I am really torn about getting induced tomorrow. Here are my pros and cons:
Pros:
- Baby was measuring 8lb13oz last Wednesday so the longer I wait, the bigger the baby. This could increase risk of c-section later with a massive baby.
- My doctor will be there. He is off Friday through Wednesday so I can't even get another check up for 9 days.
- My blood pressure has been teetering on high and I am SUPER swollen. Doc is a little worried about these things.
- Overall relief to be done!
Cons:
- My cervix is not very favorable for induction, increasing the risk of it not being successful. Another risk of csection
- Maybe baby isn't ready to come
I am leaning towards waiting, but I am torn! What would you do?
Re: XP: would you go ahead with an induction?
I would not, for the following reasons:
1. Weight measurements are often grossly off, can be a pound in either direction I believe. If you are a FTM, there is nothing to say you couldn't vaginally deliver a larger baby if that even was the case at that time.
2. I like my doctor but I like my baby's health more. I'd never induce just to have a certain doctor on the case. Especially since the doctor is there for all of maybe 10 minutes before you push, and mine didn't even stay the whole time I pushed last time. He came in, looked at me, turned around and left and told the nurse to call him when the baby was ready to come out.
3. I am, like, MASSIVELY, hugely swollen. My bp is okay, but I'm really uncomfortable. So long as your blood pressure isn't in scary range, I'd say try to tough out the discomfort for a few days longer, it's worth it to give your baby more time.
(I tend to lean very much towards the "babies are meant to come when they are ready" camp in 99% of the cases)
I wouldn't due to a lot of reasons.
1. Those growth scans are off, usually by a pound or more!
2. Just b/c your doctor is there when you're induced does not mean he'll be there when you deliver.
3. If you've already been told your cervix is not favorable this GREATLY increases your odds for a C/S.
4. Unless you have actual preeclampsia diagnosis there's no need to induce/deliver. When it's actually preeclampsia then I'd do it.
5. While yes it is super uncomfortable to be pregnant at the end baby will come when baby is ready.
Google 40 reasons to go 40 weeks or something along those lines. Doctors like to say 37+ weeks is full term but more and more evidence is showing that 40 weeks is much better for baby!
I totally agree with this.
The only thing you mentioned that would be of concern to me at all is the blood pressure thing. I don't know what your BP is like or what is has been, but if I were you I would just flat out ask your doctor, what happens if you wait, what are the potential risks, are they really worried that a few more days is really going to have an impact, etc. I wouldn't worry at all about a "big baby" or about the doctor being on call.
I know what it's like to be at the end of pregnancy and just want to be done, but babies come when they do for a reason. The decisions you make right now, with this birth, can have far reaching effects.
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Nope. I would never induce if your cervix is unfavorable. DD1 was an induction from 0 and 0. 55 hours later, I had a c-section. It was super sucky, and I would never do it again.
I'd wait.
Having been induced, I would wait. If I could go back in time with DS, I would have waited.
Weight measurements can be off by pounds. Inductions are not fun and pitocin induced contractions are horrid. You can't labor at home where you are comfortable and are stuck near the bed on monitors the entire time, also increasing your risk for a csection. You have to endure the entire labor in the hospital. If the baby isn't ready or isn't in an optimal position, they don't get time to turn. I would opt out if I were you.
The only thing you listed that would possibly lead me to induce is your bp issue. What has been your bp readings? Has it been consistently teetering on high, or has it been spiking? I would drill your doctor about his concerns regarding your bp, and if they feel you're not in any immediate danger then I would put it off.
If you do decide to wait it out, and can't see your doctor for 9 days, make sure you continue to monitor your bp on your own while waiting for an appointment.
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All of this and I will wait until 42 weeks to be induced because pitocin contrax scare the crap out of me. I'd rather stay pregnant until the baby decides when his/her birthday will be.
This! I hate when OB c/s based on size. My friend had to fight to deliver her 10 lb baby vaginally. She did it, and she survived. I think if your baby is not even 9lbs you should be okay. And to echo what PPs are saying, u/s can be off by a pound. If I were you I would wait till your body and your baby are ready.
This.
Same thing happened to me! If I could go back I would have just demanded the c-section in the first place because the whole experience sucked. FWIW - my DS was 8lbs 12oz.....and he was not coming out without a fight.