a more "controlled" labor

TheTamedShrew

Has anyone's OB suggested anything like breaking your waters when you go past your due date in order to have a more "controlled" labor (as my OB put it). His reasoning was making sure to get the antibiotics in for GBS in case my labor goes really quickly. I am definitely not OK with this and will absolutely say no, but was wondering if anyone else's doc made similar comments. I always thought once your water breaks you are on a time-clock to deliver (I believe you only have 18 hours before they augment some other way, and 24 hours before a c section), and I'm concerned that my labor may not progress quickly enough.

Mini vent: I also love how my OB, who told me not to type up a birth plan, can't remember from week to week that I want a natural birth, since he asks me at every appointment this past month if I want to schedule an induction.  "Um, NO thank you, for the third time". It's an interesting coincidence that he would suggest this "controlled" method for the end of next week (when I am 40 weeks/1 day) because he just so happens to be going on vacation for a week on Saturday.  I've also asked him TWICE to introduce me to the other doctors on call incase he will not be here.  He keeps saying "when we get closer".  Hello! I am 39 weeks as of yesterday, how close do I need to be?? aggravating...more reasons why I will go with another OB or midwife next time around.

ladybugpjb

I hope you're keeping track of all of these issues you've had with your doctor so you'll know what questions to ask potential OBs/MWs next time!

Methods differ by practice and by doctor. Neither pregnancy (both GBS+) has the OB/MW mentioned breaking my water for a "controlled" labor. I wouldn't do that anyway.

RissNRuss

My office is very hands-off- that's the exact term they use. They believe the best labor is a natural labor (as in, not induced, not forced). That's not to say we won't be talking induction at 41 weeks, but to say that they will not be trying or pushing "tricks" (stripping membranes, manually breaking water, etc) to induce labor.

Labor in itself is not exaclty "controlled". There's a process, it varies from woman to woman and has certain aspects that are sort of predictable, but to assume that's a time for control.... probably not so much- especially when you consider that it's a natural process for our bodies to go through and artificially altering that can alter the "typicals".

Note: This is not meant to sound like I'm bashing those who have inductions, interventions etc. I truly believe that some things work for some women, and others work for other women. But I do think that induction methods can cause changes from the "so called normal".

ssemovsk

Doctors and their 'control issues' (roll my eyes).

My due date according to my docs is June 16 (its June 10 for my ticker because my baby was measuring 6 days ahead at each ultrasound) so we have not discussed post due date that much. I have had a very healthy pregnancy thus far, although i am GBS+ which isn't a really big deal, they just give you penicillin. I too, would like a natural birth and i did tell my doc that if i do go past my due date that i would like a NST and if everything is ok i want to go to 42 weeks and they were ok with that. They cant do anything u dont want them to do.

CoffeeBeanFiend91

While I haven't had this where they talk breaking waters, they will begin intervention once I reach my due date. But this has a lot to do with the risk of MAS.

melissa0726

ladybugpjb:

I hope you're keeping track of all of these issues you've had with your doctor so you'll know what questions to ask potential OBs/MWs next time!

Methods differ by practice and by doctor. Neither pregnancy (both GBS+) has the OB/MW mentioned breaking my water for a "controlled" labor. I wouldn't do that anyway.

All of this!

I am 40 weeks on Sunday.  My doctors are not going to even talk about an induction until next Friday, when I'll be nearly 41 weeks.  I've never heard of "controlling" labor as your doctor has described it.

spolan

Is he talking about sweeping your membranes, maybe?  If you want a natural birth, I personally would stay away from the AROM since contractions can be pretty rough after that.

And yeah, sounds like a new OB is in order for the next babe. 

TheTamedShrew

I agree with everyone.  I thought it was very strange for him to mention it so casually like that.  I think maybe a lot of women in my neck 'o' the woods don't opt for natural birth, I guess?  I have found only one FTM in my area that has had one, and the hospital that I am going to (which is a women's center) only sees about 5% natural births.  I guess my OB is not used to women who don't jump at the chance for him to induce and scheduling their births for their (and his) convenience. I'll just continue saying "no thank you" like I have been, unless I am two weeks overdue.