hands for no reason. If I were you I would wait until your due date and then talk about induction. Does this doc have to deliver your baby? can another doc at the practice not help you make a decision about inducing the following week when its your due date?

BTW I was induced but for medical reasons and while it was a vaginal delivery and a normal labor and delivery i would not ask to be induced the next time at alll. I would definitely wait for baby to arrive when baby is ready.

Good luck with your decision...and try to enjoy these last few days of just you and DH...god knows when you will get a chance to have a proper conversation with him again

Re: Possible induction-advice/support needed (LONG)

I understand how you feel completely. I will be 40 weeks on Saturday, and when I go to see my doctor tomorrow I will def. be asking her what her procedure is for inducing, and when she would plan on doing it. I don't know that I would necessarily do it before the due date - but, that is up to you, your DH, and your Dr.

I think that we get so antsy towards the end and every day feels like a week but I keep telling myself that he will join us when he's good and ready (don't know if I'll be saying the same thing next week - but that's what's getting me through this one)

Whatever you decide I'm sure it will be best for you and your baby!

Re: Possible induction-advice/support needed (LONG)

The fact that you are uneasy with the baby coming out before he's ready speaks volumes about what you likely feel is "right."

There was a time when my dr. was going to induce me to avoid the risk of me not making it to the hospital. Once growth sonos confirmed the baby was small, that ceased and even I didn't want that anymore. I think I'd be a little weary of how she changed her mind all because she will be out of town and as great as it will be to have your mother and sister readily available, that is no reason to induce a baby that might simply need more time.

I guess I feel that inducing (and c-sections) should only be "planned" (early) if there is a perceived risk for mother and/or baby. In my case, I was at risk for literally delivering in the car but that was outweighed by the need for my baby to grow a little more in the womb.

Re: Possible induction-advice/support needed (LONG)

I was induced at 39 weeks due to medication. the induction failed so I was given a c-section the following morning...baby was 6 lbs

Re: Possible induction-advice/support needed (LONG)

Personally, I don't think I would do it early if there wasn't a medical reason. Only you can decide with the advice/guidance of you doc. Follow your gut instincts. Good Luck!

I was scheduled to be induced with my first son at 41 weeks and 2 days before I decided that I wanted to wait bc I was scared of ending up having a csection. The morning I planned to call the doctor, I woke up in labor. I ended up giving birth on the day I was supposed to be induced.

With DS#2, the doctor planned an induction 2days after my due date bc my first son was over 10lbs and had issues with his blood sugar. I actually had an awesome induction. I got cevadil the night before and after getting the pitocin, I gave birth within 6 hours.

Message edited 6/12/2007 5:58:06 PM.

Re: Possible induction-advice/support needed (LONG)

Not to scare you, but I had a friend who was induced at 39 weeks and she had such a terrible experience (ended up have a c-section but the labor before that was unbearable), and she told me that no matter what happens with my pregnancy that the only word of advice she can give me is to try and go as long as possible and not induce...she just had so many problems and was in so much pain due to the induction. Just trying to be straight up with you - good luck no matter what you do!!

Re: Possible induction-advice/support needed (LONG)

Amy, I don't even know how to answer this having never given birth except I know how torn you must feel, I would be too. Would it help in any way with your decision if you called and asked her why it suddenly was okay to do it earlier?

Re: Possible induction-advice/support needed (LONG)

I was induced at 39 weeks because my bp was high...I did NOT have preeclampsia though.

I was terrified for the same reasons that you are. And the first thing they did was put the cervidil in and that didn't really do anything. Luckily the pitocin DID work, I was in a lot of pain, but they drugged me up pretty good and the pushing part was fine.

Ok, I know people are saying that you shouldn't induce early, but honestly? What is a week? So MAYBE you could go on your own? Maybe you won't and then you will just spend the week worrying that you will have to be induced anyway. And even if you go into labor naturally, you can still end up having a c-section.

Basically the whole thing is a crap shoot. Good luck!

