Desperately hoping for an induceable cervix

rachel579 · December 2010

So, all along throughout my pregnancy, my doc said we would induce at 39 weeks which would be on Jan.3rd. On our very first appointment, I told him my biggest concern was that I do NOT want to go PAST my due date as I was 15 days late delivering my first daughter 11 years ago. He said he wouldn't let that happen and I was relieved. I told him flat out that if he had any ideas of me having to go past my due date, I'd find another doc. So, at last week's appointment (37 weeks) he said the Jan. 3rd induction is canceled because I have had no cervical change. I have been 1/2 cm (fingertip) dilated and 50-60% effaced for the last 3 weeks. He said I have to be at least 2cm dilated for him to consider induction even if it meant I had to go a week OVER my due date. This was NOT part of the deal. I know he has his reasons, but honestly, if I had any idea he wouldn't make it happen for me by my due date, I would have not had him be my doctor. Now, I am stuck. I have contacted other doctor's offices and even though there are many many docs that would induce me at 39 weeks where I'm at, none will take me on as a new patient this far along. I am so disappointed and pissed off. I feel like I have been lied to and as if my feelings and conditions have been ignored. He says it increases my risk of a Csection which I have told him on numerous occasions that I would actually PREFER to have a Csection. My first vaginal delivery was AWFUL and I almost had to have a section anyway. I thought we had progressed in medicine to where maternal preference for delivery was actually considered nowadays...

So it looks like my only hope is to have dilated to 2cm by my next appointment. I am stuck between a jerk and a hard place.

IncogNeato · December 2010

I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure doctors are required (or at least strongly recommended) to follow the guidelines for a favorable cervix before induction or else it's considered irresponsible medicine.

ETA- my cervix was 1cm and 75% the day before my water broke. I was given pitocin 12 hours after that and had an easy induction, for what it's worth, but I have no idea how favorable my cervix was when they started the pitocin because they avoided internals to reduce the risk of infection.

jaejaevee · December 2010

IncogNeato:

I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure doctors are required (or at least strongly recommended) to follow the guidelines for a favorable cervix before induction or else it's considered irresponsible medicine.

ETA- my cervix was 1cm and 75% the day before my water broke. I was given pitocin 12 hours after that and had an easy induction, for what it's worth, but I have no idea how favorable my cervix was when they started the pitocin because they avoided internals to reduce the risk of infection.

This was my thought, too.

Did you ask about the possibility of a planned c-section? I would think that, in some ways, that would be considered more responsible medicine than being induced before your due date. FWIW, I have a friend who was induced at two weeks past due and it still took DAYS to get anything going because her body just wasn't ready.

kcisthebombdotcom · December 2010

IncogNeato:

I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure doctors are required (or at least strongly recommended) to follow the guidelines for a favorable cervix before induction or else it's considered irresponsible medicine.

ETA- my cervix was 1cm and 75% the day before my water broke. I was given pitocin 12 hours after that and had an easy induction, for what it's worth, but I have no idea how favorable my cervix was when they started the pitocin because they avoided internals to reduce the risk of infection.

Not necessarily true. I was induced at 39 weeks with an unfavorable cervix not for any medical reason. There are medications like cervadil and cycotec that ripen the cervix. I knew my risk for needing a c-section was high and I was warned about it by my dr, but then again my DS was 10lbs so that was fine by me.

To the OP-I'm sorry that you thought you and your dr were on the same page but you're not.

Tracy6450 · December 2010

If it's not medically necessary than I give props to your OB for not inducing you just becuse you don't want to go past your due date. I don't want to go past my due date either but I don't want to force my son out for no reason at all.

pawcall · December 2010

rachel579:
I thought we had progressed in medicine to where maternal preference for delivery was actually considered nowadays...

Yeah, it's a pretty big bummer, but medicine's pretty much just advanced to the point where "doing what's best for the baby" is considered. I get not wanting to be pregnant anymore - trust me, I do - but please give your kid a chance to finish developing before signing those eviction papers for no medical reason whatsoever.

vlewis84 · December 2010

lissydee:
yeah, sucky for you to have a Dr. that is actually looking out for yours and LO's well being.

