Need advice...Full term and Dr. wants to induce

AnnaSlavin · November 2015

Hi everyone,

I'm 40 weeks as of Tuesday and my Dr. is concerned that the baby is getting too big. Not just in weight, but her head is looking sizable and i'm very petite and narrow down there. I originally wanted a natural birth and am struggling with the thought of pitocin followed by an epidural. I don't love the idea of a c section ( longer and tougher recovery) however, if it's healthier for my baby than pumping all the pitocin in there to induce, i'll gladly take on the c section.

I guess I'm wondering if giving my baby an extra week to come on her own and then just accepting the fact that i'll probably need a c section to get her out is better than being induced and having her vaginally?

I'm a first time mom and just want to do what is best for my baby.

Any advice would be so very welcome, thanks!

GoogleMD · November 2015

Your post is rather offensive. Many women including myself had to have inductions for medical reasons. It is not "unhealthy", you act like pitocin is some kind of dangerous drug, and giving it is willful negligence. No way of giving birth is superior to another. Whatever delivery results in a healthy baby and mom is what is best for the baby.

For what it is worth I was pumped full of pitocin Monday for my induction, at 38 weeks, and even got an epidural. My labor was only 9 hours with 1 hr of pushing. He was born without complications, very alert right at birth, and BF well.

dramaphile · November 2015

Pitocin is safe, it's the same hormone (oxytocin) that your body produces naturally during labor. It can increase need for c section since your body may not be ready, but there is nothing inherently dangerous for baby about being given pitocin. C section has much more risk for you, longer recovery, and can increase risk for fluid in the lungs for baby,
Although if it's the safest way to get baby out, then so be it. Ultrasound measurements can be wrong, and lots of women have vaginally birthed babies that are over 9 or even 10 lbs.

Induction also involves using prostaglandins (cervadil) or a foley bulb to open the cervix, which can sometimes start contractions on their own.

If it were me, I would be in the camp that I would wait a week if size is the only issue, and then accept the induction.

Also, you can have an epidural-less birth with pitocin. Read through the birth announcements and the medicated vs unmedicated thread, there are stories on their from women who have had pitocin and not gotten an epidural. You may decide to get one, but it is not required.

AnnaSlavin · November 2015

Thank you for sharing your stories and giving advice.

* I know it's popular to be "offended" by everything these days, but I meant no offense to those who have been induced with pitocin, it just wasn't part of my original birthplan, which is obviously changing.

flas · November 2015

I would take the induction first over choosing a c-section. Yes the contractions are going to be more painful on pictocin but that doesn't mean immediate epidural. I did choose one but that was my preference due to a long induction.
I also second what @GoogleMD said being someone who had to be induced 3 times for medical reasons.

thefithuntress · November 2015

I'd like to think my birth plan has "evolved," seeing as it went from a vision I had to being customized to what is best for my baby.

I'm all about unmedicated labor, tub birth, the doula, the oils, the music, blah blah blah. Do I still want that? Totally. But now I'm facing the fact that an induction due to health reasons is on the horizon and may even get bumped up to Monday.

As parents we have to recognize that our decisions are no longer our own. Instead of being greatly opposed to the possibility that your birth plan is evolving just embrace it. Pitocin can actually be beneficial post-labor, as it helps shrink the uterus and reduce bleeding. Plus, your "wait a week" concept is completely speculative. Baby could be ready any minute!

If you feel truly concerned I'd get a second professional opinion. While The Bump is great for anecdotal advice you may want advice from someone who knows you, your baby, and your concerns a little better. On here you'll hear the pro's and con's of medicated labor and even c-sections.

Not sure about the whole "popular to be offended" thing, but whatever- I'd like to think that people are becoming more compassionate and aware that their words carry weight. I wish you the best regardless.

brianna91chavez · November 2015

AnnaSlavin said:
Thank you for sharing your stories and giving advice.

* I know it's popular to be "offended" by everything these days, but I meant no offense to those who have been induced with pitocin, it just wasn't part of my original birthplan, which is obviously changing.

It has nothing to do with it "being popular to be offended"
You would actually find that most of the ladies here do not easily get offended. Usually only when something is... You know.... Offensive.
Why do you think a c-section is better than being induced vaginally?
You would have to have general anethisea or a spinal for the c-section which would not fall into your *~natural*~ unmedicated*~birth*~*plan either.

