Inducing Labor due to Holiday

tJaffe

So, several friends have been induced early due their due dates falling on or too close to holidays....

I'm due on Easter Sunday... I'm sure a lot of us are due around that time as well.

I'm a FTM and don't know how to navigate that inevitable discussion because I've found out my doctor is one of those kind of doctors and likes his holidays.

Has anyone had this happen to them or has to been brought up yet at any appointments? I'm going to ask on the 11th when we go again.

kynbar5

Umm no. Absolutely not. My child's development and staying in as long as possible trumps ANYONE else's feelings and thoughts. I'm so glad I don't have a crap doctor like that. I'm sorry if I sound rude at it, it's just this whole discussion on inducing or getting a c-section for anything other than a medical reason seriously annoys me.

flowerpower5838

@tJaffe The chance that you'll actually deliver on your delivery date is very slim so I really wouldn't worry about it. I'd be more worried about having a doctor that would rather force labor than miss a day in church or a family meal.

tJaffe

Yeah apparently he's trying to force his own daughter in law into being induced so the baby won't come on Thanksgiving.


One friend delivered Wednesday and another today, both induced, both due on Thanksgiving. Both in different states with different doctors, so I know it's not just my doctor...

I'm not sure how to deal with this issue when it arises.

flowerpower5838

@tJaffe Just have an honest discussion with your doctor. If you don't want to be induced unless medically necessary - you don't have to - birth is not meant to be a convenience for either the parents or the doctors. I believe from my (non medical, simply via the internet) research that unless you have complications, the induction talks really don't need to start until week 41.

Katherine8908

I would not allow my dr to try and induce me early just because it was more convenient for them I was a week late with my first and was induced and it was horrible I would not choose to do it again im hoping this time I go into labour on my own.

soxfan9968

I don't like pushy doctors. If you're signing up to be an OB, isn't it common sense that you may have to work on some holidays? If the issue comes up let him know you are not ok with inducing labor. I don't think I'd do anything if he merely suggested it but if he tries to push for it, I'd be upset. Make it clear you don't want that. If it bothers him or continues to not listen to you, I'd start looking into finding a different ob that listens to me.

kfarr26

I get the distinct impression that most doctors prefer scheduled births to work around their schedules. I get that they have other appointments, surgeries, personal lives, etc. I'm not my doctor's only patient and understand that while I get her undivided attention at my appointments, I'm not her biggest priority...BUT my baby is MY biggest priority and concern, so I don't feel bad about being "selfish" and trying to let her come on her own time.

If a medical reason comes up to change that plan, so be it, but scheduling out of nothing more than someone else's convenience? I'll fight as much as I can against that.

cmerribury

Here's the deal though: if your child decides to come on their due date, which is unlikely to say the least, SOMEONE will be able to deliver...it may not be him. You just have to ask yourself if that matters. If not, then tell him no.

ClaireBear90

flowerpower5838 said:

@tJaffe Just have an honest discussion with your doctor. If you don't want to be induced unless medically necessary - you don't have to - birth is not meant to be a convenience for either the parents or the doctors. I believe from my (non medical, simply via the internet) research that unless you have complications, the induction talks really don't need to start until week 41.

Yes. At 41 weeks, I was scheduled for a non-stress test just to see how things were going but I ended up going into labor and giving birth that day anyway. Induction isn't even on the table until 42 weeks unless there is a medical need for it and I've heard of women going to 43 weeks. Obviously different practices do different things, but it isn't a good idea to induce for no medical reason. Babies develop at different rates, not every baby is ready to come at or before 40 weeks! Induction is not a walk in the park. It is harder on the mother and the baby and it increases the risk of complications, emergency c-section...

Frankly, inducing a mom so that the doctor can have a holiday off seems like the complete opposite of "do no harm."

kitteh81

My certified nurse midwives wanted to induce me with my last pregnancy, and I'm pretty sure it was because of the upcoming 4th of July. I wasn't even a week over my due date when they issued me a prescription for an induction and I was shocked. I really didn't expect that from midwives! Luckily I went into labor naturally the day before my scheduled induction, because otherwise I just planned to "forget" the appointment and wait till my body did its thing.

