Induction at 41 weeks?

Haley.Beth

I know that 11 weeks is kind of early for me to be worrying about this, but it's been on my mind ever since my first doc appointment a couple weeks ago. I was talking to the nurse, and she mentioned that my doctor automatically induces at 41 weeks. Period. No questions asked.

 Is that normal? It just seemed a little strange to me to set a specific deadline at 41 weeks. This is my first, and I'm set on having as natural of a birth as I can, even though there are no midwives or birthing centers in my area. I'll get to talk to my doctor in person on Thursday, and I plan to ask him about this in more detail. But for now, it's been on my mind, and is pretty discouraging to think about, since this doctor is really the only one in town I would trust (the others have ridiculously high cs rates and I've heard horrible things).

laurasuzanne2006

he really can't force you to be induced at 41 weeks

Haley.Beth

That's been my thought, too. If they try to schedule one I probably just won't show up, but I'll deal with that in 30 weeks. I think I'm more worried about the fact he may not be as accepting of my natural birth ideas as I was hoping. I was looking forward to my pregnancy and birth, but now I'm worried I'll be fighting someone at every step.

Texas77again

it is kinda early to worry, but it is good that you know now.  it's always bad when women find out about this when they are 40w6d. 

i would def encourage you to talk to your dr at your next appt and tell him that you are not keen on this plan and what other options are there. 

where do you live?  if you are interested in using a mw maybe there is one in a nearby state?  you could travel to her?  just trying to think of options. 

Texas77again

Haley.Beth:

That's been my thought, too. If they try to schedule one I probably just won't show up, but I'll deal with that in 30 weeks. I think I'm more worried about the fact he may not be as accepting of my natural birth ideas as I was hoping. I was looking forward to my pregnancy and birth, but now I'm worried I'll be fighting someone at every step.

ok, so there are a few problems with just not showing up for an induction.  in the past i thought this was a good idea, but i don't anymore. 

first of all how far are you willing to go before you do decide that you need some extra help?  how do you check on baby's wellbeing during that time?  depending on where you live whenever you do go to the hosp to have your baby you might get your dr anyway. 

let's say you decide not to go for your induction, what would your plan be?

CurbsideProphet

41 weeks sounds early to me. A due date is just an estimate. I think anything within two weeks on either side of your due date would be considered normal. My Bradley instructor said the ave delivery date for first time moms is 41 weeks 1 day.

Sharon21

I think 41 weeks is too early. I had my first DD at 41w 4 days without being induced. I have also heard as PP mentioned that 41w and 1day is average for first time moms.

You definitely need to talk to your doctor about your plans and get him on the same page as you. Let him know what you want and don't let him talk you out of it. This is your birth and you need to be your own advocate. Unfortunately if your provider doesn't share your views you might have to fight every step of the way. Good Luck!

nosoup4u

Sounds sketchy. This is a good post about what sort of questions to ask: https://birthsen.tmdhosting930.com/?p=769

You have every right as a patient to refuse induction, but it definitely helps to stay polite while you're doing it, and offer an alternative (like non-stress tests every few days). FWIW, both my sons came at or after 41 weeks - some women are just slower at gestating. 

It's never too early to know what your provider's thoughts about low-intervention birth are. Good luck!

textbookcase

My doctor induced me at 42 weeks. He would have gone longer (I wasn't dilated,softened, or anything) but my amniotic fluid levels were dropping. You have rights to refuse inductions if your body isn't ready to have baby yet.

MustanGTbaby13

If you and baby are healthy...I wouldn't agree to an induction at 41 weeks for the sake of inducing at 41 weeks. If however, there are significant health risks to prolonging the pregnancy, than agreeing to the 41 week induction would seem reasonable.

Ask about doing semiweekly or twice a week NST, BPPs ultrasounds to check on the health of the baby once you are past 41. Most OBs will view women past their due date as higher risk (even if no higher risk exists) and therefore worry about liability. It would be highly unlikely to find an OB that will allow you to go beyond 42 weeks...and many women, myself included, start to feel uncomfortable with the idea as well.

pinksweetpea2

I personally would find a new care provider.  Your current OB is obviously not supportive of natural birth and I can bet you a ton that if he takes such a strong stance on dates (which is not statistically supported by real research), he will come up with other "problems" later in the pregnancy as you near birth. 

I think you know your OB is not a good match...you would not be worrying about it already if you didn't.

GL  

Haley.Beth

Texas77again:

ok, so there are a few problems with just not showing up for an induction.  in the past i thought this was a good idea, but i don't anymore. 

first of all how far are you willing to go before you do decide that you need some extra help?  how do you check on baby's wellbeing during that time?  depending on where you live whenever you do go to the hosp to have your baby you might get your dr anyway. 

let's say you decide not to go for your induction, what would your plan be?

 

I guess saying "not show up" is a bad way to put that. But if baby and I are still completely healthy at 41 weeks, I would probably tell my doctor I want to wait a little longer for natural labor to start, probably trying more natural methods (anything but Pitocin, I'm almost positive if we're both healthy at 41 weeks I WILL refuse Pitocin, as I've seen what it's done to a couple friends of mine). If something came up, though, I would do whatever is best for me and my baby, obviously. The women in my family are notorious for carrying babies longer, though. I live in rural East Texas, there is one hospital in my town. The next closest hospital is an hour away, and the closest certified midwife is 2 hours away. So my choices are pretty limited.

cottonlily84

You can always ask questions!  And say no too.  He works for you remember.  I agree with the PP who stated EDD are just that, an estimation.  Having a fast rule about inductions is not cool.  I would def talk with him about that, about natural birth in general.  You'd be surprised.  Some drs will literally laugh at you, like just wait til you're in agonizing labor and tell me you want it naturally....  Luckily I talked to my dr about natural birth (and how I really wanted a midwife not him LOL) and not only was he supportive he told me this awesome story about the most "together" woman he'd seen laboring in almost 20 years, young and doing it au naturale ;-).  That was so encouraging!

eli_and_jeff

I'd talk to your OB about it. IMO 41 weeks is little early for an automatic induction (no medical complications indicated, of course). Usually the worry zone doesn't kick in until 10-14 days past your due date. But I wouldn't switch doctors until you've had a frank discussion about his policy and why it's his policy. If he knows what you want, he might surprise you.

I thought for sure that my OB would be scheduling an induction and recommending an epidural because I'm on heparin for a clotting issue, but he's all for an unmedicated birth and hiring a doula. He even recommended a few doulas and some birthing classes. Always better to ask