Doctor wants to induce-not sure why

jlthompson19 · June 2010

Went to my 37 week appt yesterday. My official due date is June 24, a Thursday. The dr. said he'd like me to have the baby that week, anytime after June 21 (unless she comes on her own of course). His only reason was that babies born a week late are 8-10 times more likely to have problems vs. babies born a week early. I don't know what kind of problems he was talking about.

He keeps saying we're still going to try vaginally, so I"m thinking she may be pretty big. He's asked a couple of times if my mom delivered vaginally (she didn't) and how big I was (9.5lbs).

He doesn't offer many details, and I know it's my fault for not questioning things, but I don't come up with questions until after I'm gone.

He said it's ultimately up to me, but I'd have to decide sooner rather than later b/c you have to schedule the induction 10 days out.

DH and I talked about it briefly and *if* we were to do it, it'd be for that Wednesday, June 23, a day before EDD, so then DH would take off the 3 days I'm in the hospital and still be off that weekend when I come home.

I'm afraid of an induction leading to a c-section, but then I'm afraid of going to long and her being too big and that leading to a c-section as well.

WYDT?

kayteatrudeau · June 2010

Just call and ask him.

I hear inductions are very common. I think it's very silly unless medically necessary and makes us mom's that need to have them (for medical reasons) feel defeated and robbed of natural childbirth.

I have to have one too. GD related. I'm not happy about it.

Soon_2B_MrsM · June 2010

In my mind that sounds like BULL SH*T it sounds like he wants to go on vacation or something at the end of June and doesn't want your baby ruining his plans....I would not be ok with that at all, this is your pregnancy, your birth, your baby....no way I say.

someflower6 · June 2010

my dr wants to induce me during week 39, but i know that's because of my hypertension. you really should find out what the deal is... honestly, i have never heard of a dr volunteering to do an induction without any reason whatsoever, it does not sound like best practice. are you having blood pressure issues? gd? is baby measuring very large? the idea of inducing you early so that you don't go late is kinda strange to me, but only you and your dr know your history.

rlscheck · June 2010

I don't think that sounds quite right. Most doctors went let you go past 41 weeks, but 40 weeks? That seems odd. Plus what you weighed has nothing to do with what your baby will weigh. I do not think you need an induction based upon the info you listed above. But do what you are comfortable with.

MexicoBride0507 · June 2010

They can not force you to induce. You can have a non stress test to verify that the baby is doing okay after your due date, many many babies are born after their due date and turn out just fine. My DS was 2 weeks late, and is a very healthy toddler.

Skruffy · June 2010

He is right that babies born a week late can have problems. That's why they don't usually let you go over 41 weeks. But that does not mean you have to deliver early. Many women go into labor their 40th week.I would set an induction for 40w 5d and hope to go naturally before that.

Lovin Wife · June 2010

Sounds weird, and DO NOT be afraid to ask why. Most doctors schedule inductions for either a medical reason (GD) or if the patient requests it or if the baby is 1.5-2 weeks late. Ours rule was to schedule one if the baby was 10 days late not the week of EDD (by the way that means ESTIMATED not exact). If I were you I wouldn't schedule it, especially if you are having a no medical issues going on. Then if you are a week late schedule one a few days out. Do not let him pressure you into one! Sorry if I sound bad but this stuff really bothers me, especially if your doctor is making you feel like you can't ask him any questions.

decoglam42 · June 2010

Obviously I'm only speaking for myself but I would probably do a backflip if my Dr. said she wanted to schedule an induction a week early. I'm so excited to meet LO and not be pregnant anymore. After all, 37 weeks is considered full term and I would love to know the exact date LO was coming (unless it's earlier than the induction of course)

GL! Big Smile

ilovelife · June 2010

My ob said that if you go a week late, the placenta has already started to look ratty and can cause harm to the baby.

mysticporter · June 2010

I'd make a list of questions and talk to him more about it at your next appointment (figuring you have one next week). It's true that post-term babies can have problems (some, but not all, of which can be detected on a NST), and there's questions as to if the balance of that shifts to make it wiser to induce at 41 or 42 weeks, but I haven't seen anything supporting routine induction in low risk pregnancy prior to 41 weeks. It does seem very odd.

MysteryRater · June 2010

sounds suspect. yes, "late" babies can have problems but a baby isn't "late" until 42 weeks. I wouldn't do it if I were you. At least ask him why he thinks it's medically necessary and have him give you SPECIFICS.

jlthompson19 · June 2010

Thanks ladies. You've all kind of confirmed what I thought. He just went on vacation 2 weeks ago, but that doesn't mean another isn't coming up-it definitely crossed my mind.

He is both my sister and SIL's ob/gyn. I know he scheduled an early induction for my sister's first b/c he was measuring so large but she went on her own before that. Ended in a c-section, so her other 2 were planned c-sections as well.

