induction scheduled at 39 weeks...

jenweber03

So I had my 37 week appt today and I was 4cm dilated and 100% effaced. I have been having very painful braxton hicks this past week with shooting pains in my back, etc.. we discussed an induction on Dec 29th - i will be 39 weeks and I agreed to it. When i got home from my internal exam i noticed for the first time brown discharge in my undies and in the toilet which i discussed with the nurse and she said it is probably some of my mucus plug?!? I hope to go naturally... any thoughts on inductions at 39 weeks?? What are the risks?? How long after you see blood/brown discharge is it typically till true labor starts?? The nurse said she didnt think Id make it to the induction next week...

lnyost

Why do you want an induction at 39 weeks?  Not trying to sound snarky, just curious if there is a medical reason for it.  If not, wait until you go naturally-- inductions increase your chance of a c-section.

justadogmommy

I agree. I would wait to go natural. Seems like all MD's induce these days. I am a nurse and have seen hundreds of deliveries. sounds like wanting to deliver before end of year?

fyrefairie

theres no need to induce at 39 if you arent having other issues...if your desire is to go naturally then do so...as for lsoing the MP there's not reliable way to predict the onset of labor after that...could be hours, days or weeks

Mrs.MauiBride24

If you're wanting to go natural, I'd wait on the induction at 39 weeks.  Hopefully you'll go on your own sooner and you won't have to make that decision!

JLG95

lnyost:

Why do you want an induction at 39 weeks?  Not trying to sound snarky, just curious if there is a medical reason for it.  If not, wait until you go naturally-- inductions increase your chance of a c-section.

This is what I'm thinking....  and your induction date is so close to the new year, does your OB have plans for the 31st?

KRISTA555

 I'd wait it out.  You're gonna go soon anyway.  You can get through the BH contractions.  I know they're painful, but you can do it. Give yourself more credit.

And don't forget that Tylenol is safe for you.   I wouldn't have survived the last few weeks of my last pregnancy if it weren't for Tylenol PM.

n&bcarlson

Just to give a different perspective, I had a successful induction with DD at 38 weeks last time around (due to medical reasons) and was only 1cm dilated and about 50% effaced.  If the pain from your back and BH contractions is making you miserable, an induction is certainly a valid option to consider.

Rosebud2587

I was exactly where you were at 37 weeks and my OB also said she didn't think I'd make it another week. Well, DD was born at 42 weeks. Your dilation/effacement as well as when you loose your plug mean pretty much nothing for predicting when you'll go into labor. 

Also, I don't really understand why you'd agree to an induction at 39 weeks if you want to go naturally. It just makes no sense! Let your body go into labor on its own; it's better for you and better for your baby.  

PhysChic7685

Last time, I didn't lose any of my mucus plug until less than an hour before my labor started, though I know some people lose it days earlier.  I agree with the nurse that, if it is your mucus plug, you're unlikely to make it another week.

fyrefairie

n&bcarlson:

Just to give a different perspective, I had a successful induction with DD at 38 weeks last time around (due to medical reasons) and was only 1cm dilated and about 50% effaced.  If the pain from your back and BH contractions is making you miserable, an induction is certainly a valid option to consider.

I'm not sure this is about perspective...she says her desire is to go naturally so its now about pros and cons of induction...its about her desire to go naturally and having an induction scheduled...which I'm totally confused by if there's no medical reason...but have heard of some OBs who make it standard practice to schedule inductions...which would scare me off them in the first place, because barring medical reasons I can't understand how this puts mother and hcild first...seems more about the docs tee time to me

fyrefairie

now should have been "not"

elm306

A friend of mine was induced when she went in for her 39 week appt and she was already 4 cm dilated....they said it was because they feared she was more susceptible to an infection walking around 4cm dilated.  Not sure if that's true or not but that's what her doctor told her...

fyrefairie

maybe if her water had broken?  otherwise i know plenty of women who've walked around 4 cm whose docs weren't concerned....

pinksweetpea2

elm306:

A friend of mine was induced when she went in for her 39 week appt and she was already 4 cm dilated....they said it was because they feared she was more susceptible to an infection walking around 4cm dilated.  Not sure if that's true or not but that's what her doctor told her...

That is a load of crap.  There is no risk of infection based on dilation.  Where DO they get this nonsense??  

OP- if you really want to go natural (and have done any research at all), I really don't understand why you would agree to an induction at 39 weeks.    Your baby will come when he/she is ready and dilation and effacement means nothing until you are actually in labor. 

MotherMonster

pinksweetpea2:

elm306:

A friend of mine was induced when she went in for her 39 week appt and she was already 4 cm dilated....they said it was because they feared she was more susceptible to an infection walking around 4cm dilated.  Not sure if that's true or not but that's what her doctor told her...

