Asking to be Induced...

Catherine0130

Hi! FTM here I really want to ask my doctor to be induced at 39 weeks.  Aside from bad pelvic/back pain I don't have any real medical reasons to want this... But I have a few non medical:

1- A scheduled induction would be much better for my work schedule
2- Although my husband will be there for the birth, I really want my mom there more than anything. She lives 11 hours away, so if we induce she can be present.
3- We are pretty sure baby boy is a little on the large side! Growth scan indicated 7.2lbs at 36w 6days. I know that isn't HUGE (and I know those can be off), but when you take into account the fact that I was 10lbs at birth, and my DH was 9...  It makes me think this little guy might be on the hefty side.

Do you think my doc could possibly go for it? How do I bring this up? 

Sarcasm101

Catherine0130 said:

Hi! FTM here I really want to ask my doctor to be induced at 39 weeks.  Aside from bad pelvic/back pain I don't have any real medical reasons to want this... But I have a few non medical:

1- A scheduled induction would be much better for my work schedule
2- Although my husband will be there for the birth, I really want my mom there more than anything. She lives 11 hours away, so if we induce she can be present.
3- We are pretty sure baby boy is a little on the large side! Growth scan indicated 7.2lbs at 36w 6days. I know that isn't HUGE (and I know those can be off), but when you take into account the fact that I was 10lbs at birth, and my DH was 9...  It makes me think this little guy might be on the hefty side.

Do you think my doc could possibly go for it? How do I bring this up? 

No. Do not ask your doctor this. When you got pregnant you signed up for 40 full weeks. Your baby will come when he is ready.

Convenience is not a valid reason. And FWIW growth scan can vary by +/- 2 pounds.

taysun

I honestly don't think you're going to get too many positive responses to this. Generally inducing for non medical reasons, and discomfort and size are pretty non medical, is thought poorly of on these forums. 
Now putting that aside, inductions can be unpleasant and slow. They do have a higher cesarean risk. Not only that, but you could easily deliver a 10 pound baby with no tearing. Size doesn't really indicate ease of delivery. I pushed for 3 hours and needed vacuum assistance with my 5 pounder and needed stitches for two tears and had a couple small ones that didn't need stitches. 
Just wait. 

dragonfly321

Seriously?!
Every single reason you listed is pure selfish. I hope your doctor tells you so. 

Catherine0130

ohhhhhh kay, sorry. First time mom, accidentally pregnant, doing this alone, have no idea what I'm doing. That's why I asked. Didn't realize I was going to be attacked by other moms!  Geeze this place is awful.

dragonfly321

Oh my god. Nobody is attacking you. I have never had a child, my pregnancy was unplanned and even I know how selfish it would be to ask my doctor to induce me because of some bullshit speshul excuse.
Lurk a while... Scroll down a couple posts and you'll see how people feel about asking for a special date. The people on this site are not awful. We just get sick and tired of seeing the same damn posts over and over. 

yodapup

Catherine0130 said:

Hi! FTM here I really want to ask my doctor to be induced at 39 weeks.  Aside from bad pelvic/back pain I don't have any real medical reasons to want this... But I have a few non medical:

1- A scheduled induction would be much better for my work schedule
2- Although my husband will be there for the birth, I really want my mom there more than anything. She lives 11 hours away, so if we induce she can be present.
3- We are pretty sure baby boy is a little on the large side! Growth scan indicated 7.2lbs at 36w 6days. I know that isn't HUGE (and I know those can be off), but when you take into account the fact that I was 10lbs at birth, and my DH was 9...  It makes me think this little guy might be on the hefty side.

Do you think my doc could possibly go for it? How do I bring this up? 

Qfp

You're doing this alone but your husband will be there??

Catherine0130

Husband will be there - but we are separated and he did not want this baby. Any who. Yeah, you guys are really rude. I hope you don't treat every naive first time mom like this. You're probably raising blood pressure and causing unwanted stress and even complications with your crappy attitudes and snarky comments. 

LadySamLady

PhoebeJune1984

seckenrode

Hopefully this is just MUD. At this point no one has an excuse to say things like this and then claim they are being attacked. Sheesh. 

dragonfly321

seckenrode said:

Hopefully this is just MUD. At this point no one has an excuse to say things like this and then claim they are being attacked. Sheesh. 

But speshul!!! 

doozer1345

Catherine0130 said:

Husband will be there - but we are separated and he did not want this baby. Any who. Yeah, you guys are really rude. I hope you don't treat every naive first time mom like this. You're probably raising blood pressure and causing unwanted stress and even complications with your crappy attitudes and snarky comments. 