SarahFoley725

cmerribury said:

Here's the deal though: if your child decides to come on their due date, which is unlikely to say the least, SOMEONE will be able to deliver...it may not be him. You just have to ask yourself if that matters. If not, then tell him no.

This ^ there will be a doctor to deliver your baby no matter what. This is my first baby but I'm pretty sure when the time comes the freaking janitor could catch my kid for all I care.

oceanchild

Yeah that is crap. My first baby was due on July 4th and my doctor stripped my membranes against my wishes and without consent. And wanted to induce for her convenience with my second as well. She was NOT my doctor for my third birth - who was due on my new OB's b'day haha).
Agree with PPs above. I've worked in the medical field, and in surgery, and working on holidays is part of the damn job. You have to take call on holidays, you have to go to work in the middle of the night when you've had no sleep in days. Just like being a parent. Children are *NOT* convenient. Neither is birth. You are choosing your doctor - you hire him, you pay him (or you pay your insurance to pay him), you are the boss in charge of your body. I'd tell him no induction for anything other than medical necessity (unless it's *your* choice). With my first, when I refused induction bc of the holiday (which I imagine is why she stripped my membranes), my OB started trying to convince me there were all these medical reasons to go ahead and induce (I had slight preE, but no where even close to needing to be induced yet, and I absolutely knew what her motive was). If your doctor won't respect you, switch - a couple of my friends have switched at 39w! If that's not possible, I even know someone who just didn't go in for her scheduled induction and had her baby when her body and baby was ready to be born.
Sorry that's so rambly and grumpy sounding. OBs that pressure their patients into decisions that they feel are wrong/don't want really grind my freaking gears.

JessKo08

Two of my friends actually had babies on Easter Sunday a few years apart. I didn't think it was a big deal at all. Whoever is on-call will deliver your baby whether it's a holiday or not. And believe me, hospital staff is getting the big bucks to work on a holiday. I wouldn't ever considered being induced just for the convenience of my OB. If he was the kind of guy to suggest something like that I would definitely be looking for a new one. Babies come out when they very well please, business hours or not.

PinkSunglasses16

My first was born on Thanksgiving 2 weeks early.....

Melodyags

When my first daughter was born she was born at 1:52 AM and my doctor was leaving for vacation later that morning. I would have ended up with a strange doctor from a different practice. He tried to induce twice the day before in afternoon and evening. I ended up in labor for 18 hours. I was 18 when I had her and didn't know better than or I would have refused to let him to do it.

SparkE82

My OB practice has SEVERAL doctors in it. They all take turns with who's on call. They have warned me EVERY visit that when its time to deliver, it may not be the doctor I usually see that delivers. It will be whoever is on call. I am perfectly ok with this as all the doctors at this practice are pretty darn awesome. None of them push for induction or C-sections unless its absolutely medically necessary.

I wouldn't induce just to avoid a holiday or my doctor leaving for vacation, etc... But that's just my opinion.

SarahFoley725

Melodyags said:

When my first daughter was born she was born at 1:52 AM and my doctor was leaving for vacation later that morning. I would have ended up with a strange doctor from a different practice. He tried to induce twice the day before in afternoon and evening. I ended up in labor for 18 hours. I was 18 when I had her and didn't know better than or I would have refused to let him to do it.

My mom was induced with me early. She was also young and her doctor was also leaving for vacation. In hind sight she really regrets it because I had a lot of problems that could have been avoided if I'd just stayed in longer.

alligreer88

My dr mentioned being out for a week due to spring break. We didn't even talk dates, but I WILL NOT be getting a c section or pitocin just for this reason. No way. Someone else can catch my baby. I had pitocin at 41 weeks to get dd out and my number one delivery hope this time around is no pitocin.

MrsLeanMeanClean

In the UK we don't have a specific doctor... you see a team for antenatal including a community midwife that comes to your house before and after. When I go into labor I will go to the hospital and see who ever happens to be on that day.

