a little frustrated with my doctor....

beany02

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had my 39 week appt yesterday. still 3cm and about 75% effaced. i really want a natural birth, and i asked him how far past my due date he would "let" me go. (i put that in quotations because i feel like im the one who should be in control of my body). he said typically he wont let his patients go past 41 weeks. i think thats pretty standard, but i know a lot of docs will wait until 42 weeks if baby is ok. i asked if that was flexible, and he basically said no because studies have shown that the placenta can deteriorate a lot between 41 and 42 weeks. he said its more likely to happen in older moms, moms with health problems, and those who smoke. I have had a textbook pregnancy so far, dont smoke, and am 28, so he acknowledged that i was really low risk for this but he still wouldnt want me to go past 41 weeks. ok let me get on my soapbox for a minute.....

a due date is an ESTIMATE! 41 weeks doesnt seems to be much deviation from that estimate and i dont think it requires induction without obvious health reasons, especially in someone who has had no complications. i can see how 42 weeks might be far enough past to be unsafe for mom and baby and require induction, but now im stressed that i will get to 41 weeks and have to argue with him to give me a few more days. hopefully this wont matter, i dont see myself going past my due date that far since i am already 3 cm but who knows. it just really bugs me that my doctor said this. i think for baby #2 i might see a midwife instead. i told him if we do end up inducing, i want to try more natural induction methods like breaking my water first, stripping membranes, etc. i want pitocin to be a last resort. he seemed to be ok with that but didnt seem too enthusiastic about it.

I just feel like nature will get it right, and there's no need to interfere so quickly.

AdamMelissa

Hello! I understand your frustration. Hang in there. I am 33 weeks and my doctor and I were talking about induction a couple weeks ago. He told me that he would not induce me before 42 weeks. I doubt that I will go that long, but I was happy to hear that I would not be induced at 40 weeks or earlier. There are a lot of natural ways to induce too. Some are nipple stimulation, spicy foods, walks, love making, driving down a bumpy road, etc. I would try all of those before letting your doctor medically induce you. My husband and I just finished The Bradley Method class and it was amazing. It has given us a lot of confidence to have a natural birth and to stand up for the type of birth we want. Good luck with your doctor! 

beany02

thanks for the support! i think this weekend we will start trying all the natural induction methods. i just need to get through these last 4 days of work first! lol. i think im most excited about the spicy food method.... = )

ridesbuttons

I would try really hard to not stress about it.  I think that stress is counterproductive in the whole labour process.

Celyn

Ask him for copies of the studies, so that you can give informed consent.  Then give him copies of studies that show that in mom's your age have lower risk of complications after 41 weeks.

There's a nice list of natural induction methods here: https://www.maternitycorner.com/mcmag/articles/preg0007.html 

tokenhoser

Fight this fight in 2 weeks if you need to. Don't stress about it now.

You can demand a NST test before scheduling an induction and go from there.

AnaKat405

Yikes!

Well, as someone else said, it's good to be aware of your doctor's stance, but there is no point in stressing about it now.  I know my MWs will transfer care to their medical back up after 42 weeks.  I'm measuring about a week ahead and while I haven't met with my MWs and discussed that yet, we did talk about the EDD early on and measurements and how that all helps determine a safe time frame for me if I go beyond the due date.

At this point I'm choosing to go with the belief that LO will come when she is ready and I'll start looking at options if it things start to look different.

KylieBoo320

When I was pregnant, I had this same conversation with my doctor. At 40 weeks, I was 4 cm and 75% effaced, and my doctor wanted to induce me then. I told her I wanted to wait as long as possible, and would not be induced. At 41 weeks, she suggested natural ways of induction and stripped my membranes at the office, and I went into labor 4 hours later. Just stand your ground on what you believe...it is your body and nobody can force you into it. Be strong

nosoup4u

I totally agree with you 100%. Don't show up for an induction if it's only bc you're past 41 weeks, and hire a MW next time. 

MrsMandaK

nosoup4u:

I totally agree with you 100%. Don't show up for an induction if it's only bc you're past 41 weeks, and hire a MW next time. 

I was going to suggest the same thing...just don't show up for the induction. They can't call the police and bring you in by squad car!   Although, I'd request a BPP if you are past your due date *just* to check on baby.

RosnyBelinda

I'm just a lurker typically, but I wanted to add my two cents because your story sounds quite familiar...

My SIL just gave birth this past Monday at 42 weeks, 1 day.  At her 39 week appointment, her doctor tried to schedule her induction.  She refused and was able to put it off until 42w 1d.  As you said, the due date is an estimate.  When I was pregnant my doc said it's normal to deliver anywhere from 3 weeks before to 3 weeks after the due date.  So why do so many doctors rush to induce a week before the estimate?  I'll never understand it.  Anyway, my MIL and her sister (who happens to be a L&D nurse) kept stressing my SIL and insisting that she go ahead and get induced.  She stood her ground though and went into labor naturally Monday morning.  Fast, med-free, vaginal delivery- 3 hours of labor, 5 minutes between her water breaking and the baby's delivery, and one push.  I want so badly for her to rub it in her doctor's face.  Babies will come when they're ready.  

Returning to lurkdom...