You have no effect on anyone's blood pressure. I promise. Thanks for the concern though.

wildtot

I am a FTM currently 31weeks, on bedrest/disability, baby measuring about 3 wks ahead, and having a scheduled c section for medical reasons at 39 wks. The baby measuring ahead is not the reason. I am hoping this baby stays till then! I am the main bread winner and disability alone is an inconvenience but oh well it's what I have to do. 

Your reasons are not valid reasons to induce early. No one ever said that going into delivery is "convenient" for anyone. It would be selfish to do this for your convenience rather than letting your baby come when he's ready. Why not have your mom come over to be with you around your due date? If your uncomfortable maybe she can help you out before hand to allow you to rest more? Your doctor would of already brought up any induction if he felt it was necessary. My doctor won't even do a c section before 39 because there is no medical reason for it at this point. 

I dont think these ladies are being rude. It's the fact that these questions are constantly asked and begin to get annoying. Read around a bit and use the search option. If these sorts of responses are causing you any sort of stress then maybe it's not the place for you.

edited for typo

LIly436

**Removed for TOU Violation***

sarawifenow

**Removed for TOU Violation**

yogahh

**Removed for TOU Violation**

KateLouise

Have you explored the risks of induction? Yes it has a higher risk of ending in c-section, but do you know why that is? It's because there's a higher risk of your baby going into fetal distress, which basically means baby's oxygen supply is compromised, and there is a greater risk of baby passing meconium inutero.

Now obviously even without induction you could end up with a problem during labour and need a c-section, but do you really want to add to the risks because it's more convenient for you.

I was induced with my 3rd at 40 weeks because of GD. I was given a bit of choice over doing it that day or waiting a couple of days. I was told waiting would mean the risk of stillbirth went up. Not a fun choice to make. 

Also so your baby might be large, but that doesn't mean anything. My second baby was 10lbs 2oz, natural labour with no tearing or any issues. Size really does't affect ease of delivery.

ETA: no one is causing complications by giving their opinion.

PugsandKisses

No one is attacking you. We are telling you that a induction with out a medical reason is worth the risks. Also, big baby is not a valid reasons. Social inductions are not acceptable reasons and go against everything ACOG stands for. Having children are not convenient, as soon as you understand that, parenting will be much better (meaning less stressful).

smount2011

I'm 38 weeks and I am having pelvic pain so bad I was taken out of work- I can't get into my house without help, I can't get in or out of bed, or in or out of the shower neither. It gets so bad I cry. A LOT. I'm still not asking for an induction.  I'm blessed to make it this far after my first was born at 32 weeks and it took us years to conceive this one.  If I can suffer for 2 more weeks, so can you. All the other "reasons" you gave are just excuses.

And BTW- my baby is also measuring large- was 7lbs. 14 oz. At 35 weeks and I'm having another ultrasound on Monday (I'll be 38+4) to see if he's grown even bigger. 

MandahGirly

A week is really not a big deal in the grand scheme of things. I was 4 days overdue when I had my baby. Yeah those 4 extra days were brutal but you deal with it. FWIW my baby was measuring 8lbs5oz at 38weeks and was born 8lbs6oz so inducing for a suspected big baby is BS in my opinion. Baby will come when they are ready. As much as you want that baby to come out cherish your last few days as a non-parent. 

kyraaD

Catherine0130 said:

Hi! FTM here I really want to ask my doctor to be induced at 39 weeks.  Aside from bad pelvic/back pain I don't have any real medical reasons to want this... But I have a few non medical:

1- A scheduled induction would be much better for my work schedule
2- Although my husband will be there for the birth, I really want my mom there more than anything. She lives 11 hours away, so if we induce she can be present.
3- We are pretty sure baby boy is a little on the large side! Growth scan indicated 7.2lbs at 36w 6days. I know that isn't HUGE (and I know those can be off), but when you take into account the fact that I was 10lbs at birth, and my DH was 9...  It makes me think this little guy might be on the hefty side.

Do you think my doc could possibly go for it? How do I bring this up? 

i stopped reading your post after you said "i have no medical reasons to want this...". this is definitely on my top 5 list of most selfish posts I've come across on TB. & btw, being uncomfortable is not a medical reason. 

kyraaD

**Removed for TOU Violation**

mrstmoose

No one wants to be induced OP. So yes, your post comes off as selfish because none of it's for your baby's health, it's for your own well being. None of us are super comfortable right now but you don't see us running to our OB's begging for an induction. Your whole life is now doing what is right for your baby, not necessarily you.