This.

ladipale · December 2010

New research shows letting babies bake as long as possible is best for them and early inductions can be dangerous.

https://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/12/27/MNKL1GV6I7.DTL&ao=2

tigerali · December 2010

If your biggest concern is not going past your due date, why are you so bent out of shape that he won't induce you a week before your due date? He is doing the responsible thing here by not giving you a commitment at this time because your body is not showing signs of being ready. You still have 12 days before you are due, and a lot can change in that time frame.

cera.rn · December 2010

Tracy6450:
If it's not medically necessary than I give props to your OB for not inducing you just becuse you don't want to go past your due date. I don't want to go past my due date either but I don't want to force my son out for no reason at all.

Yes

UrbanHippieMama · December 2010

ladipale:

New research shows letting babies bake as long as possible is best for them and early inductions can be dangerous.

https://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/12/27/MNKL1GV6I7.DTL&ao=2

She said she doesn't care. I'm glad her Dr does!

discovolante · December 2010

tigerali:
If your biggest concern is not going past your due date, why are you so bent out of shape that he won't induce you a week before your due date? He is doing the responsible thing here by not giving you a commitment at this time because your body is not showing signs of being ready. You still have 12 days before you are due, and a lot can change in that time frame.

This.I am just as far along as you, and sure, I'm uncomfortable, but the prospect of induction is scary to me and is not something I would readily accept just for my own comfort or convenience.

discovolante · December 2010

tigerali:
If your biggest concern is not going past your due date, why are you so bent out of shape that he won't induce you a week before your due date? He is doing the responsible thing here by not giving you a commitment at this time because your body is not showing signs of being ready. You still have 12 days before you are due, and a lot can change in that time frame.

This.I am just as far along as you, and sure, I'm uncomfortable, but the prospect of induction is scary to me and is not something I would readily accept just for my own comfort or convenience.

a-beautiful-mess · December 2010

firsttimemama:
ladipale:

New research shows letting babies bake as long as possible is best for them and early inductions can be dangerous.

https://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/12/27/MNKL1GV6I7.DTL&ao=2

She said she doesn't care. I'm glad her Dr does!

Word.

KeyRyn320 · December 2010

lissydee:
yeah, sucky for you to have a Dr. that is actually looking out for yours and LO's well being.

Word. I fought with my OB because he wanted to induce me at 39 weeks for a possible big baby and I said no way since there were no medical issues at all. Now we're doing it at 40 weeks. Being pregnant sucks but you have to give your LO the best chance to make it in the outside world.

loveandguns · December 2010

firsttimemama:
ladipale:

New research shows letting babies bake as long as possible is best for them and early inductions can be dangerous.

https://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/12/27/MNKL1GV6I7.DTL&ao=2

She said she doesn't care. I'm glad her Dr does!

This. What a "jerk" he is!..

LittleApple · December 2010

Your reasoning to not go past your due date is absurd. I am glad your doctor is looking out for the health and well being of your unborn child. Talk about selfish.

carolinag · December 2010

man childbirth is pesky. did you look into one of those fancy schmancy storks? that sounds like it would be right up your alley.

Lil Firecracker · December 2010

LittleApple:
Your reasoning to not go past your due date is absurd. I am glad your doctor is looking out for the health and well being of your unborn child. Talk about selfish.

Yes Well said.

MrsYam · December 2010

carolinag:
man childbirth is pesky. did you look into one of those fancy schmancy storks? that sounds like it would be way more up your alley.

What?!? Where are these fancy storks and where can I buy one?

OP- Seriously. Everyone is uncomfortable. I went overdue with my daughter and was beyond miserable and was scared as crap at facing an induction my doctors were scheduling. But, she decided to come out on her own 9 days late. Let your little one decide if she wants to come out before going through induction.

EmjayTheHunted · December 2010

rachel579:
So, all along throughout my pregnancy, my doc said we would induce at 39 weeks which would be on Jan.3rd.
I thought we had progressed in medicine to where maternal preference for delivery was actually considered nowadays...

I'm pretty sure he meant that 39 weeks was the earliest he would induce. That is mandated by the ACOG, which controls his ability to practice.

https://www.acog.org/from_home/publications/press_releases/nr07-21-09.cfm

You want him to undertake an induction, one he knows might be difficult with your cervical condition, just because of maternal preference?