So basically when in am pushing I will have someone by my side who does that exact thing multiple times a day and has seen everything... I have a written birthplan which was made in consultation with my community midwife and will be part of my file. I also live in a country where they try to use as little "medicine" as possible.and doesn't treat pregnancy like a disease but as a natural part of a woman's function. If I want gas&air or an epidural it is there for me.... but no one is talking induction unless you are in medical need, 42+ weeks or your waters broke without contractions 48+ hous before

irenewslee

I would probably ask the OB now and see what his comments and preferences are.  You can still choose to have another OB if you want to.  I am not sure if I am ok with my OB inducing me so she can enjoy her day off.  If it is for medical reason that she has to induce me or speed up the process... I can totally accept that.  Maybe it turns out that he is not religious and wouldn't mind working on Easter Sunday.  

mamaimmoos

Here is my piece: I was a pre-holiday scheduled c-section.  My Mom was due with my older sister the first part of July and when she didn't come until the 7th, Mom's doctor was gone on vacation.  This led to a horrid birth experience (including forceps and vacuum) and ended in an emergency c-section because my sister turned and they just straight up couldn't get her out.  

When it came time for me to be born (due December 29th) my Mom went through an amnio at 36 weeks so that she could schedule a c-section with her doctor before he left for a Christmas vacation, thus my December 21st birthday.

Now, I am not saying that you should induce to avoid a holiday due date or let your doctor convince you to do something that you are not 110% comfortable with but I also totally understand the desire to be as sure as possible that it is your doctor that is delivering your baby and not "who ever is on call".

mb0112

I go to a midwife and within the group of midwifes they trade shifts--- there's no expectation that a certain one will be there for delivery, but they offer chances to meet all of the midwives during the pregnancy. I'd much rather do it this way versus have one doctor and either be disappointed she's not the one there during delivery, or deal with her trying to make me labor on her schedule!

You might just want to go with the flow of whoever is on duty when you deliver... Or maybe look into hiring a doula who could be there no matter what and help you stick with your birth plan in case you end up with a doctor you are less comfortable with?

oceanchild

Doulas are awesome!
My doctor (and many others) will still come to the hospital for their patients deliveries even when they aren't on call, but the on-call doctor covers for them when they are unable to come (out of town) or for a patient there for non-delivery situation (like being admitted for fluids bc of stomach virus, UTI, management of preterm contractions etc). In my case, I'd only be seeing the doctor on call in labor if my doctor was not in town; otherwise he comes to catch all his patients' babies regardless of who is on call.

tJaffe

Thanks everyone! I'm going to bring it up at my next appointment and see what he says.... Quite frankly I'm super stubborn and I want a completely natural birth and I will fight for it and have my husband prepared to do so as well.

Kurtni

I would no longer be able to trust a doctor who asked for an induction so they could have a day off. I think it sets a bad precedent about their attitude towards interventions and I'd look for someone else. 

kimkim86

That's not a good reason to induce! your baby needs to stay in as long as he needs and not be asked to work around a holiday and induction has lots of risks. Plus it hurts more and lowers your chances for a natural vaginal birth      

MNGrl24

What if your baby very large? Ftm as well (so I'm kind of clueless, and I'm not advocating for early inductions) but under what circumstances would you be induced on or before your due date? My baby has been measuring 2 weeks ahead and my due date is 100% accurate, so he's just going to be a big.

kynbar5

MNGrl24 said:

What if your baby very large? Ftm as well (so I'm kind of clueless, and I'm not advocating for early inductions) but under what circumstances would you be induced on or before your due date? My baby has been measuring 2 weeks ahead and my due date is 100% accurate, so he's just going to be a big.

Scans that tell the size of the baby are notoriously off. Also, I've seen women birth some pretty large children (think 12-14 lbs) vaginally. I was told I was going to have a "very large" boy and he was about 9 1/2 when they were saying over 10. That's still the biggest one I've given birth to but it's amazing what our bodies can do!

kfarr26

My mom had my brother unmedicated, first child, and he weighed well over 10 lbs. It was also a quick labor/delivery. She watched what she ate better with me, but I was still 8lbs10oz, unmedicated birth and came extremely quickly.

