threatened with induction :(

boynextdoor1 · October 2010

I'm 37 wks and have GD, which has been totally under control. I've been measuring normally and all my bloodwork is fine. I have done a TON of research and really, really, really wanted to have a natural birth. We took an 8wk class, we have hired a doula, I have read sooo many books on childbirth and become so passionate about natural birth. I feel so cheated of the experience right now, bc today, I reminded my doctor of that and she said that was fine. A few minutes later, she came back into the room and said, "I will want to induce you at 39 weeks bc of the GD." This is like, my absolute worst nightmare, that I'll be induced and it will lead to the typical cascade of interventions, like horrible, long labor and eventually fetal distress and a c-section. I know those things aren't automatic, but they do happen frequently, particularly where I am giving birth. Exactly what I wanted to avoid. My dr. said I don't HAVE to have the induction, obviously, but that she's not willing to let me go past my due date.

I was totally trying not to cry in the elevator on my way out. I'm trying not to stress, bc stress isn't going to get things moving, but I'm really frustrated and disappointed at this possibility.

If I keep my blood sugar under control and maintain everything, she'll just going to continue to see me once a week until 39 wks, and then 2x week. I'm going to do everything I can to avoid induction! I know any way he comes, will be ok, but I'm so freaked out by the possibility of interventions and major surgery... I wish I could have a home birth, but my insurance won't even consider it. I feel like a victim of the typical medical scene, like they are just trying to protect themselves, and don't care at all about my experience or the health of this baby. I really am extremely healthy, I'm not overweight AT ALL, I have only gained 26lbs with this whole pregnancy, have worked out the whole time, drink nothing but 80oz of water and eat veggies and protien, no sweets, hardly any carbs. Every single person I know that has heard that I have been diagnosed with GD has been shocked (and even argued with me against the diagnosis. I'm like, yeah, I know, but that's the deal, so I follow the diet.) This just all-around sucks.

Had to vent. Any thoughts? Support and positivity would be greatly appreciated, I'm pretty bummed.

meltoine · October 2010

I'm sorry you're going through this

You're OB is right - you don't have to consent to the induction. What does she mean when she says she's not "willing" to let you go past your due date? Is she going to come to your house and section you on your kitchen table?

You still have time before your due date. Try to concentrate on relaxing and making your environment someplace LO will love to be - calm, quiet, serene.

What about "natural" induction methods? (Nipple stimulation, sex, walking, stripping membranes, EPR, Castor Oil, etc...) are you open to those?

desmerelda317 · October 2010

meltoine:
I'm sorry you're going through this
You're OB is right - you don't have to consent to the induction. What does she mean when she says she's not "willing" to let you go past your due date? Is she going to come to your house and section you on your kitchen table?
You still have time before your due date. Try to concentrate on relaxing and making your environment someplace LO will love to be - calm, quiet, serene.
What about "natural" induction methods? (Nipple stimulation, sex, walking, stripping membranes, EPR, Castor Oil, etc...) are you open to those?

This always baffled me too. Seriously, what in the world does this phrase mean? She admits in one breath that she cannot force an induction on you but then says she isn't willing to let you go into labor spontaneously if you haven't already by 39 weeks? It isn't exactly her decision is it, so her "will" doesn't really matter. But I digress.

I agree with the pp. Trying the natural methods can't hurt. And you still have time before you have to make this decision. Is your baby healthy? Are you healthy? If so, there's no need for an induction. And it never hurts to get a second opinion if you feel you're being pushed into an intervention you don't want.

cheerleader.08 · October 2010

meltoine:
I'm sorry you're going through this
You're OB is right - you don't have to consent to the induction. What does she mean when she says she's not "willing" to let you go past your due date? Is she going to come to your house and section you on your kitchen table?
You still have time before your due date. Try to concentrate on relaxing and making your environment someplace LO will love to be - calm, quiet, serene.
What about "natural" induction methods? (Nipple stimulation, sex, walking, stripping membranes, EPR, Castor Oil, etc...) are you open to those?

I have heard of being dropped as a patient for going against what they think is best. I have nothing against OBs, but I think this is where their hands get tied. If they think it best that she not go over, and god forbid, she went over and there was a complication, this way the burden is on her and not the OB. I think it is just what has happened to us in a sue-happy culture.

And to the OP best of luck in your decision. I also had to schedule an induction, and I was fighting back tears as they pulled out the calendar. I came on my own three days later, and I had a wonderful birth! I really hope the same for you!

chicsub · October 2010

I definitely wouldn't do it at 39w and at the very least schedule it for 40w if you don't feel comfortable putting it off even more w. NSTs and such. Best of luck!

meltoine · October 2010

cheerleader.08:
meltoine:

I'm sorry you're going through this

You're OB is right - you don't have to consent to the induction. What does she mean when she says she's not "willing" to let you go past your due date? Is she going to come to your house and section you on your kitchen table?