Re: Possible induction-advice/support needed (LONG)

I would go to my due date if I where you. I was in birthing class this weekend and the instructor did say that being induced does have a higher rate of C-sectin deliveries. she also mentioned that there is a lot more pain associated with inducing and that the contractions are worse. Just wait it out you still have some time left.

Re: Possible induction-advice/support needed (LONG)

Thank you all so much for your responses! I am so torn- I hate that this decision was given to me. I think I'm going to call the doctor tomorrow and discuss my fears.

I just hope she comes on her own SOON so I won't have to make the decision.

Re: Possible induction-advice/support needed (LONG)

Posted by johnsae

Not to scare you, but I had a friend who was induced at 39 weeks and she had such a terrible experience (ended up have a c-section but the labor before that was unbearable), and she told me that no matter what happens with my pregnancy that the only word of advice she can give me is to try and go as long as possible and not induce...she just had so many problems and was in so much pain due to the induction. Just trying to be straight up with you - good luck no matter what you do!!

Re: Possible induction-advice/support needed (LONG)

i was scheduled for an induction during my 40th week...i went into labor the nigt before!

my dr was talking induction from week 38 and i was adamant that i didnt want to induce....my baby was 9 days late and only 6 lbs 13 oz (the growth sono said he was bigger)

i dont necessarily think induction is a bad thing, but if you can at least wait until your due date it might make u feel better

Re: Possible induction-advice/support needed (LONG)

Posted by johnsae

Not to scare you, but I had a friend who was induced at 39 weeks and she had such a terrible experience (ended up have a c-section but the labor before that was unbearable), and she told me that no matter what happens with my pregnancy that the only word of advice she can give me is to try and go as long as possible and not induce...she just had so many problems and was in so much pain due to the induction. Just trying to be straight up with you - good luck no matter what you do!!

Re: Possible induction-advice/support needed (LONG)

My SIL had the baby's baptism scheduled for 5 days after her due date. (They are very religious) From 7 months on, she said she wanted to be induced to make sure the baby was going to be baptised that month. Somehow she talked the doctor into inducing her on her due date. It took 3 different tries to induce her and the baby wouldn't budge. He just wasn't ready. After 24 hours they basically pulled him out.

If we waited in life for things to be ideal we'd never get anything accomplished.

Re: Possible induction-advice/support needed (LONG)

Amy,
I've been having a bit of a dilema myself due to other reasons. (Baby is underweight).

In my situation, the Dr. talked to us yesterday about inducing in 2 wks, I'd be 38wks. I never knew an induction could possibly *not* work until reading this post.

My Dr. wants me to go on a Tuesday b/c that's the day SHE's in the office and if the baby doesn't grow, she wants to induce that night, deliver on Wed. b/c SHE delivers on Wed.'s. Not for nothing, I didn't know that I was on her personal schedule. Yes, she's my Dr., but if she's not the Dr. who delivers me (or c/s) I don't care. My only concern is that this baby is healthy and I'm in a little stress/pain as possible. Reading your post, and how your Dr. changed his/her mind due to vacation, IMO, is simply that.

I think a baby is fully developed at 37 wks, however, there is a chance that the lungs aren't fully developed. Your baby MIGHT need to be in NICU if the lungs aren't developed. Also, an EDD is just that, and estimated DD. I think it sways 2 weeks in either direction. I too, wanted this baby out early, but only if she was fully developed. The only way to know that was to do an amnio. DH did not want to do that, therefore, we had decided that the baby would come when she was good and ready. Even if that meant 2 weeks late in July.
(Again, that's all changed now and I'm battling a different issue- Pitocin or not????? don't want to take it)

For what it's worth, hope that helped you a little bit.

Re: Possible induction-advice/support needed (LONG)

My sister was induced at the end of her 38th week. She had her epidural and everything went smoothly. She said she could have sneezed out the baby. Her little girl was born a little over 8lbs and as perfect as can be.