Large babies aren't always a horrible experience for delivery. It really depends on the mother. Mine is 5'9" and just had big babies. We also both came over two weeks passed the due date she had been given, too.

kitteh81

My 9.5 pounder was an easier labor and less time pushing than her 7 lb 12 oz sister. Plus, they had estimated her weight/size via ultrasound a few days before I went into labor, and they were off by 2 lbs--they said she was going to be another 7 lb baby! I'm glad that I didn't know she was over 9 lbs going into it because I might have psyched myself out! But the labor and delivery were pretty great.

ClaireBear90

kynbar5 said:

What if your baby very large? Ftm as well (so I'm kind of clueless, and I'm not advocating for early inductions) but under what circumstances would you be induced on or before your due date? My baby has been measuring 2 weeks ahead and my due date is 100% accurate, so he's just going to be a big.

Scans that tell the size of the baby are notoriously off. Also, I've seen women birth some pretty large children (think 12-14 lbs) vaginally. I was told I was going to have a "very large" boy and he was about 9 1/2 when they were saying over 10. That's still the biggest one I've given birth to but it's amazing what our bodies can do!

Yeah, measurements from scans seem like a joke, I've never heard of someone being given an accurate weight from one. A friend of mine had a scheduled c-section because her second baby was "going to be big." Ended up being her smallest baby by far and when she later had a VBAC, she had a 10 pound baby. I had a hard time delivering my 9.5 pound baby and I'd rather not go through that again, but I'm still not going to go for an induction or elective c-section "just in case." I know too many women who have been told that their baby is going to be big and gone on to have 6 or 7 pound babies.

arcanejinx

My cousin was born on Easter Sunday-my aunt actually started labour on Good Friday but he waited. Depending on what measurement used I'm due around Easter-and my OB told me from the beginning he works with 9 other OBs who share various days at the hospital with their labour team. So depending on the day of the week it may not be him. And I won't let anyone talk me into induction (plus my best friend is a nurse in that hospital who used to work in L&D and speaks highly of this group so I'm okay with that).

Sconesy..Cider

My due date for DS was the last week of June, and when I went for my next check up on July 1, Dr said July 4th was coming up so he scheduled an induction for that night. My body wasn't near ready and only by some miracle did I avoid a C-Section.* DS was 8 lbs, so it's not like he was growing massive or anything.
*My nurse was terrible. I'm convinced that she was ready for her vacation, which is why she kept messing with my pitocin and epidural levels. She told me multiple times if I didn't have the baby soon, I'd be getting a c section. She left sometime during my 3 hours of pushing, and a different, more patient nurse came in.
Just my experience with a holiday's-almost-here induction. Speak up for yourself and the baby and carefully weigh your options.

KMKaiser07

ClaireBear90 said:

kynbar5 said:

MNGrl24 said:

What if your baby very large? Ftm as well (so I'm kind of clueless, and I'm not advocating for early inductions) but under what circumstances would you be induced on or before your due date? My baby has been measuring 2 weeks ahead and my due date is 100% accurate, so he's just going to be a big.

Scans that tell the size of the baby are notoriously off. Also, I've seen women birth some pretty large children (think 12-14 lbs) vaginally. I was told I was going to have a "very large" boy and he was about 9 1/2 when they were saying over 10. That's still the biggest one I've given birth to but it's amazing what our bodies can do!

Yeah, measurements from scans seem like a joke, I've never heard of someone being given an accurate weight from one. A friend of mine had a scheduled c-section because her second baby was "going to be big." Ended up being her smallest baby by far and when she later had a VBAC, she had a 10 pound baby. I had a hard time delivering my 9.5 pound baby and I'd rather not go through that again, but I'm still not going to go for an induction or elective c-section "just in case." I know too many women who have been told that their baby is going to be big and gone on to have 6 or 7 pound babies.

