Coming to Terms with Induction

pandapepperoni

Good Morning,

I'm a long time lurker on this board, thank you all for the great input and information I have found here.

I am looking for some guidance on coming to terms with induction. I will be 42 weeks sunday and have to be seen by an OB for a consultation. They will do a non stress test and then make a reccomendation regarding induction. My midwife warned us that they will definitely reccomend induction even if we are perfectly fine and once there it will be diffucult (although we are allowed) to refuse induction because we will be provided with materials about the risks of going past 42 weeks. So she suggested we really know where we stand before going in.

I guess my question is do any of you have experience going past the 42 week mark? If you did have to be induced, how did you come to terms with not having the experience you had hoped for?

I will absolutely do what is safest for me and the baby. I am struggling though because I have been having u/s every two days and the baby and I are functioning at 100%. My fluid is great, my placenta is working perfectly and the baby is great. So I just don't see why we should induce aside from the bit of fear that is creeping in. Also aside from my husband, I don't have a lot of support surrounding my decision to have natural birth and we have NO support when we even mention going past 42w.

Any input you could provide would be appreciated.  TIA!

Celyn

Going passed 42 weeks is unknown territory in most hospitals.  If you push for it, expect that you will have a lot more attention than a typical birth.  Is it your family history to go this far postdates?  Has your baby engaged at all yet?  

footnotegirl

First off, induction will not necessarily keep you from having an otherwise natural birth. I had to be induced (high risk pregnancy + 9 days overdue) and still gave birth without any epi, painkillers, episiotomy, etc. I know there are other ladies on this board who have had the same experience. Yes, induction ups the chances of further intervention, but it's not a sure thing.

Secondly, though I didn't want to be induced, I followed my doctors orders. There's a woman on the edges of my social circle (not a friend, I don't like her for a myriad of reasons that go well beyond this particular tale of her) who REFUSED to be induced and went to 44 weeks and her son has major developmental and health issues due to this. I was not going to let that happen to my LO. 

meltoine

I know there are a few ladies here who have gone to 43 weeks. How sure are you of when you conceived? We're you charting or did your have a dating ultrasound? 

judahsmommy1

I agree that how confident you are about gestational age is important here. If an early ultrasound or charts/opks confirm your due date, that's different situation than if you guys are really unsure about how far along you really are. I do feel that inducing at 42 weeks is a valid decision. After 42 weeks rates of unexpected fetal death go up and other problems are more common. If your provider will go along with it, and you feel strongly about not inducing yet then I think that's a valid choice too. But if I had to really fight to put off inducing, I probably wouldn't try. Have you guys tried natural induction techniques? Stripping membranes, nipple stimulation, etc...?

pandapepperoni

Thank you all for your input. We are very certain about gestational age as I was closely monitored during the early stages of pregnancy due to an earlier loss.

It's true, just because I have an induction doesn't mean I have to have other interventions, I appreciate you reminding me of that. I think in my head I have been looking at it as all or nothing, and just reading that one post made me realize how silly that mindset is.

We have tried all of the natural techniques, and I have a last check and s&s today to see how far I have come. I was about 3cm at last check, thinning out and had lost my mucus plug.

I've done a little more research in the meantime since posting and I think I understand more that there are very valid reasons for induction at 42 weeks. Although I do believe every case is different and the fact that my fluid, placenta and baby are functioning at 100% may mean I am fine to keep going. But the reality is I just can't do it. I can't get past the fears, and I know they are valid.

Thank you all again for your input, I really appreciate it. Looks like I'm going to be a mom tomorrow!!!

MommyMelRN

I am a FTM, but I am a neonatal nurse.  In my own experience, induction for true post dates has a high success rate, meaning that there is significant decrease in the need for other intervention.  I hope that helps ease your mind on your decision!  I really think it's because your body is ready to give birth at 42 weeks, it's just waiting for the "go ahead" that hasn't come yet, you know?