You still have time before your due date. Try to concentrate on relaxing and making your environment someplace LO will love to be - calm, quiet, serene.

What about "natural" induction methods? (Nipple stimulation, sex, walking, stripping membranes, EPR, Castor Oil, etc...) are you open to those?

I have heard of being dropped as a patient for going against what they think is best. I have nothing against OBs, but I think this is where their hands get tied. If they think it best that she not go over, and god forbid, she went over and there was a complication, this way the burden is on her and not the OB. I think it is just what has happened to us in a sue-happy culture.

I guess I understand the OB's issue, but all the same, she can't force a patient to be induced. Worst case scenario, you get dropped as a patient. When you show up to the ER in labor they still can't send you away or refuse to treat you.

You may not get to deliver with your doctor, but unless your doctor happened to be the one on call at that moment, that may not happen anyway. Certainly not the most desirable predicament to be in, but I think given the choice between doing what I felt was best for my LO and having to go with an unknown doctor (which might happen anyway) I'd choose the unknown doc.

All of this is, of course, assuming that the OP and her LO are still healthy when the OB is pushing to induce.

SoxChamps · October 2010

You can refuse the induction even at 40 weeks. They can not refuse you care that late in your pregnancy just because of it. From what I can find, they usually induce if your GD is not well controlled, which doesn't sound like the case with you. It might be a good idea to ask for a second, or even third opinion. Good luck!

madhatter2003 · October 2010

I had GD......I scheduled my induction for as late as my doc was comfortable with (right at 39.5 weeks) and went into labor on my own before that date.

GD is NOT something to mess with....anyone can get it as you noted yourself but the risks of placental problems and such really do go up quickly, much more so than for 'normal' pregnancies. I know it's hard to give up the idea of the natural birth, but you can always try natural methods of induction first, and make sure they are willing to fully ripen your cervix, etc before jumping into pitocin, wait to break your water, etc.

And hopefully you won't need it...you are only 37 weeks so you have plenty of time.

JessandtheBabe · October 2010

I was in the exact same position at you two months ago. I had GD, maintained it well and was planning a natural birth. The hospital that I went to for my GD check ups was intent on me being induced by 39 weeks and tried to scare the bejeezus out of me to do so. The birth center that I was actually going to give birth at said they would send me to the hospital to be induced at 41 weeks. I ended up having a natural birth at 40 weeks and 6 days at the birth center due to taking castor oil to avoid the induction. And you know how they try to scare you and tell you you're going to have a huge baby? My girl was 5 pounds 12 ounces. If I had been induced she would have been around 4.5 pounds. Unacceptable! So go with what you feel is right as long as baby is doing well.

mick64 · October 2010

I agree with many of the PP, they can't force you to be induced. If her only reason to induce is GD, that's not good enough. GD by itself doesn't necesarily make you higher risk, it's more a matter of how well controlled your GD has been. If blood sugars haven't been any issue and you're not measuring large, I would fight being induced. I am a dietitian who works with GD patients, and anecdotally, most of my patients have totally normal size babies. Moms who had diabetes prior to pregnancy are a different story, but GD if well controlled can still be low risk.

boynextdoor1 · October 2010

Thank you for all the great messages!!

Exactly my thoughts: she can't force me to induce. I think it's about people being likely to sue. Honestly, if the dr doesn't make it to the birth, I'm okay with that, bc nurses can catch the baby and I feel like I'd be more likely to avoid an episiotomy!

I'm healthy, baby is healthy. He's not a big baby at all, they told me he would prob be 6-7lbs, maybe 7.5 at the largest. I would be willing to bet that he's only 5-6lbs right this second.

Yes, I'm willing to try natural inductions!

boynextdoor1 · October 2010

Thank you for all the great messages!!

Exactly my thoughts: she can't force me to induce. I think it's about people being likely to sue. Honestly, if the dr doesn't make it to the birth, I'm okay with that, bc nurses can catch the baby and I feel like I'd be more likely to avoid an episiotomy!

I'm healthy, baby is healthy. He's not a big baby at all, they told me he would prob be 6-7lbs, maybe 7.5 at the largest. I would be willing to bet that he's only 5-6lbs right this second.

Yes, I'm willing to try natural inductions! I have a massage scheduled every week til 40wks and I practically live on my birth ball. t

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