I have GD and I can't get induced for shiit. I've been asking when/if, etc. My doc did an amnio at 37 weeks and said "tough... not ready. Wait till 39 weeks, unless anything changes". And that's WITH being 2 cm/50% at 37 weeks and having a baby in the 95% percentile for growth. I am also incredibly miserable, but they don't care. They have to cover their ass, and do what's best for the baby.

You really are a moron.

wmramsel · December 2010

I went into labor naturally a week and 3 days early.....you are out of your mind for wanting an induction a week early for no medical reason whatsoever. I was scheduled for an induction because my OB was sure that my body would not do what it was supposed to. It didn't and I had to have pitocin. It was the worst pain I have ever been in. I'm going into the Marine Corps, and I push my body until it nearly breaks, or does break, and I have a relatively high pain tolerance. My contractions were so painful before the epi that I was having panic attacks with each contraction- shaking uncontrollably, entire body tensing with no muscle control, and uncontrollable breathing. My OB actually told me that if I had nightmares because of the pain that she would gladly refer me to an affordable psychologist.

I can deal with me being in pain, but what happened because my daughter was a week early NATURALLY? She ended up in the Children's Hospital with jaundice so bad she was 2 pts from needing a blood transfusion. She ended up with an IV, then needed a second after that one was taken out and ended up with needle sticks in both arms, both wrists, both hands, her head, both ankles, and both feet. She had 3 collapsed veins an no IV. We had to force feed her formula AFTER I breast fed her- that is until I said enough that she was getting plenty of breastmilk and I was not going to force feed her and make her spit up all of it. She had to lay naked under 3 lights for 2 1/2 days- we couldn't hold her and I had to feed her under the light.

I would gladly carry her to my EDD and PAST another 15 days to keep her from going through that, let alone what I went through. Maybe you should think about your CHILD's welfare and not just your comfortability.

stbmittleman · December 2010

wmramsel:

I went into labor naturally a week and 3 days early.....you are out of your mind for wanting an induction a week early for no medical reason whatsoever. I was scheduled for an induction because my OB was sure that my body would not do what it was supposed to. It didn't and I had to have pitocin. It was the worst pain I have ever been in. I'm going into the Marine Corps, and I push my body until it nearly breaks, or does break, and I have a relatively high pain tolerance. My contractions were so painful before the epi that I was having panic attacks with each contraction- shaking uncontrollably, entire body tensing with no muscle control, and uncontrollable breathing. My OB actually told me that if I had nightmares because of the pain that she would gladly refer me to an affordable psychologist.

I can deal with me being in pain, but what happened because my daughter was a week early NATURALLY? She ended up in the Children's Hospital with jaundice so bad she was 2 pts from needing a blood transfusion. She ended up with an IV, then needed a second after that one was taken out and ended up with needle sticks in both arms, both wrists, both hands, her head, both ankles, and both feet. She had 3 collapsed veins an no IV. We had to force feed her formula AFTER I breast fed her- that is until I said enough that she was getting plenty of breastmilk and I was not going to force feed her and make her spit up all of it. She had to lay naked under 3 lights for 2 1/2 days- we couldn't hold her and I had to feed her under the light.

I would gladly carry her to my EDD and PAST another 15 days to keep her from going through that, let alone what I went through. Maybe you should think about your CHILD's welfare and not just your comfortability.

Well said M. As a mom of a baby born at 35 weeks, I would give anything to have had her go to at least 39 weeks if not more. My baby has gaind 4 whole ounces since her birth almost 4 weeks ago and was hospitalized yesterday for failure to thrive. Get over yourself and let your baby come when he is ready.

kknapp25 · December 2010

Tracy6450:
If it's not medically necessary than I give props to your OB for not inducing you just becuse you don't want to go past your due date. I don't want to go past my due date either but I don't want to force my son out for no reason at all.

if there's no medical reason to induce, then it's not yours or your dr's call. why on earth would you want to be induced or have a c-section just becuase?? funny you bring this topic up, my husband just sent me an interesting article today, hopefully it helps you change your mind some, give your lo a little more time to bake. trust me, i understand not wanting to go far past your due date. my cousin was over a week late & had complications due to meconium, but everything worked out in the end. unfortunately, i think you need to just let things take their course.

https://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_16943085?nclick_check=1

AppleMomma · December 2010

Oi vey...another one of these?? I agree with PP I had a son born early and I want to do what I can to make sure this kid is going to stay in as long as she can!

