induction at 38 weeks ?

hailey1312

I had my nst today and my midwife came in and was talking to me. She said she as on the phone with mfm perinatologist that they use for my ultrasounds. They take his advice on things like inductions and such. Anyway, she said she was talking to him about another gal that had hypertension (which I also have and is why I am on bp med and doing the NST's ) Anyway, he had put in the report on this particular girl that she should be delivered at 39 weeks due to the hypertension, but then told my midwife on the phone 38 weeks. She asked, him to clarify since he'd said one thing in his report and another to her on the phone. He told her 38 weeks is when he usually delivers hypertensive gals, he wasn't sure why he put down 39 weeks. Anyway, they had also told me 39 weeks, due to the same reason, so she said, now it is looking like we should do it at 38 weeks, (do to what the MFM doctor said. )

So I have been really nervous about induction and wanted to go natural. I thought I would have more time, but now I don't. She knows this and will help me work toward that if at all possible. She said I can try evening primrose oil, red raspberry leaf, sex, pressure points. They can also strip my membranes. (I am almost 35 weeks now, so would be waiting till 36-37 weeks before trying this) She said they would try to ripen my cervix with cervadil or cytotec for 2 days if I wasn't dilated, prior to actually inducing me so that the pit would work better. 
I am just nervous and really don't want to be induced at all, but I thought I"d have more time to let my body do things naturally since they originally said 39 weeks.
Has anyone heard of being induced this early for hypertension/bp meds? I know alot of people can deliver safely that early on their own, so I'm not too worried about that, but I just don't understand, why waiting till 39 would hurt anything. Technically by conception I am 4 days ahead of what they say by my due date anyway.

jesh1111

i wouldnt worry about 38 weeks being too early for the baby (technically 38 weeks 4 days) but wait till 37 weeks to start the more natural methods like lots of sex! 

RhinoBaby

I was induced at 38weeks 4days w/ DD.  I had pregnancy induced hypertenion but not on meds. Plus my doc was going on vacation.  He hadn't planned on letting me go f/t from the beginning.  I was really nervous about it. I really wanted things to happen in their own time.  I felt guilty about pushing her out when she wasn't ready.  Anyway, I pushed but the cord was wrapped around her neck so I ended up w/ an emergency c-section.  38 weeks isn't too early.  Good luck!