That is a load of crap.  There is no risk of infection based on dilation.  Where DO they get this nonsense??  

OP- if you really want to go natural (and have done any research at all), I really don't understand why you would agree to an induction at 39 weeks.    Your baby will come when he/she is ready and dilation and effacement means nothing until you are actually in labor. 

This!

Seriously, an induction at 39 weeks is something they do more for high risk women than those who are having a normal uneventful pregnancy. I'm diabetic and I have to get induced if I don't have my baby by 38 weeks. However, if you're not high risk, you can go until 42 weeks even! I would wait it out and go for the birth you want vs. whatever kind they're trying to bully you into. 

Cinco

It sounds like you may be having some real contractions if your BH are that painful, and include shooting pains. Hopefully this means you will go on your own before the induction. I was 100% effaced and at 4cm at my 38w check up w/ non consistent contractions, and the OB let me go in to "speed things up". It worked well for me, and I would do it again with this baby. I was 5 cm by the time I was checked in, so they broke my water and I delivered 3 hours later ( no pictocin needed, but I did have an epidural). My first labor was only 3 hours, so that along with my progress, made me a very good candidate. Good luck!
RE: mucus plug, I delivered within 2 days of losing my mucus plug with both kids, but it is different for everyone.

novasouthanblond

Aren't inductions normally more painful? If you're body is ready, let it do its thing without assistance as long as it's safe for you and baby

kris_kelsey

about the discharge...probably have having your cervix examined.  The cervix has lots of blood vessels and as it gets stretched or stimulated it leaks blood.

about your induction:  most everyone on here will suggest that you skip the induction and wait.

My opinion as an L&D nurse:  you are very unlikely to still be pregnant in 13 days if your cervix truly is 4cm, 100%eff and you are having contractions on and off.  just see what happens.  and if you get to the end of your 38th week and don't want an induction, then you can cancel it.

leeann7

im 38 weeks and had an exam with my ob today and i as well will be induced on the 29th at 39 weeks. I dont see anything wrong with it. if your ob brought it up as mine did obviously he/she thinks you will be fine. and for the discharge and such i am having the same thing! never have i had any spotting or anything after an exam but this time im having alot of spotting and i have been having bloody pieces in the toilet after i use the restroom! Good luck to you!

HopingForOne

I don't really get why someone would want to be induced (unless there is a medical reason, of course) before they are even due...that just seems odd to me...if there is no medical reason, there is no benefit to it at this point, so I'm just kinda confused....you might save yourself a big hassle just by waiting even a few more days.

I'm not judging, I just honestly don't really get it...

barnwife

KRISTA555:

 I'd wait it out.  You're gonna go soon anyway.  You can get through the BH contractions.  I know they're painful, but you can do it. Give yourself more credit.

And don't forget that Tylenol is safe for you.   I wouldn't have survived the last few weeks of my last pregnancy if it weren't for Tylenol PM.

That may or may not be true. Yes, it's often included on "safe for pregnancy" lists. Drugs aren't tested on pregnant women. So all those lists are is a list of things that appear to be safe for now.

People once thought thalidomide (spelling) was safe too.
/rant because my intention really isn't to hijack this post.

OP, if you want to go natural, and there is no medical reason for induction, you can decline it. GL making the decision that is right for you.

revolution_breeze

If that is what you want and your ob is good with it..then go for it and good luck! I will ne induced at 39 weeks if I have some progress going on and not for medical reasons. It will be to have a family member lined up to watch DD so DH can be with me for delivery.

JustSomeChick

I would definitely decline an induction if there is no medical reason for it. Like previous posters have said, dilation is not a risk for infection (unless your water has broken,) and it really doesn't determine when you'll go into labor. I would just wait for labor to start on its own, especially since you're wanting to go natural. Induction does have its risks: increased risk of c-section, increased risk of uterine rupture, increased risk of fetal distress, etc.

textbookcase

I'm with everyone else. Induction pain is worse than letting your body go into labor on its own, naturally. I would decline an early induction unless there was a medical reason to have one. I had to have an induction at 42 weeks with dd2 because my amniotic fluid levels were dropping dangerously low. Doctors like to push inductions but honestly, it's better to just let your body do what it's going to do. You sound like you might go before that, anyhow.

ChavayJakov

While it *could* be the mucus plug, it is far far more likely to just be the natural course of things following a late term internal exam.  I had that today and during the VE I was not dilated one single bit.  You'll sometimes have the same result following sex.  

