Induction Decision / Opinions

akatiegrl

Okay, so I want to preface this by saying I have already done my research and spoken to my Dr. I'm just interested in opinions, particularly from others who have been induced.

So the last week I have had a really hard time feeling my baby. It just seemed to me like she wasn't moving much at all. Yesterday my Dr ended up sending me to the hospital for a non stress test. She looked good. They sent me again this morning. Again she looked good. I've also been having regular contractions (every 3-5 minutes) for over a week now at least, but am not dilated.

So since i'm not really feeling her, which is a little scary for everyone, my Dr is wanting to induce soon, just to be safe. I'm due Tuesday... so after this morning they have an induction scheduled for tomorrow night at 7. But my Dr said if I'm not comfortable with it we can maybe wait till Tuesday night or Wednesday morning, I just may need to go in again Mon and Tues morning for more NST's just to be safe.

My mom is coming into town today. And I think my mother-in-law is coming tomorrow. And I'm just confused about what to do! Should I go ahead and do the induction tomorrow, just for peace of mind and because it's not that different from Tuesday anyways? Or should I keep going in for tests and wait till Tuesday night?

Does anyone have experience being induced right around their due date or before? How did it go? My biggest concern is not wanting a c-section, which I know ultimately I don't have control over...

absolutelymaybe

No experience with an induction, but it seems to me that inducing a couple days before your due date should not be a huge deal. Your doctor is on board with it and it sounds like you will have your support system in place.

I can't think of any negatives.

Best of luck!

soulcupcake

If your Bishop score is unfavorable it increases your risks of having a failed induction. Has your doctor offered to do a BPP yet?

If your cervix is unfavorable misoprostol or cervidil are often used first to ripen your cervix, but there are downsides to both, especially misoprostol. Foley catheter is considered a mechanical method of dilating the cervix prior to administering pitocin or other stimulants. 

If you know you're going to be induced there are methods to try that can potentially reduce a risk of failed induction. All evidence points to keeping membranes intact. AROM is often done to induce or to augment labor, but it really isn't necessary and carries risks (infection, cord prolapse if baby is still high in the pelvis, cord compression,  malpositioning, more painful contractions). You can always ask if foley catheter is an option, and once you're around 4 cm dilated start a low dose pit drip to ease you into an active labor pattern. Walking, staying mobile, will also help get baby into position and in the pelvis. This also aids in cervical progression during labor.

If you're at least somewhat dilated before induction date you can always see about a membrane sweep.

ETA: If my intuition says something isn't quite right or I am feeling unsettled about baby's lack of movement, I'd definitely consider inducing. Being a homebirth I'd opt for a couple membrane sweeps to prep my body, do an acupuncture session or two, chiro adjustment, lots of walking (the more pressure on the cervix, the better) and then herbs (uterine stimulants). I'd absolutely keep membranes intact, as we did last time.

shindylahoe

Have they done an ultra sound? Did they say why you aren't feeling her?

If they are doing nst that means that they are seeing accelerations and decelerations in her pulse which happens when she moves.

If I were weighing out the benefits and risks it would seem to me a higher risk to induce then it would be to let her wait it out if her nst is good.

SarahHeck

Did you already get your membranes stripped? I've heard labor is easier if you go into it on your own maybe if you gave that a try it'd work out for you.

I was induced on my due date last time. My daughter wasn't typical, but it had nothing to do with my delivery. She was fully cooked. If your doctor is suggesting it, you've had no luck getting it going on your own by then and it'd give you both peace of mind, I'd go for it, but my opinion is kind of clouded by the fact that I'm also exhausted from false labor and am kind of desparate to get my own show on the road. :-)

akatiegrl

thanks for the opinions ladies! last tuesday she planned to strip my membranes but because i still wasn't dilated and my cervix was still tilted up a little (even though baby is very low) she ended up not doing it. it was hurting quite a bit when she went to do it and she said if your cervix is really ready, it shouldn't hurt.

in general i am all about waiting it out till at least 41 weeks and hoping to go into labor naturally. but i understand the concern is that if something went wrong with the baby, because i'm not really feeling her i wouldn't notice... and that's scary.

i have had an ultrasound done recently. everything looks good and she's estimated to be in the high 8 lb range. so she's pretty well cooked! i just wish i would go into labor naturally or someone would make the decision for me! my Dr taking my opinion into account so much sometimes overwhelmes me!

MommaKb710

I was induced last week at 38 weeks due to pre-e. I went in the night before and a foley was placed (I was only 1cm at the time). The next morning they pulled it out and started pitocin (this was around 8am). Pitocin was increased eve half hour and my son was born at 3:06pm.

IMO, if they are saying no matter what they will indice you by tues or wed, I would just go for it now. Not feeling LO move I scary and stressful. Might as well have your baby in your arms ASAP rather than wait and worry for a couple more days.

smboswell1

FTM so no experience! My Due date is the 7th and I am being induced the 4th. I have GD and they induce at 39 weeks. If the doctors think it is best, then I would do it. I don't want you feeling uncomfortable though!! Good luck! 

smboswell1

Oh and I am not dilated and only 30% effaced! 

Dumbgurl04

I was just induced on Tuesday about a week before my actual due date of 11-3, I was induced due to having GD so they didn't want LO to be to big.  I know my Dr explain that with inductions there is a bigger chance to have a c-section.  I went in Monday night the day before the induction because they have to give you something to soften your cervix.  I was only dilated a finger tip when they started me on the cervidil.  That stuff started giving me contractions so in the morning after being on the pitocin about an hour I was dilated 5-6 cm and my water broke on it's own.  I know that after I got an epidural me and my DD's heart rates started to go nuts so they informed that they might have to take me in to have a c-section.  They gave me oxygen which helped stabilized both of us so I ended up not having to have a c-section.  So all in all my time in labor wasn't too long but I honestly went into expecting not to see DD until Tuesday night if not Wednesday morning.  

Good Luck to you 

Rhall2088

I was induced on my due date (Halloween) because I have really big babies, and all went well! They started at 7:30 and he arrived at 6:59. Also if you are feeling anxious your body will keep you from progressing during an induction!

akatiegrl

thanks ladies! i appreciate the opinions and hearing other people's experiences.

I've been feeling her a little more today compared to the last week, so I'm pretty sure I'm gonna say no to being induced tonight. and i'm hoping to at least get my dr to push it back till friday then, not tuesday. but if we can just hold off and wait for her to come naturally i'd prefer that. assuming baby is ok obviously.

i'm not in a rush at all. i mean of course i'm anxious and i want her to come! but other than normal discomfort i'm fine waiting. i just want to do what's gonna be best, and it's been a little confusing discerning what that is.

runningmama14

akatiegrl said:

thanks ladies! i appreciate the opinions and hearing other people's experiences.

I've been feeling her a little more today compared to the last week, so I'm pretty sure I'm gonna say no to being induced tonight. and i'm hoping to at least get my dr to push it back till friday then, not tuesday. but if we can just hold off and wait for her to come naturally i'd prefer that. assuming baby is ok obviously.

i'm not in a rush at all. i mean of course i'm anxious and i want her to come! but other than normal discomfort i'm fine waiting. i just want to do what's gonna be best, and it's been a little confusing discerning what that is.

I know how you feel! Hang in there!