My first thought was, "Gee, I wonder if the doctor has a vacation planned for the same time as this lady's due date?" I have a friend whose doctor did that to her--highly recommended induction at 38 weeks, but it wasn't for any medical reason. The doc just didn't want to miss seeing the Masters in Augusta, GA.
If you don't go into labor by 41 weeks, then talk induction. Otherwise, you're fine. The baby knows when it's time better than the doctor does.
I'm in my 4th pregnancy and all 3 of my previous children were induced. For no known reason, I just do not go into labor on my own. My physician is a very respected high risk specialist and he induces at 41 weeks period. The hospital he delivers at has a policy that practicing physician there must induce by 42 weeks. It is extremely dangerous for a baby to be allowed to stay in utero past this time frame. As he explained it, the conditions inside the womb can deteriorate very quickly. The transfer of nutrients and oxygen across the placenta deteriorates at this point and the risk of abruption increases. Also the amniotic fluid may become too low. A friend of mine who was due at the same time as my last child had this happen. She had an appointment on her due date and her physciain did an ultrasound in the office everything was fine. He wanted to see her two days later and when she went back and they did another ultrasound her amniotic fluid had dropped so much she was sent from the office to the hospital to be induced. Your doctor isn't trying to bully you, they are trying to make sure you didn't carry to term just to loose your baby to complications that could easily be prevented.
I am an OB and your doctor is completely correct to not let you go past 42 weeks- I would induce you sometime before that because after 42 weeks there are risks to the baby. The placenta at some point does not function as well and the baby is not getting what it needs in your uterus to do well. If your MD is suggesting you be induced now at 39 weeks with an undilated cervix, I would agree with you that this is unnecessary and would increase your risk of ending up with a cesarean section
Around week 42, the placenta starts to break down, the amount of amniotic fluid lessens, and the perinatal mortality risk doubles after week 42 and triples after week 43.
So it sounds reasonable to induce when you get close to week 42. However, it is not acceptable that this wasn't explained to you by your OB.
Also, find out what your Dr means by induction. There are different methods to induce labor, from an insert (cervidil) to ripen the cervix, rupturing the membrane (though this usually isn't done unless your cervix has effaced), and pitocin to stimulate contractions. Find out your options and discuss what you are and aren't comfortable with.
And by the way, they can't drop you as a patient. The law requires at least 30 days notice and a referral to another practitioner.
Going past 42 weeks is dangerous for the baby.. and for you. the placenta can actually pull away from the wall and that is not a good thing. i went to 41 weeks and they were very nervous about that even though everything was perfect. not even a hair out of line. so an induction is necesary but they neednt do one until your almost to 42 weeks.. unless god forbid something happened before then.. but my sister waited and was supposed to be induced at 41 and a half weeks and she ended up going into labor the night before.. same with me they scheduled my induction on a monday and i went in the sunday before. so anything can happen, just talk to them and see if they will wait as long as possible without the drugs. no harm in talking right?
Most doctors will not let you go past 42wks. Its not safe for you or the baby. My last baby was 9lbs 11oz & 22" long & I was induced on my due date. So for second bundle of joy they are going to induce me 7-10days early since I had a hard time. Dont worry everything will work out good luck to you
I agree with most posters here. My doctors also are in favor of scheduling an induction close the 41st week. I am now officially past my due date and would like to be induced by the end of the week. Unless medically necessary, I would not have an induction prior to my due date, but now I feel it's completely different. I am still doing very well -- normal blood pressure, no swelling, etc, but all this can change very quickly and I do not want to jeopardize my baby in any way.
i went to 42 weeks and had an induction. because my doctor allowed me to get to this point, there was practically no amniotic fluid left, and i had a dry birth, my son was raw and bloody because of this. he was also quite quite sick with jaundice. i almost died because of infection due to this as well. i realize you may be frearful of having this induction but atleast this way, everything is done in a controlled manner. you dont have to worry about getting to the hospital in time etc. i ended up having a c-section with my induction, but that doesnt mean you will have to. i am not pregnant with my second baby and hoping that i can convince the OB to give me a sceduled section this time. it doesnt make you a failure or anything that you dont go into labour on your own. my son was breach and i probably just wouldnt have gone into labour alone. im glad there is now modern medicine to assist me.
Everyone keeps answering with the reasoning of this being 'standard' procedure. Just because the doctors want you to do something 'standard' during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, does NOT mean it is necessary or even good for the mother or baby. The research I've read says 3-4 weeks past 40 weeks is safe but beyond that could pose a risk. Do your own research, become informed, make an educated decision, and then stick to it, no matter what anyone tries to push on you. Don't be afraid of the oh-so-educated man in the white coat; you are the only one who can make the right decision for you and your baby.
Re: I think my doctor is bullying me.
If you were already at 4
My first thought was, "Gee, I wonder if the doctor has a vacation planned for the same time as this lady's due date?" I have a friend whose doctor did that to her--highly recommended induction at 38 weeks, but it wasn't for any medical reason. The doc just didn't want to miss seeing the Masters in Augusta, GA.
If you don't go into labor by 41 weeks, then talk induction. Otherwise, you're fine. The baby knows when it's time better than the doctor does.
I'm in my 4th pregnancy and all 3 of my previous children were induced. For no known reason, I just do not go into labor on my own. My physician is a very respected high risk specialist and he induces at 41 weeks period. The hospital he delivers at has a policy that practicing physician there must induce by 42 weeks. It is extremely dangerous for a baby to be allowed to stay in utero past this time frame. As he explained it, the conditions inside the womb can deteriorate very quickly. The transfer of nutrients and oxygen across the placenta deteriorates at this point and the risk of abruption increases. Also the amniotic fluid may become too low. A friend of mine who was due at the same time as my last child had this happen. She had an appointment on her due date and her physciain did an ultrasound in the office everything was fine. He wanted to see her two days later and when she went back and they did another ultrasound her amniotic fluid had dropped so much she was sent from the office to the hospital to be induced. Your doctor isn't trying to bully you, they are trying to make sure you didn't carry to term just to loose your baby to complications that could easily be prevented.
Around week 42, the placenta starts to break down, the amount of amniotic fluid lessens, and the perinatal mortality risk doubles after week 42 and triples after week 43.
So it sounds reasonable to induce when you get close to week 42. However, it is not acceptable that this wasn't explained to you by your OB.
Also, find out what your Dr means by induction. There are different methods to induce labor, from an insert (cervidil) to ripen the cervix, rupturing the membrane (though this usually isn't done unless your cervix has effaced), and pitocin to stimulate contractions. Find out your options and discuss what you are and aren't comfortable with.
And by the way, they can't drop you as a patient. The law requires at least 30 days notice and a referral to another practitioner.
You can, however drop your OB and find a new one.