Can you refuse induction?

mrmrsh · July 2010

The doctor wants me to have an ultrasound next week to find out the baby's "measurements." I know that the measurements can be off by + or - 2 pounds. I also know that my 2 early ultrasounds measured big. If they feel the baby is going to be big, is it possible to explain to the doc that I'd rather wait for labor to happen naturally regardless of size? I am sure this depends on each doctor, but is it reasonable to refuse things like induction if the only reason given is size of the baby? Thanks!

sschwege · July 2010

You can refuse any intervention. Honestly I think if I was in your place given the information you provided I would be refusing as well.

Aloe0l · July 2010

I don't see why refusing an induction because of size would be a big deal. I agree with you, and don't think that an estimation of size is a good enough reason to induce labor or schedule a c-section. There is no medical reason that you should not be allowed to go into labor on your own and attempt a vaginal delivery.

spfclr · July 2010

Just because I have nothing else to worry about at this point, I've started to get nervous about what I'll do if I don't go into labor before 41 weeks which my provider said that she likes to induce on. (I would fight to go 42 weeks, but it seems that most providers won't "let" you go beyond that.)

Since it's your body and your care I'm sure you can deny the induction, but I would guess this could cause problems between you and your provider if the provider feels it's in your best inerest to have the induction.

Can a provider refuse to continue working with you?

E&RMommy · July 2010

Ksvend: It may depend on the state - but pregnancy is considered an emergency. In Texas, you have to provide a patient 30 days to find a new provider. At full term, you can't tell a patient you won't care for them anymore; it's against the law and considered patient abandonment.

drewiekc · July 2010

You can absolutely refuse an induction. They cant come to your house and drag you to the hospital and hook you up to a pit drip. Of course, it may cause some tension between you and your OB, but if you are OK dealing with that, then there is no reason to let them bully you into one just because they THINK your baby is going to be on the big side.

MrsTiara · July 2010

I'd also recommend refusing the ultrasound so they have less ammo for in induction.

FWIW, the ob that I started with for #1 started at my 20 wk ultrasound telling me how big my baby was (he measured one week ahead by their timetable, two weeks ahead by my mw's). I had a 7 lb 12 oz baby.

spfclr · July 2010

E&RMommy:

Ksvend: It may depend on the state - but pregnancy is considered an emergency. In Texas, you have to provide a patient 30 days to find a new provider. At full term, you can't tell a patient you won't care for them anymore; it's against the law and considered patient abandonment.

Thank you! I'll look it up, but it seems like it is a rule that makes sense and other states, including mine, probably have something similiar. I have plenty of time until 41 weeks so it's probably unecessary for me to worrying anyway.

honkytonk_kid · July 2010

You absolutely can refuse if the only reason given is size! I know I would. Now if you were pushing 42 weeks I might reconsider, but there's no reason you shouldn't be allowed to go into labor on your own and attempt a vaginal delivery. You're right, u/s are very imprecise for measuring size.

flyer23 · July 2010

MrsTiara:

I'd also recommend refusing the ultrasound so they have less ammo for in induction.

This. Unless your fundal height measurements are WAY off (like, 4+ weeks ahead or behind), I wouldn't even bother with a sizing ultrasound. I've never had one, with either baby.

You can always turn down any medical intervention, but I would think hard about the consequences. Suppose you go ahead with the ultrasound and it says that your baby is 10 lbs and your doctor wants to induce. (Which, BTW, is not recommended by ACOG - https://www.aafp.org/afp/2001/0701/p169.html - "In cases of term patients with suspected fetal macrosomia, current evidence does not support early induction of labor.") You turn down the induction, which is your right... but your doctor is still going to think you would have been better off being induced. You better believe that when you show up in labor, they'll have it in the back of their head that you're having a baby that is "too big," and they'll likely be more aggressive with the interventions than they would be normally.

That's why I think it would be better to turn down the sizing ultrasound, unless there are legitimate medical concerns. It keeps you from starting down that path...

superMiller · July 2010

MrsTiara:
FWIW, the ob that I started with for #1 started at my 20 wk ultrasound telling me how big my baby was (he measured one week ahead by their timetable, two weeks ahead by my mw's). I had a 7 lb 12 oz baby.

I don't have personal experience but worked for an OB. They ALWAYS told moms their babies were huge and they rarely ever were. Even the larger one's were so much less than what the u/s tech's determined. And to be honest, tech's seem to be more detailed than docs who perform their own u/s, yet still overestimate by quite a bit. (I assume because the tech is more specialized and does them more often.) My sis had a 10 lb 7 oz baby vaginally. (she had no idea he was going to be that big.) I'm sure it wasn't easy, but it can be done! GL! Hope everything goes smoothly

AshasaurusRex · July 2010

If your Dr. tries to schedule you for an induction just because of the size of the baby, just don't show up:) What are they going to do, show up at your house and haul you away? I agree with PP, turn down the ultrasound. Good luck, I hope everything goes well, whatever you decide!

Jen3016 · July 2010

E&RMommy:
Ksvend: It may depend on the state - but pregnancy is considered an emergency. In Texas, you have to provide a patient 30 days to find a new provider. At full term, you can't tell a patient you won't care for them anymore; it's against the law and considered patient abandonment.

That's right. In Iowa, a provider must provide a patient with a minimum of 2 recommendations if they chose to discontinue caring for the patient, and I believe give a 30 day notice. Otherwise it is abandonment. I am not sure about the laws regarding pregnancy, or if they differ.

Brandy1229 · July 2010

MrsTiara:
I'd also recommend refusing the ultrasound so they have less ammo for in induction.

This too. Don't give yourself anything more to worry about!

mrmrsh · July 2010

Thank you for all of the great feedback! I will definitely consider not scheduling the ultrasound in order to avoid the issue completely. While at least one of the OBs in the practice is fairly "natural-friendly," I am not so sure about the others.

HappyMommy28 · July 2010

This same thing happened to my best friend. She didn't realize she had options of saying no. The doctor induced her, that didn't work so they ended up doing a c section. She gave birth to a 6lb baby girl. WOW! THAT'S A HUGE BABY! Tongue Tied

So needless to say, she now wishes that she would have known she could have refused the doctors suggestion and wished she would have known that the U/S can be wrong by up to two pounds. She wanted a natural birth but didn't get it. Good luck to you.

ErinMSB · July 2010

MrsTiara:

I'd also recommend refusing the ultrasound so they have less ammo for in induction.

FWIW, the ob that I started with for #1 started at my 20 wk ultrasound telling me how big my baby was (he measured one week ahead by their timetable, two weeks ahead by my mw's). I had a 7 lb 12 oz baby.

This was my thought too.

I measured 2 weeks ahead throughout my pregnancy and went into labor 3 days after my EDD. Everyone thought I'd have a huge baby. She was a perfectly average 7 lb 12 oz!

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