No, we aren't being rude. It's a public forum and we are being honest. Big difference. 

dragonfly321

GAaaah what's the point.
She made her sneuaflake post, we told her why it was a bad idea, she called us all mean names and told us we were awful people who made others have blood pressure issues and disappeared. #allinadayswork 
well done ladies... We've maintained our awesome status for another day!!!  

WinniethePoohsPants

**Removed for TOU Violation**

ecwk

**Removed for TOU Violation**

meg_2006

Aww man, I really wanna see what was removed!

OP, if you're looking for baby to be convenient you're in for a rude awakening.  Nothing about having a child is convenient, might as well get used to it.  You should be focusing on what's best for baby right now, not what's best for self.  And that means baby coming when BABY is ready.  

Also, many of us have pushed out large babies- myself included.  NBD.

blissylissy86

@meg_2006 it was a comparison to the ladies on here who are reasonable people as being part of Hitlers army. 

Hopefully that was vague enough to not be removed  

jonesl12

This has got to be MUD. Nobody in their right mind would ask to be induced for non medical reasons as selfish as the above. 
Also the fact that it says " we" and " husband" sure doesn't sound like op will be doing anything alone so I'm calling MUD all day long on this one. 

SarahFoley725

Sure you could ask but if your doctor felt like it was necessary they would have discussed that with you. 

alohasoprano

I think my doctor's office must be pretty sick of getting this type of question because there is a detailed info graphic  in each room detailing why they will not take requests to schedule inductions. It basically says if you need to be induced the doctor will discuss it with you, otherwise, don't bring it up and plan on going into labor. It talks about why it's so much safer for both mom and baby to wait. 

SisterMaryNapalm

Catherine0130 said:

Hi! FTM here I really want to ask my doctor to be induced at 39 weeks.  Aside from bad pelvic/back pain I don't have any real medical reasons to want this... But I have a few non medical:

1- A scheduled induction would be much better for my work schedule
2- Although my husband will be there for the birth, I really want my mom there more than anything. She lives 11 hours away, so if we induce she can be present.
3- We are pretty sure baby boy is a little on the large side! Growth scan indicated 7.2lbs at 36w 6days. I know that isn't HUGE (and I know those can be off), but when you take into account the fact that I was 10lbs at birth, and my DH was 9...  It makes me think this little guy might be on the hefty side.

Do you think my doc could possibly go for it? How do I bring this up? 

No, don't do it. 
1. The reasons why women are not generally induced for non medical reasons are that there are risks both to you and your baby. 

2. 40 weeks is term. Your baby is still developing and needs the extra time to cook. I will most likely be induced at ~38w if my twins don't come earlier. They will be at higher risk for a number of issues and I honestly don't know why anyone would risk their baby's health unless they had to.

3. Your reasons are not sufficient to balance the risks an early induction would pose to you and your LO.

I am surprised at your reaction to PPs responses. I'm holding back but it was quite frankly rude. Google could have told you this was a bad idea and why, these ladies only had you and your LOs health in mind. 

FiancB

There was a time that docs did this fairly regularly. They saw those last two weeks as optional, and the trend was for birth to be pretty high intervention anyway- routine episiotomies, for example. Turns out, babies really do need that extra time to fatten up and breathe better, and it's important for brain development as well. Plus, induction should only be done as a last resort, as the contractions are very intense and greatly increases the risk for fetal distress. Baby has trouble breathing when they're being crammed on by long, hard contractions that just keep coming, and fetal stress also increases the chance of meconium being passed in utero, which is very dangerous- it even makes the chance of you having an embolism much more likely. 

No one was mean. It would be mean to suggest that this is acceptable, because that's not in baby's best interest. Plus, this is information that can easily be gained via google. It has nothing to do with being a FTM, it has to do with taking the time and energy to inform yourself. It's not really something that's open to discussion. 

People kind of go around with the assumption that medical care is so good, that any of their bad decisions can be handled or fixed. There is still a very real chance of maternal or fetal death, and it's especially ridiculously high in the US. Why anyone would want to increase that chance by even a smidgen because they don't want to deal with discomfort for a few more days is beyond me. 

J1D

Catherine0130 said:

Hi! FTM here I really want to ask my doctor to be induced at 39 weeks.  Aside from bad pelvic/back pain I don't have any real medical reasons to want this... But I have a few non medical:

1- A scheduled induction would be much better for my work schedule
2- Although my husband will be there for the birth, I really want my mom there more than anything. She lives 11 hours away, so if we induce she can be present.
3- We are pretty sure baby boy is a little on the large side! Growth scan indicated 7.2lbs at 36w 6days. I know that isn't HUGE (and I know those can be off), but when you take into account the fact that I was 10lbs at birth, and my DH was 9...  It makes me think this little guy might be on the hefty side.

