To be Induced or Not?

kdhoyt

I'm in a bit of a tricky situation. I am currently pregnant with my second child. I am 39 weeks today. The clinic that my OB works at is closing 3 days after my due date! So we are a little pressed for time. My son came right on his due date 5 years ago and I had a natural birth which is what I have planned for this birth. My doctor has informed me that I have 2 options: he can schedule to induce me on my due date, or I can chance not having a Dr when I go into labor if I go over. He has spoken with other OBs in the area and none of them will take me as a new patient if I am over my due date. If I go over and my Dr is out of business I will get whatever Dr is on call at the hospital, but also will not have access to an OB for regular appointments. I can't decide! I do not want to be induced, but also do not want to be suck without a doctor! Opinions???  

hollandmama

I'm sorry you are going through this! It sounds like a horrible situation. I personally wouldn't induce but I would definitely find other options, I know a week is very short time but I would try to convince another doctor to take me in case I'm overdue.

T&P for LO to come out between now and your EDD! 

WashingtonQueen

Well, if they won't take you after your due date why not switch now? That way you know you will have a doctor without the pressure of an unnecessary induction.

Jasmineeelizabeth

Is your OB just telling you this now?

I would switch asap. There are lots of qualified people that are able to deliver you baby.. On his time. 

I wouldn't induce.

That sucks tho  

BE2008

What's your dilation/efface emt at? Is your body ready for labor with this one? You can opt for induction to just be breaking your water, drugs are not required if your body is ready. That's what I did, so my birth was still medfree, I just needed that initial push.

Cinnamon Haze

Im not sure why you would allow things to go so long without having an alternative plan in place.

When something like this happens, they give plenty of notice. 

PrimRoseMama

WashingtonQueen:

Well, if they won't take you after your due date why not switch now? That way you know you will have a doctor without the pressure of an unnecessary induction.

Yup.

BeckyTheEngineer

I'm apalled that your doctor would only bring this up now. For me I see a rotation of doctors and will get whoever is at the hospital, and that is perfectly fine by me. So if I were in your spot, I would be fine with getting whoever is at the hospital.

Your doc says no one else will take you, but have you called yourself? This doc sounds shady, so I would not take his word for anything.

Soleil3

WashingtonQueen:

Well, if they won't take you after your due date why not switch now? That way you know you will have a doctor without the pressure of an unnecessary induction.

This.

I would not induce for a doctor preference. 

nycnola

Are there midwives that deliver in your hospital? They'll probably take you. What is wrong with the other OBs that won't take a healthy patient from a closing clinic? Jerks. 

SarahinMD

redaero:

Well, it's not really that big a deal. Here's what I'd do. Get a copy of your records from your current OB, just so you have them on hand.

When you go into labor, if your current OB is no longer practicing, go to the hospital like usual, and tell them the situation. Bring your records with you. They will assign you the EMTALA doctor. Meaning, the OB whose turn it is that day to assume care of patients who come in the door and don't already have a doctor providing care for them. (There is a federal law referred to as EMTALA that requires hospitals have a system in place to do this for medical emergencies and women in labor. So don't worry, someone will take care of you.)

That doctor, or his/her practice, will then be responsible for your care. You'll receive instructions before leaving the hospital about how to make follow-up appointments with them. (And they can't really say, sorry, we're too busy -- since they delivered your baby, you have just become their patient, and they're responsible for your follow-up care.)

If you ask me, it's probably better to do it this way than induce. Induction without a good medical reason isn't the best thing for you or your baby, might fail anyway, and would leave you without a doctor to make postpartum appointments with anyway. 

Everything she said. 

BelhurstBride

redaero:

Well, it's not really that big a deal. Here's what I'd do. Get a copy of your records from your current OB, just so you have them on hand.

When you go into labor, if your current OB is no longer practicing, go to the hospital like usual, and tell them the situation. Bring your records with you. They will assign you the EMTALA doctor. Meaning, the OB whose turn it is that day to assume care of patients who come in the door and don't already have a doctor providing care for them. (There is a federal law referred to as EMTALA that requires hospitals have a system in place to do this for medical emergencies and women in labor. So don't worry, someone will take care of you.)

That doctor, or his/her practice, will then be responsible for your care. You'll receive instructions before leaving the hospital about how to make follow-up appointments with them. (And they can't really say, sorry, we're too busy -- since they delivered your baby, you have just become their patient, and they're responsible for your follow-up care.)

If you ask me, it's probably better to do it this way than induce. Induction without a good medical reason isn't the best thing for you or your baby, might fail anyway, and would leave you without a doctor to make postpartum appointments with anyway. 

I was going to say the same thing. You won't be refused medical care. Someone HAS to take care of you. I wouldn't let your OB bully you into a induction over it.

trudibell

I agree with PP that say to find another doctor now rather than inducing to be more convenient to him.  He shouldn't have taken you on as a patient if he knew closing his clinic was on the horizon.  I'm sorry you have to go through this, but unless there is a medical reason I wouldn't induce.

alegaga4u

Also, I found that the reality is the nurse does most of the work anyhow, and you don't get to choose the nurse.  I would only be concerned about what to do if you find yourself at 42 weeks or more and have not gone into labor... Will his office be open still?  I would want a back up plan for that scenario... Although I wouldn't personally induce at 39 weeks, I would at 42.  Good luck!!

jebrmbbeb

That's tricky. I think everyone I know in real life would for sure just get induced since its not like you're only 37 weeks or something. I'm definitely not induce happy and neither is my doctor but I'd be freaked out to have no familiar doctor at that point. Inducing is much more controversial on the bump than in real life from what I've noticed. Make whichever decision you will feel most comfortable with. Go with your gut. I don't think either choice is wrong. Good luck that's a tough one!

homebird

I would chose not to be induced and take the oncall doctor. But that's how my hospital works so I'm not super attached to my OB. It's not like they're that involved anyway. The nurses are around more than the OB is.

LaBellaVida

I would do whatever you feel is best for you and your LO. Come up with a plan with your OB and go from there. Trust their judgment- and trust that they know what they are doing, but make sure you are comfortable with whatever decision your OB suggests.

I would hate to not have an OB at the end of the week. I personally didn't have a great experience with being induced with DS1, however; honestly if it came down to it, and my OB was leaving when I was 39 weeks pregnant, I would probably just opt to have an induction, instead of the risk of not having an OB at all.

I find it a little strange why a new OB wouldn't take you being 39 weeks pregnant. But maybe they don't...idk.

GL with whatever decision you make!

MommyKristin88

alegaga4u:

Also, I found that the reality is the nurse does most of the work anyhow, and you don't get to choose the nurse.  I would only be concerned about what to do if you find yourself at 42 weeks or more and have not gone into labor... Will his office be open still?  I would want a back up plan for that scenario... Although I wouldn't personally induce at 39 weeks, I would at 42.  Good luck!!

That's a really good point! Who will "order" the induction if it becomes medically necessary?? I'm sure you can't just walk into an ER at 42 weeks, and say, "It's time to induce me!"

A37licia

I wouldn't force my baby's birth date because of a clinic conflict. Huge disappointment about what is happening though. Likely, you will miss one normal appointment before you go into labor anyway. I personally wouldn't sweat it and let baby comes when he's ready. If you have someone you can switch to, do that. It might take a lot of phone calls today to nail one down, but it can be done.