Does this seem early?

PSUwifey

So at my last weekly appt I met with the "other" OB at the practice I go to.  I put other in quotes because there are only 2 doctors at this practice and the whole time I have only ever met (or even seen) the one doctor.  But because there's no telling who will be on call when I go into labor, I made it a point to see the second doctor at my last appt.  While she was nice and competent, I definitely like the doctor I usually see better (probably just because I have known her for longer, etc.) Any way, not the point.

Toward the end of my appt, she looks at me (at the time I was just 38 weeks) and she asks,"Has anyone spoken to you about induction?" I told her that no, one had.  And she looks at my chart and then at a calendar and says, Ok, you are due on 2/26 - which is a Saturday.  If you still have not gone into labor by 2/25, you will come into the office and we will get the paperwork started so you can be induced on Monday 2/28." I was a little surprised, but didn't really ask too many questions - as I was caught a bit off guard.

And now I am thinking that that seems a little fast to be planning an induction.  Especially when I see on this board that so many women are running a little over. 

What do you all think? Is there any benefit to waiting a little longer to be induced?

I am certainly not worried that the baby won't be developed. 40 weeks is 40 weeks. And, I am not personally against being induced if I am overdue. I generally am of the belief that when it comes to medical decisions, you find a doctor you trust and you follow their guidance - or else find another doctor. I think I was just really caught off-guard by the timing of it all.

Thoughts?

christyp80

It seems early to start mentioning specific dates.  Although I would actually love to know so far in advance that there is a definite eviction date!!

Pennilyn Novus

It seems early.  My OB's office won't start talking induction until 41wks and a handful of days.  You don't have to be induced if you don't want to.  I've heard a lot of successful induction stories that end with vaginal births, but I've also heard a lot more induction stories than natural birth stories ending in c/s.  If your body isn't ready, sometimes, no amount of medicine will make it any readier.

steenie41

Yes, it seems way too early to be talking induction. As long as you are doing well and the baby is moving normally and has a good heart rate, there is no medical reason to induce before 42 weeks. If they are concerned about your health or the baby's size or something, that is different, but the majority of 1st time moms deliver naturally between 40 and 41 weeks.

PSUwifey

steenie41:

Yes, it seems way too early to be talking induction. As long as you are doing well and the baby is moving normally and has a good heart rate, there is no medical reason to induce before 42 weeks. If they are concerned about your health or the baby's size or something, that is different, but the majority of 1st time moms deliver naturally between 40 and 41 weeks.

Nope. My health is fine and as far as I know so is LO's. 

PSUwifey

Pennilyn Novus:

It seems early.  My OB's office won't start talking induction until 41wks and a handful of days.  You don't have to be induced if you don't want to.  I've heard a lot of successful induction stories that end with vaginal births, but I've also heard a lot more induction stories than natural birth stories ending in c/s.  If your body isn't ready, sometimes, no amount of medicine will make it any readier.

This is my main concern and I intend to bring it up at my appt on Monday.  I scar very badly, internally and externally.  In fact, I had an appendectomy when I was 8 and had scar tissue form internally (back when I was 8 appendectomies weren't as minimally invasive as they are today, on top of the fact that my appendix actually ruptured), and when I was 17, these "adhesions" were so severe (and choking my ovaries) that I needed a second (less invasive) surgery remove to remove them.  I want to avoid c/s at all costs (unless of course it's absolutely necessary for the well-being of my daughter) because I am mostly worried that scar tissue will then form inside my uterus, making it difficult/impossible to have more children.

If induction is going to increase my chances of needing a c/s, then I want to delay as long as possible! I mean, I still have 9 days before I have to really worry about it, so maybe it won't even come to that. But it's been on my mind.

AACraven85

Sounds exactly like my last appointment! I was 39 weeks exactly and my doctor wanted to break out the calendar to schedule an induction. I thought it was a little premature to discuss, given that I haven't even passed my EDD. I told her no way jose we will discuss induction if I haven't delivered by 41 weeks and not a second sooner, unless there is some underlying medical issue (there are none at this point). Stick to your guns, and do what you're comfortable with.