Do you think my doc could possibly go for it? How do I bring this up? 

Edit to add:

If you know you will be induced for medical reasons, don't read this! Go relax and don't worry, yeah? Babies! Think about your beautiful baby! Don't read this Just don't read this, go do other things that aren't reading this

Op, yeah, no. Let's not even argue the right or wrong of it, have you googled what an induction actually is? Cause, um, how do I put this? 
They suck.
They suck hard.
I've heard it's not too bad for some but for me it was terrible. I had to be induced at 38 weeks due to severe preeclampsia. I was zero dialated and not effaced and baby was all the way up there (not dropped into position yet.) About the only thing I had going for me was little dude was head down.
Anyhoo, they shove things in your cervix which is a blast when that sucker is closed up tight! They can try a pill thing of meds shoved into your cervix but if that doesn't work they shove a balloon catheter deal up there, fill it with saline and then TUG on that mo-fo till it comes out. Which, by the way, when it comes out with your mucus plug is freaking gross.Also, having people with their hands and equipment all up in you kinda starts to hurt a whole lot after the ten billionth medical fisting, just sayin'. Then once you are dialated to 4 cm the real fun begins! The pic drip and non stop contractions from h-e-double hockey sticks. Those bad boys roll in one on top of the other. Eventually, if you are lucky, your body gets with the program and a healthy baby comes out of your vagina. If you are unlucky you went through all that and end up with a c section.
I was in labor for 45 hours and it was not fun. My kiddo and body thankfully cooperated and I was able to eventually deliver vaginally with no real further complications. One of my besties however, who had to be induced, labored for 36 hours and then had to have a c section.
Btw, by 36 weeks I had to use a cane to walk and needed help in and out of bed, needed a cane to get on and off the toilet, needed a shower chair cause I couldn't stand long enough to shower, by 37 weeks I was a crying lump of dispare and by 38 weeks I was honestly considering stepping in front of a bus or something. So I do actually understand how painful the last month's and weeks of pregnancy can be, but induction is not a cake walk. 
There are also risks for baby and my poor buddy was jaundiced from the preeclampsia/induction/being born early and that wasn't fun for him or us.
Get some more pillows, get a heating pad for your hips, if you can afford if get one of those portable blow up hot tubs that you can set to a very warm temp but not hot-hot and live in said tub (it's the only thing that saved my sanity), eat some ice cream, get some games on your phone and be patient. 
Baby will come when baby is ready.
Inductions are not fun and should not be thought of as a convenience.
P.S. my bill before insurance was $38,000. No joke. I have good insurance so I didn't pay that but my friend who was induced, also for valid medical reasons? She ended up paying $10,000+ when all was said and done so it's also not cheap.

dragonfly321

J1D said:

Catherine0130 said:

Hi! FTM here I really want to ask my doctor to be induced at 39 weeks.  Aside from bad pelvic/back pain I don't have any real medical reasons to want this... But I have a few non medical:

1- A scheduled induction would be much better for my work schedule
2- Although my husband will be there for the birth, I really want my mom there more than anything. She lives 11 hours away, so if we induce she can be present.
3- We are pretty sure baby boy is a little on the large side! Growth scan indicated 7.2lbs at 36w 6days. I know that isn't HUGE (and I know those can be off), but when you take into account the fact that I was 10lbs at birth, and my DH was 9...  It makes me think this little guy might be on the hefty side.

Do you think my doc could possibly go for it? How do I bring this up? 

Edit to add:

If you know you will be induced for medical reasons, don't read this! Go relax and don't worry, yeah? Babies! Think about your beautiful baby! Don't read this Just don't read this, go do other things that aren't reading this

