Need advice for induction timing.

That.Just.Happened

(sorry, this is long)

It looks like I will have to be induced at 39w due to my GD. That's fine, whatever. The problem I just realized is that E's first week of school at her new school is that same week.  More specifically, her 1st day of school is the day I would ideally like to be induced (Aug 20).

I don't know what to do.  On the one hand, we wanted to do the induction on the 20th because that is when my favorite doctor is on call (the same one that delivered E). On the other hand, I really hate to miss her first day of school.  This is already going to be such a big change for her and it breaks my heart not to be there for it.

I have looked into pushing the induction back a day to the 21st, but the on-call doctor the next day is probably my least favorite in the practice (and the one the 22nd is ok, but I have never really clicked with her).  I have been trying to read reviews online of them all to get some insight, and the one I don't like has bad reviews specifically about pushing patients into c/s.

That's my biggest concern, I really do NOT want to end up with a c/s and want a doctor that will be supportive and advocate for me. I am really comfortable with the doctor that delivered me before and trust her. I don't feel the same about the doctor that would be there the following day. 

One solution I have come up with is to go in for the induction by myself the morning of the 20th and have DH take E to school that morning.  I would probably have to go in at 7:30am, he would drop her off at school at 8:45 and be able to be at the hospital within an hour. That way she has a familiar face dropping her off (even if it isn't me - CRY!) and he should be by my side no later than 2 hours after they start the induction.  I was also induced the 1st time around and didn't deliver until 7:30 that night, so I don't think there is any chance I would be close to pushing after only 2 hours, but who knows???

Anyway, any thoughts on what would be the best option?  My sister will be here and available to pick E up from school, take her home, and stay with her while we are in the hospital. It just makes me sad to know that she will be dealing with a bunch of major changes that week without us there with her.   

Mwalte4

Why be induced at all? Have you seen the stats on inductions that end in csections? With my first I was induced and my daughter was stubborn, so I ended up with a csection. If I knew now what I knew then, I would have let my body decide, not pitocin.

Mrs. Theobald

Mwalte4:

Why be induced at all? Have you seen the stats on inductions that end in csections? With my first I was induced and my daughter was stubborn, so I ended up with a csection. If I knew now what I knew then, I would have let my body decide, not pitocin.

She said she has GD which I'm guessing is making the baby bigger and increase the need for induction. I was induced with my first and it sucked. Luckily I had a fantastic doctor who let me push for 3 1/2 hours and I had her vaginally. Can you maybe wait until the 22 to have the baby? Would a few days really make that big of a difference? That way you could go to the first day of school and skip the doctor you don't like.

K&P414

Mwalte4:

Why be induced at all? Have you seen the stats on inductions that end in csections? With my first I was induced and my daughter was stubborn, so I ended up with a csection. If I knew now what I knew then, I would have let my body decide, not pitocin.

NOT HELPFUL.   

K&P414

I was induced with both of my girls due to pre-E and had 2 successful vaginal deliveries.  I was induced with Emma at 38 weeks exactly, and just under 37 weeks with Tess. (36w5 or 6 days, I can't remember now)  

Is delivering on Friday, August 16th completely out of the question? Personally, I would not miss taking her to the 1st day of school if at all avoidable.  I mean, if you can't help it and that's the day you go into labor, fine, but I wouldn't be able to schedule to miss her 1st day of school.  Not to mention you would technically miss the first few days of school if you delivered that day.  And I think the pick up from the first day of school would be harder to miss than the drop off.  

 

wuhhoo

I would not want to miss the first day of school either! What about if they scheduled an induction slightly later in the day so you can still drop her off and get the dr you like?

I was induced with my first and went in a bit later in the day.

sugarellie

Would it be possible for you to be able to drop her off at her first day and then head to the hospital? At least that way you could see her off to school and get the day you want..

If not, I would choose to deliver on the 20th and miss her first day. I just know having a Dr you like and trust is invaluable and not having the added stress of a Dr you don't click with could make things go smoother..JMO 

christyh24

I've had GD with both of my kids and had to get a CS both times because the first one was breech.  They will not let you schedule earlier than 39W because of liability (I tried).  But, they will let you schedule any time during the 39th week.  There should be no reason you can't schedule a few days later than the first possible day so you can be there with your daughter too. 

If you happen to go into labor naturally during the 39th week, then even better!  Good luck, it's a tough decision. 

mrsd0907

I wouldn't want to miss the first day drop off and would do everything possible to avoid that. However, a doctor that agrees with your birth plan is definitely invaluable. I agree with pp and would try to schedule the induction for later in the day. If that's not possible, I would postpone it a few days until it was a doctor I was comfortable with. Good luck!!

That.Just.Happened

Mwalte4:

Why be induced at all? Have you seen the stats on inductions that end in csections? With my first I was induced and my daughter was stubborn, so I ended up with a csection. If I knew now what I knew then, I would have let my body decide, not pitocin.

I was induced with my DD at 42 weeks and had a successful vaginal delivery.  Since I have GD, the risks of still birth due to placenta deterioration after 39 weeks dramatically increases, and that is not something I am willing to play around with.  Plus, according to my growth u/s this afternoon, this baby is already measuring 7lb 6oz (!!!!!) and I am only 34 weeks.  There is a chance I may need to be induced even earlier than 39w just due to size if I want any prayer of a vaginal delivery. So thanks for your input.  

That.Just.Happened

K&P414:

I was induced with both of my girls due to pre-E and had 2 successful vaginal deliveries.  I was induced with Emma at 38 weeks exactly, and just under 37 weeks with Tess. (36w5 or 6 days, I can't remember now)  

Is delivering on Friday, August 16th completely out of the question? Personally, I would not miss taking her to the 1st day of school if at all avoidable.  I mean, if you can't help it and that's the day you go into labor, fine, but I wouldn't be able to schedule to miss her 1st day of school.  Not to mention you would technically miss the first few days of school if you delivered that day.  And I think the pick up from the first day of school would be harder to miss than the drop off.  

 

Thanks so much for this, it is really nice to hear about successful early inductions since I am now worried I may have to do it even earlier than 39w due to her size. Which would actually help solve this whole 1st day of school thing.  Uhg, it is such a dilema. I guess I should wait and see what my OB says at my Monday appt about timing options before I get too stressed out about this.

 

KT&John

I just wanted to send some vibes of support your way. While I have never been induced, I faced something similar with the delivery of my son. I had GD and had to balance waiting for a VBAC and missing my daughter's 3rd birthday. I know it is all very emotional and I hope you are able to come to a decision that you are at peace with!

JulesDiane

sugarellie:

Would it be possible for you to be able to drop her off at her first day and then head to the hospital? At least that way you could see her off to school and get the day you want..

If not, I would choose to deliver on the 20th and miss her first day. I just know having a Dr you like and trust is invaluable and not having the added stress of a Dr you don't click with could make things go smoother..JMO 

I agree with sugarellie. E will be okay... they are so resilient at this age! 

LC122

I might agree more with Christy on this one, for a couple reasons.
The later ultrasounds are not accurate for sizing. I did not have GD and was told my first was 8 and a half pounds at about 36 weeks. She was born at 7 pounds 5 oz. My sister had GD, had an early induction for projected size and ended up having a 6 pound baby.
I would just hate for you to miss out on your daughter's big day and then find out it was all for an inaccurate estimate.
You could also see if you could go in the night before for an induction, if changing the day would help you align which doctor you prefer. Labor overnight instead of all day.