We were actually one of the few who were given a weight estimate that ended up being 100% accurate. When we were told 9lbs 7 oz I freaked out but the tech assured me it's never right and can go 20% either way (great, 11 lb possibility!). Come delivery time, they weigh our son and he was 9lbs 7oz. The doctor was so shocked she had to go call the tech while I was still recovering just to tell her the baby she scanned the day before was spot on for weight haha.

kynbar5

KMKaiser07 said:

ClaireBear90 said:

kynbar5 said:

MNGrl24 said:

What if your baby very large? Ftm as well (so I'm kind of clueless, and I'm not advocating for early inductions) but under what circumstances would you be induced on or before your due date? My baby has been measuring 2 weeks ahead and my due date is 100% accurate, so he's just going to be a big.

Scans that tell the size of the baby are notoriously off. Also, I've seen women birth some pretty large children (think 12-14 lbs) vaginally. I was told I was going to have a "very large" boy and he was about 9 1/2 when they were saying over 10. That's still the biggest one I've given birth to but it's amazing what our bodies can do!

Yeah, measurements from scans seem like a joke, I've never heard of someone being given an accurate weight from one. A friend of mine had a scheduled c-section because her second baby was "going to be big." Ended up being her smallest baby by far and when she later had a VBAC, she had a 10 pound baby. I had a hard time delivering my 9.5 pound baby and I'd rather not go through that again, but I'm still not going to go for an induction or elective c-section "just in case." I know too many women who have been told that their baby is going to be big and gone on to have 6 or 7 pound babies.

We were actually one of the few who were given a weight estimate that ended up being 100% accurate. When we were told 9lbs 7 oz I freaked out but the tech assured me it's never right and can go 20% either way (great, 11 lb possibility!). Come delivery time, they weigh our son and he was 9lbs 7oz. The doctor was so shocked she had to go call the tech while I was still recovering just to tell her the baby she scanned the day before was spot on for weight haha.

The doctor was probably just as shocked as everyone because that's the very 1st time I've ever heard of that happening lol.

kmejia2

My daughter was induced due to medical reasons i was in labor for two days due to more medical reason she was born on thanksgiving around dinner time by my awesome OB. You cant try and control everything giving life is a bit of a miracles and miracles follow thier own rules

ClaireBear90

kitteh81 said:

My certified nurse midwives wanted to induce me with my last pregnancy, and I'm pretty sure it was because of the upcoming 4th of July. I wasn't even a week over my due date when they issued me a prescription for an induction and I was shocked. I really didn't expect that from midwives! Luckily I went into labor naturally the day before my scheduled induction, because otherwise I just planned to "forget" the appointment and wait till my body did its thing.

How far along would you have been at the time of your induction? My midwifery practice schedules a non-stress test for 41 weeks, an ultrasound, and an induction at 42 weeks for every single woman. I haven't challenged it yet because I haven't reached 42 weeks, but I would not be happily going along with it if I reached that point and there was no evidence of anything being wrong. I don't blame you for planning to "forget."

oceanchild

MNGrl24 said:

What if your baby very large? Ftm as well (so I'm kind of clueless, and I'm not advocating for early inductions) but under what circumstances would you be induced on or before your due date? My baby has been measuring 2 weeks ahead and my due date is 100% accurate, so he's just going to be a big.

my friend was induced at 39w for a "big baby" (and then c-sectioned when she failed to progress bc her baby/body wasn't ready). her husband is 6'4" and she is 5'10" and they are both of very large build too. Her scans measured the baby at "almost 12 pounds" ... her baby at birth (after during L&D and all) was 8#12oz, (a mere 4oz heavier and the same length as my last unmedicated vaginal birth). 
they told me during an ultrasound with my first baby that he was measuring smaller, around 7lbs, and he was 8#4oz at birth. i don't trust the sizing the give at those scans.

lexievelyn8179

Yeah, my cousin is getting induced tomorrow. They were originally going to induce on Monday, but her doctor wasn't the one on duty. Everyone in mine and my doctor's families can get over it. I'm not getting induced just to avoid having her on a holiday.