I am naturally petite and small framed but after being "pumped full"'of pitocin AND an epidural I was able to push out a 8 pound 6 oz baby with a 14 inch head. You'd be amazed what your body can do. This is what our bodies were made for.

Lolo427 · November 2015

Hm, well the thing is, at the end of the day it's really up to you and what you feel is best as there is no right or wrong answer to this. I would have preferred to go on my own but due to GD I had to be induced. I had a cervadil and labored at home for 2 days, and then had a pitocin drip for 12 before they broke my water. Another 12 hours of laboring with an epidural, which I tried to avoid but I needed the respite due to already being in labor so long. Despite having a doula, and a very low key induction I needed a C-section. DD was traverse and the cord was wrapped around her foot. Three hours of pushing (and she was RIGHT there damn it!) did nothing. These things aren't predictable. Both she and I had perfect vitals throughout the whole process- no one was in danger, but it's just what needed to happen. It was safe, baby and I are healthy, BF is going wonderfully. As much as we spend 9 months looking at this moment with rose tinted glasses it will be what it will be.

Edit: parenthesis fail.

bellionaires · November 2015

I don't find anything in your post offensive. Actually, kudos to you for being open to following what's best for your baby. Yes, pitocin can absolutely cause distress in baby, and add to the complications. So you're right in being concerned. Hopefully you won't be put in the position to need to decide, and you'll be able to have your birth naturally as you desire. Stay focused on what you want, not what you don't want, and continue that positive attitude! Good luck!

StrawberryDuck · November 2015

AnnaSlavin said:

Hi everyone,

I'm 40 weeks as of Tuesday and my Dr. is concerned that the baby is getting too big. Not just in weight, but her head is looking sizable and i'm very petite and narrow down there. I originally wanted a natural birth and am struggling with the thought of pitocin followed by an epidural. I don't love the idea of a c section ( longer and tougher recovery) however, if it's healthier for my baby than pumping all the pitocin in there to induce, i'll gladly take on the c section.

I guess I'm wondering if giving my baby an extra week to come on her own and then just accepting the fact that i'll probably need a c section to get her out is better than being induced and having her vaginally?

I'm a first time mom and just want to do what is best for my baby.

Any advice would be so very welcome, thanks!

Re the red bolded: 1 - don't flatter yourself

, 2 - don't worry, you won't be soon!

Now for the rest: My LO was an induction birth (a few medical reasons), she is 19 months old, she is saying 10/11 word sentences (the average of this age is 3/4 as far as i've read), she can count to 10 (COUNT, not just copy the words), she fully sings numerous nursery rhymes, she says words such as 'delicious' 'exactly' and 'disgusting' ...not only are these pretty large words for a child of her age, but she says them in context! She has no health worries at all, she scored 10 on her APGAR test, she needed no medical assistance at birth (oxygen etc), so as @googleMD said, your post is pretty insulting to those who have had inductions and/or epidurals (no epi for me....I screamed like hell for one, but I was too far gone), you may not have intended to insult, but take heed of the responses and consider your posts a bit more carefully in future....please

AnnaSlavin · November 2015

Let me start by saying, I never meant to offend anyone. If my choice in words or phrasing has offended anyone I apologize.

I was only inquiring about going from a natural state of mind to the complete opposite. I am not used to medications as I don't take any and never really have. The one time I was on a major pain reliever post surgery I got violently ill from it and I'm scared about the pending induction.

I merely wanted to know from those who have had induced labors and c sections what their experiences were like and if they preferred one from the other. Most of my friends have had natural home births, and are little to no help when it comes to pitocin, or epidurals or c sections.

I hope this clears up any confusion over my original post.

Tealmoore · November 2015

Wow. I hate how every post is somehow offensive. Everyone has different birth plans and concerns. The posts always just evolve to be a snagging match rather than just dealing with the question.

In response to the OP I would say that if you are really uncomfortable with induction maybe give it a little longer or get a second opinion on what would be best. Only you can make that decision though and you need to do what is comfortable to you and what you feel is best for baby.

doodleoodle · November 2015

I delivered my baby by c section and I would recommend not throwing in recovering from a major surgery into the mix if it could be avoided. 15 days out and I'm just starting to feel like myself. Although everyone's experience is different.

cbolton19 · November 2015

AnnaSlavin said:

Let me start by saying, I never meant to offend anyone. If my choice in words or phrasing has offended anyone I apologize.