Op, yeah, no. Let's not even argue the right or wrong of it, have you googled what an induction actually is? Cause, um, how do I put this? 
They suck.
They suck hard.
I've heard it's not too bad for some but for me it was terrible. I had to be induced at 38 weeks due to severe preeclampsia. I was zero dialated and not effaced and baby was all the way up there (not dropped into position yet.) About the only thing I had going for me was little dude was head down.
Anyhoo, they shove things in your cervix which is a blast when that sucker is closed up tight! They can try a pill thing of meds shoved into your cervix but if that doesn't work they shove a balloon catheter deal up there, fill it with saline and then TUG on that mo-fo till it comes out. Which, by the way, when it comes out with your mucus plug is freaking gross.Also, having people with their hands and equipment all up in you kinda starts to hurt a whole lot after the ten billionth medical fisting, just sayin'. Then once you are dialated to 4 cm the real fun begins! The pic drip and non stop contractions from h-e-double hockey sticks. Those bad boys roll in one on top of the other. Eventually, if you are lucky, your body gets with the program and a healthy baby comes out of your vagina. If you are unlucky you went through all that and end up with a c section.
I was in labor for 45 hours and it was not fun. My kiddo and body thankfully cooperated and I was able to eventually deliver vaginally with no real further complications. One of my besties however, who had to be induced, labored for 36 hours and then had to have a c section.
Btw, by 36 weeks I had to use a cane to walk and needed help in and out of bed, needed a cane to get on and off the toilet, needed a shower chair cause I couldn't stand long enough to shower, by 37 weeks I was a crying lump of dispare and by 38 weeks I was honestly considering stepping in front of a bus or something. So I do actually understand how painful the last month's and weeks of pregnancy can be, but induction is not a cake walk. 
There are also risks for baby and my poor buddy was jaundiced from the preeclampsia/induction/being born early and that wasn't fun for him or us.
Get some more pillows, get a heating pad for your hips, if you can afford if get one of those portable blow up hot tubs that you can set to a very warm temp but not hot-hot and live in said tub (it's the only thing that saved my sanity), eat some ice cream, get some games on your phone and be patient. 
Baby will come when baby is ready.
Inductions are not fun and should not be thought of as a convenience.
P.S. my bill before insurance was $38,000. No joke. I have good insurance so I didn't pay that but my friend who was induced, also for valid medical reasons? She ended up paying $10,000+ when all was said and done so it's also not cheap.

But yes, OP. Go ahead and get induced because it will be convenient for you and you think birthing a "big" baby will be difficult.  

@J1DI am so sorry you (and friend) had to go through this. I seriously bet it drives you beyond BSC to see posts like this. 

sarahufl

Quick question for the group- exactly WHO is still comfortable this late in their pregnancies?!

J1D

@dragonfly321 eh, not really crazy exactly. More I kinda roll my eyes at the ignorance and think, "go ahead! Have fun with that! You'll learn."
It's not like I knew beforehand how terrible they were, but that being said I do think it's more than a little ridiculous to willing (blindly) want a very invasive and risky procedure, without researching what it really entails, just for funsies or "convenience." Cause I didn't find being more or less tortured very convenient. Not a pleasant experience.

fourtsixand2

sarahufl said:

Quick question for the group- exactly WHO is still comfortable this late in their pregnancies?!

Exactly.
I will gladly endure another 7 weeks of exhaustion, inability to sleep, and being generally uncomfortable to be sure my baby is fully developed.

sarahufl

fourtsixand2 said:

sarahufl said:

Quick question for the group- exactly WHO is still comfortable this late in their pregnancies?!

Exactly.
I will gladly endure another 7 weeks of exhaustion, inability to sleep, and being generally uncomfortable to be sure my baby is fully developed.

I've got six weeks (possibly 7) to go. And I'm struggling. But it has literally NEVER dawned on me to ask to "get out of it" before that. You are GROWING A CHILD. A helpless child who depends on you to take the best care of it you can. And trying to basically kick it out before it's ready because you don't like it anymore is just disgusting.

snowhite12

Catherine0130 said:

Hi! FTM here I really want to ask my doctor to be induced at 39 weeks.  Aside from bad pelvic/back pain I don't have any real medical reasons to want this... But I have a few non medical:

1- A scheduled induction would be much better for my work schedule
2- Although my husband will be there for the birth, I really want my mom there more than anything. She lives 11 hours away, so if we induce she can be present.
3- We are pretty sure baby boy is a little on the large side! Growth scan indicated 7.2lbs at 36w 6days. I know that isn't HUGE (and I know those can be off), but when you take into account the fact that I was 10lbs at birth, and my DH was 9...  It makes me think this little guy might be on the hefty side.

Do you think my doc could possibly go for it? How do I bring this up? 

hi Catherine,
I was a 10 pounder too but my LO only weighed 7lb 13oz full term. My husband was a whooping 7lb 8oz and he was the smaller twin!
My sister was 9lb and her LO was only 6lb 2oz full term. Needless to say we both had 3rd degree tears. I really dont think the size you were or your SO matter all that much and you can easily tear having a 5lb baby or not tear with a 10lb baby.