I'm also understanding that there may be some medically necessary reasons for a woman to seek an inducement at the 39th week though continue from there to have a completely unmedicated, natural birth.  (Not all "inducements" are chemical...there are options out there, like acupuncture/pressure points, and other "home remedies" that kinda help get things going at a lower level.)  What you've shared about braxton hicks pain would not in and of itself be enough to sanction an informed decision towards medically inducement, in my opinion.  I'm having shooting pains also...has your doctor talked to you about seeking someone in the chiropractic or physical therapy field to help alieviate those pains?  Mine thought sciatic nerve pain (very common) was all my complaint was...and it turned out there was a little more to it.  The PT said if I had been sent there earlier in my pregnancy there was more that could have been done for me.  (In the end, I just get to do special exercises and have to grin and bear it along with just a little extra help from physical therapy appointments...I'm also signing up for prenatal acupuncture - different than acupuncture for inducement - which I've heard promising things about.)

Truthfully, inducements typically go well...but so many result in labor that is super stronger than the woman anticipates, which leads to her taking pain medications which sometimes then gateways into her choosing epidurals, which sometimes then gateways into ... well, the more interventions you open yourself up to, the less natural and maybe even vaginal birth your going to have.  Doesn't mean it will be that way...just know that that is a risk that you are agreeing to (and the various risks involved in each intervention) based on the BH pain.  If you were my daughter, I wouldn't try to disuade you from canceling your induction appointment *if* there were no medical reasons to your or your baby's benefit.  However, I would encourage you as the date came closer to consider if you could do this for one more day.  And then the following day, could you do this for another day further?  I think you'll find that as that 39 weeks grows closer, even if the pain persists, you'll have seen the strength in yourself to allow your body and the baby to have a chance to act.  I'd encourage you to the challenge of canceling the 39th induction that week, maybe try homeremedies if you think that would bring you comfort, but to at least shoot for week 40.  Then not necessarily week 40 on the dot...again, if nothing medically is pressing, go ahead and schedule inducement for week 41 and see if you can make it to that point.  There' s no shame if you can't make it, but I think it's better to call your own bluff sometimes especially when we are talking physical discomfort rather than medical.   

karleegirl

barnwife:

KRISTA555:

 I'd wait it out.  You're gonna go soon anyway.  You can get through the BH contractions.  I know they're painful, but you can do it. Give yourself more credit.

And don't forget that Tylenol is safe for you.   I wouldn't have survived the last few weeks of my last pregnancy if it weren't for Tylenol PM.

That may or may not be true. Yes, it's often included on "safe for pregnancy" lists. Drugs aren't tested on pregnant women. So all those lists are is a list of things that appear to be safe for now.

People once thought thalidomide (spelling) was safe too.
/rant because my intention really isn't to hijack this post.

OP, if you want to go natural, and there is no medical reason for induction, you can decline it. GL making the decision that is right for you.

Please don't compare thalidomide and tylenol. That was 30+ yrs ago and they figured out quickly it wasn't safe. Not saying Tylenol is without any risks but it's absurd to compare the two.

Cleo29

I am being induced on the 28th, mostly due to GD, and as of last week I was 3 cm and 50% effaced, so my OB felt like it made sense to go with the 39 wk mark. I hope I will go into labor on my own.  

With my daughter I went into labor 24 hours before my induction date and I know a lot of women who had similar stories. Good luck  

Mommy2Boys09

I have been induced, I was having high blood pressure but I didn't feel that was the reason my doctor was doing it. The day I was induced I was dilated 3 cm and 75% effaced. I was induced at 4 pm, at 2 am I gave in and got an epidural and had my son at 11:18 the next morning. Long labor, ended up getting an epidural so I could sleep because it wasn't happening without it and I needed the energy to be able to deliver my son vaginally. Then I lost 2 liters of blood and had to have a blood transfusion, after losing that much and having a blood transfusion I still was sick for about 2 months from it. Looking at what CAN cause it, 2 of those things were induction and epidural. I was already so far progressed it probably wouldn't have been much longer, I could have waited and I wish I would have because now I'm pretty afraid of having another post partum hemorrhage. This time I'm holding off and giving him his time. Even though I already want him out, I want things to go better this time and not look back and see what I should have done differently. BUT I don't think it's always bad. just because it happened to me doesn't mean it will happen to you. Everything could be perfectly fine. and you are more progressed. But just remember by the time you get to 39 weeks, you've already made it 39 WEEKS, you could handle another 1 atleast if you wanted to. Not trying to push anything on you, just giving you my experience. but you can wait and you won't be pregnant forever. Goodluck!

x0stephanie

I don't know a single person (myself included) who was able to labor naturally with pitocin.  Why wreck your plans just because you're feeling impatient? what's another week or 2.. seriously.  

 

BitsKD13

From my point of view (working with and around a lot of doctors- and paying attention to various trends) doctors will give you stupid (IMO) or misleading advice so they don't have to get called in on a holiday. 

