Would you get induced if you had the option?

I went to the doctor this morning. I'm 36 weeks and 2 cm dilated. My doctor said they're very open to doing inductions and I could schedule an induction for #2 sometime between 39-40 weeks if I wanted to. It's kind of appealing to me because we live in NJ, but DH works in Brooklyn and all of our family is on LI. My biggest fear with this pregnancy has been going into labor and not having anyone to take care of DS. My neighbors and also a SAHM friend of mine have both offered to watch Brendan, but I'm afraid of going into labor and no one being home or going into labor in the middle of the night. One of our parents will come down to stay with Brendan, but it could take them quite a while to get here. I would feel so much better if I knew that all the necessary arrangements were made. My DS was induced 10 days late because my water broke, but I wasn't having regular contractions. Everything went well and I delivered vaginally. Should I schedule an induction or just let nature take it's course?

Re: Would you get induced if you had the option?

I had to, my mom needed to take off work to mind Sarah for us.

Re: Would you get induced if you had the option?

Under your circumstances. I would and have been induced. But remember that you could also go on your own between now and then.

You and I went through similar births with our first. I went through the same. My water (partially) broke but I didn't contract so I had to be induced.

When I was having DC#2, I was 4 days past due. I remember when I went in for my 40 week appt. my OB told me I should have come in sooner because she could have induced me alot sooner, given my history. (they believe I won't go fully into labor on my own and I need to be induced). With #3, I've already expressed those concerns and when I am further along, we will discuss scheduling my induction for #3.

Good luck!

Re: Would you get induced if you had the option?

In your situation, yes....however, I'd try to schedule it as close to the 40 weeks as possible.

Re: Would you get induced if you had the option?

I"d sched the induction. It would take alot of the what ifs away.

I had a sched induction with my 1st, but wound up going into labor when everyone was on their way up here from LI on my own.

GL

Re: Would you get induced if you had the option?

I didn't have the greatest induction experience with DD, so I say no. I do see your reasons for it, but I would try to work out the arrangements for DS as best you can and wait for the baby to come on her own (unless she's late - that's a different story.) JMO. You have to do what's best for you & your family.

Re: Would you get induced if you had the option?

I'm a believer in letting nature take its course, but honestly, in your scenario, I would induce. I think I'd hold out until 40 weeks though.

Re: Would you get induced if you had the option?

I don't know, most people I know IRL that were induced did not have great experiences.

Re: Would you get induced if you had the option?

i was given the option to induce at 39 weeks and i refused it. i'm a firm believer in letting nature take its course. induction can be a risky procedure in itself and can increase the risk of a c-section. jmo.

Re: Would you get induced if you had the option?

Absolutely not. I would never schedule an induction unless there was a medical reason. You increase your chances for a c-section and the last thing I would want would be to be recovering from surgery, taking care of a newborn and trying to take care of my older child.

Honestly, I think it's pretty irresponsible of your doctor to offer to induce so early with no medical reason.

I know the "convenience" factor is tempting, but think about your baby and your body -- your first was 10 days late, why does your doctor think your second should be ready a week early?

ETA: Sorry if I sound harsh, but I'm pretty passionate about this type of issue. I have been reading a lot lately about the problems of US maternity care and inductions for convenience have been coming a lot in my research. At the very least, spend some time seriously researching this topic before you agree to try to schedule your baby's birth.

Message edited 3/12/2008 2:52:36 PM.

Re: Would you get induced if you had the option?

Yes, I would do it, I see nothing wrong with it and I had a great experience with my induction. Letting nature take its course is nice in theory, but the reality is in your situation, I think induction is a good choice



(do I need a fire extinguisher?)

Re: Would you get induced if you had the option?

If your body is not ready, and baby is not ready and they induce you, you may end up with a c-section.

I think it is best for the baby to come when he/she is ready.

Re: Would you get induced if you had the option?

Message edited 3/12/2008 3:52:59 PM.

Re: Would you get induced if you had the option?