I was only inquiring about going from a natural state of mind to the complete opposite. I am not used to medications as I don't take any and never really have. The one time I was on a major pain reliever post surgery I got violently ill from it and I'm scared about the pending induction.

I merely wanted to know from those who have had induced labors and c sections what their experiences were like and if they preferred one from the other. Most of my friends have had natural home births, and are little to no help when it comes to pitocin, or epidurals or c sections.

I hope this clears up any confusion over my original post.

I originally planned an unmedicated water birth at a birth center. So I get changing your mindset is a little difficult. I was induced at 38 weeks due to pre-eclampsia. i was given multiple rounds of misoprostal, pitocin, had my water broken, and ended up getting an epidural (the only time mine and baby's heart rate dropped was right after the epi, we got oxygen and everything was fine, apparently it's normal). My epidural was awesome. I was able to relax enough to dilate 6 cm (in 45 minutes!) but I still had full use of my legs. I was able to stand and use the squat bar. I could also feel exactly when I needed to push. My baby girl handled labor and delivery like a champ. She actually had accelerations during pushing (which is unusual). She was totally alert and looking around before her head was out and once her head was out she was crying before I had finished delivering her. It was completely different than I had planned, I was induced and had a bunch of meds, but it was amazing, and I had a perfectly healthy baby.

I would opt for an induction than just giving into c-section. A section is a huge surgery and in the long run will probably require more meds (a spinal not just an epidural and potential pain meds for recovery). Talk to your OB about induction options. If I have to induce next time, I will ask if they can break my water before they do any meds. I didn't progress much until they broke my water.

gkfk · November 2015

OP - I'm in the same boat and have same question, but getting induced Monday due to AMA (= im old). I dont regularly take medicine and treat my health issues with supplements/diet/exercise unless all else fails. I would love to wait for another week, but im told that i can't. For what it's worth, i had a growth scan done Friday which, while maybe not accurate, made me feel a LOT better about my chances of vaginal birth if induction works. Im 5'2" and 90 lbs pre-pregnancy and also thought i was at risk due to size in vaginal delivery, and heard of issues that similar mini-size friends have had during their labor/delivery, but discussed with my doctor and she thinks my pelvis is normal size even if the rest of me is not. She's not worried at all about my pelvis working as long as my cervix does! So in the end, I'm starting with induction. Good luck with your decision, i don't think that it's an easy one.

Lsager424 · November 2015

Hey OP-I would recommend trusting your instincts and listening to what that little voice inside of you is saying. I didn't want to induce, as I didn't think my sons lateness (41 weeks) was a necessary reason to do so. I ultimately ended up getting bullied in to it by my OB, and even thought I knew my body wasn't ready (not dialated or effaced) I gave in. While ultimately it was all worth it, as my son is sleeping peacefully next to me, had I waited a few more days, I may not have had to have gone through 41 hours of labor and 2 hours of pushing only to end up with a c section in the end. With that being said, the end totally and a million percent justified the means, but maybe I wouldn't have had to put my body through all of that undue stress had I bucked doctors recommendations and waited things out a little more. I hope that this helps...

Cmagno · November 2015

At the university hospital where I'm delivering again, they have a pretty firm stance against induction unless medically necessary (and they are pretty up on current practice, research based decisions). I know they would not advocate for an induction at 40 weeks based only on the guess of a "big" baby. I'd wait it out and relook at options at 41-42 weeks if needed. Good luck!

keallenrmt · November 2015

As someone who had a macrosomic baby and a very difficult labor and delivery, take the induction. My DD almost didn't make it because she was stuck and no one realized until she had to be pulled out by 2 OBs, it was too late for CS. This time I'm being induced at 38+2 even tho baby is not projected to be big at all.

savyjohn1 · November 2015

I am being induced Wednesday for multiple reasons. This is baby #3, and I had to have pitocin with both of my previous labors. My babies were both fine, and I avoided c sections. Because of my first two labors, I know I will more than likely have to have pitocin again anyways, so I am not freaking out about induction. Baby needs to get here safely, and that's all that matters to me. Best of luck to you.