Scheduling an Induction?

Hi! How soon is too soon to schedule an induction when you are late? I am going back to the doctor this week (40 weeks) and I want to make sure I am not rushed into an induction. At my last appointment my doctor said that he doesnt usually let people get to 42 weeks but I am a little concerned about being induced only a few days after my due date and not having a chance to go on my own. Thanks!

Message edited 7/31/2011 9:06:56 AM.

Re: Scheduling an Induction?

I've found that most doctors will wait no more than a week. Reason being that they do not want the baby to have a bowel movement in the womb as that leads to long term problems. Most people I know where induced a week after their due date and they all have healthy, happy babies :)

It's something I'm nervous about too, but I've found it's very common. Good luck!

Re: Scheduling an Induction?

I would ask your doctor point blank if it's a medical reason they want to schedule the induction or a convenience thing. If he says he believes it's best for you and your baby, then I'd listen. They wanted to schedule me for an induction 4 days after my DD and I insisted we schedule the NST (non-stress test) for that day instead and wait until I was at least 7 days late to do the induction. My friend kept being scheduled for induction, but she actually kept just NOT showing up (she's a little nutty) and finally just went into labor on her own 10 days late. I went into labor two days before my due date. So even with the NST and induction scheduled, we didn't go to it. A friend of mine recently who was scheduled for an induction on a Wednesday about 4 days after her due date because of BP issues at the end of her pregnancy ended up going into labor the night before and delivering on her due date.

There really isn't a right or wrong answer on when to schedule and when to let nature take its course. Like the PP said, as you get more and more past your due date, the likelihood of aspirating the meconium becomes higher, in which case the baby will be sent to the NICU. A friend who waited until 10 days after her due date to be induced saw meconium when her water broke and her DD spent 2 days in the ICU (and ended up in the hospital a few days longer than the mom).

Sending labor dust your way. Whatever decision you make will be the right one. If you trust your doctors (which you should), I'd just listen to them.

Re: Scheduling an Induction?

Thank you very much for the advice. It gave me a lot to think about before my next appointment.

Re: Scheduling an Induction?

I think it totally depends on the Dr. I used stony brook midwives and they waited until I was 42 weeks.

Re: Scheduling an Induction?

i'm 41 weeks today.. going for a sonogram tomorrow and then discussing with my dr on tuesday about an induction. although i really don't want one, i don't want to go past 42 weeks so this baby girl has a week to come out on her own!

Re: Scheduling an Induction?

are you dialated at all? i was 4cm on my due date and my dr had me go into the hospital the next day to break my water. but i was also 3cm for about 2 weeks so it was just a matter of time. i was ok with having my water broken and not waiting to go on my own. when i got to the hospital i was already 5cm so i think i would have gone on my own pretty soon regardless of having my water broken or not.

Re: Scheduling an Induction?

Good luck at your appointment tomorrow!

Nope, I am not dilated at all. :(