This time of year you see and up swing of inductions being scheduled.  Or tests not being ordered till the new year.  Often times the patient is told it will be easier for them with the holidays- so they can be with their families.  Mostly it's just the doctor is on call and doesn't want to come in and leave their families.  In which case I tell them they picked the wrong field to go into.

:: getting off my soap box::

OP if you want to go naturally, and there isn't a medical reason for induction, then tell your OB you'd rather not be induced. 

I know FTMs and 2+ moms who were induced either early or late (1+ weeks past their EDD) and none of them enjoyed the process.  Most needed a c-section.  And for one the induction didn't work and ended up putting a lot of stress on the baby.  It also caused serious medical problems for both mom and baby (he was full term and in the NICU for weeks fighting to survive).  All of these women had different OBs and were at different hospitals for delivery so it's not like it's a localized problem.  And I'm not saying this to scare you but I think inductions are taken too lightly these days.           

jenweber03

wow. after reading these I am definitely gonna hold off on this at least until I am 40 weeks...  The medical reason was advanced dialtation and also my back pain - I have chronic back pain even not being pregnant so this was the main concern for me...  also we are moving to new jersey in a month from missouri and wanted as much time with him here as I could get....  I have now read a lot more material and I am not comfortable with the risks involved with an induction so I will be holding off on this...  as far as going "naturally" I did not mean laboring drug free... I will definitely be getting an epidural - that was another fear I had (not getting to the hospital in time to get one).  Thank you for all your experiences!!!   Hopefully I will be going to labor on my own soon with my recent cervical activity and not have to worry about this induction at all... 

Rosebud2587

jenweber03:

The medical reason was advanced dialtation and also my back pain... I will definitely be getting an epidural - that was another fear I had (not getting to the hospital in time to get one).  

First of all, those are not medical reasons for being induced. And secondly, the chances of you getting to the hospital as a FTM and being too far along for an epi are slim (even being 4 cm already). I was 4 cm at 37 weeks, went into labor at 42 weeks, left for the hospital when my contractions were 2 min apart, was 7 cm when I got there, and there was still plenty of time for me to get an epi if I had wanted one.  

balihaigirl

I think the pp's have given some great advice, it sounds like you are already making some progress.  I would wait until at least 40w before you start to talk induction -- and it sounds like your body is already gearing up to go into labor on its' own soon.

FWIW, not all inductions end badly.  My DS was born after a successful induction.  I scheduled mine a few days past my due date.  I had zero progress - went in the night before for cervadil, they started pitocin at 6am.  Broke my water at 9am.  I got the epidural at 10am.  I was dilated to a 10 by about 3pm but had to wait for DS to drop for about 3 hrs.  I started pushing at 6pm, and he was born at 6:33pm.  I had a second-degree tear, but that was mainly because DS came out sideways (which was fun, let me tell you).  I just wanted to throw this out there because it seems like there were very few posters in here who commented on having a good induction.  Mine was just fine.

With that said, I'm going to try to wait to go into labor on my own this time around - and won't schedule an induction until around week 41.  I would just like to have less intervention if possible.

Good luck with your decision!

metzy144

I would never get induced early unless it was absolutely necessary for medical reasons. Being uncomfortable isn't one of them. My friend was 4 cm dilated for a month and ended up being induced a couple days after her due date. Progress really doesn't mean anything about when you will go into labor. If you want to go naturally, then just wait for baby boy to decided he is ready don't force him out.

lildevil968

Here's a different perspective. I had DD at 37 wks 3 days, and I went on my own with her. My labor with her was 17 hours from start to finish. I had back labor, and it was really bad. I was induced with DS at 39 wks 4 days for medical reasons. My labor with him was 5 hours from start to finish. Labor with him was easy, and I had him pain med free. When I compare the 2 labors, my labor with DS was much easier, and alot shorter. Given the fact that I have gone both ways, if we where to have another child, I would choose induction over letting myself go naturally.

If you are shooting for a pain med free delivery, it can be done with an induction!

hillbillysunshine

lnyost:

Why do you want an induction at 39 weeks?  Not trying to sound snarky, just curious if there is a medical reason for it.  If not, wait until you go naturally-- inductions increase your chance of a c-section.

This.  I'm not sure why you're being induced if there is no medical reason...especially BEFORE your due date.    Maybe you left that part out??

pinksweetpea2

Rosebud2587:

jenweber03:

The medical reason was advanced dialtation and also my back pain... I will definitely be getting an epidural - that was another fear I had (not getting to the hospital in time to get one).  

First of all, those are not medical reasons for being induced. 

Yeah, those are not medical reasons.