Not sure about my SIL- I have an email in for her. Her first ended in a c-section as well.

I'll ask more questions next Monday at my next appt. Especially about the baby's size. That is the *only* thing I can think of that would prompt this. All of my vitals are perfectly fine.

A8194 · June 2010

Hi I'm popping in a snooping from 0-3.

If you can avoid the induction please do! My water broke on it's own but after 6 hrs of being ruptures and no going into full blown labor on my own and had to be induced. It was hell is all I can say. I was in labor for 36hours,my baby did not do well at all with the pitocin and crashed on us, leading to his HR dropping into the high 50's and low 60's and in the end a c-section. It was the hardest and scariest 38hrs (total with the surgery) of my entire life.

I just wish I could have avoided needing the induction medication & encourage everyone to avoid it if at all possible. It is your choice in the end obviously, just thought I would share and give you a different side of it. I know in the 3rd tri you are so eager to have your LO that induction can sound great but majority of the time inductions are not so great.

rlscheck · June 2010

jlthompson19:

Thanks ladies. You've all kind of confirmed what I thought. He just went on vacation 2 weeks ago, but that doesn't mean another isn't coming up-it definitely crossed my mind.

He is both my sister and SIL's ob/gyn. I know he scheduled an early induction for my sister's first b/c he was measuring so large but she went on her own before that. Ended in a c-section, so her other 2 were planned c-sections as well.

Not sure about my SIL- I have an email in for her. Her first ended in a c-section as well.

I'll ask more questions next Monday at my next appt. Especially about the baby's size. That is the *only* thing I can think of that would prompt this. All of my vitals are perfectly fine.

I would also think you would be more likely to have a failed induction and have a c-section if you try and induce early. And I'm not saying that based upon your two sisters that he does more c-sections, but maybe you should find out what his c-section rate is. He sounds a little to induction / c-section happy. Current "average" rates for 1st time mothers I believe are around 15% and most overall c-section rates are 30% of births.

mommyrenee · June 2010

that sounds like b/s to me too. i would be very weary of a doctor that is already talking about induction - 3 weeks before you are even due.

barnwife · June 2010

The average 1st pregnancy is 41 weeks 1 day. So barring complications, I would not want to be induced before that. I would definitely find out the specific reason(s) your dr. thinks this is necessary.

KellyD01 · June 2010

Sounds to me kinda like he wants to go away for 4th of July and is trying to make SURE he doesn't have any births to interfere with that. I personally wouldn't do it... however, IF i was considering it I'd do some reading on Bishops score. It's a way for doctors to rate you for favorability for induction. Many docs don't use it only because if the induction fails they're going to c/s you so you're having the baby that day 1 way or another...BUT if you want to know how likely it is the induction will work then the bishops can tell you that. Also... you can ALWAYS schedule it and then cancel it if you aren't feeling comfortable with it.

canamama · June 2010

rlscheck:
I don't think that sounds quite right. Most doctors went let you go past 41 weeks, but 40 weeks? That seems odd. Plus what you weighed has nothing to do with what your baby will weigh. I do not think you need an induction based upon the info you listed above. But do what you are comfortable with.

This.

dangerkitty102 · June 2010

I have done a lot of reading on childbirth, and I have never heard the statistic before on babies that go past 40 weeks are 8-10x more likely to have problems. I think if that was a valid stat I would have come across it! So yeah, I'd be questioning that.

Unless YOUR baby is showing signs of problems, there shouldn't be a need to induce.

ETA: Ditto what others said about the placenta getting "worn out" around 41/42 weeks - but it doesn't shut down instantly at 40 weeks! They can still do tests to make sure baby is okay in there...

SkobysBride · June 2010

I would not recommend an induction to anyone who already doesn't display signs of being ready ie:dilation, effacement. IMO, they end up in c-sections because the baby is not ready to come. Good luck with your decision though!

*speedracer* · June 2010

i'd want to see his sources for "late" babies having 8 to 10x the problems, that sounds like total BS.

E_Squared · June 2010

Personally, I wouldn't do it -- pitocin really isn't all that fun, for the mom or the baby (at least in my experience). My OB won't let me go past 41 weeks, citing the "problems" your OB referenced. But there was NEVER any mention of inducing before the due date.

For reference: With DS, I had a NST and u/s at my 40w0d appt. I was 1/2 cm dialated, they predicted DS would be in the 9 pound range, I showed zero indication of going into labor, and couldn't have my membranes swept due to GBS+. We set my induction date for 41w1d. The very next afternoon, I went into labor naturally with mild contractions and my bag of waters breaking. DS was born in the early afternoon (with the aid of pitocin b/c of timing issues) at 40w2d, weighing a very managable 7lb1oz.

I would have HATED if my OB had persuaded me to get an induction before 40 weeks based on any kind of speculation...

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