AimeeL85 · December 2010

I am being induced at 37 weeks for pre-e. I would carry him to 42 weeks in a heartbeat if it were an option and was not risking his health. Some of us don't get the option of carrying as long as possible and giving our LO the best shot at a healthy start. Be thankful you do.

holiday819 · December 2010

AppleMomma:
Oi vey...another one of these?? I agree with PP I had a son born early and I want to do what I can to make sure this kid is going to stay in as long as she can!

Same here DD was born 3 weeks early and was in the NICU for 6 days because her lungs were underdeveloped. i'm fine with letting LO cook for as long as she wants because i don't want to go through that process again, i want to actually be able to hold my baby when i want not just to feed her. and i want DH and DD to bond with LO right away. of course i'm uncomfortable and in pain but its what we as women get to go through to have a child that we will love forever. you just need to be patient and let your body and LO decide when it's time. we're made for this and you're not the first to want your baby out because you don't feel like going over your due date.

htomeo · December 2010

From personal experience, having a healthy fully developed baby, beats sitting in the NICU with your child who was not ready.

Mrs.LD813 · December 2010

carolinag:
man childbirth is pesky. did you look into one of those fancy schmancy storks? that sounds like it would be right up your alley.

tehehe!

Mrs.LD813 · December 2010

carolinag:
man childbirth is pesky. did you look into one of those fancy schmancy storks? that sounds like it would be right up your alley.

tehehe!

freeatlast2014 · December 2010

kknapp25:
Tracy6450:
If it's not medically necessary than I give props to your OB for not inducing you just becuse you don't want to go past your due date. I don't want to go past my due date either but I don't want to force my son out for no reason at all.
if there's no medical reason to induce, then it's not yours or your dr's call. why on earth would you want to be induced or have a c-section just becuase?? funny you bring this topic up, my husband just sent me an interesting article today, hopefully it helps you change your mind some, give your lo a little more time to bake. trust me, i understand not wanting to go far past your due date. my cousin was over a week late & had complications due to meconium, but everything worked out in the end. unfortunately, i think you need to just let things take their course.
https://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_16943085?nclick_check=1

Great article.

violaplayer · December 2010

Who does your OB think he is? Going to college, med school, doing internship, residency, maybe a fellowship, getting board certified and looking out for your baby? What a fvcker!

Cause you definitely know better than he does that being uncomfortable is a medical reason to induce.

Seriously?

rachel579 · December 2010

So, thank you all for your input, even the mean and nasty folks. Looks like I don't have to worry. I started having contractions at work (I am a Registered Nurse) and my supervisor sent me to L&D to get checked out. Even though I am not in a good labor pattern just yet, I AM 4 cm dilated!!!! So induction will be back on for next week if nothing happens in the meantime. All is well. I will not be forced to go past my due date. I get to have her as discussed, planned on, on my terms AND with my doctor's approval. There was never any discussion of me being induced before 39 weeks and that was never my plan. But it IS my plan to have her born on time, not late. My maternity leave is not paid and the hospital does not want me to work past my due date which would have made it extra time off without pay and no baby if I were to go over. With a very healthy baby that I am assured is ready for life outside the womb BY MY DOCTOR, induction IS an option that I plan on exercising so BITE ME.

jaejaevee · December 2010

rachel579:
So, thank you all for your input, even the mean and nasty folks. Looks like I don't have to worry. I started having contractions at work (I am a Registered Nurse) and my supervisor sent me to L&D to get checked out. Even though I am not in a good labor pattern just yet, I AM 4 cm dilated!!!! So induction will be back on for next week if nothing happens in the meantime. All is well. I will not be forced to go past my due date. I get to have her as discussed, planned on, on my terms AND with my doctor's approval. There was never any discussion of me being induced before 39 weeks and that was never my plan. But it IS my plan to have her born on time, not late. My maternity leave is not paid and the hospital does not want me to work past my due date which would have made it extra time off without pay and no baby if I were to go over. With a very healthy baby that I am assured is ready for life outside the womb BY MY DOCTOR, induction IS an option that I plan on exercising so BITE ME.

So NOW your doctor knows what they're doing? You had a whole different take on that yesterday . . .

Want a personalized experience?

Desperately hoping for an induceable cervix

Re: Desperately hoping for an induceable cervix

Choose Another Board

Search Boards