I'm also anit-induction for no medical reason. Given you situation I can see my you would opt for the induction though. For me personally I'm hoping to deliver naturally next time around so an induction would be my last choice. I would rather go into labor on my own and risk delivering by myself (if DH was the only person available to watch DD) then be induced.

For those of you who say you had a great induction ever think it would have been an even better experience if you labored on your own?

Re: Would you get induced if you had the option?

I voted no. I agree with a PP that I feel it's best to let nature take it's course. I truly feel that every extra day that an unborn baby gets to spend inside of us is another day that they get to develop further before coming out. I am actually surprised that so many doctors endorse inducing for convenience. Medical necessity I can understand, but convenience is not a valid reason IMHO to take a baby out of a womb early and force a mother's body into labor before it's ready. I once heard of a doctor that asked a woman if she wanted to be induced early so that the baby could be born before New Year's and they could get the tax break.

That being said, I believe it is a personal choice and do not judge people for doing it, just not something I would ever consider for myself.

Good luck with whatever decision you make!

Re: Would you get induced if you had the option?

Based on your situation, I would consider it on or near my due date. We were lucky to have my ILs who live less than 10 min away to watch our son.

For DS#1, my doc wouldn't let me go past 41 weeks so she scheduled the induction. Two days before the induction, I decided that I was going to tell the doc that I would let nature do it's thing. I ended up going into labor the next morning.

For DS#2, I wanted to be induced around 38 weeks. I was just miserable. My doc said that she would consider it only bc my first son was 10lbs+, passed meconium and had issues regulating his blood sugar. The deal breaker was that I had to be at least 2cm. Even after my due date, I was barely 2cm. I was induced 3 days after my due date and had a FANTASTIC induction. Labor was 6 hours and I pushed for 20 min.

Message edited 3/12/2008 4:32:47 PM.

Re: Would you get induced if you had the option?

Re: Would you get induced if you had the option?

Re: Would you get induced if you had the option?

I was in a similar situation and I was induced 3 days early after my doc appt showed me to be almost 4 cm dilated and very effaced... Did the induction first thing the next AM, my mom slept over, DD was taken care of and I had no worries...

The labor was so smooth and quick!

Re: Would you get induced if you had the option?

absolutely not.
it was the worst experience ever for me

Re: Would you get induced if you had the option?

NOOOOOO!!!!! If it was medically necessary, sure, but for scheduling, I would never do this. I had an induction, and it was no fun. Plus, the contractions can be very strong very fast. This is not only uncomfortable for you, but can cause stress for the baby also. We had a couple scary moments during the induction when his heartrate dropped quickly. This can happen without the induction too, but the nurse told me she sees this more often with inductions.

Plus, you are hooked up to machines the whole time, so it's hard to really walk around and shift. If you have any hopes of a natural labor, the induction makes it harder IMO.

I would really not do this. FM me if you want--I had an induction because my DS went past his due date and the placenta was beginning to deteriorate, so it was either that or a c-section.

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Message edited 3/12/2008 6:08:22 PM.

Re: Would you get induced if you had the option?

I had a failed induction (induction was for a medical reason) and ended up with a c/s. The recovery was the most pain I've ever known! I can not imagine trying to recover (fully took 4 months) and take care of your older child.

Best of luck to you! If you decide to go with the induction, hope it works for you.

Re: Would you get induced if you had the option?

did it by choice with both PG and we probably will for this one....we need to plan for childcare and travel plans for family

Re: Would you get induced if you had the option?

Posted by jerseypanda

I voted no. I agree with a PP that I feel it's best to let nature take it's course. I truly feel that every extra day that an unborn baby gets to spend inside of us is another day that they get to develop further before coming out. I am actually surprised that so many doctors endorse inducing for convenience. Medical necessity I can understand, but convenience is not a valid reason IMHO to take a baby out of a womb early and force a mother's body into labor before it's ready. I once heard of a doctor that asked a woman if she wanted to be induced early so that the baby could be born before New Year's and they could get the tax break.

That being said, I believe it is a personal choice and do not judge people for doing it, just not something I would ever consider for myself.

Good luck with whatever decision you make!